Comment from Hidetsugu Kawaguchi, President and CEO of Round One Japan
• Please tell us about the background and objectives behind implementing the "Round1 × ONE PIECE" collaboration.
This is one of our largest-scale collaborations, spanning 159 stores across Japan and the US with ONE PIECE, which boasts immense global popularity. Leveraging our strength in store count, we believed we could deliver cross-border entertainment easily, to anyone, and as many times as they wish, to many fans both at home and abroad.
• What are the specific points you focused on or would like visitors to pay attention to in this project?
We have adopted exclusive, newly illustrated ONE PIECE CARD GAME cards that can only be obtained at Round1 as novelty gifts. Please look forward to this special experience, made possible precisely because of the Japan-US store network that Round1 takes pride in.
• What kind of significance or response do you feel regarding this simultaneous Japan-US rollout initiative?
The simultaneous holding in Japan and the US is an initiative that symbolizes our global expansion. By fusing a globally popular IP with our network of stores in Japan and the US, a simultaneous cross-border enthusiasm is being generated, and I feel a strong positive response toward the possibilities of a new type of experiential entertainment.
• Could you please share a promotional message for our visitors?
Round1 locations across 159 cities in Japan and the US will temporarily become the stage for ONE PIECE adventures! Whether on your way home from shopping, or after school or work, you can easily experience that excitement anytime. At the location nearest to you, a special experience that can only be found here and exclusive novelty items await you all!
Comment from Mayu Ohiwa, Vice President & Chief of Staff of New Business Development at Round One USA
• Please tell us about the background and objectives behind implementing the "Round1 × ONE PIECE" collaboration.
ONE PIECE is a work that is loved by many people across generations. As a huge fan of ONE PIECE myself, I approached this project with the desire to create an experience that those who love this work can truly resonate with.
We aim for a collaboration that can be enjoyed not only by the fans who have supported the work for many years, but also by those who are just about to experience the world of ONE PIECE for the first time.
Through this special collaboration, which was made possible precisely because Round1 and ONE PIECE teamed up, we hope everyone can feel the charm of Luffy and the Straw Hat Crew, and enjoy this one-of-a-kind experience.
• What are the specific points you focused on or would like visitors to pay attention to in this project?
We hope fans will enjoy the exclusive, newly drawn illustrations produced specifically for this collaboration. Each character participates in Round1 activities in a way that reflects their unique personality, and there are plenty of highlights, such as Luffy enjoying bowling and Zoro challenging billiards using three cues!
We carefully designed each product with a strong focus on both quality and collectibility. We hope these items become a part of your daily life, and serve as something that allows you to look back on your experience with the Round1 × ONE PIECE collaboration with a smile long after your visit.
• What kind of significance or response do you feel regarding this simultaneous Japan-US rollout initiative?
One of the major goals of this project was to provide a consistent, high-quality experience in both the US and Japan. We wanted to ensure that fans in each region could feel the same connection to this collaboration and the world of ONE PIECE. We hope this partnership inspires fans around the world and serves as an opportunity to together enjoy the smiles, adventure, and excitement that both ONE PIECE and Round1 embody.
• Could you please share a promotional message for our visitors?
The adventure surrounding ONE PIECE still continues—please come to Round1 to find your very own treasure and smile!
(C)尾田栄一郎／集英社・フジテレビ・東映アニメーション
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