pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2026 results - Whose work of ingenuity and craftsmanship stands out as the crowning jewel?!

After a rigorous judging process, the winning works for the pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest 2026, held by pixiv in the summer of 2026, have been chosen!

This year marks the 9th edition of the contest, with the theme "Passage." Despite the challenging theme, we received over 1,200 entries! Each work radiated the captivating passion of high school students and their strength in overcoming a creative experience filled with trial and error.

Each judge carefully examined all entries, considering how each artist interpreted the theme, their use of color, and the overall atmosphere of the illustration. They also read the titles and captions to better understand the creators’ intentions and the emotion behind their works. The judges expressed their delight, describing the passionate sentiments conveyed as heartwarming and emotional. There were also moments of excitement when they looked at past works from participants who have entered for two or three consecutive years, remarking, “They’re getting better every year!” Since every work nominated for the Grand Prize was wonderful and skillfully executed, the judging process was difficult; however, after careful deliberation, the Grand Prize winner was selected.

This is the prize awarded to the work selected as the best illustration among all the entries. The winner will receive 200,000 JPY in prize money. 

Mika Pikazo: Personally, I felt this entry had the best artistic skill among all the submissions—it’s already at a professional level. I was incredibly impressed by how the artist skillfully drew the viewer’s attention to the character while still rendering the background in great detail, as well as their masterful world-building. Techniques like the blurring effects, reminiscent of background art in anime, really stand out. I’d love to see more illustrations that capture this girl’s world and story from various angles. I believe you’ll be in charge of the key visual for next year’s pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest, and I’m already looking forward to seeing the wonderful artwork you’ll create. Go all out!

Ura Uraura: This piece truly deserves the Grand Prize. It’s packed with an incredible amount of detail. I especially love the way the artist draws the viewer’s attention to the characters by placing them at the boundary between the dark outer edges and the bright cityscape to create contrast. I also love how, despite the overall low saturation, the artist uses a color scheme that layers multiple shades of red in the protagonist’s clothing and accessories—ensuring the character’s presence doesn’t get lost amid all the intricate details. The color design is truly professional—for example, the way the red used on the characters is kept to a deep burgundy to ensure they don’t stand out too much from the world, and the clever way the viewer’s gaze loops back and forth between the character and the world around them. This goes far beyond what you’d expect from a high school student. It’s incredibly cool. I’m really looking forward to seeing what you do next.

Ixy: This piece is so striking that it makes you think, “Is this really the work of a high school student?!” If someone with artistic skills like you had been around when I was in high school, I might have given up on drawing altogether. If this were featured in an advertisement or magazine, I’m sure it would instantly catch my eye. The way the objects are arranged from foreground to background, the use of color, the placement of light, and the way the motifs are incorporated—it’s truly amazing how seamlessly everything comes together without any sense of dissonance. I also really appreciated the dedication to fully expressing this year’s theme, “Passage.” I’m already looking forward to next year’s key visual.

Haruo: I saw your work from last year, and it seems to me that your skills have improved even further. The fact that you can still effectively draw the viewer’s gaze toward the girl despite the abundance of detail is a testament to your technical skill. Even though more and more works focusing on negative space appear every year, this piece—with its high level of detail—really stood out. Your artistic ability is so impressive that I found myself wanting to ask, “How do you draw like that?” The level of polish is truly remarkable.

Magotsuki: It’s truly breathtaking how this artist dynamically depicts the theme “Passage” across the scene all at once, while still maintaining such meticulous composition. I was struck by the artist’s mastery of motif. Even though the work is so intricate and rich in detail, the way the viewer’s gaze is skillfully guided to the central character is remarkable. The way the sunflowers appear somewhat lifeless also conveys a sense of the passage of time. I felt this was such a polished piece that it could easily serve as a movie poster. All you'd need to do is add a title to it.

