Astronauts, actors, athletes. The beginning of a dream was a single manga. Recruiting your 'Dream Reference Book'. Launching 'Let's Donate Dream Manga!' to support children's dreams through votes and donations.
The Nippon Foundation is launching the "Let's Donate Dream Manga!" campaign on May 11th to support children's dreams and challenges through manga. Four notable figures will introduce manga that became their own "dream reference books," and the campaign website will solicit manga that the public wishes to donate to children, with the most voted works being donated to "Children's Third Places."
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- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 12:40 (1h 8m after Collected)
The Nippon Foundation's Donation Division is undertaking various activities with the aim of establishing a culture of giving in Japan. As part of this initiative, we are launching the campaign "Let's Donate Dream Manga!" today, May 11th (Monday), to provide children with opportunities to find dreams and take on challenges through manga. This campaign was born from the desire to help children facing difficulties discover their dreams and what they want to challenge through manga.
Manga encountered in childhood influenced one's life and future dreams—four individuals with such experiences are participating in this project to introduce manga that became their "dream reference books." These participants include astronaut Soichi Noguchi, former professional soccer player Atsuto Uchida, actress Shihori Kanjiya, and professional basketball player Yuta Watanabe. Each has contributed a message to children, along with the manga that became the origin of their dreams.
Soichi Noguchi / Dream Reference Book 'Galaxy Express 999'
Atsuto Uchida / Dream Reference Book 'Shoot!'
Shihori Kanjiya / Dream Reference Book 'Glass Mask'
Yuta Watanabe / Dream Reference Book 'SLAM DUNK'
Furthermore, this campaign will invite submissions on the special website for manga you wish to donate to children. Among these, works with the most votes will be donated to "Children's Third Places" supported by The Nippon Foundation. The special website also accepts donations for "Children's Third Places." Your donations will be utilized to create experiences and learning opportunities for children.
Manga can also be a "gateway to dreams," where one encounters unknown worlds and futures.
Through this campaign, we will deliver opportunities for children to encounter dreams and aspirations.
Why not deliver your "dream reference book" to the next generation of children?
*What are Children's Third Places?
These are facilities that The Nippon Foundation is establishing nationwide as safe places for children facing various difficulties. Currently, there are approximately 270 locations across the country, providing children with opportunities for experiences and learning aimed at their independence.
https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/what/projects/child-third-place
■Special Website
https://yumemanga.nippon-foundation.or.jp/
■Implementation Period
May 11, 2026 (Monday) - June 10, 2026 (Wednesday)
■Regarding Advertising Placement
Advertisements featuring Soichi Noguchi, Atsuto Uchida, Shihori Kanjiya, and Yuta Watanabe will be displayed at Tokyo Metro Shibuya Station starting today, May 11th. Ad placements are also planned sequentially at stations closest to each of the four individuals' alma maters.
Soichi Noguchi: Samukawa Station (JR Sagami Line)
Atsuto Uchida: Izunitta Station (Izuhakone Railway Sunzu Line)
Shihori Kanjiya: Kinshicho Station (JR Sobu Line)
Yuta Watanabe: Zentsuji Station (JR Dosan Line)
*Display periods vary by station.
*Please refrain from making inquiries to the stations or station staff.
■The 'Dream Reference Books' chosen by the four individuals
[Astronaut Soichi Noguchi]
Astronaut Soichi Noguchi
My Dream Reference Book 'Galaxy Express 999'
'Galaxy Express 999'
The desire to travel to space with Galaxy Express 999 in hand became a reality 28 years later. I became an astronaut. I boarded a Galaxy Express called the Space Shuttle and disembarked at a station called the Space Station. A magnificent manga gave me a magnificent dream. Manga is a dream reference book.
[Former Professional Soccer Player Atsuto Uchida]
Former Professional Soccer Player Atsuto Uchida
My Dream Reference Book 'Shoot!'
'Shoot!'
In 2006, I made my longed-for J-League debut. In 2008, in my second year, I was called up to the Japan national team. In 2010, I also moved to an overseas league. One day, soccer no longer felt fun. The manga "Shoot!" I read as a child, the national team uniform with the flaming emblem I bought as a child, brought me back to the boy who loved, loved, loved soccer and started playing. Manga is a dream reference book.
[Actress Shihori Kanjiya]
Actress Shihori Kanjiya
My Dream Reference Book 'Glass Mask'
'Glass Mask'
I kept failing auditions. The reason I could keep trying was because "Glass Mask," which I chanced upon at a convenience store, taught me the resolve required of an actor. I reread the work many times and continued to audition many times. Beyond that lay a future where I would play the lead role in the stage production of "Glass Mask." The dream fulfilled by manga showed me a development like something out of manga. Manga is a dream reference book.
