Masahiro Hamada in 2026: Exploring Downtown's "Now" – From His Newfound "Sapeur" Fashion to the Legendary "Chicken Rice" Song
The news is still fresh, right? 'TVer Awards 2025' was announced the other day, and 'Wednesday's Downtown' took home the Special Prize. It's proof that those outrageously bold concepts are getting love on streaming platforms too. It made me think, "That's our Hamada!" The guy is well past 60, yet his presence is undeniable. If anything, it feels like his impact just gets more powerful every year.
But did you know that lately, Masahiro Hamada isn't just relying on his gravitas as a big name in entertainment? He's been blowing our minds in a whole different way. Apparently, there's a new culture quietly becoming his thing.
Hamada, Captivated by the World of "Sapeurs"
The keyword here is "Sapeurs". It's a subculture born in the Congo, centered around guys who are basically the ultimate "style kings." Their creed is to dress in elegant suits and act with dignity and grace, no matter how poor they are or what situation they're in.
Did you know certain items have started popping up in the market?
- A white t-shirt simply called "Sapeur sapeur Masahiro Hamada TEE XL White." Simple, but with a design that looks like it has a playful twist at the collar.
- And there's even a hoodie. Items like the model number "SAPEur Sapeur/Masahiro Hamada Hoodie/A0023-500/A-rank/67" are already being traded in fashion marketplaces, the kind of stuff that gets collectors' hearts racing.
Is Hamada himself really into the Sapeur movement, or is his stylist proposing it as a new dimension to his appeal? Either way, seeing Masahiro Hamada embrace this "legendary Congolese style" gives off an incredible aura. Maybe one day we'll see him doing location shoots for a Downtown show dressed in full Sapeur suit style. I can hardly wait.
The Timeless Hit 'Chicken Rice' and Figure Collectibles That Make Fans Drool
Of course, we can't forget his musical roots. 'Chicken Rice', his collaboration with Yoshiyuki Sahashi, is still a karaoke staple. Lately, it seems even niche tracks like "Chicken Rice (Original Artist: Masahiro Hamada & Yoshiyuki Sahashi) [Karaoke, No Guide Melody]" have surfaced. That heartwarming lyrics and melody never fade, no matter how many years pass. I sing it by myself sometimes, and for some reason, I always get teary-eyed (laughs).
And for the hardcore fans, this is a must-see. The 'S.H.Figuarts Downtown' series. Hitoshi Matsumoto's figure is one thing, but what really caught my 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 figures Masahiro Hamada x2 figures." A Miu Miu bag bundled with figures...? At first glance, it seems random, but it's actually a fascinating fusion of the Reiwa-era Y2K boom with Hamada's iconic status. This is a highly valuable piece of, shall we say, "modern art" collectible. Owning this would definitely earn you some serious respect among the in-crowd.
Even past 60, Masahiro Hamada keeps intersecting with diverse cultures – Sapeur, music, collectible figures. His very existence is becoming a symbol of Japanese subculture that Japan can proudly show the world. With his TVer Award win kicking off a new phase, we can't take our eyes off what he does next in this Reiwa era.