A new official collaboration between the cult classic Afro Samurai and the high-end collectables brand San FranTokyo has been announced. The partnership will see the launch of a new digital figurine and an accompanying t-shirt later this month.
The project is an official venture, developed in direct partnership with Afro Samurai‘s creator, Takashi Okazaki, and Gonzo, the acclaimed studio behind the anime series. This merchandise launch serves as the main event for which the brand’s recently publicised global fan art contest is a promotional precursor. That competition gained attention online for its strict prohibition of AI-generated artwork.
San FranTokyo is a brand that specialises in producing unique, premium items inspired by Japanese anime and manga culture. The company has a history of working with significant intellectual properties, having previously released projects in collaboration with titles like Ghost in the Shell and Liar Liar.
The brand’s portfolio highlights a focus on unique cultural crossovers. For instance, a recent project involved a ceramic yo-yo, created in collaboration with the Yagi yo-yo team, led by Reiji Okamoto of the band OKAMOTO’S, whose music has featured in Naruto and Dr Stone, as well as the traditional Japanese ceramics maker Maruhiro.
Looking ahead, San FranTokyo is also working with Kodansha’s famous Young Magazine on its US campaign. This collaboration involves the creation of six bespoke, hand-embroidered souvenir jackets from a specialist craftsman in Yokosuka, featuring new artwork from the legendary creator of Ghost in the Shell, Shirow Masamune.
In addition to physical products, the company is developing a loyalty platform for the anime and manga community called Anime ID, signalling broader ambitions within the fandom technology space.
