PAC-MAN is one of the most important characters in video game history, so celebrating his birthday is a given! Bandai Namco has announced a number of projects to take place in 2022 based on the theme of ‘Be PAC-TIVE!!’  

PAC-MAN Official Theme Song, We are PAC-MAN!

The ‘Be PAC-TIVE’ initiative wants to inspire people to eat well and live well, and to place more importance on cultivating a healthy body and mind. PAC-MAN’s circular shape is also symbolic of a circle of friends, harmony, the spirit of cooperation, and the shape of the planet we all inhabit. Who knew that a simple character and game like PAC-MAN could be so deep? We are PAC-MAN! (Japanese ver.):  https://youtu.be/JKque0N2bwwWe are PAC-MAN! (English ver.): https://youtu.be/5_JzxszEpmc We are PAC-MAN! (Chinese ver.): https://space.bilibili.com/287390748  

PAC-MAN MUSEUM+ Commemorative T-Shirt

The PAC-MAN MUSEUM+, which includes 14 classic and modern titles from the PAC-MAN universe, will soon be available. New T-Shirts commemorating the release will be available on Amazon starting May 23. The birthday version of the shirt will be released on June 23, and will feature the key visual alongside a festive newly-drawn illustration.   

Collaboration with Popular Online Game Fortnite

PAC-MAN will also be teaming up with the globally-popular online game Fortnite starting June 2! Players will be able to purchase items with a PAC-MAN motif.   It’s likely that you haven’t played a PAC-MAN game in a while, so why not pick one up for old times’ sake?   PAC-MAN MUSEUM™+ & ©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc. “PlayStation”および“PS4”は、株式会社ソニー・インタラクティブエンタテインメントの登録商標または商標です。 Nintendo Switchは任天堂の商標です。 STEAM および STEAM ロゴは、米国およびまたはその他の国の Valve Corporation の商標およびまたは登録商標です。

Bandai Entertainment is celebrating 40 years of PAC-MAN with a new collaboration with Sebastian Masuda, the artist and art director at the forefront of "kawaii" culture in Japan.  

PAC-MAN x Sebastian Masuda: Pop Culture Taken to the Next Level

BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment is a Japanese multinational video game developer and publisher whose motto is "More Fun For Everyone." This summer, the company is dropping a new face into the ghost and fruit-filled maze of their iconic 80's video game character PAC-MAC. That person is none other than Sebastian Masuda.   The scope of Masuda’s influence is unrivalled. His touch can be seen all across Japanese kawaii culture, ranging from his work on Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s viral hit music video PONPONPON which skyrocketed her career, to Harajuku’s famous concept restaurant KAWAII MONSTER CAFE, the Miracle Gift Parade at Sanrio Puroland, as well as countless work on TV, commercials, advertisements, characters, stage, concerts, and more. He is a leader when it comes to pop culture, and so it is fitting that he follows alongside PAC-MAN into this labyrinth of a collaboration.  

Primal Pop (PAC-MAN Mix)

In celebration of PACMAN's 40th anniversary, Sebasian Masuda created a giant art piece entitled Primal Pop (PAC-MAN Mix) which is made up from a mix of historical PAC-MAN merchandise and children's toys which aims to have the people who see it return the excitement they felt as a child.   The art installation has been placed at the entrance of the BANDAI NAMCO Future Laboratory located inside the BANDAI NAMCO Group office building. It stands 2.9 meters high and 2.6 meters across. As of now, it is only available to see by staff and associates, but you can see a video of it being made below.   Sebasian Masuda's "Primal Pop (Pac-Man Mix)" | Behind The Scenes

Sebastian Masuda x PAC-MAN Merchandise

PAC-MAN Special Art by Sebastian Masuda Official T-Shirt (Black) | ¥4,000 (Before Tax) | Sizes: Small, Medium, Large

PAC-MAN Special Art by Sebastian Masuda Official Sticker | ¥500 (Before Tax)

A special collection of merchandise themed on Primal Pop (PAC-MAN Mix) was also released on BANDAI NAMCO's online store Asobi Store on August 12 so that everyone can enjoy the collaboration. There are plans for overseas releases too.  

PAC-MAN: A Game Love the World Over

PAC-MAN was first released in 1980 and has since become a symbol of pop and gaming culture around the world. With the outbreak of COVID-19, BANDAI NAMCO Studios made PAC-MAN Championship Edition 2 free to play on PlayStation®4 , Xbox One, and Steam® between April 24 and May 10 as a way to put a smile of people's faces while celebrating a game that has become so rooted in pop culture.   PAC-MAN™&©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.

PAC-MAN turned 40 years old on May 22, 2020. To commemorate the 40th anniversary of one of the most recognisable video game characters, UENI TRADING, the sole Japanese distributor of American watchmakers Timex, released three new Timex 80 x Pacman watches on July 30, 2020. The watches are available in select stores and online stores in Japan.   This collaboration previously took place in November 2019 where the watches were a hug success amongst American fans. The watches have now arrived in Japan in the year of PAC-MAN's 40th anniversary.

Timex 80 x PAC-MAN Watches: ¥11,000 (Before Tax) TW2U32000 | TW2U31900| TW2U32100

The watches are an arrangement of Timex's "Classic Digital" which capture that retro 80's design of PAC-MAN. The LCD, back of the case, and bracelet all feature iconic PAC-MAN motifs. The alarm sound of the watches are also the PAC-MAN game sound. The watches feature all the typical functions like a stopwatch, calendar, and alarm, but with a PAC-MAN flair. They're also equipped with the Timex INDIGLO® night light which Timex first introduced back in 1992. The watches will be available to purchase in Japan on the official online stores of Timex and ontime move as well as in-store at ontime Shibuya LOFT and ontime Umeda LOFT. *Available online at Timex from July 30. General sales will begin on August 4. Pop-up stores will also open at ontime Shibuya LOFT and ontime Umeda LOFT where you can get your hands on an original PAC-MAN sticker, play the original game, and more.

You can now ride a Pacman rickshaw in Asakusa for a limited period between December 23rd-December 25th. Just 6 lucky people are allowed to ride this rickshaw per day. You can be selected by signing up to the campaign. Winners will be selected from those who participate.

The cruise will last 15-20 minutes and will begin from the "Kaminarimon" or "Thunder Gate" in Asakusa. You will ride through Sumida Park from which you will be able to see a clear view of Tokyo Skytree, and you will head around popular spots throughout Asakusa.

This event will be fun for everyone, even if you've never ridden a rickshaw before. There will also be a chance for you to snap a photo of the ghosts chasing Pacman using a long exposure camera! Pacman is a game that started in Japan and is popular worldwide. All of the people from Japan and overseas gathered in Asakusa are going to love seeing Pacman riding around the place.

Check out the Pacman rickshaw video below▼

■Information

Asobi Motto project Vol.3 "Pacman Rickshaw Asakusa Night Cruise"

Date/Time: Friday December 23rd, 24th, 25th - 4pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm, 9pm

Applicants: 6 people per day and a maximum of two people per ride. You are allowed to ride by yourself.

How to enter: http://asobi.bandainamcoent.co.jp/

−−−

■Related Article: Foreigners dressed as Ninjas while sightseeing are on the rise: Ninja event becoming the latest trend

■Related Article: The entertaining sushi restaurant that you can feel like being in Edo.