Merch
The folks behind the Rilakkuma character announced on August 6 that he has partnered with popular Japanese obstacle course show SASUKE Ninja Warrior (known as Ninja Warrior outside of Japan) for a new line of merchandise. The merchandise line commemorates the latest season, SASUKE Ninja Warrior World Cup 2026 , with Rilakkuma characters Rilakkuma , Korilakkuma, Chairoi Koguma, and Kiiroitori dressed as ninjas around the SASUKE Ninja Warrior logo.
The merchandise includes a shirt, face towels, stickers, acrylic keychains, clear file folders, and tin case. Prices range from 385 yen to 3,960 yen (about US$2.40 to US$25) on the online TBS shop.
Aki Kondo created Rilakkuma for San-X in 2003. The character inspired a Netflix anime series Rilakkuma and Kaoru ( Rilakkuma to Kaoru-san ) in 2019. Rilakkuma spanwed a second stop-motion anime series , Rilakkuma's Theme Park Adventure , in 2022. The latest anime series, Rilakkuma , debuted in April.
SASUKE Ninja Warrior initially premiered as a TV special as part of Japanese broadcaster TBS 's Kinniku Banzuke sports challenge program in 1997. The special saw 100 athletes compete in a four-stage ninja-themed obstacle course. The show then aired semiannually in spring and autumn between 1998 and 2011, with a few outliers in 2005 and 2010. Since 2012, SASUKE Ninja Warrior has been an annual special, generally airing around the New Year.
American cable channel G4 began airing SASUKE Ninja Warrior in 2006 as Ninja Warrior . The cable channel began producing American Ninja Warrior in 2009 to allow American competitors onto SASUKE Ninja Warrior . The series was then moved to NBC in 2012 where it has become a full American production with its own unique obstacle courses and challenges.
Japanese broadcaster TBS aired the second SASUKE Ninja Warrior World Cup 2026 on August 24. The TV special saw eight teams compete in a point and elimination format for the crown. The teams included Japan Red, Japan Blue, Japan Under 20, United States, Australia, France, Germany, and Poland. Team United States captain Daniel Gil clinched the victory over Japan Red captain Yusuke Morimoto in the final stage to take home the trophy.
Sources: Rilakkuma 's website , San-X 's website , TBS 's online shop , SASUKE Ninja Warrior's website ( link 2 ), NBC , PR Times