These are works selected by the panel of judges, all active creators, based on each of their unique perspectives as illustrators themselves. Each winning illustrator will receive a 30,000 JPY Amazon gift card.

Ixy: While there’s still room for technical growth in some areas, this piece really conveys the sense that the artist poured every ounce of their current ability into it—I love how their energy, intensity, and youthful spirit really come through. Once you start working as a professional, you’re often expected to produce more polished, cohesive artwork, so you end up unable to create pieces like this one. That’s exactly why I was drawn to this work—because you can feel the artist’s love for illustration and their current passion radiating from every inch of the canvas. Above all, the fact that they saw this piece through to completion is truly wonderful.

Mika Pikazo: I was really impressed by how meticulously you rendered the details—like the tires, the soles of the shoes, and the shading—without cutting any corners. As an illustrator myself, I know that taking on a piece like this requires a lot of courage, and it’s not something you can just easily pull off. It’s truly wonderful that you’re taking on a project that demands such sustained emotional and physical stamina. Since the legs are drawn with perspective in mind, I think the piece would be even better if you applied the same degree of perspective distortion to the comb drawn nearby.

Ura Uraura: I know high school students (including me back then) usually want to focus on drawing big faces, so I thought it was really cool that this piece was drawn with such a clean, decisive style.

Ura Uraura: This artwork effectively conveys the theme. Through motifs such as the carelessly placed trash bags and the childhood drawing partially cut off in the upper right corner of the frame—combined with the overall use of cool colors—the life journeys of the characters and the atmosphere currently surrounding the parent and child are vivid. The high school student’s perspective and the mother’s unseen expression are rendered with such intricate detail that I felt this work truly transcends the confines of the frame—so much so that one could say, “This picture is speaking.” The technical execution is also superb; the gradient incorporated into the door and the challenging bird’s-eye-view composition are rendered seamlessly. The expressiveness in depicting psychological states is so exceptional that it’s hard to believe this is a piece by someone still in high school. This is such a wonderful piece that I could go on praising it endlessly. I’m truly looking forward to seeing what you do next.

Ixy: Just from the illustration alone, I can almost hear the dialogue between the student and his mother. I thought it was incredibly expressive. I believe that illustrations, just like words, are best when they effectively convey what the artist intends to express. In that regard, this piece conveyed its intended message the best out of all the entries.

Mika Pikazo: I think this illustration does a great job of capturing a stifling, gloomy feeling—as if the character finds it a bit of a burden that their parents are making their lunch for them. As adults, we tend to see things from a parent’s perspective and interpret the situation positively, thinking, “It’s sad, but this situation is part of the child's growth." That’s why I believe this particular atmosphere can only be portrayed by a high school student.

Magotsuki: Personally, I think the story depiction here is wonderful. The way it depicts the difficult-to-bridge gap between the high school student and his mother is masterfully done.

Haruo: The way the scene is framed is very unique. Precisely because the mother's face isn’t shown, the more you look at it, the more you wonder about her expression. The fact she isn’t fully depicted is exactly what sparks your imagination.

Haruo: This piece is so direct and really cute. The caption really strikes a chord. “This is the moment I plucked up the courage to hand over my love letter. I was so nervous that I blurted out my feelings, so the love letter lost its meaning.” I can almost hear the girl’s voice echoing through the crisp, empty classroom on a spring day. The flow from right to left is beautiful, creating a pleasing composition. The slight roughness of the background was a minor concern, but even so, it’s a very charming piece.

Mika Pikazo: There were other entries that included depictions of romance, but this is my favorite among them. It captures the emotions of suddenly being handed a love letter so well—it’s both cute and conveys the sincerity of the confession. In the background, there's something that looks like a star or an airplane flying off in the direction of the drifting cherry blossoms, as if the boy’s heart were leaping out, and it is truly a joy to look at. It’s also brilliant how the sunlight is drawn only on the window where the boy is standing, drawing the focus to his face and creating a composition that naturally draws the viewer’s attention to his emotions.

