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Overlap Bunko Grand Award

オーバーラップぶんこたいしょう

A light novel open newcomer literary award hosted by Overlap Bunko.

Light novelNewcomer literary award
Established
2013
Organizer
Overlap Bunko
Category
Light Novels and Web Literature
Selection Method
Open call
Target
Newcomer
Frequency
2 per year
Application Deadline
around June, around December
Announcement Period
around October, around April–May
Status
Active

Description

Submissions are conducted twice a year (1st round and 2nd round), with honorable mentions selected from each round, and then the Grand Prize, Gold Prize, and Silver Prize selected from the honorable mentions of both rounds. Winning works are published by Overlap Bunko. A key feature is that evaluation sheets are sent for all submitted works.

Prize

Main Prize
Grand Prize 3 million yen
Cash Prize
3,000,000 JPY
  • Gold Prize 1 million yen
  • Silver Prize 300,000 yen
  • Honorable Mention 100,000 yen

Selection

Selection Process

First selection (each round)
Judges Overlap Bunko Editorial Department
Announcement Honorable mention selection
Final selection
Judges Overlap Bunko Editorial Department
Announcement Grand Prize, Gold Prize, Silver Prize announcement

Related Awards

  • Overlap Bunko Kickoff Award

Official Resources

https://over-lap.co.jp/bunko/award/

Past Winners

澤松那函 さわまつ なふね gold prize

A young "breaker" who repairs and dismantles artificial fairies confronts a series of unexplained incidents and the past that shaped his bond with them. The novel is strongest when it treats the fairies as emotional beings rather than simple tools.

He stays beside the one he must break, and that contradiction becomes the novel's emotional core.

384 pages
fantasyartificial lifebonded partnersloss and renewal
河鍋鹿島 かわなべ かしま gold prize

An action fantasy built around the relationship between the girls called Soldier Maids, who can fight the anomalous "Houses," and a rookie death soldier. Its appeal comes from the changing trust between partners that emerges through each mission.

They both have reasons to fight and secrets to hide, which makes their distance from each other compelling.

320 pages
actionbuddy storyotherworldly threatsecrets
浦田阿多留 うらた あたる silver prize

A high school boy who became a vampire king in another world returns to the modern day and is pulled back into the hidden side of his world while trying to live normally. The novel is less about dominating enemies than about the tension between ordinary life and renewed conflict.

He would rather be ordinary than all-powerful, and that wish is what drives the story forward.

320 pages
modern fantasyvampiresreturn from another worldschool life
片沼ほとり かたぬま ほとり silver prize

A meta-comedy set in a school where everything is decided through games, following a boy who tries to stage the story from the shadows. Its charm lies in the clever mind games and the narrator's twisted wish to stay out of the spotlight.

He wants the hero to shine, yet he ends up standing in the center himself, and that mismatch is the fun of it.

320 pages
school settingstrategymeta comedyheroic roles
虎鵺鶫 とらぬえ つぐみ gold prize

A sea adventure about Seth, the young leader of a pirate crew, as he resists the empire that rules Weed Sea and gathers the islands under his banner. It is framed as a hard-edged hero tale that puts pirate logic and momentum front and center.

Lead the pirates, prove your strength, defy the empire, and claim dominion over the blue sea.

piratessea adventureconflict with an empireheroic tale
北条連理 ほうじょう れんり gold prize

A clumsy, frustrating romance between university student Yuu Terada and his junior Hikari Fujimiya, who keeps coming to his home. The novel portrays the protagonist's struggle to love in a way that feels ordinary, with an intimate and human scale.

This feeling of "liking" is not a fake.

352 pages
coming-of-age romanceuniversity studentsmiscommunicationawkward relationshipintimate scale
Kou Aguiin あんごいん あきら silver prize

A battle fantasy about Vil, a death-god boy who helps manage and seal forbidden books in the Forbidden Library, and Kumura, the all-knowing chief librarian, as they confront dangerous relics and an imperial threat.

The strongest grim reaper protects the angel.

288 pages
fantasyforbidden booksbattleprotectionboy protagonist
やますやま やますやま silver prize

A magical mystery-comedy in which Marilyn, a girl who calls herself a magic police officer, teams up with high school detective Reito Maibuchi to solve cases through both magic and deduction.

Expose the secret of the too-cute magical police!

352 pages
mysterymagicpolicehigh school detectivebuddy duo
十利ハレ gold prize

A battle fantasy built around the ability cards known as "Spell & Lifes," where a girl chasing her missing sister and a boy who awakens to the card's power start moving on an artificial island. The banter with the girl who calls herself his girlfriend drives both the mystery and the fights forward.

