Musical artist Licaxxx can be seen in KINGS with BEAMS SPORTS, a special concept movie made to promote the collaboration between BEAMS SPORTS and the Ryukyu Golden Kings, a B. League professional basketball team.

This project aims to expand the community surrounding both collaborators. BEAMS SPORTS creates opportunities for people to become more familiar with the positive energy generated by modern sports culture while the Ryukyu Golden Kings is known for celebrating the people and culture of Okinawa.

The concept video was planned and supervised by 92, a member of the artist collective GReeeeN. The star-studded cast includes Kabuki actor Matsuya Onoe and other basketball enthusiasts.

KINGS with BEAMS SPORTS

<Comment from Planner and Supervising Director GReeeeN’s 92>
“I want to share my home of Okinawa with both Japan and the world.
The concept of this video is one of hope. I want the appeal of basketball to merge with tons of other cultures.
I’m thrilled to be able to show my own take on historical backgrounds and culture in this new way!”

<Comment from Licaxxx>
“There are so many musical artists who love basketball! But when compared to overseas fans, they’re much quieter and less open about it. I’m sure they blend in pretty well courtside. (Laugh)
I hope everyone enjoys wearing these fashionable original items while cheering as hard as you can!”

The concert featuring the TV anime series Run with the Wind based on the novel Run with the Wind  by Shion Miura, will be held on December 29, 2021 at Ebisu The Garden Hall.

For this concert, Production I.G, the animation company that produced the anime series Run with the Wind, will be involved in the video production. Based on scenes selected by composer Yuki Hayashi, the video has been re-edited for the concert and will be delivered with a live performance by the gorgeous musicians.

The day will surely be a special one, where you can enjoy the music of the special band orchestra alongside a number of masterly scenes. Don’t miss this chance to experience the world of the film before the Hakone Ekiden, the university relay race in January that the characters are striving for!

Original work: Run with the Wind by Shion Miura (Shincho Bunko)

©三浦しをん・新潮社／寛政大学陸上競技部後援会

TOKYO 23, a shop promoting basketball culture, is set to reopen as a large-scale shop in Harajuku on September 18, 2021. 

TOKYO 23 x JUN INOUE TEE (Black/White): ¥5,500 each (Tax Included)

Guests will enter the space to find a basketball court at the center, both keeping with the theme of the shop and maintaining a minimalist vibe. The location is bold, using a balance of different upcycled materials and gray-tone colors reminiscent of the Tokyo streets. 

JUN INOUE was in charge of designing the lanterns throughout the store, giving a more traditional Japanese feel to the modern storefront. The store is dotted with artworks by Inoue as well as Reina Koyano, both located in Los Angeles. 

The coffee shop “LATTEST” will also be a permanent fixture in the store, and is the perfect place for visitors to relax and take in the art and feeling of the TOKYO 23 store. To commemorate the opening of this massive space, special collaborative JUN INOUE x TOKYO 23 T-shirts will be on sale for a limited time. 

Starting September 4, sports shop Murasaki Sports will begin selling a limited number of ‘MURASUPO x TOY MACHINE x TM paint’ T-shirts at Murasaki Sports stores nationwide and on its official website.

Murasupo x TOY MACHINE x TM paint (White/Black/Forest Green): ¥5,720 each (Tax Included)

The shirt is a collaborative work with TM paint, a Japanese artist, and TOY MACHINE, a brand established in 1993 by professional skateboarder and artist Ed Templeton. The branding includes TM paint’s signature phrase ‘TM SUCKS,’ often said by the artist in self-deprecation. The Murasaki Sports logo ‘RIDE LIFE’ is also featured on these unisex T-shirts, which come in three colors. They will also be worn as uniforms by staff at Murasaki Sports stores.

Murasaki Sports has been a part of street culture for 49 years, and this collaboration is sure to turn heads both in Japan and abroad.

Japanese shoe brand ASICS is teaming up with street fashion brand A BATHING APE® to release a new pair of sneakers. The shoes are modern and sporty, while still rocking an original BAPE® design, and will be available at A BATHING APE® retailers and online starting August 22.

BAPE® x ASICS GEL-1090: ¥19,800 (Tax Included）

Originally released in 2003, the GEL-1090 is a classic pair of sneakers, now updated with modern flair and functionality. The design is reminiscent of the street scene of the early 2000s, as seen through the eyes of the BAPE® brand.

The tiger claw mark on the toe and heel are original to the GEL-1090 design, while the BAPE® style has been fashionably incorporated throughout, including classic camo and shark motifs. Tokyo-based photographer RK was in charge of the look book for the release, and captured the effortless mix of sporty and street-style the GEL-1090s offer.

Do these shoes match your personal style?

Japanese shoe brand ASICS is running new digital shoe auction featuring two new designs. The auction, which makes use of non-fungible tokens (NFT), is taking place from July 16-20 on OpenSea.

This marks the first time that ASICS is debuting a new design using NFTs before physical models are released. The Sunrise Red NFT Collection is a 189-piece auction featuring nine different digital items from the brand’s sportswear line-up such as running shoes, sports-style shoes, sandals, and more.

