pixiv's High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2021 Results - A record edition with 1,100 entries!
pixiv's High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2021 for high school students was held starting from July 31st, 2021.
This year's contest, now in its 4th annual edition, welcomed a distinguished panel of illustrators and corporate sponsors, as well as attracted a total of 1100 entries.
For yet another year, the jury ended up wondering whether the participants were really just high school students! We're proud to announce the talented winners of the contest.
Here's a look at the eminent board of illustrators who have been judging the contest's entries

First prize: 100,000 JPY (approx. 1000 USD)
The jury's critique

I also selected this work for the lighting. For example, you can clearly see how the artist carefully picked each leaf that the light should shine on. The silhouette of the mirror stand at the back of the room also stands out thanks to the lighting. On the other hand, secondary elements are in shadow because they're not vital, so they don't pack as much detail ー but the author didn't shy from laying out all the features of the elements that should catch the viewer's attention.



Illustrators Jury Awards: 20,000 JPY Amazon gift card (approx. 200 USD)
Amelicart Award




Naoki Saito Award


Mai Yoneyama Award

When I think of dancing, I tend to focus on the dynamism of the situation, but the artist has chosen to place importance on careful observation instead — creating a piece that is coherent with the theme and shows outstanding technical skills.
I imagine the artist began by observing how petals move when spinning a flower around, and then replaced the petals with human figure; it's not easy to draw something like this.


The art style and other aspects of this work are unlike any other illustration we have selected so far, but I can tell that the artist showed confidence and successfully portrayed something valuable to them.
Seiji Yoshida Award


Corporate Awards
Elecom Award
The bold trimming and the fact that you can't see the faces of the dancers also caught our attention.
This beautiful artwork looks like it comes straight out of a movie — it has a story. We will continue to support the artist and wish them all the best!
Orbital2 Award
Orbital2
KADOKAWA Kitora Award
The entry's title IDOLL is also suggestive and choosing to draw the secret life on an idol is a unique take on the theme of dancing.
Not only does the illustration have a strong message and an interesting setting, but the drawing technique is also flawless. This spectacular work left us moved.
・3 art books ("VISIONS 2021 ILLUSTRATORS BOOK" (by pixiv), "KEMONO FABRIC TOKYO MOGUMO Artworks", "Aikiyo Ogipote Art Works Book")
・2 books about illustration (Toshi's "Kamiaza Sakuga (Divine Drawing Techniques)" and Torako's "Irasuto de Okane wo Umidasu Hiketsu (The Secret to Generating Money through Illustration)")
CLIP STUDIO PAINT Award
Prize:
・One 2-year version of CLIP STUDIO PAINT EX's 2-device plan
*Choose 2 devices from Windows / macOS / iPad / iPhone / Galaxy / Android / Chromebook.
Copic Award
Prizes:
・Copic Sketch - Basic 72-color set
・Copic Sketchbook L
CHUNITHM Award
Prizes:
・CHUNITHM ALL JUSTICE COLLECTION ep. I
・CHUNITHM ALL JUSTICE COLLECTION ep. II
・CHUNITHM Visual Collection
Monster Strike Award
Pioneer x Monster Strike Wireless Headphones SE-MS7BT Gabriel
Wacom Award
Prizes:
・Wacom One LCD Pen Tablet 13
About pixiv's High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2021
This is Japan's largest digital illustration contest that allows any high school student to participate as long as they're on pixiv! Every year, famous creators and corporate sponsors who have given their support will judge submissions and offer their professional critiques. In addition to the prize money and special items provided by each corporate sponsor, there are also chances for works (and their creators) to participate in additional pixiv projects and visual productions. The award ceremony was held on October 30.