Taiwanese manga artist fulfills dream with award-winning work

Tokyo, March 14 (CNA) Taiwanese manga artist Zuo Hsuan (左萱) said she has fulfilled a long-held dream after receiving the Silver Prize at the 8th Japan International Manga Award for her work "The Banana Sprout Vol. 2" (芭蕉的芽) this week.

"Youth feels a little distant from me now, but I still vividly remember how I dreamed of creating stories like this when I flipped through Japanese manga as a student," Zuo said in her acceptance speech at the award ceremony in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Her award-winning story, set in 1930s Taipei, follows two protagonists with contrasting personalities who study at Taihoku High School (now National Taiwan Normal University). Dissatisfied with the formulaic content of their school publication, they join forces to launch a new magazine.

Zuo likened her own creative journey to that of her characters, saying, "I share with them the same dream that I can create a story that leaves a meaningful mark on life."

Her nostalgic portrayal of youth earned high praise from the judges, including Machiko Satonaka, a manga artist and coordinator of the judging committee.

"It's impressive that someone so young can depict youth in a way that evokes such nostalgia," Satonaka said. "The author must have a deep sensitivity and a colorful past."

Zuo credited her alma mater, National Taiwan Normal University, and Taiwan's rich history for providing the resources and inspiration for her work.

"I am grateful to Taiwan for nurturing me and providing the creative soil that allows stories to flourish freely. That environment shaped this work and even who I am," she said.

The "Banana Sprout Vol. 2" was one of three Silver Prize winners that followed the Gold Award winner "The Forest Mermaid" by Brazilian mangaka Hiro Kawahara. Eleven other works received Bronze Prizes.

At the 10th edition of the Japan International Manga Award, Zuo won a Bronze Prize for her debut work, "Summer Temple Festival I" (神之鄉).

Taiwan's representative to Japan, Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋), also attended Wednesday's event.

According to Lee, the first Taiwanese recipient of the award won it in its second edition.

To date, Taiwan has earned two Gold Prizes, nine Silver Prizes, and 21 Bronze Prizes.