On March 9th, the Para-Sports (Paralympic Sports) Tokyo has started their new promotional campaign called “FIND YOUR HERO.” The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is funding behind Para-Sports Tokyo which supports and promotes the Japanese athletes for the upcoming Paralympics. In 2016, they created a campaign called “Be the HERO” which paired the athletes with a famous manga artist for a promotional video and additional marketing. The goal is to raise awareness for Paralympic Sports and encourage additional involvement in the effort.
On October 20th, 2017, the “FIND YOUR HERO” campaign was announced with a promotional video, which is a sequel to the initial 2016 campaign. This initial promotional video featured the athletes for the campaign, but did not announce the manga artists that would be paired with them. On March 9th, the campaign officially kicked off with the full 2 minute video shown below to promote the athletes of the upcoming Summer Paralympic Games being held in Tokyo in August 2020. An additional 30 second ad was also produced using the same footage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeQAQGME830
The song for the campaign is called “Find Your Hero” and was written/produced by KenKen and also contains the vocals from Hitomi Yaida. The sports, athletes, and manga artists featured in the campaign are:
Cycling
Athlete: Shota Kawamoto
Manga Artist: Wataru Watanabe (Yowamushi Pedal)
Boccia
Athlete: Takayuki Hirose
Manga Artist: Mitsuru Sugaya (Game Center Arashi)
Table Tennis
Athlete: Kimie Bessho
Manga Artist: Machiko Satonaka (Kariudo no Seiza / “The Hunter’s Constellation”)
Para Swimming
Athlete: Honoka Okabe
Manga Artist: Hiroyuki Takei (Shaman King)
Wheelchair Fencing
Athlete: Naoki Yasu
Manga Artist: Motoka Murakami (Jin)
On the official website, they also posted a short interview with the manga artists as well as their drawing. Below is a rough English translation from the portion with Hiroyuki Takei.
Question: Please tell us why you accepted this request [to participate in this campaign]?
Answer: Acceptance, overcoming, strength and beauty. I think that is a wonderful part of the Paralympic Games. Being able to participate is a joy and pride within itself.
Question: Please explain the obstacle the hero faces and their intention within your drawing.
Answer: “My legs are cool, are yours not?”
Question: For the Para Athletes, what words do you have for them?
Answer: On the highest stage, do your best and give the best smile. This is for all the players.
Previously, Hiroyuki Takei had drawn the mascot for the police station in the Aomori Prefecture, the Prefecture where he was born. More recently, he also drew a promotional image for the Aomori Prefectural Senior High School Alumni Association.