Ura Uraura: Both the theme and the story come across very clearly. The artwork is also very well done, and I think you’re capable of adding even more detail. If you were to improve your depiction of clouds or transform them into cityscapes, I believe your illustrations would better convey the characters’ daily lives and the scenes of their confessions.

Magotsuki: I can really feel the energy in this piece, and I absolutely love it—including the caption! When I look at the details, like the hands and the sense of perspective, there are some rough spots, but the passion and joy you put into creating it come through so strongly that they more than make up for it. Regarding the theme, I personally thought your interpretation—drawn from your own journey through the pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest and the tangible sense that life will continue onward—was an excellent response. I hope you’ll continue drawing while cherishing this overwhelming passion.

Haruo: I look at your entries every year, and I feel like your work gets better and better as the years go by. Your use of blue is very pleasing to the eye. I was particularly drawn to the detail in the school of fish. This kind of energy isn’t something you can just create easily, and the passion poured into every single line really comes through. I also love the sense of style. The girl on the far right in a dress wearing rugged sneakers is wonderful.

Ixy: I really love how you can feel the energy that only high school students have. I was amazed by the level of detail in the robot's arm on the right. I think this piece is a perfect fit for the pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest.

Mika Pikazo: This is the piece that shocked and moved me the most! Among all the entries, I think this is the one that most creatively captures the theme. At first glance, your eyes are drawn to the girls depicted as two-dimensional figures at the top of the stairs, but there’s also a realistically rendered human figure in the lower left corner—which makes your heart flutter with curiosity about what this piece is all about. When I realized the painting conveyed a powerful message—that “I can’t become one of those 2D girls”—through elements like the cones, it hit me right in the heart. Against the fresh, bright color palette, I could sense a sense of resignation, anger, and longing. It takes incredible talent to pack so much meaning into a single illustration. I’m looking forward to seeing your future work.

Magotsuki: I was drawn in by the ethereal, dreamlike lighting and colors, and the moment I realized what the piece was actually about, I was blown away! It’s a piece that combines both technical mastery and a powerful message, and it’s one of my personal favorites.

Haruo: When you take a close look at the illustration—including the caption—it really speaks to you. While there are some rough spots, the execution is technically skilled, and it’s one of my absolute favorite works.

The works featured here were chosen by our sponsors. Each of the artists will receive a variety of creative production-related goods and other items from each respective company. Here are the comments from each company.

The motifs here leave room for mystery and for the viewer’s imagination. The character holding a knife has their back turned, and whether they are crying or laughing is open to interpretation. The apple-like red sphere is held up to the other person’s chest; its vivid, blood-red hue—spilling vividly across the floor—evokes the image of a heart. Furthermore, the setting at the top of the stairs suggests the nature of their relationship and the drama unfolding between them. It is a truly captivating illustration in which a profound story unfolds from a single image.

What first caught our eye was the beauty of the color palette, which seamlessly blends vibrancy and a sense of melancholy. The girl’s expression is also striking, conveying a range of emotions—from joy to a hint of loneliness. Her image resonated with us as we saw parallels with Clearnote’s student users, who grow step by step—their hearts filled with excitement at new encounters, while also experiencing farewells from time to time. We selected this piece because we sensed the theme of “Passage” in the way people move forward, navigating a series of encounters and partings with others.

This is an energetic piece that makes you feel as though memories and emotions are swirling in a vortex, drawing the viewer’s gaze to the chocolate at its center. Each memory is meticulously depicted, and as we examined every detail and shared in the couple’s memories, our desire to cheer them on so the girl could successfully give him the chocolate grew stronger—and we found ourselves feeling as though we were feeling that bittersweet emotion again ourselves. The overall color palette effectively conveys a sense of anticipation and anxiety, and we felt the composition was straightforward yet skillfully crafted.

