In the comic book industry, many consider the Eisner Awards as the most prestigious prize out there. They even consider it as the industry’s equivalent of an Oscar Award. Along with the usual American nominations, several Japanese manga also received their own nominations.

In fact, Japanese manga dominate the Best U.S. Edition of International Material—Asia category. Of the SIX nominations, only one wasn’t a Japanese manga. Oh, and this honor of being the sole non-Japanese nominee goes to SINGAPORE’S VERY OWN SONNY LIEW! Here are the nominees:

  • The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, by Sonny Liew (Pantheon)
  • Goodnight Punpun, vols. 1–4, by Inio Asano, translated by JN PRoductions (VIZ Media)
  • orange: The Complete Collection, vols. 1–2, by Ichigo Takano, translated by Amber Tamosaitis, adaptation by Shannon Fay (Seven Seas)
  • The Osamu Tezuka Story: A Life in Manga and Anime, by Toshio Ban and Tezuka Productions, translated by Frederik L. Schodt (Stone Bridge Press)
  • Princess Jellyfish, vols. 1–3, by Akiko Higashimura, translated by Sarah Alys Lindholm (Kodansha)
  • Wandering Island, vol. 1, by Kenji Tsuruta, translated by Dana Lewis (Dark Horse)

And speaking of Sonny Liew, the Singaporean also boasted a total of SIX nominations, including Best Graphic Album–New, Best U.S. Edition of International Material–Asia, Best Writer/Artist, Best Coloring, Best Lettering, and Best Publication Design.

Another Japanese work also received a nomination, but in a different category. Renowned illustrator, Takeshi Obata, received a Best Comics-Related Book nomination for his blanc et noir: takeshi obata illustrations artbook. Meanwhile, Ranma 1/2 and InuYasha mangaka, Rumiko Takahashi, once again gets a nomination for the Eisner Hall of Fame.

An expert panel of judges chose all the nominees, and that also includes a few Comic Book heavyweights. Comic book industry professionals will then vote online to decide who will win their respective awards.

Named for acclaimed comics creator Will Eisner, the awards are celebrating their 29th year of highlighting the best publications and creators in comics, as well as manga and graphic novels. Fittingly, they hold the event during the San Diego Comic Con, the largest gathering of comic book enthusiasts in the world.

You can check out the complete list of nominees via the Comic-Con official website.