Highlights
- UNIQLO launched its first Blue Lock UT collection on May 22, featuring five designs inspired by the hit manga’s competitive soccer theme.
- The rollout follows a phased global strategy with localized pricing across key international markets.
- The collaboration highlights anime’s shift into mainstream fashion, driven by Gen Z consumers and growing global anime apparel market.
Japanese clothing brand UNIQLO has rolled out its first-ever UT (Graphic-T Universe) collection based on the soccer manga and anime franchise Blue Lock on May 22. The collection launched through UNIQLO’s UT graphic T-shirt line with five unique designs.
UNIQLO is using a phased rollout for its international markets, with the Blue Lock UTs first arriving in Japan. The collection will eventually become available in other international markets, including the U.S. and India, starting from late May.
In the U.S., Blue Lock UT collection will arrive in late May, first via online, then in stores on May 28. In India, it is dropping in mid-June, and in Malaysia, the collection will be available from May 25.
UNIQLO x Blue Lock UT Collection Details: Product Lineup and Pricing
The Blue Lock UT lineup consists primarily of unisex short-sleeve graphic T-shirts. Four of the t-shirts feature unique character designs from the manga, including Yoichi Isagi, Rin Itoshi, and Seishiro Nagi.
One of the tees features manga-inspired artwork and typography, “Blue Lock Egoism,” pulled from the series’ visual identity. According to UNIQLO’s websites, the collection is launching in various sizes ranging from XXS to 4XL, depending on the region.
The collection follows the distribution strategy used in the company’s prior UT rollouts, with localized pricing and sizes. In the US, Blue Lock UTs will be priced at $29.90; in Japan, it is priced at ¥1,990. Similarly, in Malaysia, the shirts retail at RM59.90, while in India, they will start at INR 1,490.
The UNIQLO x Blue Lock UT collection also reflects a broader industry trend where anime clothing merchandise is slowly becoming closer to mainstream fashion rather than niche fandom apparel. The anime apparel market is also growing rapidly in regions like North America and the Asia Pacific, with Gen Z leading in the customer category.
Market research firm Grand View Research estimated the global anime apparel and fashion market at $3.3 billion USD in 2024, projecting it to grow at a 10% CAGR through 2030.
UNIQLO is one of the most prominent lifestyle brands specializing in youth-focused fast-fashion. The brand has steadily broadened its presence in recent years, with anime and other popular IP-focused lineups, such as Pokémon, PEANUTS, Ghibli, and Sanrio. The company also increased the UT line visibility among the anime community with its “MANGA UT SHUEISHA 100th” campaign tied to SHUEISHA’s anniversary celebration.
