Parsons Illustration Alumna Abby Denson’s graphic novel Dolltopia has received a Bronze International Manga Award!

The International Manga Award  – the “Nobel Prize of manga” was created by  Former Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso to encourage non-Japanese manga artists the world over. The Committee comprises the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the President of the Japan Foundation, and the members of the special committee for pop culture of the Council on the Movement of People Across Borders.

This honor, coming closely after Dolltopia’s win of the Moonbeam Children’s Book Award, drives home the universality of Dolltopia’s themes. Abby’s comics explore issues of identity, individuality and making a mark within a society that seeks to sterilize and monopolize.

Dolltopia is the story of Kitty, a ballerina doll forced into a not-so-happily-ever-after living arrangement with a male jock toy. Filled with discontent, Kitty takes it upon herself to escape her human-imposed domesticity and create a new life and a new image for herself away from the persecution of the human world. On this mission, she finds not only a host of like-minded individuals, but a safe haven for the unique doll: Dolltopia.

The 4th International MANGA Award Winners

Gold Award winner:
Si loin et si proche…（Belgium) Xiao Bai

Silver Awards winners:
Face cachée(France) Olivier Martin , Sylvain Runberg
La Isla sin Sonrisa(Spain) Enrique Fernández
“The story begins with …”(Thailand) Verachai  Duangpla

Bronze Awards winners:
Dolltopia(America) Abby Denson
Kylooe  (Belgium) Little Thunder
Pandora Book(Thailand) Akekarat Milintapas
The Little Polar bear(Taiwan) Chang Fung-Chih
The Passionate Sword(Taiwan) Yeh Yu Tung and Syu Shu Hao
Samurai(Belgium) Frédéric Genet and France’s Jean-François Di Giorgio

Congratulations, Abby!