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Yowapeda Creator Takes Part in Tour of Japan Race
posted on by Amanda Whalen
Wataru Watanabe, creator of the popular cycling anime Yowamushi Pedal, participated in the final stage of the 19th Tour of Japan cycling race in Tokyo on June 5. This year's Tour of Japan was held from May 29 to June 5. Watanabe wore the same bright yellow Sohoku High School jersey worn by main character Sakamichi Onoda and other members of the cycling club.
A tweet from the Yowamushi Pedal Twitter page shows Watanabe lined up with the other racers. The text reads, “Just before the beginning of the final stage of the Tour of Japan in Tokyo. Seeing all of the racers lined up right in the center of Tokyo is the best part. Yowamushi Pedal's Wataru Watanabe is standing by with the other racers.”
「ツアー・オブ・ジャパン」@tourofjapan 最終東京ステージ、スタート直前!東京のど真ん中にロードレーサーたちが立ち並ぶ姿は圧巻です。「弱虫ペダル」の渡辺航先生もパレードランスタンバイ!#yp_anime pic.twitter.com/gxn6lUTkwn
— 弱虫ペダル_アニメ (@yowapeda_anime) June 5, 2016
Afterwards, Watanabe did an autograph session, and Wataru Watanabe over-the-shoulder bags were sold, with part of the proceeds being donated to Kumamoto, the region affected by earthquakes in April and where the anime is set. According to the promotional display shown in the tweet below, the third season of Yowamushi Pedal will begin airing in Japan in January of 2017.
「弱虫ペダル×ツアー・オブ・ジャパン」コラボパネルは、渡辺航先生チャリティサコッシュ販売&サイン会の会場に!#yp_anime pic.twitter.com/oEAiKhQaj5
— 弱虫ペダル_アニメ (@yowapeda_anime) June 5, 2016
Source: Nijimen Yowamushi Pedal Twitter page