Nabe Kurao

While Nabe Kurao hasn't taken home a major trophy, his achievements speak for themselves. Robō no Fujii reached 1.2 million copies in circulation, a strong commercial milestone for a slice-of-life series. The Manga Taisho nomination in 2025 placed him among the year's best, judged by a panel of nearly 100 critics. That recognition, combined with a loyal readership, marks him as a creator to watch.