Taiwanese manga artist Zuo Hsuan (左萱) attended the Japan International Manga Award presentation ceremony on Mar. 12, receiving the Silver prize for her work “The Banana Sprout vol.2 (芭蕉的芽).”
Set in the Taihoku College (now National Taiwan Normal University) in the 1930s, “The Banana Sprout” portrays the lives of high school students in Taiwan during the period of Japanese rule. Zuo Hsuan’s work is celebrated for its meticulous historical accuracy and expressive illustrations.
Upon receiving the award, Zuo Hsuan expressed her gratitude, saying that Japanese manga has played a significant role in her artistic career and that she was honored to receive the prize. She shared that “The Banana Sprout” tells the story of teenagers pursuing their dreams and hopes it will inspire young readers to chase their own aspirations.
Zuo Hsuan also thanked Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture for its support of the industry. “Taiwanese comics are still growing, and with the ministry’s support, they will flourish in diverse ways,” she said.
Lee I-yang (李逸洋), Taiwan’s Representative to Japan, attended the ceremony and congratulated the artist. He noted that Taiwanese manga artists have been recognized at the Japan International Manga Award since its second edition, accumulating a total of two Gold, nine Silver, and 21 Bronze prizes to date.
