Nyoijizai, the creator of the popular beach volleyball manga Harukana Receive, has launched a brand new manga series titled Cinderella Athletes. This time, Nyoijizai is diving into the world of corporate sports, offering a fresh and exciting take on the underdog story.
A Fresh Start for Nyoijizai
Nyoijizai is a Japanese manga artist and writer known for sports manga. Harukana Receive, serialized from 2015 to 2020, gained significant popularity and even inspired an anime television series. Nyoijizai has also explored other niche sports, such as pole dancing, with the manga Silver Pole Flowers. Now, with Cinderella Athletes, Nyoijizai shifts gears to tell a story of corporate redemption and athletic revival.
Cinderella Athletes: The Plot
Cinderella Athletes follows the story of an elite salesman who experiences a dramatic fall from grace after a factional dispute. As a result, he’s transferred to manage a struggling women’s corporate sports team. This team is composed of a diverse group of athletes:
- A blonde tsundere tennis player
- An expressionless long-distance runner
- A gyaru judo athlete
- A pair of tall volleyball players (one airheaded, the other shy)
Together, this unlikely team aims for an “underdog uprising” under the guidance of their new manager. The manga promises to be a “youth story brimming with vitality about female athletes.”
Where to Read
Cinderella Athletes began serialization on April 8, 2025, on Kodansha’s Comic Days online manga platform. The first two chapters were released simultaneously, giving readers an immediate introduction to the characters and the premise.
Nyoijizai’s Manga Style and Themes
Nyoijizai’s works often feature:
- Sports Focus: Nyoijizai showcases niche sports.
- Character Development: Nyoijizai puts emphasis on the characters, and their relationships.
- Underdog Stories: Often the stories are about characters that are underdogs overcoming challenges.
- Realism: The dialogue and character interactions feel realistic.
Other Works by Nyoijizai
- Harukana Receive: A beach volleyball manga that follows Haruka Ozora and Kanata Higa as they form a beach volleyball team.
- Silver Pole Flowers: A manga about two women who pursue different paths in pole dancing.
- The Succubus Division’s Super Stiff Staffer Pure: Nyoijizai has also explored other genres.
The World of Corporate Sports in Manga
Corporate sports teams are a unique aspect of Japanese company culture. Companies often sponsor sports teams as a way to promote their brand, build employee morale, and foster a sense of community. These teams can range from baseball and soccer to volleyball and track and field. Cinderella Athletes taps into this world, offering a glimpse into the lives of athletes who balance their athletic pursuits with their corporate responsibilities.
