“Baseball Meets Anime: MLB’s ‘Heroes of the Game’ is the Crossover You Didn’t Know You Needed”
Move over, superheroes—Major League Baseball’s biggest stars are getting an anime transformation, and it’s nothing short of legendary. This season, MLB has unleashed an electrifying campaign titled Heroes of the Game, blending the high-octane action of baseball with the dazzling artistry of Japanese animation. Developed by Wieden+Kennedy, the creative minds behind Travel Oregon’s beloved Ghibli-style campaign, this initiative is turning the sport’s top players into near-mythical anime characters, captivating fans worldwide.
Baseball, But Make It Anime
Imagine Shohei Ohtani, Paul Skenes, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge not just crushing home runs but doing so with epic anime-style speed lines and gravity-defying power-ups. That’s exactly what Heroes of the Game delivers through a series of cinematic hero films (:75, :30, and :15 versions), showcasing these players as animated legends on a mission for baseball glory in 2025.
Launched across MLB’s digital empire—including MLB.com, MLB.TV, and various social platforms—the campaign extends beyond just screens. Fans can witness these animated spectacles in real-world locations like the neon-lit streets of Shibuya, the trendy Flannels Flagship Store in London, the cultural hub of Museo Soumaya in Mexico City, and the ever-iconic Times Square.
Bringing the Game to Life, One Anime Frame at a Time
But the anime magic doesn’t stop there. Throughout the 2025 season, MLB will roll out additional player stories, weaving live-action with anime sequences to react to real-time on-field events. This means fans get an immersive, ever-evolving anime saga as the season unfolds.
And if that’s not enough to fuel your fandom, mark your calendars for March 27. That’s when the plaza outside MLB Headquarters in New York will transform into an anime-inspired shrine to baseball’s finest, featuring life-sized baseball card installations of nine powerhouse players, including Ronald Acuña Jr., Jose Altuve, Bryce Harper, Julio Rodríguez, and Mike Trout.
Why Anime? Because Baseball Deserves Epic Storytelling
MLB’s embrace of anime is no random swing in the dark. The global anime boom has taken the world by storm, particularly in Latin America and the U.S., where fans are devouring content at record-breaking rates. Even baseball’s biggest names—like Jazz Chisholm Jr., Rodríguez, and Ohtani—have openly expressed their love for the genre, making this campaign a perfect fusion of two passionate fanbases.
To add the perfect soundtrack to the spectacle, MLB enlisted J-Pop sensation Ado, known for her work in One Piece, to score the campaign. Behind the animation magic? A dream team of anime pros, including Passion Pictures, Echelle Studios (handling production design and art direction), and renowned animation director Hiroshi Shimizu. The campaign even boasts artists with credits on anime juggernauts like One Piece and Fullmetal Alchemist, ensuring an authentic and visually stunning experience.
The Future of Sports Marketing? More Anime, Please!
MLB’s Heroes of the Game isn’t just a marketing play—it’s a bold reimagination of sports storytelling. By tapping into the universal appeal of anime, the league is bringing fresh energy to America’s favorite pastime and appealing to a new generation of fans. If this is the future of sports promotions, we’re ready for extra innings.
Batter up, anime fans—baseball just got a power-up!
