The highly popular LINE Manga original webtoon Teenage Mercenary (Japanese title: 入学傭兵) has launched its first-ever pop-up store at LINE FRIENDS SQUARE SHIBUYA. The event, running from February 7 to 25, features exclusive merchandise and special content, including a video voiced by renowned voice actor Soma Saito. On February 6, the day before the opening, the series' original creator YC and illustrator rakhyun visited Japan to participate in a signing event and share their thoughts during a press interview.

"Teenage Mercenary": A Fan-Favorite Battle Action Webtoon

Teenage Mercenary has gained immense popularity as a battle-action webtoon, topping LINE Manga's annual rankings in both 2023 and 2024. Its gripping storyline and dynamic characters have earned it a dedicated fanbase in Japan. During the interview, creator YC expressed gratitude for the opportunity to hold a pop-up event in Japan, a country known for its discerning manga and anime enthusiasts. “It’s an honor as a creator to see this happen,” YC said, adding, “I’m deeply thankful for the love and support from Japanese readers.”
Illustrator rakhyun shared similar sentiments, calling the experience unforgettable. “When facing challenges in the future, I’ll look back on this moment for strength,” rakhyun remarked with a smile.

Exclusive Merchandise and Special Features

The pop-up store offers over 100 unique items inspired by Teenage Mercenary. Highlights include SW Corp.-branded tracksuits worn by protagonist Ijin Yu (Japanese name: Sōma Taitō) and acrylic keychains and stands featuring new illustrations of Ijin during his mercenary days, specially drawn by rakhyun for this event.
YC expressed amazement at seeing so many products derived from their work. “I was surprised by how many items were created from our series,” they said, noting the acrylic stands as their personal favorite. Rakhyun also praised the high quality of the SW Corp. tracksuits, saying they looked just like those in the webtoon.

Voice Actor Soma Saito Brings Ijin Yu to Life

One of the store’s main attractions is a special video featuring voice actor Soma Saito as Ijin Yu. YC shared their reaction to hearing Saito’s performance: “When I watched the video, it felt like it wasn’t my own work anymore. As creators, we don’t often imagine voices while drawing manga, so hearing such an amazing performance made me feel like a fan myself.” They added that the voice acting brought a new layer of charm to the webtoon.
Rakhyun echoed these sentiments, saying that watching the video felt like being personally addressed by Ijin himself. “It was an incredible experience,” they said.

Event Details and Free Chapters on LINE Manga

The Teenage Mercenary pop-up store is open at LINE FRIENDS SQUARE SHIBUYA (B1F) from February 7 to 25 (11:00 AM–8:00 PM). Entry is reservation-based with 30-minute time slots. The special video featuring Soma Saito can also be viewed on LINE Manga’s official YouTube channel. To celebrate the event, LINE Manga is offering free access to the first 25 chapters of Teenage Mercenary during this period.

Source : ORICON NEWS