North American esports organisation Team Liquid has announced an apparel collaboration with popular anime and manga series Naruto Shippuden.
As a result of the partnership, Team Liquid will showcase some of the anime’s main characters — such as Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi and Naruto — across a range of apparel items.
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According to the release, the esports organisation will launch ‘over a dozen’ apparel pieces including a denim jacket, Jonin-inspired parka, cargo joggers, hoodies and a variety of short sleeve t-shirts.
Mike Milanov, Chief Business Development Officer at Team Liquid, said: “Team Liquid’s goal is to continue excelling in the world of apparel and innovative co-branded programmes. We know gaming constantly crosses paths with other industries and cultures—especially anime.
“Like our fans, we love anime, and Naruto is one of the most successful anime franchises of all time. We couldn’t be more excited to announce this strategic partnership to our fans.”
Unlike previous apparel launches, Team Liquid and Naruto’s collaboration is exclusive to the United States, with the collection arriving in the esports organisation’s store on February 12th. The apparel is expected to be priced between $35 to $100.
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In celebration of the launch, Team Liquid has collaborated with actor and director Dominique ‘King Vader’ Barrett, who is known for his ‘Hood Naruto’ videos on Youtube, to create a live-action anime short alongside modelling the apparel.
Last year Team Liquid partnered with a range of companies to increase its apparel line, this included Japanese-inspired lifestyle brand tokidoki and Marvel, with the latter also renewing its partnership with the organisation.
Esports Insider says: Team Liquid continues to branch out its apparel line in an attempt to attract not only fans in esports but across a range of sectors, such as anime. The apparel line will only reach a restricted audience with it being US-locked, nevertheless, the partnership does highlight how esports is integrating itself into other scenes.