Sports & Entertainment
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Blog
From local charm to global phenomenon: The success of Rakuten Panda
Celebrating their 11th anniversary and the premiere of their very own anime series, 2024 was an eventful year for Rakuten’s beloved mascot, Rakuten Panda (Okaimono Panda). Beyond Japan, Rakuten Panda has also made waves internationally, gaining recognition in countries such as Taiwan, South Korea and Hong Kong. As their presence continues to grow overseas, now is the perfect time to look back…
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Vissel Kobe delivers championship built on heart and hard work
In December 2024, Vissel Kobe once again etched their name in Japanese soccer history, successfully defending their J.League title with a dominant 3-0 victory over Shonan Bellmare at Noevir Stadium Kobe. This victory not only secured their second-ever J.League championship but also completed a historic domestic double following their victory in the Emperor’s Cup just a month earlier. The tea…
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Tsundoku, obi collecting and autumn reading: Rakuten Books survey
‘Tis the season for getting cozy with a good book – at least according to the most recent survey by Rakuten Books, Rakuten’s online platform in Japan for physical entertainment. Over 10,000 users were quizzed about their habits, nearly 30% of whom revealed that they read every day, with another third reading at least weekly. Most prefer to sink into their books during relaxed weekend hours (…
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sulvam ‘by R’ takes to the runway in Tokyo and Paris events
September is a highly fashionable time of year at Japan, as designers gather to showcase their latest creations for Rakuten Fashion Week TOKYO. Rakuten has sponsored the event since 2019 and launched the ‘by R’ initiative in 2020. This ambitious project aims to empower the Japanese fashion scene by placing the spotlight on select, unique brands loved by a broad range of fans in Japan a…
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A festival of sports, inclusion and sustainability at Tokyo Dome
This article was originally published on syncSPORTS by Rakuten and translated into English. On a recent evening in Tokyo, baseball fans gathered for a summer celebration of sports: the Rakuten Super Baseball Game. Spectators were treated to more than a thrilling game between the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles and the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks, as Tokyo Dome transformed into a hub of diverse athletic ac…
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The best of tech, sports and culture at Rakuten Future Festival 2024
Over four summer days, Rakuten Optimism 2024 turned Tokyo Big Sight into a vibrant hub of technology, sports and culture, drawing approximately 66,000 attendees of all ages and interests eager to experience the future. As part of Rakuten’s largest annual event, the Future Festival offered visitors a glimpse into the limitless possibilities that lie ahead. From AI-powered games to cutting-edge dron…
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A celebration of sport, fans and community at Rakuten Super Game 2024
Rakuten Super Game 2024 took center stage at the Rakuten Taoyuan Baseball Stadium earlier this month, bringing together various Rakuten businesses to celebrate the company’s ecosystem in Taiwan with a unique and engaging experience for fans. Part of the Super Summer Series 2024, the packed-house event saw the Rakuten Monkeys face off against the Fubon Guardians in a thrilling contest that wa…
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Ray Allen on hoops and life: 3 takeaways from “NBA Fest” in Japan
As the halftime buzzer signaled a brief pause in action between the Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics amid Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Finals, the energy in a packed Shibuya Stream Hall hit a fever pitch. Nearly 300 fans were on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the arrival of two-time NBA champion Ray Allen. Hoops fans had gathered for an unforgettable day featuring one of the greatest three…
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Rakuten presents first-ever TV anime series starring beloved mascot
Calling all anime fans and shopping enthusiasts. Ever wondered what kind of mischief Rakuten’s friendly mascot character, Okaimono Panda (Rakuten Panda) gets into in their daily life? It’s time to find out – Rakuten is bringing its mascot to life in a brand new anime series, slated to hit Japanese TVs this fall. “Okaimono Panda!” will be the first-ever TV anime series featuring the bel…
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