Anime production company N LITE and U.S. streetwear brand HYPLAND have formed an exciting collaboration to highlight Black anime characters through a series of fashion releases, set to launch in the summer of 2025.
The partnership, which was officially announced via a press release, aims to blend anime culture with streetwear fashion. The first collection will focus on the iconic, Emmy Award-winning anime series Afro Samurai, produced by the renowned studio GONZO. This collaboration will also feature Wu-Tang Clan as a creative partner, bringing an added cultural depth to the project. Subsequent collections will continue to explore Black representation in anime, spotlighting both original characters from N LITE’s “afrime” (afro-anime) intellectual property and legacy anime featuring Black characters.
Christiano Terry, the founder and CEO of N LITE, expressed his excitement about the collaboration, stating that the partnership aligns with their mission to “put culture first” and create global connections within anime communities. HYPLAND CEO Jordan Bentley echoed this sentiment, noting, “Each show and film is a chance for us to connect with new fans and communities, and I can’t wait to bring the N LITE universe to life in a way that feels fresh and exciting for everyone.”
HYPLAND, known for its stylish anime-inspired collections, has previously collaborated with notable anime franchises. Recent releases include a second round of their One Piece collection, featuring items like sherpa fleece jackets, hoodies, and belts. The brand has also worked with Gundam and launched the exclusive Naruto x ASICS sneaker collaboration in the U.S. through their Los Angeles flagship store in Little Tokyo.
On the other hand, N LITE has established itself as a leader in Black anime storytelling. The company has secured partnerships with major anime industry players such as Gonzo, GKIDS, and Studio M2. N LITE is currently collaborating with Gonzo on two upcoming projects: Hotaru, a sci-fi/fantasy adventure TV series, and Ripper, a live-action/anime hybrid that explores the intersection between Black and Japanese cultures post-World War II.
The company is also working with GKIDS and Studio M2 on Mfinda, an anime that premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in 2023. The series follows a 13-year-old Congolese girl who embarks on an adventure in a mystical forest inhabited by spirits, gods, and ancestors. Legendary anime producer Masao Maruyama, known for his work on Pluto, Perfect Blue, and Summer Wars, is producing the series. Maruyama is also a founding member of M2 and a board member of N LITE Japan, the Japanese arm of N LITE.
This collaboration between N LITE and HYPLAND promises to bring greater visibility to Black representation in anime while creating exciting new opportunities for anime fans worldwide.