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Yo-kai Watch, Baby Steps Win 38th Kodansha Manga Awards

The Japanese publisher Kodansha announced the results of its 38th Annual Manga Awards on Thursday.

Best Children's Manga

Yo-kai Watch
Noriyuki Konishi
Serialized in Coro Coro Comic (Shogakukan)
The story begins when Kēta discovers an old capsule toy vending machine in the forest. Kēta receives a mysterious watch and meets a ghost butler named Whisper. Whisper tells Kēta that the watch allows him to see supernatural creatures — both good and evil — that he could not see before in everyday life. With Whisper and his other companion Jibanyan, Kēta explores his town for other ghosts to battle and befriend.
The Level-5 franchise also has a television anime and a game, with a game sequel just announced.

Best Shōnen Manga

Baby Steps
Hikaru Katsuki
Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine (Kodansha)
The story follows "Ei-chan," a punctual and earnest boy who has strived for straight As since elementary school. He began going to a tennis school during high school. There, he meets Natsu, a beautiful, earnest girl who only has passion for tennis.
The manga has a television anime that premiered last month.

Best Shōjo Manga

Taiyō no Ie
Taamo
Serialized in Dessert (Kodansha)
When they were kids, Mao used to spend a lot of time at her neighbor Hiro's house because it would always make her feel happy. Years later, her father remarries and she feels she's lost her home when Hiro, who lives alone since he lost his parents, invites her to come live with him.

Best General Manga

Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū
Haruko Kumota
Serialized in ITAN (Kodansha)
The story revolves around a mature prisoner who was released on good behavior. He is called Yotaro by others, a term that means an "anti-hero" or a "dim-witted man." When he returns to society, he starts a new life in a musical life. Touched by Musho Yakumo's role as the "grim reaper," he asks the master to take him in as an apprentice.

Each winner will receive a bronze statuette and 1 million yen (about US$10,000). Yuma Ando (Psychometrer), Miyuki Kobayashi (Kitchen Princess), Tohru Fujisawa (GTO), Kousuke Fujishima (Oh My Goddess!), Takeshi Maekawa (Ironfist Chinmi), Akemi Matsunae (Renai Naika 25 Ji), and Norifusa Mita (Dragon Zakura) formed the seven-member judging committee.

Animal Land, Ore Monogatari!!, Shigatsu wa Kimi no Uso, Gurazeni, and Kangoku Gakuen won last year's awards, and Watashi ni xx Shinasai!, Mashiro no Oto, Un chocolatier de l'amour perdu, and Vinland Saga won the year before.