We were captivated by the beauty of the composition and the dynamic power of the schooling fish, and were also deeply moved by the expressions on the character’s face and the delicate rendering of each individual fish. The caption, “Surrendering to the flow of breath as they swim,” evokes the worldview of “Passage”—the sense of drifting with the current of the school as they journey to unexpected places. In print, the use of white ink and varnish further accentuates the play of light and the sense of the fish’s speed, resulting in a powerful piece that truly highlights the work’s charm.

We were captivated by the wonderful concept of drawing and being drawn. The way the waves "Pass" endlessly over into the girl's reality, transcending the boundary of the frame. The artist’s dedication to the work is evident in the detailed depictions—from the reflections of light on the bright parts of the waves to the subtle rendering of the wind’s flow. In print, expanding beyond just paper and using various other materials would change the way the light and textures appear, further expanding the world of the work.

True to its title, “Crossing the River in Search of Knowledge,” the use of facial expression and movement makes you imagine what the story holds next—what is the protagonist trying to discover, and what lies ahead? The theme of “Passage” is also powerfully conveyed with the image of the protagonist stepping into an unknown world and moving beyond something. We felt that with UV inkjet printing, it would be possible to capture the oil-painting-like texture and delicate facial expressions while also exploring new forms of expression unique to print media.

Through memorable works and encounters with wonderful artists, the joy of drawing is passed down to the next generation. We selected this piece because we felt it was a deeply moving work with a powerful message that perfectly aligns with this contest’s theme, “Passage.” Even though it's clear that a wide variety of colors are used upon closer inspection, the composition as a whole maintains a cohesive, airy atmosphere—a testament to the artist’s sense of style. The dreamy, soft color palette is lovely, and it made us really hope the artist will try using Copic markers too…! We would be delighted if they continued to create analog artwork in the future.

The caption reads, “Even if I can’t see what lies ahead on my path, I want to live a life filled with joy and delight,” conveying both the anxieties and joys inherent in student life, when the paths to pursue and possibilities are so diverse. We also found the composition to be outstanding. Behind the elegant figure lies an anxious expression that lays bare their emotions, while the feet convey a palpable, stinging tension. This contrast adds drama and a sharp edge to the work. The wide range of expressive techniques—such as thick impasto, monochrome tones, and hatching—is also striking. Although there are many motifs featured, the artist has used circles, lines, and the main color of red to create a clean, stylish composition that’s easy on the eye—a sense of balance that is truly rare. We look forward to seeing more of their work in the future!

We chose this work because we thought, “This is definitely the one we'd feature on the cover of CGWORLD magazine!” It really stood out even as a thumbnail. We were instantly drawn to the bold layout, the use of color, and the dynamic poses of the characters. In particular, we felt that the waves in the background and the characters’ stances worked in unison, further amplifying the sense of momentum.

We felt that this work carefully captures the moment when the artist picks up a paintbrush and approaches the canvas, conveying a sincere dedication to the creative process. In particular, the girl’s powerful gaze is striking and captivates the viewer. Through our products, we aim to support people’s creativity and encourage more people to take up art. This piece directly conveys the joy of painting and the allure of creativity, and that sentiment deeply resonates with our company’s philosophy. We selected it as a work that we hope will share the joy of creativity with a wide audience.

In a quiet space enveloped in greenery, a girl sits holding a telephone receiver with its cord cut off. We were drawn into that mysterious scene. The more we looked at the details—such as the girl’s body covered in plants and the weathered telephone—the more our imagination ran wild, wondering how much time she had spent here and what she had been waiting for all this time. The title, Toward the Voice, and the caption, “I was waiting for you, even though you’ll never come,” were also striking. Overlapping with the theme “Passage,” this work made us eager to discover the story that lies beyond. The green-toned color palette and the soft rendering of light further enhance the quiet, beautiful atmosphere of this world, adding to its charm. We look forward to seeing you continue to take on new creative challenges while staying true to your own sensibilities.

