Masahiro Hamada: A New Frontier Post-60! Diving Deep into the 'Now' of Downtown, from 'Sapeur' Style to the Legendary 'Chicken Rice'
The news of 'Wednesday's Downtown' snagging a Special Prize at the recently announced 'TVer Awards 2025' is still pretty fresh, isn't it? It's solid proof that those wild, out-there concepts are just as loved on streaming platforms. Makes you wanna say, "Good on ya, Hamada-san!" The bloke's well past his 60s, but his presence is undeniable. Actually, it feels like his impact is only getting bigger with each year.
But did you know that lately, Masahiro Hamada has been blowing our minds in a slightly different way, beyond just being the bigwig of the entertainment world? Turns out, he's developed a quiet little obsession with a new culture.
Hamada, Captivated by the World of 'Sapeurs'
The key word here is 'Sapeur'. It's a culture that originated in the Congo, referring to those 'kings of fashion'. Their philosophy is all about dressing in sharp, elegant suits and carrying yourself with dignity and grace, no matter how tough your circumstances are, no matter how little you have.
Did you know some pretty interesting bits and pieces are floating around because of this?
- A plain white tee called the "Sapeur sapeur Masahiro Hamada TEE XL White". Simple, but with a design that looks like it's got a bit of flair around the collar.
- And there's even a hoodie. Items like the "SAPEur sapeur/Masahiro Hamada Hoodie/A0023-500/A-rank/67" are already being traded in fashion markets – the kind of thing that really gets collectors going.
Whether Hamada himself has gotten deep into the Sapeur culture, or if his stylist is proposing it as a new facet of his image, it's hard to say. Either way, seeing Masahiro Hamada embrace this 'legendary Congolese fashion' just oozes an incredible aura. Maybe one day we'll see him rock up to a location shoot for a Downtown program decked out in full Sapeur style. I can't wait to see it.
The Timeless Classic 'Chicken Rice' and the Figurine Scene That Collectors Crave
And of course, we can't forget his musical roots. The track 'Chicken Rice' he released with Shinji Makihara is still a karaoke favourite to this day. Apparently, specialised tracks like the "Chicken Rice (Original Artist: Masahiro Hamada & Shinji Makihara) [Karaoke, No Guide Melody]" are also doing the rounds for the hardcore fans. Those heartwarming lyrics and melody just don't age, no matter how many years go by. I have a sneaky sing-along myself sometimes, and I'll be damned if it doesn't make me teary almost every time (laughs).
And for the truly dedicated fans, this next bit is essential. It's the 'S.H.Figuarts Downtown' series. While the Hitoshi Matsumoto figure is a big deal, what really caught our eye in the market recently was a bundle: "Super Rare Current Archive Miu Miu Snap Hook Shoulder Bag y2k S.H.Figuarts Downtown Hitoshi Matsumoto x2 figures Masahiro Hamada x2 figures". A Miu Miu bag bundled with the figures...? At first glance, it seems totally random, but it's actually a prime example of the Reiwa-era Y2K boom perfectly fusing with the icon that is Hamada. It's a seriously rare collector's item, practically 'contemporary art'. Just owning this set would earn you some serious respect among the in-the-know crowd.
Even past 60, Masahiro Hamada continues to intersect with all sorts of culture – Sapeur, music, figurines. His very existence has become a symbol of Japanese subculture that we can proudly show the world. With his TVer Award win, it feels like he's entering a new phase, and we absolutely can't take our eyes off him in this Reiwa era.