KADOKAWA and Mitsui Sumitomo's Joint Project: Manga Inspired by Athletes

KADOKAWA Manga Academy and Athletes' Inspiring Journey

In a collaborative effort, KADOKAWA Manga Academy is joining forces with Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Group to visualize the inspiring journeys of athletes through manga storytelling. This initiative not only brings a unique twist to the world of sports but also aims to elevate the understanding and appreciation of the athletic spirit among the general public.

The Purpose of This Initiative

This project aspires to communicate the challenges, perseverance, and human appeal of athletes using the widely loved medium of manga. By sharing these stories, it aims to enhance the perceived value of sports and the athletes involved. At the same time, it provides students—referred to as 'members'—the opportunity to develop their narrative crafting skills by working with true stories.

Manga Project Overview

The project has attracted 14 talented members who have collectively produced five manga pieces. These works will be published on the 'MS&AD×SPORTS' dedicated page, along with future plans to share on Instagram via the MS&AD SPORTS account (@msad_sports). Notably, to ensure inclusivity, they also plan to create audio comics that cater to visually impaired audiences, in collaboration with KADOKAWA's Animation and Voice Acting Academy members.

Story Details

One of the manga narratives features Kohei Tsubaki, a member of the Mitsui Sumitomo Triathlon Team, who faced a severe health challenge in 2016, returning to competitive sports after a long recovery. The storyline also includes Satoru Yoneoka, a para-athlete working in tandem with Tsubaki. The duo formed a partnership in 2019, pursuing world-level competition in para-triathlons. Their shared goal encapsulates both their differences and their mutual dedication to their sport.

Highlights of Major Achievements

The pair competes in the visually impaired category of Triathlon, highlighting their significant accomplishments:

- Gold Medal at the 2021 Asian Championships
- 4th Place at the 2021 World Triathlon Para series in Yokohama
- Bronze Medal at the 2021 Tokyo Paralympics

Conclusion and Launch Event

On March 16, a completion report and networking event took place at KADOKAWA's Osaka campus, celebrating the culmination of this inspiring project.

Messages from the Athletes

Satoru Yoneoka: expressed gratitude for the contributions in creating the manga, sharing that the journey, albeit challenging, was a growth experience. He hopes the readers find inspiration in their challenges.

Kohei Tsubaki: shared his amazement at how individual perspectives and expressions bring stories to life, revealing the emotional depth of their experiences. He encouraged the students to learn and grow from this endeavor, regardless of the outcomes.

Reflections from Participants

The students, many embarking on their first collaboration with a corporate partner, expressed their excitement about portraying real athletes and the intricacies of sports dynamics. They appreciated the creative process and are eager for readers to connect with the depicted passions and journeys.

For more information about the companies involved:

The KADOKAWA Manga Academy continues to champion future generations of manga artists, illustrators, and storytellers through its comprehensive courses and real-world creative experiences.