31-12-2023 (HANOI) In a resounding victory for Vietnamese creativity, manga enthusiast and artist Nachi Nguyen has clinched the silver prize at the esteemed Japan International Manga Awards. Her exceptional work, titled “Dieu nhay cua vu tru” (The Dancing Universe), surpassed 587 entries worldwide, standing out as a one-shot masterpiece—a comical creation comprising a single standalone chapter.
Nguyen’s narrative draws inspiration from her fervor for astronomy, weaving a captivating tale around the daily lives of celestial entities such as the Sun, Earth, Moon, Venus, Saturn, and Jupiter. Together, these cosmic beings coordinate their efforts to safeguard and sustain life on Earth.
Expressing her motivation, Nachi Nguyen revealed, “I enjoy delving into astronomy, but my proficiency in mathematics falls short, making my dream of working for NASA seemingly unattainable. Therefore, I found a way to convey stories about this topic through my unique perspective and imagination.”
Through intricate illustrations and the anthropomorphism of planets and stars, Nguyen aspires to demystify astronomy, presenting it in a more accessible and engaging manner for a diverse audience.
The forthcoming series will comprise three chapters, with the initial instalment set to captivate readers next year.
“I harboured minimal expectations for my work, so receiving this award brings me immense joy and honour,” shared Nguyen in an interview with the Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.
Established in 2007 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, the Japan International Manga Award serves as an annual celebration of global manga artists contributing to the evolution of manga culture. Renowned manga artists, including Machiko Satonaka, meticulously select all winning works.
Vietnam’s success at the award ceremony extends beyond Nguyen’s recent accolade. The country boasts a total of five prizes, including a bronze for “Dat Rong” (Dragon Land) in 2012, a silver for “Long Than Tuong” (Holy Dragon Imperator) in 2015, “Dia Nguc Mon” (Gateway to Underworld) in 2016, and a bronze for “Bam thay Tuong, co thay Vu de tim!” (Rain in a Moon Night) in 2022.