In this work, rendered in subdued tones, we sensed the quiet yet steadfast strength of will in the young girl. We were deeply impressed by her determination to hold fast to what matters most to her and move forward with resolve. We saw a parallel between her and the Clearnote student users who work single-mindedly toward their dreams and goals, cherishing every small step they take each day. We selected this piece with the hope that the artist’s creativity will resonate with many students and give them the strength to move forward.

Not only is every detail meticulously rendered, but we were also completely drawn in by the dynamic composition! We also think this piece perfectly captures the spirit of Zenkoku Douga Create Koshien—the challenges, youth, and passion of middle and high school students. It’s okay if it’s not perfect—please create the key visual for Zenkoku Douga Create Koshien exactly as you'd like! We're already looking forward to seeing what you come up with!!

We chose this year’s theme, “Passage,” in the hope that participants would cross various boundaries through their creative work and feel a sense of connection with other people and objects. Takenoko Gohan’s work depicts the act of crossing boundaries and encountering others through the medium of books. While clearly distinguishing between the space of the girl reading a book and ours, the image creates a sense of continuity between the two worlds by depicting books taking flight and crossing over. In recognition of the skill needed to capture all of this within a single illustration, the portrayal of crossing boundaries through creative works, and our high hopes for the future, we would like to present Takenoko Gohan with the pixiv Award.

These are the works that did not win the Illustrator Panel awards, but did catch the eye of our judges.

Mika Pikazo: An illustration's ability to move the viewer is extremely important, and this piece really struck a chord with me in a positive way. The way the blurring is done, the use of orange lines, and the character designs are unlike anything I’ve seen before—they’re truly original. I don’t think this kind of artistic vision comes easily, so I’m looking forward to seeing what this artist creates next.

Haruo: It’s wonderful that you had the courage to boldly place the white figure right in the center. I can really sense your determination to pursue this style, and I think that’s absolutely wonderful.

Magotsuki: I like how it stands out from others and has a clean, straightforward style.

Ura Uraura: It's really cool how they've created their own unique world, with train designs I've never seen before and traffic lights shaped like eyes.

Ixy: I’ve seen your past works as well, and I was impressed by how you’ve taken on a different style this time—your versatility speaks to both your skill and your courage.

Magotsuki: This color scheme, filled with pastel tones, is so beautiful. It’s not just soft—the accent of a slightly deeper blue really stands out, too.

Mika Pikazo: You’ve also done a great job capturing the way the light falls on the wrinkles in the girl’s clothes. This piece combines motifs that convey both your favorite things and your desire to do your best with your art, but I think you could have leaned further into one or the other of those elements.

Mika Pikazo: You have a great sense of balance in your artwork. Seeing how the title and caption—“Just in the nick of time” and “I'm not going to pass!!!!!!!”—contrast with the bright, cheerful atmosphere of the illustration made me think the artist must be a fun person. The details are beautifully rendered, and it’s clear you put a lot of effort into this. I can tell you must have studied reference materials carefully when drawing the stationery.

Ixy: The artist has a great sense of color, and just looking at the lines, you can tell they’re drawn by someone who’s really skilled. The artwork looks fantastic whether you view it from a distance or up close.

Ura Uraura: I thought everything was cute—from the pun between not passing tests and falling off the balance beam marker to the worn-down eraser that really conveys a sense of hard work.

Mika Pikazo: Judging by the size of the hands, I wondered if this might be something being passed down from parent to child. While there are many stories out there with the theme that dolls get sad when no one plays with them anymore, I really like this uplifting story about a doll that has been waiting a long time for its next purpose. When I think that the small hands will grow and surely pass this doll down to their own child when they become a parent, it’s a work that makes me feel a sense of happiness that will continue into the future.

Haruo: I also thought it was a wonderful piece, including the depiction of touch. I was really impressed by the use of color—like the purple in the hair and the green on the hands.

