TOKYO – June 25, 2026 – KADOKAWA CORPORATION, in partnership with qdopp Inc. and MyAnimeList Co., Ltd., has announced MyAnimeList x Honeyfeed Writing Contest 2026 – THE HEROIC FANTASY presented by KADOKAWA. This English-language fantasy contest will be hosted on Honeyfeed, a novel submission platform operated by qdopp, with the goal of discovering talented authors from around the world.
Illustration by Rei
Contest Webpage:
https://mhwc.myanimelist.net/202607/
About MyAnimeList x Honeyfeed Writing Contest 2026 – THE HEROIC FANTASY presented by KADOKAWA
KADOKAWA is seeking submissions across two distinct themes: Epic Heroine and Tragic Hero.
For Epic Heroine, we are looking for stories in the vein of Secrets of the Silent Witch, featuring a female protagonist whose overwhelming strength contrasts with her endearing “flaws”.
For Tragic Hero, we want gripping tales akin to Sentenced to Be a Hero, following a male protagonist who makes a comeback rising from the depths of despair.
Either way, the absolute baseline for a winning entry is a compelling protagonist. We want stories centered on characters who will thrill fantasy fans around the globe.
■Prizes
(Please refer to the submission guidelines for full details)
Grand Prize (1 winner per theme, 2 winners total): $5,000 USD
Runner-Up Prize (Awarded only if no Grand Prize is selected): $3,000 USD
Grand Prize-winning novels will be assigned both an editor from KADOKAWA and a professional Japanese light novel author, who will work with the winner to revise the manuscript for publication in Japan. Novels awarded a Runner-Up Prize might also be offered publication through KADOKAWA upon revisal.
Subject to KADOKAWA’s final approval, selected novels will be adapted into Japanese, illustrated by a professional light novel artist, and published in Japan as a light novel with a target release in the 2028 fiscal year (subject to change).
■ Submission Period
・July 6, 2026, 5:00 PM PDT – September 27, 2026, 9:00 PM (PDT)
■ How to Enter
(Please refer to the submission guidelines for full details)
To participate, create and publish a new, original English-language web novel on Honeyfeed. Entries must be updated with regular chapter releases, reach a satisfying story conclusion, and achieve a minimum total word count of 50,000 words by September 27, 2026, at 9:00 PM (PDT).
■ Background & Objectives
This contest is organized as part of KADOKAWA’s Global UGC Publishing Project, a new initiative aiming to grant storytellers from around the world the opportunity to be published in Japan and break into the Japanese light novel market.
It marks the second edition of our English-language web novel contest, following the success of the inaugural MyAnimeList x Honeyfeed Writing Contest 2025 – THE ISEKAI presented by KADOKAWA.
In last year’s contest, one outstanding work was awarded the Grand Prize, while two exceptional entries received Contest Winners Prizes.
About KADOKAWA’s Global UGC Publishing Project
In recent years, Japanese anime has surged in popularity worldwide, with many hit titles originating from light novels. In parallel, international online writing platforms have seen a growing number of original works heavily influenced by Japanese light novels, turning these sites into fertile ground for creators with genuine global potential. Against this backdrop, KADOKAWA launched the Global UGC Publishing Project as part of its Global Business Acceleration Program, which supports new overseas-oriented business initiatives.
Through this project, KADOKAWA aims to discover talented new storytellers from around the world, through global web novel platform story submissions. By publishing these internationally created light novels in Japan and around the world, KADOKAWA aims to pioneer the next generation of global hit franchises.