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.