STVV signs unique partnership with Japanese manga Aoashi

STVV announced on Monday, via the Japanese version of its website, a special collaboration with the popular football manga Aoashi. The comic series, which has sold more than 26 million copies worldwide, gets a Limburg touch through illustrations of club players and a special drawing of main character Ashito Aoi in the Kanaries' shirt.

Aoashi tells the story of the young footballer Ashito Aoi, who tries to break through via a youth academy. Talent development is central both in the manga and at STVV, which has long served as a springboard for Japanese players into European football. Author Yugo Kobayashi has created a special drawing of Ashito Aoi in the STVV‑shirt for the collaboration.

He is also working on illustrations of three Limburg players: Shogo Taniguchi, Nelson Ishiwatari and Arbnor Muja. An original manga about STVV will not appear for the time being, but the full illustration will be revealed later.

An exclusive interview is also being arranged between Kobayashi and STVV‑CEO Takayuki Tateishi about the development of Japanese footballers. In addition, the club is planning a campaign in which supporters can win special products from the collaboration.

Kobayashi praises STVV

Kobayashi praised the club highly and wondered why the springboard for Japanese players in Europe no longer receives recognition. According to the author, STVV's role in Japanese football is much more important than many realise. He emphasized that what the club has achieved in the past ten years is truly fantastic for the history of Japanese football.

Kobayashi hopes that his popular comic series will introduce more Japanese people to STVV. The collaboration once again underscores how strongly the Limburg club invests in its special relationship with Japan.