MLB Unveils Anime-Inspired Ad Campaign for 2025 Season

New Campaign ‘Heroes of the Game’ Showcases Players’ Superpowers

As the 2025 Major League Baseball season gets underway, the league has unveiled a new ad campaign that combines the on-field talents of its players with the artistic style of popular anime series. Titled ‘Heroes of the Game,’ the campaign features players like Shohei Ohtani, Paul Skenes, Julio Rodríguez, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge showcasing their superpowers in the anime-inspired ads.

Collaboration with Wieden+Kennedy, Passion Pictures, and More

Created in collaboration with ad agency Wieden+Kennedy, Passion Pictures, Echelle Studios, and acclaimed animation director Hiroshi Shimizu, the ads aim to captivate fans and tell the unique stories of these MLB stars. The first ad, featuring a collection of players, has been released, with individual player spots set to roll out throughout the month.

MLB’s History with Anime

This isn’t the first time MLB has embraced the world of anime, as the league had previously collaborated with the series Demon Slayer and artist Takashi Murakami for the season-opening Tokyo Series. MLB chief marketing officer Uzma Rawn Dowler explains that anime resonates with both fans and players, as many players are avid anime enthusiasts themselves.

Connecting with Fans Through Anime

From customizing their cleats with their favorite characters to wearing anime-inspired accessories, the players embrace anime as a part of their identity. Dowler believes that using anime as a storytelling medium is an authentic way to connect with fans and share the personal journeys of these athletes. With the success of their previous anime collaborations and the positive response from fans, MLB’s anime-style ad campaign is set to take off and bring a new level of excitement to the game.