Masahiro Hamada, Still Evolving Past 60: A Deep Dive into Downtown's "Now" – From His "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, right? It's solid proof that those outrageous concepts are still a hit, even on streaming platforms. You can't help but say, "That's our Hamada!" The guy's well past 60, but his presence is as strong as ever. If anything, it feels like his impact is only getting bigger with each passing year.
But did you know that lately, Masahiro Hamada has been blowing our minds in a different way, beyond just being the big man of Japanese entertainment? It seems like he's developed a quiet passion for a whole new culture.
Hamada, Captivated by the World of 'Sapeurs'
The keyword here is 'Sapeur'. It's a culture originating in the Congo, referring to a community of stylish gentlemen. Their philosophy is simple: no matter how poor or tough the circumstances, you dress in sharp, vibrant suits and carry yourself with dignity and elegance.
Did you know that some interesting items have started popping up in markets because of this?
- A simple white tee, listed as "Sapeur sapeur Masahiro Hamada TEE XL White," with what sounds like a playful design around the collar.
- And there's even a hoodie. An item with a model number like "SAPEur sapeur/Masahiro Hamada Hoodie/A0023-500/A-rank/67" is already being traded in fashion markets, definitely something to pique a collector's interest.
Whether Hamada himself has really gotten into the Sapeur scene, or if his stylist is proposing it as a new facet of his image, it's hard to say. But either way, seeing Masahiro Hamada embrace this "legendary Congolese style" gives off an incredible aura. Maybe one day we'll see him step out for a location shoot on a Downtown show dressed in full Sapeur attire. We can't wait.
The Timeless Classic 'Chicken Rice' and a Figurine That Has Collectors Drooling
Of course, we can't forget his musical roots. The song 'Chicken Rice' he did with Shinji Harada is still a karaoke staple. Lately, you can even find niche tracks like "Chicken Rice (Original Artist: Masahiro Hamada & Shinji Harada) [Karaoke, No Guide Melody]" floating around. That heartwarming melody and those lyrics are just as poignant today as they were back then. I'll admit, I sometimes sing it alone and always end up tearing up a little (laughs).
And for the truly dedicated fans, this next bit is essential. We're talking about the 'S.H.Figuarts Downtown' series. While Hitoshi Matsumoto's figure is a big deal, what really caught our eye in the market recently was a set listed as "Super Rare Current Archive Miu Miu Snap Hook Shoulder Bag y2k S.H.Figuarts Downtown Hitoshi Matsumoto x2 & Masahiro Hamada x2." A Miu Miu bag bundled with figures...? It seems random at first, but this item perfectly captures the fusion of the modern Y2K boom with the iconic status of Hamada. It's a truly valuable piece of "contemporary art" for the true connoisseur. Owning this set would instantly earn you serious respect among the in-crowd.
Even past 60, Masahiro Hamada continues to intersect with diverse cultures – Sapeur, music, figurines. His very existence has become a symbol of Japanese subculture that the world can be proud of. With his TVer Award win marking a new phase, we can't take our eyes off what he does next in this Reiwa era.