UNIQLO, the Japanese global apparel retailer, announces that it will release the Mamoru Hosoda Animation Works UT (UNIQLO T-shirt) collection on Monday, August 30. The new offering is a collaboration with Japanese film director Mamoru Hosoda (from Studio Chizu), who has earned acclaim domestically and abroad for his work.
UNIQLO to release Mamoru Hosoda Animation Works UT Collection
The collection comprises three designs that commemorate Belle, an animated feature film that will premiere in Japan on July 16. It also includes one design each highlighting Mamoru’s most popular films. They are The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, and The Boy and the Beast.
Inspiring wearers through key characters who live life to the fullest
The collection aims to inspire wearers by featuring key characters in Mamoru’s films who embody a common theme of overcoming adversity and living life to the fullest. The UT for The Girl Who Leapt Through Time presents a memorable scene in which the main character Makoto Konno prevents a situation from occurring. The design on the left sleeve shows 01 to represent the remaining number of time leaps that she can make.
The motifs for Summer Wars are a cypher that the main character solves to avert the story’s greatest crisis and a screenshot of unlocking the password. For the Boy and the Beast UT, the protagonist grows up without relatives, becoming a proficient swordsman to live a strong life.
Designs for Belle UTs reveal rare concept art from the upcoming film
The UT designs for Belle present rare concept art from this production. One UT features the virtual world of U. Another design presents a mysterious beast avatar.
Merchandise images
Adult T-shirts (men’s sizes) in 6 designs, priced at ₱790.00
Collaboration overview
| Launch date | August 30, 2021 (Monday) |
| Availability | All UNIQLO stores and uniqlo.com/ph | Overall UT Collection | https://www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/spl/ut-collection |
ALSO READ: Miss Universe 2016 Candidates visit UNIQLO Store in Cebu
About Belle
Belle is slated for theater release in Japan on July 16. The main character is Suzu, a 17-year-old high school girl who was just a child when losing her mother in an accident. One day, she encounters the virtual world of U and decides to become part of it as an avatar named Belle. She swiftly attracts worldwide attention as a singing star for her passionate performances. One day, she encounters a mysterious beast with whom she embarks on adventures.
About Mamoru Hosoda
Mamoru Hosoda started his career as an animator at Toei Animation in 1991 and later turned into a director. In 2006, he directed The Girl Who Leapt Through Time. He was nominated for an Annie Award for Outstanding Directing in an Animated Feature Production in 2011. The same year, he established Studio Chizu, his own animated film production firm. He was nominated for an Academy Award in the category Best Animated Feature Film at the 91st Academy Awards for his seventh film Mirai.