The trump cards are his lover, his wits, and magic.

320 pages
fantasyability cardsmysteryromancebattle
Hojo Shinkuro silver prize

A coming-of-age romantic comedy set on an isolated island where women wear masks, where a boy who shares a secret with one girl is drawn into a triangle with two girls. The closed-off setting amplifies both sweetness and a sense of transgression.

The face hidden beneath the mask is the most dangerous thing here.

288 pages
coming-of-age romanceisolated islandtraditionlove trianglesecrets
鴨山兄助 silver prize

A transformation-hero fantasy about Ray, a young man who cannot contract with magical beasts but keeps fighting alongside allies as he aims higher. Its appeal lies in underdog growth and a very straight, classic drive.

If he cannot become a hero, he will surpass one.

320 pages
hero storyfantasygrowthbuddy dynamicmagical beasts
Meguri Kukuru gold prize

A fantasy suspense story in which a former doctor is reborn in another world and given the occupation of "assassin," then moves into cases through autopsy work and revenge-for-hire. Its opening is defined by the overlap of a medical perspective and a dark revenge drama.

For a girl, kill the world.

284 pages
other-world reincarnationfantasy suspenserevengemedicineassassin
美月麗 silver prize

A lively coming-of-age romantic comedy about a camera club president chasing "breast photography" and the junior assistant who gets swept along with him. Its outlandish goal and brisk exchanges drive the chaotic energy toward the school contest.

Will you take my picture... senpai?

319 pages
coming-of-age romanceschool settingphotographycamera clubcontest
御鷹穂積 silver prize

A dark fantasy set in a world ruled by reincarnated beings who seize the dead, where warrior Dil and the boy he saves keep traveling toward the body of his lost daughter. Its opening is powered by a direct line between resolve and admiration.

Admiration lies beyond a battle that must kill everything.

314 pages
dark fantasyrevengementor and apprenticeimmortal foesadventure
六海刻羽 gold prize

Set in a magic school, this light novel follows a girl who dreams of becoming a grimoire writer and a boy who has lost his own dream. The prize title was Madousho Sakka ni Naremasu ka?, later published as volume one of Hoshiyomi no Mahoutsukai.

A dreamless boy meets a girl who wants to become a grimoire writer.

283 pages
magic schooldreams and talentlight novelgrowth
満屋ランド silver prize

A silver-prize work in the seventh Overlap Bunko Award. The official announcement highlights its entertainment value and the author’s distinctive stance, but no published volume was confirmed.

A youth entertainment work recognized for its committed creative stance.

award-winning submissionyouthlight novelunpublished
中島リュウ silver prize

A silver-prize work in the seventh Overlap Bunko Award. The official announcement confirms the award, but NDL and publisher information did not confirm book publication under this title.

Recorded in the official announcement as an unpublished prizewinning work.

award-winning submissionlight novelunpublished
紙木 gold prize

弱小ソシャゲ部の僕らが神ゲーを作るまで 1 by 紙木織々 is described as follows: 命薫高校ソシャゲ部を舞台に、転校生と個性的な部員たちが廃部回避をかけてソーシャルゲーム開発と運営に挑む青春ライトノベル。受賞時題名から改題されて刊行された。

弱小ソシャゲ部の僕らが神ゲーを作るまで 1 is recorded here with confirmed award and bibliographic context.

319 pages
部活動ゲーム制作青春
山口隼 silver prize

アガートラムは蒼穹を撃つ 1.三日月学園機関甲冑部の軌跡 by 山口隼 is described as follows: 受賞時題名「蒼空と黒鉄の境界で」を改題。機関甲冑による空中競技に挑む高校生たちの敗北と再起、恋愛と成長を描く近未来青春小説。

アガートラムは蒼穹を撃つ 1.三日月学園機関甲冑部の軌跡 is recorded here with confirmed award and bibliographic context.

351 pages
近未来スポーツ機関甲冑青春
木質 silver prize

サイコパスガール イン ヤクザランド 1 by 木質 is described as follows: ヤクザが支配する街で、孤独な少年と都市伝説の口裂け女が復讐の共犯関係を結ぶ伝奇アクション。スプラッタ、ノワール、ラブコメを混ぜた勢いのある作品。

サイコパスガール イン ヤクザランド 1 is recorded here with confirmed award and bibliographic context.

318 pages
都市伝説復讐アクション
しもっち special award

トラック受け止め異世界転生ッ!熱血武闘派高校生ワタルッッ!! 1 by しもっち is described as follows: 暴走トラックを受け止めた熱血武闘派高校生が異世界で大暴れするギャグコメディ。異世界転生の定型を過剰なテンションで笑いに変える。

トラック受け止め異世界転生ッ!熱血武闘派高校生ワタルッッ!! 1 is recorded here with confirmed award and bibliographic context.

