The 48th Kodansha Manga Awards ceremony, which was held on July 31, 2024, sparked significant controversy and debate among the judges for the nomination of Chiikawa in the General category

The General category featured a wide range of nominees, including Oshi no Ko, Darwin’s Incident, Nagatan to Ao to: Ichika no Ryoricho, Bokyou Tarou, Medalist.

However, it was the inclusion of Chiikawa, known for its simple, often minimalist style, that raised eyebrows.

Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei mangaka Koji Kumeta voiced his bewilderment, questioning, “Who included ‘Chiikawa’ in the General category…?“.

Kumeta elaborated on the challenges in evaluating Chiikawa alongside other nominees like Darwin’s Incident, stating, “I want someone to tell me how to compare ‘Chiikawa’ and ‘Darwin’s Incident.’ Humanity does not possess such a ‘measuring stick.’ It’s not about good or bad; it’s like comparing ‘spaghetti’ and ‘bicycles,’ which left some judges perplexed.“

The judges even questioned whether Chiikawa...