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 is becoming an anime.)
The popular soccer manga Fantasista Stella currently serializing in the manga magazine Shonen Sunday (Shogakukan) is becoming an anime. This is one title of the Anisun project which aims to create anime of seven popular Shonen Sunday works all at once. The anime was revealed back in May, but now the release has been announced. Beginning with Vol. 8 of the manga on sale Sept. 18, limited editions of Vol. 8, 9, and 10 will be sold that each include a new OVA. A trailer of the anime was also released on June 10.
Fantasista Stella is a sports manga by Michiteru Kusaba that was collaborated on by world-famous Japanese soccer player Keisuke Honda. Battles unfold on the pitch as main character Teppei Sakamoto aims to become a member of the Japan national team and compete in the World Cup.
Fantasista Stella is a unique work in that Keisuke Honda didn’t just collaborate on the draft, he appears in the work next to main character Teppei as “another main character.” The catalyst for this stemmed from Honda being a fan of Kusaba, which he talked about in a 2009 issue of Big Comic Spirits. The work reflects Honda’s experience and philosophy.
Anisun is a large project in which popular Shonen Sunday works will be adapted into an anime one after the next. The anime are all completely new works and are titles boasted by the editorial department. With the World Cup being held this year, this will create excitement for Fantasista Stella.
The theme song artist has also been announced. Gold Rush is a two-person unit comprised of Okinawa natives Kota and Uselkay that has soulful vocals based on R&B. A portion of the theme song can also be heard during the trailer.
Also released are joyous comments from Honda, who is preparing for the World Cup, regarding the anime. The real World Cup and the World Cup within Fantasista Stella - these two battles will likely bring excitement to the world of soccer this year.
[Comments from Keisuke Honda]
■ Fantasista Stella has attained popularity and is becoming an anime.
“Sincere congratulations on the anime adaptation of Fantasista Stella. I think the manga has become loved by many, but even I have loved Fantasista Stella since long ago and I am happy from the bottom of my heart.”
■ To you, Honda, what kind of person is Teppei Sakamoto, the main character of Fantasista and Fantasista Stella?
“He’s an airhead, but what he says captures it all. He’s a strange dude.”
© Michiteru Kusaba, Shogakukan Inc. / Anisun Production Committee
Source: animeanime
