Short answers, pulled from the story.
The Japan Media Arts Festival began in 1997 under the direction of Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs. This annual event started as an open competition that would eventually culminate in a series of awards and a public exhibition.
The festival recognizes excellence across four distinct categories: Art, Entertainment, Animation, and Manga. Originally, the first category was called Non-Interactive Digital Art before it was renamed simply Art, while the second category carried the title Interactive Art until it became known as Entertainment.
Princess Mononoke won the very first Animation Grand Prize in 1997, establishing a high standard for future entries. Glassy Ocean took the top honor in 1998, competing alongside Neon Genesis Evangelion.
Since 2002, each category has awarded one Grand Prize, four Excellence Prizes, and one Encouragement Prize. Other outstanding works are selected by the Jury as Jury Selections without receiving a formal award tier.
Vagabond won the Grand Prize in 2000, created by Takehiko Inoue with an original story by Eiji Yoshikawa. Real, also by Takehiko Inoue, won in 2001, showcasing the author's continued influence.