Two extremely talented MasterClass member have just made their series debuts in Japan! Russian MasterClass member Sideburn004 is the final artist on the new serialization CHAMP1ON, while Brazilian MasterClass member Roberto F. is in charge of the storyboards. This new work will be published digitally on the official Comic ZENON website starting today, January 9th! 

Following Mage, Sone Amaya, and Moritaka Neko, there are now five Artists Village MasterClass members who have been serialized! After about two years of preparation, Artists Village creators are releasing one serialization after another! 

Sideburn004, who won the SMA8 Grand Prix, was the main artist on the one-shot Midnight Shadow, and was also the author of DOCTORCIST -SEIMEI-. Roberto F., the Grand Prix Runner-up for SMA4, has been coloring the shadows for the recently serialized webtoon Street Fighter Ranking. 

Their new serialized work is called, Zettai Ouja to Yobareta Saikyou Dorei no Boukentan Tokihanatareta Dorei wa, Jiyuu ni Sekai wo Oukasuru, which is simply shortened to CHAMP1ON in English. This story is based on an original novel by Shinkosei. 

Summary:

Gil has lived his entire life as a gladiator. He knows nothing but the kill-or-be-killed environment of the colosseum. He’s never had a friend. He’s never felt pleasure or satisfaction. And he’s fine with that. Really, it’s fine. Then, one day, a fire breaks out, ripping across the colosseum and burning everything in its path. As Gil walks through the rubble of his former life towards freedom, he finds he… kind of likes it?

Join a former gladiator as he discovers the joys and complications of a free life. Freed from his prison and let loose in a fantasy world of monsters and dragons, the former strongest gladiator is still ridiculously strong as a civilian! 

The first chapter will soon be released in English for SMA entrants to enjoy, so keep your eyes peeled! 

Take your first step towards your own manga debut by joining SMA! The deadline to join SMA24 is May 10th, 2026. Enter for a chance to develop your potential as a manga creator with us in Japan!