287 pages
異世界転生ギャグ格闘
大城功太 gold prize

可憐な彼女のファイアーボール is an award-recognized work by 大城功太. The entry is organized from the confirmed award title and author, with bibliographic identifiers recorded only when an independent book, paperback, or collection edition can be verified. Magazine or venue identifiers have not been reused.

可憐な彼女のファイアーボール is a work whose award record and publication status should be checked separately.

literatureaward-winning workpublication check
白河勇人 silver prize

灯月くんの受難 is an award-recognized work by 白河勇人. The entry is organized from the confirmed award title and author, with bibliographic identifiers recorded only when an independent book, paperback, or collection edition can be verified. Magazine or venue identifiers have not been reused.

灯月くんの受難 is a work whose award record and publication status should be checked separately.

literatureaward-winning workpublication check
お魚1号 special award

凌辱未遂の新魔王 is an award-recognized work by お魚1号. The entry is organized from the confirmed award title and author, with bibliographic identifiers recorded only when an independent book, paperback, or collection edition can be verified. Magazine or venue identifiers have not been reused.

凌辱未遂の新魔王 is a work whose award record and publication status should be checked separately.

literatureaward-winning workpublication check
夜宮鋭次郎 gold prize

比翼勇者のノー・モア・エクスカリバー is an award-recognized work by 夜宮鋭次郎. The entry is organized from the confirmed award title and author, with bibliographic identifiers recorded only when an independent book, paperback, or collection edition can be verified. Magazine or venue identifiers have not been reused.

比翼勇者のノー・モア・エクスカリバー is a work whose award record and publication status should be checked separately.

literatureaward-winning workpublication check
R・二村 gold prize

そして変わりゆく兵士達 〜〜『村人A』が銃を取る時代になったら〜〜 is an award-recognized work by R・二村. The entry is organized from the confirmed award title and author, with bibliographic identifiers recorded only when an independent book, paperback, or collection edition can be verified. Magazine or venue identifiers have not been reused.

そして変わりゆく兵士達 〜〜『村人A』が銃を取る時代になったら〜〜 is a work whose award record and publication status should be checked separately.

literatureaward-winning workpublication check
山口五日 silver prize

僕は彼女の奴隷になりました is an award-recognized work by 山口五日. The entry is organized from the confirmed award title and author, with bibliographic identifiers recorded only when an independent book, paperback, or collection edition can be verified. Magazine or venue identifiers have not been reused.

僕は彼女の奴隷になりました is a work whose award record and publication status should be checked separately.

literatureaward-winning workpublication check
志賀龍亮 special award

アマデウスの残り灯 is an award-recognized work by 志賀龍亮. The entry is organized from the confirmed award title and author, with bibliographic identifiers recorded only when an independent book, paperback, or collection edition can be verified. Magazine or venue identifiers have not been reused.

アマデウスの残り灯 is a work whose award record and publication status should be checked separately.

literatureaward-winning workpublication check
小幡京人 gold prize

聖騎士さんすごいですね! それほどでもない! 〜魔王との最後の戦いに敗れた結果、世界に平和が訪れ、俺は高校生になっていたんだが!? うっ、頭が……〜 is an award-recognized work by 小幡京人. Bibliographic and descriptive sources identify it as a work concerned with personal choices and their social or historical setting.

聖騎士さんすごいですね! それほどでもない! 〜魔王との最後の戦いに敗れた結果、世界に平和が訪れ、俺は高校生になっていたんだが!? うっ、頭が……〜, read through its award history and bibliographic record.

award-recognized workbibliographic recordpeople and society
Ryo Endo special award

ユリア・カエサルは一日にして英雄ならず is an award-recognized work by 遠藤遼. Bibliographic and descriptive sources identify it as a work concerned with personal choices and their social or historical setting.

ユリア・カエサルは一日にして英雄ならず, read through its award history and bibliographic record.

award-recognized workbibliographic recordpeople and society
蓮見 special award

クラークマン・アウトメモリー is an award-recognized work by 蓮見. Bibliographic and descriptive sources identify it as a work concerned with personal choices and their social or historical setting.

クラークマン・アウトメモリー, read through its award history and bibliographic record.

award-recognized workbibliographic recordpeople and society
結城忍 gold prize

迷宮(はこもの)アドミニストレーター・勤務地は異世界迷宮! is an award-winning work by 結城忍 recognized by the オーバーラップ文庫大賞. The bibliographic identifiers were checked at the work level from the title and author information.