Magotsuki: I think it really captures the passage of time and how the doll has been cherished through play—for example, in her frayed lace.

Magotsuki: The refreshing color scheme, with light swirling around, caught my eye. The overall impression is cheerful, yet I found myself wondering what kind of relationship the two people holding hands have, what the items they’re carrying signify, and whether there’s a story behind it all. It’s a truly endearing piece that fills me with excitement just looking at it.

Ixy: I thought the use of blue was very skillful and beautiful. Since it’s a style I don’t use myself, it piqued my interest. I’m really curious about how the artist learned this technique.

Ura Uraura: You can really feel the energy of high school in this one. I like the overall composition and the use of green.

Haruo: This is one of my favorite depictions among the works that portray romantic relationships. I can feel the energy in the finishing touches, and it’s as if I can almost hear the characters speaking.

Magotsuki: I think a lot of people want to depict confession scenes with a sparkly, glamorous feel, but I found it unique and interesting that this artist deliberately went for a gritty atmosphere, like in a shonen manga. It's simply and cleanly depicted with just a clenched fist and a back.

Ura Uraura: I can sense the boy's energy. This is a situation unique to students, so I can see why this piece would be a good fit for a high school contest.

Magotsuki: It’s hard to say exactly who the migratory bird is, but I was drawn in by the attention to detail and the angles used to capture the human characters. With this level of skill, I imagine the background could have been rendered just as intricately, but I was impressed by how the artist deliberately chose to use line art and a rough, monochrome-based style to create a contrast in the amount of detail between the foreground and background. While the characters’ facial expressions aren’t particularly exaggerated, I think this is a piece with very comical and playful posing.

Haruo: You have a solid foundation and draw very well. I think your work would be even better if the message you want to convey were clearer. I look forward to seeing your future work.

Ura Uraura: I'm sure everyone has played that game where you're not supposed to step outside the white lines at least once, and it's cute that this is based on that.

Ixy: The use of light and the creative touch of making the white lines look like lava are truly wonderful.

Mika Pikazo: The artwork is very well done, and looking at their other entries, I could tell this artist is capable of depicting a wide variety of scenes. While the illustration focuses on the central character, the captions are the voices of the people around her, so the piece would likely be even more compelling if it were clearer whether this is a truly dangerous world or if she just tripped.

Magotsuki: The colors are beautiful. While the combination of red and green can often create a mysterious or slightly unsettling atmosphere, the light blue effectively balances it out.

Mika Pikazo: I thought the color balance was excellent, and the piece looked beautiful whether viewed from a distance or up close. I also like the composition. If this artist further hones their design skills and attention to detail, I think both the color palette and composition will really come to life, and they’ll be in the running for the Grand Prize. I believe they have a clear vision, so I’m looking forward to seeing their future work.

Magotsuki: I could really feel that the character seemed genuinely scared while still trying to move forward with courage, and I thought that must be the author’s genuine emotion.

Haruo: The image of paper turning into a crosswalk that you can't see the other end of really resonates with creators. It makes me wonder what lies ahead.

Mika Pikazo: The colors are really beautiful. The wings and background are drawn very well. However, precisely because you’re such a skilled artist, I thought it was a shame that the relationship between the candles and the background wasn’t coming across clearly.

Haruo: I love the stylish depiction of passing on the flame.

Ura Uraura: I was so impressed by the skill shown in this entry that when I heard it was drawn by a high school student, I almost thought, “You’ve got to be kidding me!” With just the way the hair is drawn in the upper right corner, the artist manages to convey a posture that suggests the subject’s shoulders are hunched up from nervousness—that’s really impressive. I get the sense that this artist must have put in a lot of effort, like practicing a lot of quick sketches.

Ixy: I really like the scene. While the piece as a whole is great, the artist is so skilled at capturing facial expressions that I’d love to see a composition that focuses a little more on the bride and groom.

