Takashi Murakami Teams With Complex and MLB on a New L.A. Dodgers Collab for Japanese Heritage Night: “It Makes Me Very Happy”
The Japanese artist will also throw the first pitch at the L.A. team's game against the Miami Marlins — here's when his new collection lands online and in stores.
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Danielle Directo-Meston
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April 28, 2025 9:06am
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Japanese artist Takashi Murakami throws out the ceremonial first pitch at the MLB Tokyo Series game between the L.A. Dodgers and Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Courtesy of MLB and Complex
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Following his sold-out MLB Tokyo Series collection, Takashi Murakami is sprucing up more Dodgers merch with a new capsule collection to celebrate the L.A. team’s Japanese Heritage Night on April 28.
Shop Murakami x la dodgers at Fanatics.com
The new Murakami x MLB collaboration will be available online on Monday at Fanatics’ website and app and Complex.com and in person at Dodgers Stadium. Priced from $60 to $135, the limited-edition range includes the 2024 World Series winner’s tees (in blue, white and black) and a black hoodie with the Japanese artist’s signature flower faces and cherry blossoms, and are finished with “DODGERS” in Katakana characters along the sleeves. The collection also includes an exclusive Dodgers edition of Murakami’s Ohana Hatake slides.
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The celebrated creative will also throw the first pitch tonight at the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Japanese Heritage Night against the Miami Marlins.
“The reaction [to my first capsule collection] in Japan was the biggest I’ve ever experienced, and it made me realize anew how important Shohei Ohtani and baseball are to Japanese people, which made my heart fill up with excitement,” Murakami tells THR. “When I was a child, baseball was the king of sports, but by the time I graduated from college, people’s interest had shifted to soccer, and recently, people were even saying that maybe baseball was a thing of the past. But since Shohei Ohtani went to the Major Leagues, there has been a huge resurgence of interest, and it feels like my childhood has come back. It makes me very happy.”
Takashi Murakami’s new MLB L.A. Dodgers capsule collection with Complex for Japanese Heritage Night 2025. Courtesy of MLB and Complex
Murakami previously put his signature charming cherry blossoms, happy flowers and playful characters smiling on Nike jerseys, T-shirts, hoodies, accessories, Rawlings baseball gloves and bats, and a Complex-exclusive set of Topps trading cards for the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs.
Jennifer Lawrence, Taika Waititi and Rita Ora were among the stars spotted in the stands at Dodger Stadium at the 2024 World Series. The L.A. team won 7-6 against the New York Yankees, marking their eighth title.
For those who snoozed on shopping the sold-out Murakami x MLB collection released in March, the pieces are available at marketplace sites such as Stockx, eBay, Grailed and more.
Takashi Murakami Dodgers hoodie, $135 Courtesy of MLB and Complex
Below, Murakami chats more about the influence of American culture on his professional and personal life and what he’s looking forward to with his upcoming visit to Dodgers Stadium.
American culture — and particularly, baseball and fashion — have such a strong influence in certain circles of Japanese culture. How has that connection influenced you and your work with MLB?
When I was asked to throw the first pitch and stand on the mound, memories of playing catch with my father when I was around 10 years old came flooding back, bringing me back to how I felt over 50 years ago. My father lived with his trauma of Japan’s defeat in the war, so even when we played catch, he was acutely aware that he was participating in an American sport.
The music we listened to was on FEN (U.S. military radio), and he felt an overwhelming sense of inferiority, believing that America was superior in every aspect of culture. I am engaged in my current work — essentially, reflecting on Japan — having grown up watching my father like that, so I feel deeply moved.
What does it mean to you to be able to throw the first pitch again, this time at Japanese heritage night at Dodger Stadium? And how do you hope it will be different than your Tokyo pitch?
The opening pitch at Tokyo Dome, as I mentioned earlier, received an enormous response, and I was surprised to receive many messages from my elementary school friends but I got little reaction from my family. But then when I told them I would be pitching again at Dodger Stadium in L.A., they were so excited that they asked if they could come along, which really surprised me.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are remembered by Japanese people linked to the significant contribution that Hideo Nomo made to Japanese baseball: He brought the powerful spirit of Major League Baseball to Japan. This is a major stage where you can feel the excitement from that era of breaking through the invisible wall between Japan and the United States.
Where else are you finding inspiration these days?
It’s a cheap gag anime that my elementary school-aged daughter watches on YouTube. The fast-paced humor is really affecting me. Even though I don’t understand what they’re saying, it reminds me of the sense of utter chaos I had in my head as a child, and immersing myself in that anime’s world helps refresh my mind.
Takashi Murakami x Dodgers T-Shirt in Blue
Takashi Murakami x Dodgers T-Shirt in Black
Takashi Murakami x Dodgers T-Shirt in White
Takashi Murakami x Dodgers Hoodie
Shop the Murakami x MLB Tokyo Series online starting April 28 at Fanatics.com and Complex.com.
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