TOKYOPOP’s powerful one-shot manga A Smart and Courageous Child has been nominated for the 2025 American Manga Awards in the category of Best One-Shot, the publisher announced this week.
Written and illustrated by Miki Yamamoto, the manga explores the emotional turmoil of first-time mother Sara Takano, who finds her confidence in the future shaken after hearing of the attempted assassination of Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai. With her due date fast approaching, Sara must confront the grim realities of the world and find the strength to choose hope for herself and for her unborn child.
Courtesy of TOKYOPOPOriginally awarded the 24th Manga Division Excellence Award at the 2020 Japan Media Arts Festival, A Smart and Courageous Child is part of TOKYOPOP’s “Comics That Matter” initiative. This imprint champions socially relevant storytelling through the manga and graphic novel format.
Available now in both print and digital formats, this full-color, single-volume release contains 224 pages and carries a suggested retail price of $13.99. The manga is rated for mature audiences.
The winners of the 2025 American Manga Awards will be selected by professionals working in editorial roles at North American manga publishers. Voter registration is open through July 21, with voting set to close on July 24. Winners will be announced at a ceremony held on August 21, 2025, at the Japan Society in New York City, in tandem with Anime NYC, which takes place August 21–24 at the Jacob K. Javits Center.
Learn more and register to vote:
🔗 https://animenyc.com/american-manga-awards/voter-registration/
Source: TOKYOPOP
English (US) · 