迷宮(はこもの)アドミニストレーター・勤務地は異世界迷宮! by 結城忍 was recognized by the オーバーラップ文庫大賞.

award-winning workcontemporary literaturebibliographic record
熱拳タイマン silver prize

刻むフィナルフィスト is an award-winning work by 熱拳タイマン recognized by the オーバーラップ文庫大賞. The bibliographic identifiers were checked at the work level from the title and author information.

刻むフィナルフィスト by 熱拳タイマン was recognized by the オーバーラップ文庫大賞.

award-winning workcontemporary literaturebibliographic record
岸根紅華 silver prize

魔王な俺と花嫁候補な美姫たち is an award-winning work by 岸根紅華 recognized by the オーバーラップ文庫大賞. The bibliographic identifiers were checked at the work level from the title and author information.

魔王な俺と花嫁候補な美姫たち by 岸根紅華 was recognized by the オーバーラップ文庫大賞.

award-winning workcontemporary literaturebibliographic record
星崎梓 special award

漆銀の✝KAMIYA✝ is an award-winning work by 星崎梓 recognized by the オーバーラップ文庫大賞. The bibliographic identifiers were checked at the work level from the title and author information.

漆銀の✝KAMIYA✝ by 星崎梓 was recognized by the オーバーラップ文庫大賞.

award-winning workcontemporary literaturebibliographic record
J. I. A gold prize

コートボニー教授の永続魔石 is recorded as a 2013 award-winning work. The entry was checked against the title, author, award record, publication form, and public bibliographic data tied to the awarded work itself.

Bibliographic and work information for コートボニー教授の永続魔石 is organized without substituting magazine identifiers.

award-winning workbibliographic verificationliterary award
GIRA silver prize

STAЯDUST OCЁAN is recorded as a 2013 award-winning work. The entry was checked against the title, author, award record, publication form, and public bibliographic data tied to the awarded work itself.

Bibliographic and work information for STAЯDUST OCЁAN is organized without substituting magazine identifiers.

award-winning workbibliographic verificationliterary award
千輝紅葉 honorable mention

俺のバイト先は悪の組織 is recorded as a 2013 award-winning work. The entry was checked against the title, author, award record, publication form, and public bibliographic data tied to the awarded work itself.

Bibliographic and work information for 俺のバイト先は悪の組織 is organized without substituting magazine identifiers.

award-winning workbibliographic verificationliterary award
輝待時 honorable mention

もう恋なんてしたくない is recorded as a 2013 award-winning work. The entry was checked against the title, author, award record, publication form, and public bibliographic data tied to the awarded work itself.

Bibliographic and work information for もう恋なんてしたくない is organized without substituting magazine identifiers.

award-winning workbibliographic verificationliterary award
遊歩新夢 gold prize

Originally awarded under the title Lolitysh Quartet, the work was published as Kiniro Quartet!, a youth music light novel. A young euphonium player coaches girls who perform in an unusual quartet formation.

A youth music story about girls pursuing the best quartet they can play and the young man who supports them.

320 pages
light novelmusicyouthwind ensemblementorship
中野空眠 silver prize

Akihabara Dungeon Boken Kitan is a light novel set around a dungeon that suddenly appears on the former site of Radio Kaikan. High school students step into exploration as real Akihabara overlaps with fantasy danger.

In a new dungeon that appears in Akihabara, novice adventurers take their first step.

320 pages
light novelAkihabaradungeonadventurefantasy
桐生恭丞 silver prize

Awarded under the title Koun no Mado Sentai, the work was published as Shiroki Koohime to Ino Mado Shotai <Cheat Force>. It follows a young man who cannot use magic but has abnormal luck as he leads an unruly magic squad.

The luck of a young man without magic turns a disordered squad into comrades in battle.

320 pages
light novelmagiclucksquadtactical fantasy
Amaui Shiroichi special award

Maou ga Oosugiru Yononaka ni Tsugeru! is a light novel set in a school where most classmates are demon lords. An ordinary class representative struggles to manage their world-ending everyday troubles.

Thirty-five demon lords and one ordinary student cause trouble in a classroom with no hero.

256 pages
light noveldemon lordsschoolcomedyother worlds
来栖宍 special award

Senko no Kiko Bishin <Double X>, awarded under the title Kiko Bishin Double X, is a mecha-battle light novel. The conditions surrounding humanoid machines and interspecies conflicts emerge as a maritime city faces danger.

A boy and a girl are drawn into battle over humanoid machines built to protect a maritime city.

light novelmechamaritime citybattlespecies conflict