In the summer of 2019, two of the world’s top soccer squads — FC Barcelona and Chelsea FC — visited Japan to join Vissel Kobe in the inaugural Rakuten Cup, a historic mini-tournament organized by Rakuten. While the matches served mainly as an exhibition for fans, to avid supporters of the three clubs the opportunity to see their favourite teams face-off against each other in Japan was a dream come true.

Creative Director Oscar Cariss and Wai Lau were inspired to open the door to the lives of Japan’s biggest and most unique football fans, with Rakuten allowing us insight into a selection of special spectator’s experiences and stories whilst capturing the excitement of one of the biggest matches of last year.

ANNEX Director Mike Rodgers and a local Japanese documentary crew captured this story in  THE FANS