rki.news
DOHA, October 3, 2026: The Embassy of Japan in Qatar, in collaboration with local cultural partners Geekdom and Nakama, successfully concluded the second edition of the Japan-Qatar Illustration Contest. The event culminated in a vibrant award ceremony held during Geekend 2026, honoring the winning illustrations for their exceptional creativity and cross-cultural storytelling.
Launched on July 19, 2026, this year’s contest invited talented artists of all skill levels to submit original artwork centered around the theme “Crossroads of Legends: My Original Japan-Qatar Hero/Heroine.” The initiative served as a platform to deepen cultural ties between Japan and Qatar through the universal medium of art.
More than 100 creative submissions were received across three distinct categories: Digital, Traditional and U-13, a dedicated children’s category. The winning pieces were selected by a distinguished panel of guest judges.
In his opening remarks, His Excellency Naoto Hisajima, Ambassador of Japan to Qatar, commended all participants for their exceptional creativity and expressed his sincere hope that initiatives like this would continue to enhance the excellent bilateral relationship between Japan and Qatar.
The first prize went to Mr. Sumam Azzam for his captivating piece titled “Where Sand Meets the Rising Sun,” depicting a mysterious wandering superhero named “Duneglass” who roams the great deserts of the world and appears whenever people are threatened, becoming a silent guardian of the world’s harshest landscapes.
Mr. Mehdi Aouichaoui (MHDA), a French animator who has worked on multiple well-known Japanese anime productions, also participated as a special guest judge for the contest and sent a video message to the winners at the award ceremony.
During the award ceremony at Geekend 2026, eight winners across three categories were presented with exciting prizes generously provided by the event’s sponsors: Teyseer Motors – Suzuki, Fnac Qatar, Daiso Japan and Iwatani Corporation.
For more details and to view the winning artworks, readers can visit the official website and social media accounts of the Embassy of Japan in Qatar.