[Professional Basketball Player Yuta Watanabe]
Professional Basketball Player Yuta Watanabe
My Dream Reference Book 'SLAM DUNK'
'SLAM DUNK'
As a boy, I dreamed of the greatest stage as a basketball player. To the NBA, which was my dream stage. If not for "SLAM DUNK," I might not be who I am today. No matter how many times I almost gave up, I just couldn't. At such times, "SLAM DUNK" gave me courage. Manga is a dream reference book.
Manga encountered in childhood influenced one's life and future dreams—four individuals with such experiences are participating in this project to introduce manga that became their "dream reference books." These participants include astronaut Soichi Noguchi, former professional soccer player Atsuto Uchida, actress Shihori Kanjiya, and professional basketball player Yuta Watanabe. Each has contributed a message to children, along with the manga that became the origin of their dreams.
Soichi Noguchi / Dream Reference Book 'Galaxy Express 999'
Atsuto Uchida / Dream Reference Book 'Shoot!'
Shihori Kanjiya / Dream Reference Book 'Glass Mask'
Yuta Watanabe / Dream Reference Book 'SLAM DUNK'
Furthermore, this campaign will invite submissions on the special website for manga you wish to donate to children. Among these, works with the most votes will be donated to "Children's Third Places" supported by The Nippon Foundation. The special website also accepts donations for "Children's Third Places." Your donations will be utilized to create experiences and learning opportunities for children.
Manga can also be a "gateway to dreams," where one encounters unknown worlds and futures.
Through this campaign, we will deliver opportunities for children to encounter dreams and aspirations.
Why not deliver your "dream reference book" to the next generation of children?
*What are Children's Third Places?
These are facilities that The Nippon Foundation is establishing nationwide as safe places for children facing various difficulties. Currently, there are approximately 270 locations across the country, providing children with opportunities for experiences and learning aimed at their independence.
https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/what/projects/child-third-place
■Special Website
https://yumemanga.nippon-foundation.or.jp/
■Implementation Period
May 11, 2026 (Monday) - June 10, 2026 (Wednesday)
■Regarding Advertising Placement
Advertisements featuring Soichi Noguchi, Atsuto Uchida, Shihori Kanjiya, and Yuta Watanabe will be displayed at Tokyo Metro Shibuya Station starting today, May 11th. Ad placements are also planned sequentially at stations closest to each of the four individuals' alma maters.
Soichi Noguchi: Samukawa Station (JR Sagami Line)
Atsuto Uchida: Izunitta Station (Izuhakone Railway Sunzu Line)
Shihori Kanjiya: Kinshicho Station (JR Sobu Line)
Yuta Watanabe: Zentsuji Station (JR Dosan Line)
*Display periods vary by station.
*Please refrain from making inquiries to the stations or station staff.
■The 'Dream Reference Books' chosen by the four individuals
[Astronaut Soichi Noguchi]
Astronaut Soichi Noguchi
My Dream Reference Book 'Galaxy Express 999'
'Galaxy Express 999'
The desire to travel to space with Galaxy Express 999 in hand became a reality 28 years later. I became an astronaut. I boarded a Galaxy Express called the Space Shuttle and disembarked at a station called the Space Station. A magnificent manga gave me a magnificent dream. Manga is a dream reference book.
[Former Professional Soccer Player Atsuto Uchida]
Former Professional Soccer Player Atsuto Uchida
My Dream Reference Book 'Shoot!'
'Shoot!'
In 2006, I made my longed-for J-League debut. In 2008, in my second year, I was called up to the Japan national team. In 2010, I also moved to an overseas league. One day, soccer no longer felt fun. The manga "Shoot!" I read as a child, the national team uniform with the flaming emblem I bought as a child, brought me back to the boy who loved, loved, loved soccer and started playing. Manga is a dream reference book.
[Actress Shihori Kanjiya]
Actress Shihori Kanjiya
My Dream Reference Book 'Glass Mask'
'Glass Mask'
I kept failing auditions. The reason I could keep trying was because "Glass Mask," which I chanced upon at a convenience store, taught me the resolve required of an actor. I reread the work many times and continued to audition many times. Beyond that lay a future where I would play the lead role in the stage production of "Glass Mask." The dream fulfilled by manga showed me a development like something out of manga. Manga is a dream reference book.
[Professional Basketball Player Yuta Watanabe]
Professional Basketball Player Yuta Watanabe
My Dream Reference Book 'SLAM DUNK'
'SLAM DUNK'
As a boy, I dreamed of the greatest stage as a basketball player. To the NBA, which was my dream stage. If not for "SLAM DUNK," I might not be who I am today. No matter how many times I almost gave up, I just couldn't. At such times, "SLAM DUNK" gave me courage. Manga is a dream reference book.