Takashi Murakami Partners with MLB to Unveil Exclusive LA Dodgers and Chicago Cubs Collections

# **Takashi Murakami x MLB Tokyo Series Collection: A Blend of Art and Baseball**

### **Overview**
The 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) season is beginning with an exhilarating international twist. The reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, are set to face the Chicago Cubs in a special season-opening series in Tokyo, Japan. To honor this significant occasion, MLB has partnered with celebrated Japanese contemporary artist **Takashi Murakami** and Complex to launch a breathtaking collection of baseball merchandise—one that combines sports with Murakami’s trademark energetic and imaginative designs.

This exclusive collection not only recognizes the worldwide allure of baseball, especially in Japan, but also showcases Murakami’s artistic perspective, featuring his renowned flower patterns and whimsical characters. Let’s delve into what renders the **Murakami x MLB collaboration** truly unique.

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## **A Tribute to the MLB Tokyo Series**
For the first time since 2019, MLB is organizing a Tokyo Series, with the Dodgers and Cubs competing in Japan. This series is particularly thrilling as it allows Japanese baseball stars **Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Seiya Suzuki** to perform before their home fans. Murakami, famous for merging traditional Japanese styles with contemporary pop culture, viewed this as an ideal chance to create a collection that embodies the bond between Japan and the U.S.

### **Murakami’s Artistic Perspective on Baseball**
Murakami characterizes this collection as **”building upon the historical friendship between Japan and the United States.”** His characteristic vibrant and whimsical designs, influenced by **Superflat—a movement he initiated that combines anime, manga, and traditional Japanese art**, shine in this exceptional collaboration.

To launch the collection, Murakami released a **special animation** on Instagram, featuring his beloved characters clad in MLB Tokyo Series apparel.

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## **What’s Included in the Collection?**
The **Takashi Murakami x MLB Tokyo Series** collection comprises:
– **Team hats**
– **T-shirts**
– **Hoodies**
– **Beanies**
– **Baseball bats**
– **Tote bags**
Each product is embellished with **cherry blossom motifs**, a tribute to Japan’s cultural heritage, together with Murakami’s instantly recognizable smiling flowers.

### **Nike MLB Limited Team Jerseys**
Among the most coveted items in the collection is the **Nike MLB Limited team jerseys.** Fans can acquire player-specific jerseys, featuring:
– **Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)**
– **Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers)**
– **Mookie Betts (Dodgers)**
– **Freddie Freeman (Dodgers)**
– **Shota Imanaga (Cubs)**
– **Seiya Suzuki (Cubs)**
– **Dansby Swanson (Cubs)**

This collection permits fans to exhibit loyalty to their teams while embracing Murakami’s distinctive artistic flair.

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## **Exclusive Trading Card Collection**
A particularly **thrilling and rare inclusion** in this collaboration is the **2025 Topps x Murakami MLB Tokyo Series Matchup Set** of 25 trading cards. The set features:
– **Rare parallels**
– **Autographed versions**
– **A unique Murakami-Shohei Ohtani dual-autograph card**
This **one-of-a-kind Ohtani card** is anticipated to be **one of the most valuable baseball cards ever**, making it a must-have for collectors.

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## **Where to Access the Collection**
Fans can check out the Murakami x MLB merchandise at **exclusive pop-up installations** in **Los Angeles and Tokyo.** These setups provide an immersive art-and-baseball experience, perfectly aligning with Murakami’s renowned style.

– **Los Angeles Pop-Up Event**
– **Location:** Complex LA (433 N. Fairfax Avenue)
– **Dates:** March 7 – March 9

– **Tokyo Pop-Up Event**
– **Location:** 1 Chome-20-6 Jingumae, Shibuya
– **Dates:** March 8 – March 21

In addition to the pop-ups, fans can buy the collection at:
– **[Complex.com](https://www.complex.com/shop/drops/takashi-murakami-mlb-tokyo-series)**
– **[Fanatics.com](http://Fanatics.com)**
– **[MLBShop.com](http://MLBShop.com)**
– **MLB Tokyo Series exhibition games**
– **Dodger Stadium, Wrigley Field, and select MLB Clubhouse locations**
– **MLB Flagship Store in New York City**

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## **MLB Tokyo Series Schedule**
Ahead of the official **MLB season opener on March 18-19**, the Dodgers and Cubs will