The line-up, which is comprised of nine different models, consists of limited-edition releases of 20 units for each shoe. Each also features a Gold Edition release, a metallic gold version.

ASICS has also announced that all the proceeds made from the auction will go towards supporting digital artists as part of the ASICS Digital Goods Artist-In-Residence Program.

MUFG has announced that decided its Tokyo-based Musashino Sports Ground will is transforming into the new MUFG Park (tentative name) as part of its efforts toward the realisation of a sustainable environment and society. Set to open in 2023, MUFG Park will consist of three concept areas: a precious green environment in the city center (nature); environments for sports and to promote health (sports); and an environment for social exchange and activities (communication).

Tennis courts and grounds for soccer, rugby, and other sports

A community library stocked with reading material catering to cultural needs

Hosting lots of programs together with users of MUFG Park

“Committed to empowering a brighter future” is MUFG’s slogan which it is branding to help achieve a more sustainable environment and society. MUFG Park aims to resolve a wide variety of local and social issues that must be faced now and in the future, such as the conservation and passing-down of values related to precious natural spaces in urban areas, support for community-building in response to the post-COVID-19 era, and the creation of a resilient society. It also hopes to help empower a brighter future by communicating the various experiences and values cultivated there to society.

Japanese sportswear brand Mizuno is collaborating with Pan American World Airways (Pan Am) to release a clothing collection called “52 Collaboration with PAN AM” in their “Go to by mizuno” series of lifestyle attire for active adults at the end of March. It will be available in Mizuno stores, Mizuno’s official online shop, and pop-up shops in Japan.

Travel is the theme of the collection, and is the first co-developed line-up from “Go to by mizuno.” It incorporates the functionality of sportswear while promoting the fun and excitement of travel.

What is Pan Am?

Pan American World Airways, commonly known as Pan Am, was at the forefront of the airline industry during its 64-year run. It was the first company to adopt the Boeing 707 when it ordered 20 of them for commercial use in 1955. It became the world leading airline in both name and reality in the 1960s. In 1972, Idlewild Airport (now John F. Kennedy International Airport) became a hub for Pan Am, and they also set up a company building in Manhattan. The airline is still fondly remembered today, and is sure to be a name mentioned by those who have travelled around the world.

Collaboration Items

The clothing line-up of 38 itemsーspanning T-shirts, caps, socks, travel bags, and moreーfeatures the Pan Am logo and is made from waterproof and stretchy sports clothing that can be used for everyday wear.

Until now, viewing sports games has been limited to a simple four-sided arena with the audience around the outside and the game in the middle. That is all about to change with Sports Viewing Re-Imagined, an interactive exhibition that combines technology, art and design, offering new ways to enjoy sport which in turn encourages and spreads sports viewing to many more people. This exhibition is accessible to everyone including disabled people.

Expect robots, a combination of music and interactivity to make sports viewing even more inclusive, and much more.

Tokyo Disney Resort® launched their new Disney SPORTS line on May 10, a collection of 17 original sports items and 8 produced in collaboration with adidas.

Each item in the original collection bears the official Disney SPORTS logo together with a silhouette of Mickey Mouse running. There are other Mickey Mouse pictograms too including a Mickey-shaped stopwatch, Mickey playing track and field, and more. All the designs are simple and sporty.

T-Shirt (110cm) ¥3,300 / (130cm) ¥3,600 / (S, M, L) ¥3,900 Each

The t-shirt has the Disney SPORTS logo on the front. It’s made from 100% polyester and feels soft on the skin. There is no tab on the back of the neck; instead, the size and other information is printed on to ensure that there is no rubbing on the skin when exercising. The t-shirts come in kids and adult sizes so can be enjoyed by families.

The 26.2 printed on the arm is the number of miles (42.195km) in a full marathon. “Smiling until you reach your goal” is the message Disney want to get across with this t-shirt.

Body bag ¥2,900 / Boston Bag ¥4,800 / Drink Bottle ¥1,600

The Boston bag is large and so is perfect for taking to the gym. The body bag is big enough to fit a 500ml bottle in so is ideal for walking, mountain climbing or when going to play in the park. There’s also a soft cap you can wear for running marathons, and a towel that cuts UV light and can cool you down when soaked in water and wrapped around you. This makes it perfect not just for working out but for going to the beach too.

Multi Bag <adidas> (Blue/Black/Red): ¥1,800 Each

adidas previously collaborated with Tokyo Disney Resort to celebrate their 35th anniversary by releasing a range of special items. They are teaming up with Tokyo Disney Resort once more to release 7 different items with Cinderella’s castle on them including a t-shirt, half pants, rucksack, cap, multi bag and more―all great for both sports and daily use.

Tokyo Disney Resort are also selling chocolate serial bars for pre/post workouts or as a light snack and other items too. Head to one of the stores listed below to see the full range and enjoy getting fit and healthy this summer!

©2019 adidas Japan K.K. adidas, the 3-Bars logo and the 3-Stripes mark are trademarks of the adidas Group.