The NBA Just Announced Its Best Anime Crossover Yet

The NBA Just Announced Its Best Anime Crossover Yet

As a long-time fan of both basketball and anime, I can confidently say this collaboration between Kuroko’s Basketball and the NBA has made my year! Growing up in Japan, I’ve always been passionate about both sports, and to see them merging like this is nothing short of extraordinary.


The success of Anime has never been more evident, with even major Hollywood studios taking notice. Sales of manga and anime are surging worldwide, and its influence is not limited to pop culture or entertainment – it’s being recognized across various fields, including academia. Interestingly, sports leagues are also jumping on the anime bandwagon, with the NBA recently securing one of its most significant collaborations yet. In essence, anime has carved out a niche for itself in unexpected realms, and this includes athletics.

The news originates from Japan: The NBA announced its collaboration with Kuroko’s Basketball, meaning Tetsuya Kuroko can now dribble along professional NBA players, all thanks to Street Rivals.

Kuroko’s Basketball Meets the NBA

As per recent updates, the NBA is partnering with Kuroko’s Basketball, aided by Street Rivals, a popular mobile game in Japan. This game offers players the chance to step onto the court as their favorite character from Kuroko’s Basketball series. In this upcoming NBA collaboration, gamers can expect to see their favorite teams’ jerseys in-game, ranging from the Chicago Bulls to the Los Angeles Lakers. The excitement amongst fans is high due to the inclusion of these iconic NBA teams in the game.

The NBA Just Announced Its Best Anime Crossover Yet

Absolutely, basketball ranks among Japan’s most popular sports, alongside baseball and soccer. The NBA is strategically tapping into a significant demographic with this partnership, as they have done so previously by embracing anime culture. In collaboration with Crunchyroll, My Hero Academia has joined forces with the NBA to design official jerseys. Moreover, many prominent NBA players are known fans of anime.

In a recent chat, it was revealed by Zion Williamson, a New Orleans Pelicans player, that approximately 80% of players in the league are fans of anime. Ranging from Naruto to One Piece and Hunter x Hunter, many NBA stars have embraced this popular Japanese animation style. Interestingly, this fondness for anime is quite common among athletes in other leagues such as the NFL and WWE.

The Intersection of Anime and Pro Sports

It’s noticeable that many professional athletes in the U.S., such as Jamaal Williams, Zach Harrison, and Tyler Allgeier, among others, often express their admiration for anime. This trend is not exclusive to football players; it extends across various sports, including Olympians. In fact, this year at the Olympics in Paris, this connection was quite evident.

2024 Olympic Games brought Noah Lyles into the spotlight for his track-and-field victories, but he also grabbed attention by carrying Yu-Gi-Oh cards and referencing shows like Hunter x Hunter. Similarly, spectators at the volleyball events cosplayed as characters from Haikyu, and players such as Tobias Krick echoed their passion. In other words, it’s no exaggeration to say that athletes were deeply into anime during the games.

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2024-10-04 01:10