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Fire Punch Manga Artist Draws Figure Skater Yuzuru Hanyu
posted on by Lynzee Loveridge
Japanese skater Yuzuru Hanyu is appearing in an ad in this year's 38th issue of Weekly Young Jump. The illustration is drawn by Fire Punch manga creator Tatsuki Fujimoto for the "Come On! Energy! Kamou! Mirai ni Mukatte!" (Chew! Towards the Future!) campaign that celebrates the 20th anniversary of Lotte's Xylitol Gum brand. The campaign is collaborating with celebrities who are also in their 20s.
Fujimoto originally worried about merging his "fire" aesthetic with Hanyu's "ice" aesthetic. When Hanyu answered questions about the project he said he often reads Shōnen Jump and Shonen Jump+ and so he was honored to work with Fujimoto. He said he enjoys both fantasy and spirited sports manga.
The campaign's other participants include Nana Komatsu, Tao Tsuchiya, Ryōma Takeuchi, Hayato Nakamura, Rena Takeda, Shiori Sato, Creepy Nuts, Yabai T-Shirts Yasan, Rika Shiiki, Hikari Shiina, Natsuki Hanae, Sumire Uesaka, Eku Uekura, Issei, Ishiura, Taiga Hirasawa, Koji Miyoshi, and Hikari Tachino.
Fujimoto launched Fire Punch on Shueisha's Shonen Jump+ website and app in April 2016. Shueisha published the manga's sixth volume on August 4. Viz Media will begin releasing the series in January 2018.
Hanyu previously starred in an animated ad for the Red Cross and was drawn by popular illustrator Yoshitaka Amano.
Source: Comic Natalie