Mika Pikazo: This piece is exceptionally well-crafted as a standalone illustration. While the halo typically evokes the image of death, I thought that the fact it’s depicted as broken might actually symbolize rebirth. It’s really cool. This artist’s work is so skillful—it looks like it could be used as a book cover right away if you just added a logo and the author’s name. I think they could easily succeed as a professional artist.

Magotsuki: I felt that the use of texture, when viewed from a distance, was exceptionally well done.

Mika Pikazo: This illustration really spoke to me—it’s exactly my style. I really love the atmosphere. I think if you hone in on one theme and tone down the other elements, the ink on the girl’s eyes will stand out even more and give the illustration a greater sense of contrast.

Mika Pikazo: I thought the quality of the artwork was good enough to win an award. The water’s surface and fine details are rendered with great care, and since you clearly have strong drawing skills, I think the piece would be even more compelling if you infused it with more emotion overall—for example, by giving the hand in the foreground more meaning.

Magotsuki: The world created through soft, subdued colors is truly beautiful. It has a visual appeal that rivals the motifs scattered across the screen, and I think the artist is very skilled at composition.

Ura Uraura: I thought the idea of a giant high school girl appearing in Shibuya was so funny. You can't help but comment on it.

Magotsuki: With this theme, “Passage,” I figured the idea of a crosswalk would probably come up, but I was struck by the realization that simply making the person crossing gigantic could set it apart from everyone else’s work to such an extent.

Ixy: I thought this piece was interesting and the composition was well-structured. If you were to be more creative with elements like the arrangement of the characters, the story would likely come across even more clearly.

Haruo: The moment I saw this drawing, I thought it was cute. Seeing the girls walking along the white line brought back memories of the past. I hope they'll always cherish this sparkling sense of youth and the way it’s expressed in the drawing.

Mika Pikazo: I thought it was cute, too. It's drawn with such attention to detail, and I can really see what the artist was trying to capture.

Magotsuki: I think the color scheme, which features fluorescent green as the main color, fits well with the night drive scenario and effectively conveys the atmosphere of the situation. If the message were made even clearer, this piece would likely become even more eye-catching.

Mika Pikazo: You're very skilled at rendering details like wrinkles in clothing. I think it would be even better if the meaning of the title, “In a rut,” aligned more closely with the composition and motifs depicted.

Haruo: I was drawn to the way the artist, with a perspective unique to a high school student, depicted the theme “Passage” so directly. If the artist continues to hone their skills in drawing the human figures—such as through sketching—they’ll be able to translate the images in their mind directly onto the page, and I believe they’ll be in the running for the Grand Prize.

Mika Pikazo: The girl seems nervous about handing over the letter—I wonder who the large hands belong to? This piece really makes you ponder that question. The gray tones used around the girl complement her anxious expression perfectly.

Ixy: You're very skilled at using cool colors. It takes real skill to make green look like skin tone.

Mika Pikazo: I already thought the artwork was beautifully done and the mermaid was adorable, but upon closer inspection, I noticed the marine debris—like the fruit packaging around her neck and the plastic bag she's wearing. I don’t know if she put those on herself, but I thought it was a surprisingly fresh perspective to show her enjoying fashion despite the pollution, which is often viewed negatively. I really appreciated that neither the mermaid nor the viewer’s perspective became overly emotional.

Mika Pikazo: To be honest, I thought it was well done. The use of color is meticulous, and I can sense the effort that went into creating this piece—it’s clear you’ve studied the fundamentals of art extensively, such as how to make characters stand out. However, there are a few spots where the placement of the motifs overlaps, which slightly diminishes the impact. I think if you continue to refine your compositional skills, the piece will become even more compelling.

Haruo: We received several submissions with a variety of unusual aesthetics, but among them, I thought this piece stood out for its excellent composition and color palette. The theme—which contrasts the past and the present—is easy to understand, and you’ve created a piece that truly showcases your skills.

Ixy:  I really like this illustration. It's drawn very well, so I think it would have been even better if the theme had come across a little more clearly.

