Professional sports in North America have had their fair share of anime collaborations, should you simply are considering of the gamers. Athletes from the NBA, NFL, UFC, MLB, and lots of different shops have shared their love of all issues anime extra occasions than we are able to depend. To capitalize on the rising reputation of the anime medium, not solely are gamers getting in on the motion however complete groups are formally leaping in on the motion. The Los Angeles Lakers have introduced that they are going to be partnering with the Straw Hat Pirates in 2025, making a particular occasion for each basketball and anime followers in North America.
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This upcoming particular collaboration isn’t the primary time that the Straw Hats have teamed up with a significant sports activities crew. In 2024, One Piece collaborated with the MLB’s Boston Crimson Fox to create an evening to drive anime followers to the outfields. The occasion noticed distinctive merchandise created for the equally distinctive union wherein the Straw Hat Pirates grew to become part of the crew for one night time. Whereas the merchandise for the Grand Line coming to the Nationwide Basketball Affiliation has but to be totally revealed, a date has been set and new artwork has been created for the assembly of worlds.
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Monkey D. Luffy Joins The Lakers
Luffy taking part in basketball can be unfair to anybody that didn’t have Satan Fruit powers of their very own. Because of his rubber physique and his skill to stretch his limbs, taking the ball to the outlet can be nigh not possible in opposition to the Straw Hat captain. On February twenty eighth subsequent 12 months, a particular One Piece Night time can be created for the Los Angeles Lakers, as soon as once more proving how fashionable the Grand Line has change into in North America and the world. You possibly can take a look at extra particulars, and the brand new artwork created for the occasion, under.
The Straw Hats And Basketball
Whereas there has by no means been an episode of One Piece that noticed the Straw Hats making an attempt their hand at basketball, that doesn’t imply that Luffy and firm haven’t tried their hand at sports activities. Within the particular anime episode, “Dream Soccer King”, the Straw Hats took to the sphere to play soccer in opposition to a few of their largest enemies. Whereas solely operating for 5 minutes, the installment helped have a good time the 2002 World Cup and even featured a cameo from One Piece creator himself, Eiichiro Oda.
After all, basketball is not any stranger to the world of anime. Most just lately, Slam Dunk made a comeback with what is taken into account one of many best anime movies of all time, The First Slam Dunk. Different examples of basketball anime embody Kuroko’s Basketball, Buzzer Beater, and Ahiru no Sora.
Need to see what different partnerships the Straw Hat Pirates are part of sooner or later? Observe together with Workforce Anime on ComicBook.com for the most recent updates on the Grand Line and hit me up straight @EVComedy to speak all issues comics and anime.