Masahiro Hamada at 60+: New Horizons! From Sapeur Fashion to the Iconic 'Chicken Rice' – Uncovering Downtown's Now
The news that 'Wednesday's Downtown' won a special award at the recently announced 'TVer Awards 2025' is still fresh in our memories, isn't it? It's proof that those outrageous stunts are still going down a storm on streaming sites. I couldn't help but exclaim, 'That's our Hamada for you!' Even though he's well past 60, his presence is undeniable. No, if anything, his impact seems to grow stronger each year.
But did you know that lately, Masahiro Hamada hasn't just been resting on his laurels as the don of the entertainment world? He's been surprising us in a completely different way. It seems a new culture has quietly become a passion for him.
Hamada's fascination with the world of 'Sapeur'
The keyword is 'Sapeur'. It's a culture born in the Congo, centred around what you might call 'fashion gangsters' – men who dress impeccably. Their creed: no matter how poor or what the circumstances, they dress in elegant suits and carry themselves with dignity and grace.
Did you know that items like these are circulating in the market?
- A white T-shirt bearing the words 'Sapeur sapeur Masahiro Hamada TEE XL White'. Simple, but with a design that seems to playfully accent the collar.
- And there's also a hoodie. Items with model numbers like 'SAPEur Sapeur/Masahiro Hamada Hoodie/A0023-500/A-rank/67' – the kind of thing that gets collectors' hearts racing – are already being traded on fashion marketplaces.
Is Hamada himself drawn to Sapeur, or is his stylist proposing it as a new facet of his appeal? Either way, there's an undeniable aura about Masahiro Hamada embodying this 'legendary Congolese style'. Maybe one day we'll see him on a Downtown show location shoot in a Sapeur-style suit. I can't wait.
The timeless classic 'Chicken Rice' and the figurine scene that collectors crave
Of course, we can't forget his musical roots. The song 'Chicken Rice', released in collaboration with Noriyuki Makihara, is still a karaoke staple. Lately, it seems even specialist tracks like 'Chicken Rice (Original Artists: Masahiro Hamada & Noriyuki Makihara) [Karaoke, No Guide Melody]' are circulating for hardcore fans. Those heartwarming lyrics and melody never fade, no matter how many years pass. I sometimes sing it alone, and for some reason, I always get teary-eyed (laughs).
And here's something deep fans absolutely need to know about: the 'S.H.Figuarts Downtown' series. Hitoshi Matsumoto's figure is impressive, but what really caught my eye in the market this time is a set listed as '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 figures...? At first glance, it seems random, but it's a highly rare item that perfectly fuses the Reiwa-era Y2K boom with Hamada's icon status – practically a piece of 'contemporary art'. Just owning this would surely earn you respect among connoisseurs.
Even past 60, Masahiro Hamada continues to intersect with various cultures – Sapeur, music, figurines. His very existence is now a symbol of Japanese subculture that Japan can proudly present to the world. With his TVer Award win marking a new phase, we'll be keeping a close eye on him in the Reiwa era.