Shopping Guide
“The Basketball which Kuroko Plays Animate Fair” is being held until Aug. 25 in the anime speciality store Animate. The second season of the anime will begin this October.
The series is set at Teikō Middle School known for it’s elite basketball team that has come to be nicknamed “Generation of Miracles.” The team is made up of five talented players and a sixth, Kuroko Tetsuya, known as the elite “phantom member” of the team. Together with Kagami having returned from America, “Generation of Miracles” throw-down their skills match after match. The original manga currently has 23 volumes and over 20 million copies in print.
For the duration of the fair, for every 1,000 yen spent on purchasing or pre-ordering related books and goods, or for each CD, Blu-ray, or DVD worth more than 1,000 yen purchased or pre-ordered, customers will receive a greeting card (five kinds in total). Furthermore, a limited greeting card will also be given out as a present at the main store in Ikebukuro. According to spokesperson Suzuki, “We have received more customers than we had anticipated, so we were able to produce this to also include as a special present.” Even though the series is popular, they were still surprised at the turnout so far. Also, from Aug. 1-14 at the main store in Ikebukuro, the eighth floor became a space dedicated to The Basketball which Kuroko Plays! This space was filled background drawings and storyboards from the anime on display, as well as a reproduction of the hamburger shop that the Seirin pair Taiga and Kuroko often visit! Additionally, life-size cardboard cutouts of the main characters were on display along with the jerseys of the Seirin High and Shūtoku High basketball clubs for fans to enjoy. Fans were able to don their favorite school’s jersey and take a picture with Kuroko and the rest. On the same floor, The Basketball which Kuroko Plays manga, figures, and DVDs of the first season of the anime were also available for purchase.
There is an abundance of goods available that fans will find to be indispensable for everyday life, such as badges, plates, cups, chopsticks, tea cups, and loads of other products. Among them is a bag with a simple design that can be easily used when going out. This is great for those who don’t feel comfortable declaring to the world their love of the series, but still want to secretly enjoy it.
This fair at Animate is a paradise of The Basketball which Kuroko Plays! Exclusive booths for displaying goods have been set up just for fans. The decorations at the main store in Ikebukuro have all been made by staff members. Yup, even the staff members are fans! Decorations from a fan’s point of view have been used to the fullest.
Due to its popularity, the TV anime of the series received support from fans as well. The first season aired between April and September of 2012, and the long-awaited second season will finally begin airing this October. The fair at Animate is all about making the second season even more anticipated!
The anime offers many ways for fans to have fun in a different way than with the manga. Namely, it has strong components that fans can enjoy by themselves. Nevertheless, this Animate fair allows friends and fans alike to interact with each other while they enjoy the work.
In organizing this fair, Animate surely had the goal in mind of giving fans a chance to buy goods they can’t get anywhere else. Along with that were most likely the feelings of wanting to increase excitement for the series and wanting fans to enjoy it together. There is no way fans can enter Animate’s fair without feeling this passion. In any case, get hyped up for the second season by experiencing this Animate fair!
© Fujimaki Tadatoshi / Shueisha Inc., The Basketball which Kuroko Plays Production Committee
© Animate Ltd.
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
