What You Need to Know:
- Steve Aoki’s fashion and record label, DIM MAK has teamed up with VIZ Media to release the official “DIM MAK x BLEACH” collaboration – a limited edition line-up of anime inspired tees and hoodies featuring original art from the iconic series “Bleach” -- set to release this Friday, September 10th. Based on the epic Japanese manga series by Tite Kubo, “Bleach” is an epic tale of empathy, integrity, and pushing oneself to greatness – a perfect anecdote for Dim Mak’s mantra: “do it yourself, by any means necessary.”
- Lifelong fans of manga and anime, Steve Aoki and his team found themselves captivated by the power struggle between the Soul Reapers, who defend the coexistence of humanity, spirits, and the departed; against the sinister Hollows and Arrancars who attempt to consume human souls for selfish gain. This Dim Mak x Bleach collaboration is Aoki’s first drop showcasing the incredible transformation of hot-headed teenager, Ichigo Kurosaki into a Soul Reaper and his encounters with the powerful Captains of the 13 Court Squads who protect the Soul Society.
- The first Dim Mak x Bleach drop introduces some fan favorite characters showing-off their powerful “bankai” abilities: Renji Arabai, Byakuya Kuchiki, and Toshiro Hitsugaya make appearances alongside Ichigo Kurosaki in both his Hollowfication and Vasto Lorde form. Fun, moody kintsugi inspired tie dyes and colorways bring life to the tees ($38-45) and hoodies ($75-85).
- The Dim Mak x Bleach drop will be available on www.dimmakcollection.com and on the NTWRK App starting from Friday, September 10, 2021 in limited quantities.
“Although the plot of ‘Bleach’ follows the path of Ichigo Kurosaki, my favorite parts are when we dive into the backstories of the Captains and the Arrancars. I love learning about the underlying core belief systems and reasons for why individuals act the way that they do. By the end of each arc, regardless of being good or evil, we feel compassion and empathy for all the characters”.
reminisces Aoki
About Bleach
Tite Kubo’s long-running fantasy-adventure “Bleach” officially marks 20 years since its first appearance in Shonen Jump. With 120 million+ copies of the manga sold globally, Bleach is one of the most famous and best-selling shonen series of all time. In addition to the manga, this iconic property is crowned one of the BIG Three in the Anime universe and also includes video games, musicals and a live-action film adaptation. Bleach is far more than merely a franchise; it is a cultural reference point for millions of fans globally. Ichigo Kurosaki is just a normal teenager until he discovers his Soul Reaper powers, thanks to a woman named Rukia who hails from the Soul Society. After taking her powers by accident, Ichigo must assume Rukia's duties until she is able to protect the city again but things get complicated when Ichigo's mysterious past begins to influence the present.
About Dim Mak
In 1996, Steve Aoki founded DIM MAK and developed it into an influential independent record label, music and fashion lifestyle brand. Responsible for launching the careers of seminal acts such as Bloc Party, The Bloody Beetroots, The Chainsmokers, M.I.A., Keys N Krates, The Kills, and countless others, the independently owned DIM MAK has consistently pushed new musical movements via its staunch DIY ethos. As a fashion leader, Dim Mak cultivates community by bringing together collaborators from all walks of life including the likes of Hiroshi Fujiwara, Sanrio, and Playboy, to name a few. With nostalgic references toward his youth, Aoki often includes manga, music, and games into the Dim Mak aesthetics. Aoki named his record label and subsequent fashion brand “Dim Mak” as a nod to Bruce Lee’s signature fight move: the touch of death. With a back catalog hundreds of records deep, a history of legendary live events, and a fully formed clothing line, Dim Mak continues its global mission of promoting boundary-pushing music and culture ‘by any means necessary.’
About VIZ Media:
An international authority on manga for more than three decades, VIZ Media is leading the way in what’s now, new and next. Reaching one in four millennials and half of all GenZ manga readers, VIZ is at the forefront of America’s Japanese pop-culture phenomenon, which today dominates multiple industries from publishing and animation to film and gaming. VIZ is proud to be the #1 destination for manga in America and home to some of the most prestigious anime brands driving the industry. Combined with a market share footprint larger than household names collectively, VIZ has pivoted from a localization company to a market leading pop culture publisher and producer.
Source: Official Press Release
