Akita Shoten Co., Ltd. (Bunkyo, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Tokuji Yamaguchi) announces that Mio Matono of Sakurazaka46 will appear on the cover and in the opening gravure feature of No. 16 of its weekly shonen manga magazine Weekly Shonen Champion (editor-in-chief: Hideo Matsuyama), on sale Thursday, March 19. The issue will also include a double-sided BIG poster and a giveaway of limited-edition QUO cards for 200 people.
Mio Matono, now one of Sakurazaka46’s most popular members and a front-row member on the group’s latest single, The growing up train, makes her third appearance in Weekly Shonen Champion. The feature moves from scenes that reveal her cool profile in pants to a drowsy scene in pajamas, a scene in which she smiles cutely in relaxed knitwear and round glasses, and a more mature scene in a blue dress. Her poised, cool presence and soft, gentle smile create a contrast that will capture everyone’s heart.
