Kadokawa Launches Global UGC Contest for English Writers

Kadokawa is expanding its international reach through a new User Generated Content global publishing initiative, designed to connect overseas English-speaking authors directly with the Japanese light novel market. The project, spearheaded by Anna Haas and Satoshi Arima of the MF Books label, aims to identify talented storytellers from abroad who can break into Japan’s domestic publishing industry. Participants submit works via the Honeyfeed web novel platform, with stories potentially adapted into manga or anime if they achieve commercial success in Japan before being distributed globally.

The inaugural contest concluded last year, resulting in partnerships with winners such as frettiko and scouted author Kazesenken. Their upcoming panel at Anime Expo 2026 will discuss their experiences working with Kadokawa editors. The program targets a release date of 2027 for books derived from the first competition cycle. This effort reflects a broader strategy to leverage the growing global impact of anime culture by importing foreign narratives into the Japanese ecosystem.