Japan’s three-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka has inspired a new manga character to appear in an issue of Nakayoshi magazine next month, the publishers announced on Sunday.

Osaka, who is the world’s highest paid female athlete, is a fan of both manga and anime and took to social media to welcome the character. Her sister Mari Osaka is assisting with the character’s creation.

“Growing up reading manga/watching anime was something that bonded me and my sister immensely so this is really exciting for both of us,” Naomi Osaka tweeted alongside a picture of her character, complete with tennis racket and pink hair.

Nakayoshi said in their tweet that the new manga, entitled ‘Unrivaled NAOMI Tenkaichi’, will be released in their issue dated December 28.

A previous attempt to depict Osaka, who has a Japanese mother and Haitian father, as a cartoon character misfired when sponsor Nissin depicted her with pale skin and light brown hair, creating public outcry.

The noodle company removed the commercial and apologised to Osaka and said they had not intended to ‘whitewash’ her.

“To feature a female character who is half-Haitian and half-Japanese, especially one so accomplished and universally admired, is a major leap forward in manga cultural awareness and representation,” Roland Kelts, a visiting professor of culture, media and society at Tokyo’s Waseda University, said.

Tennis fans have witnessed a dramatic transformation of Osaka in 2020.

The Japanese star maintained her dominance on the court by winning a third Grand Slam title at this year’s US Open. However, off court, the Japanese star finally found her voice.

Naomi has often appeared soft-spoken and timid during her press conferences, but this year she boldly used her voice and her platform to support the fight for racial equality.