Masahiro Hamada: Beyond 60, Exploring a New Realm! From "Sapeur" Style to the Legendary "Chicken Rice," a Deep Dive into Downtown's "Now"
The news of 'Wednesday's Downtown' winning the Special Prize at the recently announced 'TVer Awards 2025' is still fresh in our minds, right? It's proof that those wild, unconventional segments are just as popular on streaming platforms. It makes you want to say, "That's our Hamachan for you!" Even well past his 60s, he commands this presence. In fact, you could say his impact is only getting stronger with each passing year.
But did you know that lately, Masahiro Hamada isn't just resting on his laurels as a big name in the entertainment world? He's been stunning us in a completely different way too. It seems a new cultural fascination has become his quiet, personal trend.
Hamada, Enchanted by the World of "Sapeurs"
The keyword here is "Sapeur". It's a culture originating in the Congo, referring to the ultimate "style brothers" or dandies. Their creed is to dress in elegant suits and carry themselves with pride, dignity, and grace, no matter how poor or tough their circumstances.
Did you know that items related to this are already circulating in the market?
- A simple white T-shirt, the "Sapeur sapeur Masahiro Hamada TEE XL White." It looks like it has a playful twist around the collar.
- And even a hoodie. An item with the code "SAPEur sapeur/Masahiro Hamada Hoodie/A0023-500/A-rank/67" is already being traded in fashion marketplaces, sure to pique the interest of enthusiasts.
Is Hamada himself deeply into the Sapeur culture, or is his stylist proposing it as a new facet of his charm? Either way, this "legendary Congolese style" worn by the one and only Masahiro Hamada carries an undeniable aura. Maybe one day, on a Downtown show, we'll see him on location dressed in full Sapeur suit style. Can't wait for that.
The Timeless Classic 'Chicken Rice' and a Collector's Dream Figure
Of course, we can't forget his musical roots. The song 'Chicken Rice', a collaboration with Shinji Harada, is still a karaoke staple even today. Recently, specialised tracks like "Chicken Rice (Original Artist: Masahiro Hamada & Shinji Harada) [Karaoke, Guide Melody Ver.]" seem to be circulating among hardcore fans. Those heartwarming lyrics and melody remain as fresh as ever, even after all these years. I sometimes sing it alone, and for some reason, it almost makes me cry every time (laughs).
And here's something deep-pocketed fans absolutely need to know about: 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 this set: "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...? At first glance, it seems random, but it's a prime example of the Reiwa-era Y2K trend merging perfectly with the icon that is Hamada. It's a highly valuable collectible, practically "modern art." Owning this would definitely earn you some serious respect among the in-crowd.
Even past 60, Masahiro Hamada continues to intersect with diverse cultures – from Sapeur to music to collectible figures. His very existence has become a symbol of Japanese subculture that Japan can be proud of on a global stage. With his TVer Award win marking a new phase, we can't afford to take our eyes off him in this Reiwa era.