Inside Tomoaki Makino’s Dual Careers After Retirement: The Allure of Halten and Exclusive Collector’s Cards That Captivate Fans
It was just the other day that the venue in Shizuoka was buzzing with excitement. The man who once electrified stadiums with his “over-the-top” celebrations, Tomoaki Makino, is now captivating audiences on an entirely different field. A few years after announcing his retirement from professional football, he’s been making waves as a dual-career powerhouse—not just as a football analyst, but also as the face of his own brand, “Halten.” As I followed his latest activities, it became clear that even off the pitch, his unique knack for being “the man who has it all” is as strong as ever.
The Professional Pride Behind “Halten”
Drawing major attention at the event was the hair care series he personally produces. As any football fan knows, when a guy who constantly made headlines with his hairstyles during his playing days creates a product, you know there’s no compromise on quality. The “Halten Tomoaki Makino Produce Fragrance Shampoo & Treatment Set” has been gaining fans across both men and women.
Trying it out, the first thing that hits you is the scent. It’s like a high-end perfume, yet elegantly understated. With salon-quality performance and organic ingredients that are gentle on the scalp, the 300ml bottles are as stylish as they are generous. Positioned as a professional series that even considers scalp hydration during dry seasons, it’s quickly becoming a staple among beauty enthusiasts.
- Meticulous Fragrance: Three distinct scents crafted like a perfume, setting the mood from morning to night for a relaxing experience.
- Salon-Quality Performance: Formulated with amino acid-based cleansing agents and organic moisturising ingredients, it’s gentle on both hair and scalp.
- Unisex Design: The sleek, minimalist bottles are designed for all genders, adding a touch of style to any bathroom.
A Legend’s “Value” on Display in a Phantom Limited Edition
Even more coveted at the event was the “[Limited to 20 Pieces] 2018 Japan National Team SE Tomoaki Makino Patch Jersey Card”. This card features a patch made from a piece of the actual national team jersey worn during the 2018 World Cup in Russia. With only 20 available nationwide, it’s clear this transcends the realm of trading cards to become a rare piece of art.
During his playing days, he was relentless in his pursuit of being seen. From his flashy hairstyles and unique fashion to those powerful, emotional fist-pumps—his style, sometimes called “provocative,” was all about rallying his team and those around him by drawing attention. Now, post-retirement, that talent as a performer is poured into his brand, Halten. The high value of this limited card is testament to the growing number of fans who aren’t just following a “former athlete,” but are truly resonating with the unique world he creates.
Whether it was his intense play on the pitch or his sincere approach to beauty and lifestyle today, it all stems from a deep pride in being a “professional.” Watching him at the Shizuoka event, taking the time to look each fan in the eye and personally hand them their products, you could clearly see the new sense of pride he carries on this next stage of his journey.
Tomoaki Makino continues to create new value, even after retirement. I, for one, can’t wait to see what “move” he’ll surprise us with next.