Haruo: I found your unique way of depicting things—such as perspective and the human figure—as if they were deliberately distorted to be quite interesting.

Ixy: I intuitively felt drawn to this painting. It's well-drawn, so I think it would be even better if the theme were expressed a little more clearly.

Mika Pikazo: Among the entries, I thought the use of color here was by far the best. The way the light is incorporated is also wonderfully creative. The story of an angel carrying a letter crossing the sea is easy to understand, so I think it would be even better if the meaning were conveyed with a little more conviction and if there were a moment that really touched the viewer’s heart.

Mika Pikazo: I don't see any flaws in the composition, and overall, it's drawn very well. Since you clearly have the technical skill, if you had been able to express the theme, “Passage,” even more clearly, you might have been in contention for a top ranking.

Haruo: I like the unsettling atmosphere. I understand why you included a crosswalk as part of the theme, but the idea of placing graves in the road never occurred to me. I found that interesting.

Haruo: It was simple, but I found that simplicity to be very pleasing. The use of color was also excellent, and it made me want to check out their other works.

Haruo: The character designs are really captivating. I was also particularly struck by how the migratory birds and the mailman directly convey the theme “Passage.”

Haruo: The balance of light and shadow in the wide-angle shot is excellent. After seeing some of their other works, I know this artist must be quite talented.

Haruo: I got the impression that this theme, “Passage,” tended to require a wide range of techniques—such as composition, color schemes, drawing, and lighting—precisely because it called for concrete depictions of scenes like crossing a street, traversing time and space, or delivering a letter. Of course, there were also many works in which specific elements stood out and shone as unique.

Magotsuki: The fact that the participants were all high school students makes the artwork we saw truly incredible, and as I looked at each piece one by one, I found myself thinking, “I really need to step up my game.” With so many of these works, while technical skill is certainly important, I came to realize how crucial it is for the thought process—what the artist was trying to convey and the ideas behind how they expressed it—to come through. Precisely because there are so many technically superb illustrations out there, I was keenly reminded through this judging process that we’re in an era where a strong message and creative ideas have become one of a creator's greatest assets. Although my role this time was the humble one of merely selecting the winners, as an illustrator myself, I’ve learned anew what truly matters.

Mika Pikazo: Every entry reminded me of the aspirations and passion I had when I was a student myself. I think there were some complex emotions involved in this contest—whether it was reflecting on your own work and artistic skills while creating a piece, or the feelings that welled up upon seeing someone else’s work. When I was in high school, there were several people at my school who were better at drawing than I was. But driven by the strong conviction that I wanted to draw and be able to express what I love, I decided to practice more than anyone else. In this contest as well, I saw many participants whose artwork sparkled like diamonds in the rough with every detail. Please keep creating lots of illustrations. Surprise yourselves with the works you create. I’m rooting for you.

Ixy: Looking at the entries this time, I noticed that many of the participants were skilled at using cool colors—especially blues and greens. Of course, I also feel that the overall technical skills are improving year by year. Even as the overall level continues to rise, I have great respect for those who strive to keep up. Some of you may have been inspired by this contest, while others might be feeling discouraged, thinking, “Maybe I can’t do this,” or “People my age are this good…?” But it’s definitely not too late! To those of you currently in your first or second year of high school, I hope you’ll give it your all and aim to win the Grand Prize at next year’s pixiv High Schoolers Illustration Contest—which will mark its 10th anniversary.

Ura Uraura: To all the high school students who submitted entries to the contest: Thank you very much for participating. It has been a great honor to serve as a judge. Although this year’s theme, “Passage,” was a challenging one, I am truly happy to have seen such wonderful works—all of which have been so skillfully executed that it’s hard to believe they were created by high school students! I look forward to seeing all of you succeed as professionals!

＞＞pixiv High Schooler Illustration Contest 2026 Official Site＜＜