Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the 19th International Manga Award ceremony on Mar. 4, where Taiwanese comic artist Nananrih (南南日) received the Silver Prize for “The Nature Chef (Mararum: 山間料理人).”
At the ceremony, Japan’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi and judging committee chair Machiko Satonaka presented the honor to Nananrih. The artist noted that although “The Nature Chef” is a work of fiction, it draws inspiration from the collective memory of people in Taiwan — piecing together moments from everyday life that are often overlooked and presenting them through the medium of manga.
Adapted from a script by GoodTrip Creative, “The Nature Chef” is set during World War II and follows Banai, an Indigenous Amis woman with a gift for cooking. While serving a Japanese family living in Hualien, she brings comfort through dishes inspired by local ingredients and Indigenous culinary traditions.
Representative Lee Yi-yang (李逸洋) of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan attended the ceremony and congratulated Nananrih on the achievement. He noted that “The Nature Chef” was featured in the Office’s manga exhibition last year for its portrayal of Indigenous Amis traditional cuisine, highlighting the diversity of Taiwanese culture and the intersections within it.
Minister of Culture Li Yuan also extended his congratulations, noting that since the award’s establishment, Taiwanese artists have collectively received 2 Gold, 10 Silver, 22 Bronze prizes, and one Special Encouragement Award. He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting Taiwanese comics through talent cultivation, financial backing, and international promotion.
