Famed Japanese artist Takashi Murakami has partnered with Major League Baseball and Complex to release an apparel line and two sets of limited-edition trading cards through Fanatics, leading up to the Tokyo Series on March 18-19.
Topps plans to release 2025 Topps Base Series 1 — Tokyo Game Exclusive on Saturday, and the 2025 Topps x Murakami MLB Tokyo Series Matchup Set on March 7.
Series 1 will only be available at a series of locations in Tokyo, and the Murakami Matchup Set will be available exclusively through complex.com, Complex’s Los Angeles location and pop-up locations in Tokyo.
The Series 1 set, which will sell in mega box configuration for $50, will feature base card variations designed by Murakami numbered to just five. The Murakami Matchup Set will sell in hobby box configuration for $120 and features a 25-card set with autographs and parallels.
The key chase for both sets will be redemptions for dual autographs of Murakami and Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.
Murakami is best known as a contemporary artist with works ranging from paintings and sculptures to apparel and animation. Murakami also founded the “superflat” postmodern art movement, which is heavily influenced by manga and anime.
The partnership includes an apparel line of Nike T-shirts, sweatshirts and jerseys designed by Murakami. Apparel is available through Fanatics.com, MLBShop.com and Complex.com starting March 7, and in-person at the Tokyo Series.
A three-floor interactive experience is also planned by Topps in the Shibuya district of Tokyo from March 13-16. The experience will tell the stories of iconic Japanese players through cards and memorabilia.
The Tokyo Series will open the 2025 MLB regular season with two games between the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs at the Tokyo Dome, and feature Japan natives Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga and Seiya Suzuki.
Four total exhibition games between the Dodgers, Cubs, Yomiuri Giants and Hanshin Tigers will be played at the Tokyo Dome on March 15 and March 16.
Ben Burrows is a reporter and editor for cllct.