Masahiro Hamada, Finding New Territory Past 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 fresh in our minds, right? It's solid proof that those famously outrageous concepts are just as popular with streaming audiences. You can't help but say, "Good on ya, Hamachan!" The guy's well past 60, and still commands this kind of presence. Actually, if anything, it feels like his impact is only getting stronger with each year.
But did you know that lately, Masahiro Hamada isn't just leaning into his role as an entertainment heavyweight, but he's also been blowing our minds in a completely different way? It seems there's a new culture quietly becoming a bit of a thing for him.
Hamada, Captivated by the World of 'Sapeurs'
The keyword here is 'Sapeur'. It's a culture originating in the Congo, referring to the ultimate 'fashion kings'. Their creed is to dress in flamboyant suits and carry themselves with dignity and grace, no matter how poor they are or what situation they're in.
Did you know these items are already circulating among fans?
- A white t-shirt simply called "Sapeur sapeur Masahiro Hamada TEE XL White". Simple, but with a design that suggests a bit of flair around the collar.
- And even a hoodie. Items with codes like "SAPEur sapeur / Masahiro Hamada Hoodie / A0023-500 / A-rank / 67" are already being traded on fashion marketplaces, the kind of thing that gets collectors excited.
Whether Hamada himself is deeply into the Sapeur scene, or if his stylist is proposing it as a new facet of his appeal, it's hard to say. Either way, seeing Masahiro Hamada embrace this 'legendary Congolese fashion' carries an undeniable aura. Maybe one day we'll see him fronting a location shoot for a Downtown show decked out in a full Sapeur suit. Can't wait.
The Timeless Classic 'Chicken Rice' and the Figurines That Drive Collectors Wild
Of course, we can't forget his musical roots. 'Chicken Rice', his collaboration with Shinji Harada. It's still a karaoke staple to this day. Lately, niche audio tracks like "Chicken Rice (Original Artists: Masahiro Hamada & Shinji Harada) [Karaoke, No Guide Melody]" seem to be circulating. That heartwarming melody and those lyrics never fade, no matter how many years pass. I sometimes sing it alone, and for some reason, I always get a bit teary-eyed (laughs).
And here's something hardcore fans absolutely need to know about: the 'S.H.Figuarts Downtown' series. Hitoshi Matsumoto's figure is cool and all, but what really caught my eye on the market recently was a set: "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 figurines...? At first glance, it seems random, but it's a perfect fusion of the Reiwa-era Y2K boom with Hamada's iconic image – a seriously rare collector's item that's almost like 'contemporary art'. Owning this would definitely earn you some serious respect from the in-crowd.
Past 60, Masahiro Hamada continues to intersect with diverse cultures – from Sapeur to music to figurines. His very existence is becoming a subcultural icon that Japan can proudly show off to the world. With his TVer Award win marking a new phase, we can't afford to take our eyes off him in this Reiwa era.