The Japanese brewer teams up with top artist Hirohiko Araki for a limited-edition can design

Japan’s Sapporo Breweries has announced a partnership with renowned manga artist Hirohiko Araki, best known for creating the long-running manga series “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure”. The brewer will be launching limited-edition Yebisu Beer cans featuring newly commissioned artwork from Araki on 12 February 2025, for distribution throughout Japan.

Araki is currently publishing the ninth part of his manga series, known as The JOJOLands, which began its run in early 2023.

The imagery draws on the “beautiful women” promotional posters that were originally used for publicising Yebisu Beer in the early 1900s. They also incorporate motifs relating to Araki’s creations such as sun and moon emblems; iconic characters from his series; and symbolic elements tied to JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure.

Sapporo Breweries, founded in 1876, is one of Japan’s oldest beer producers and has a history of collaborating with anime and manga. Previous tie-ins have included collaborations with titles such as “Golden Kamuy” and “Attack on Titan.”

Alongside the can release, Sapporo has planned some promotional campaigns for consumers in Japan. One involves a special ticket hidden within select six-packs of Yebisu Beer. Those who uncover a winning ticket can mail in a supplied postcard for a chance to obtain exclusive Araki-branded goods, such as custom-designed plates or collector can sets with tin coasters. The promotion runs from 12 February to 31 May, with a limited number of prizes available.

In a second campaign, social media users are invited to follow the brewer’s official account and share designated posts. There will also be a random draw from these participants, with 100 winners receiving a complete case of the collaborative design cans.