In an exciting collaboration, My Hero Academia, TOHO animation, Crunchyroll, the National Basketball Association (NBA), NBALAB, and HYPERFLY have joined forces to create a unique fashion collaboration that merges fans’ widespread devotion for anime and My Hero Academia with their passion for the NBA, resulting in a one-of-a-kind, must-have line of streetwear for fans. Exclusive items from the collaboration will debut at NBA Con, held in Las Vegas from July 7-9, with the full range of merchandise launching later this fall.
Through the collaboration, fans will see characters from My Hero Academia prominently featured on newly designed merchandise for nine NBA teams: The Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Miami Heat, Dallas Mavericks and Portland Trail Blazers.
A selection of items from the collaboration will be exclusively available to purchase at NBA Con, a first-of-its-kind event held at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas from July 7-9 that blends the interests of NBA players and fans into a celebration of the best of hoops culture. HYPERFLY’s initial collection will feature All Might, the iconic hero from My Hero Academia on heavy weight t-shirts celebrating four teams – the Warriors, Lakers, Knicks and Bulls.
In addition to purchasing exclusive merchandise, fans who visit the Crunchyroll activation space at NBA Con will be able to watch their favorite scenes from My Hero Academia. Tickets to NBA Con are available at NBACon.com.
HYPERFLY’s retail launch featuring All Might on t-shirts, hoodies, and satin jackets will be available for purchase this fall in the U.S. and Canada at the Crunchyroll Store, NBAStore.com, LIDS.com, and HYPERFLY.com, and other approved vendors. Merchandise will also be available in Japan on the NBAStore.jp.
“There’s an incredible and authentic synergy between anime and sports, and we couldn’t be more excited to join forces with the NBALAB, HYPERFLY and TOHO animation to bring the beloved characters from My Hero Academia to the world of basketball,” said Rahul Purini, President of Crunchyroll. “This one-of-a-kind collection will truly amp up basketball enthusiasts and anime fans alike.”
“As two iconic brands with global reach and passionate fan bases, this partnership signifies an exciting moment that merges the worlds of basketball and anime, creating an exciting fusion of sports and storytelling,” said Pascal Pakter, President and co-founder of HYPERFLY. “The NBALAB has always embraced innovation, diversity, and cultural crossovers, and joining forces with the NBALAB and My Hero Academia aligns with our commitment to honoring Asian culture and engaging fans through unique and captivating experiences. ‘My Hero Academia’s inspiring narrative of heroism, teamwork, and perseverance resonates with the core values of the NBA, making this collaboration a natural fit.”
The collaboration was conceived and designed by HYPERFLY, whose past NBA collections celebrating Asian culture were well received by fans and players alike. The collaboration is driven by the NBALAB. The NBALAB aligns itself with companies who are pushing boundaries, making noise and building positive community in their field. The NBALAB bridges the gap between the brand and the NBA to create new products and experiences that are authentic for NBA fans.
My Hero Academia is a Japanese anime series based on the popular comics by Kohei Horikoshi. It is set in a world where about eighty percent of the population has a superpowered Quirk. Heroes protect people and society from accidents, disasters, and villains—criminals who use their Quirks for evil. The story of Izuku Midoriya and his classmates at U.A. High School and their growth, fights, and friendship unfolds as they aim to become such heroes.