World-Renowned TENNIS Star Naomi Osaka Ventures into ANIME Production

World-renowned tennis champion Naomi Osaka is venturing into the anime scene with the upcoming adaptation of an indie manga series, "Allure: The Evening Primrose." Produced by Osaka's own company, Hana Kuma, alongside Rebel Maverick, this adult anime series features a storyline centered around Akane Koizumi, an orphan turned assassin by the Yakuza, enhanced with a drug called Allure. Osaka will not only executive produce but also voice the lead character. The project includes Kenny Byerly as writer and boasts funding from SpringHill and Epic Games. Although there's no release date or platform announced yet, the series is expected to hit the market early this year.

What is Naomi Osaka's anime "Allure: The Evening Primrose" about?
n"Allure: The Evening Primrose" is an anime series adapted from an indie manga, focusing on Akane Koizumi, an orphan who gets caught up with the Yakuza and becomes an elite assassin after being given a special drug known as Allure. Naomi Osaka is voicing the main character and also serving as an executive producer.

Naomi Osaka's production company, Hana Kuma, is relatively new to the scene, having been established in 2022. It initially focused on documentary and podcast productions. With significant investments from sports icon LeBron James' company SpringHill and Fortnite creator Epic Games, Hana Kuma is diversifying its portfolio with this foray into anime, leveraging Osaka's unique cultural heritage and storytelling interest. Moreover, this anime adaptation underscores the growing trend of athletes and celebrities from various fields expanding their reach into entertainment and content creation, further bridging the gap between sports, culture, and media.