TOKYO - All Nippon Airways Co. unveiled Sunday an aircraft decorated with characters from the popular Japanese manga "Chiikawa," marking the first time for a domestic airline to collaborate with the franchise.
The Boeing 767 features characters including Chiikawa, the titular protagonist, against the backdrop of motifs inspired by Japan's four seasons. It will fly on domestic routes.
Its first flight is scheduled to depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport for Nagasaki in the country's southwest on Monday morning.
"We hope passengers can enjoy a journey through the skies with Chiikawa," something one can only experience while flying with ANA, an official of the airline said.
Mascots of Chiikawa and two other key characters, Hachiware and Usagi, made an appearance at Sunday's event unveiling the aircraft.
According to ANA, passengers can enjoy headrest covers and paper cups designed with the tiny animal-inspired characters.
Original collaboration merchandise can also be purchased through in-flight sales and its official online store from next Friday. The lineup will include tin badges and stuffed toys featuring Chiikawa characters dressed in ANA uniforms.
The Chiikawa-themed aircraft's service comes after the franchise's first animated movie "Chiikawa the Movie: The Secret of the Mermaid Island" has become a box office hit in Japan since it opened in July.
Chiikawa's popularity has also spread beyond Japan, with a themed exhibition in Shanghai drawing many Chinese fans and official merchandise stores opening in various locations across China since last year.
Over the years, ANA has unveiled aircraft themed around the popular "Pokemon" game franchise, "Demon Slayer," a hit Japanese manga and animation series, and "Star Wars" franchise.
