Manga publisher TOKYOPOP has announced a call for entries for its first "Rising Stars of Manga" talent competition. The competition will give aspiring U.S. artists the opportunity to submit their original stories (written in English) for the chance to win cash prizes and get their work published worldwide. Submisison are being accepted now, with a deadline of December 16, 2002. "With the 'Rising Stars' competition, TOKYOPOP hopes to discover some of the best untapped manga talent the world has to offer," said Stu Levy, TOKYOPOP Founder and CEO. "We know that many aspiring manga artists here at home are looking for an opportunity to be published, and TOKYOPOP is proud to be the first U.S. manga publisher to support turning their dreams into reality." The grand prizewinner will receive $2,500 and the chance to pitch a full-length manga series to TOKYOPOP's top brass. The second place winner will earn a cash prize of $1,000. Eight runner-ups will each receive a cash prize of $500. All ten prizewinners will be published in a TOKYOPOP manga anthology scheduled for publication in spring 2003. Entrants are encouraged to submit content from all genres -- comedy, drama, horror, science fiction, action, fantasy, romance -- and even under-represented genres such as political, historical or instructional manga. To obtain entry forms and the official rules and regulations, visit the TOKYOPOP Website (www.TOKYOPOP.com) or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Rising Stars of Manga, c/o TOKYOPOP, 5900 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 2000, Los Angeles, CA 90036.