The Dim Mak x Inuyasha Collaboration Pays Homage to the Artistry of Rumiko Takahashi
Steve Aoki’s fashion brand, Dim Mak Collection, has joined forces with VIZ Media to release the officially licensed, “Dim Mak x Inuyasha” collaboration – a collection of anime-inspired apparel celebrating the artistry and epic storytelling of one of Japan’s best-known and award-winning manga artists, Rumiko Takahashi.
Takahashi’s tale of love and war, divergent from her more lighthearted comedic manga, brings us to the darker days of the warring Sengoku Period in ancient Japan, where the story of Inuyasha takes place. The protagonist, Inuyasha is a half-human, half-dog yōkai (demon) initially seeking the powerful Shikon Jewel to transform himself into a full-fledged yōkai by any nefarious means necessary. As his quest progresses, Inuyasha realizes that the bonds of friendship and companionship far outweigh his lonely pursuit for power. Throughout the journey, Inuyasha and his foes make amends when learning that much of their discord resulted from previous misunderstandings. These foes include the likes of Priestess Kikyo, Monk Miroku, Demon Slayer Sango, and his full-yōkai brother Sesshomaru – all of whom ultimately join Inuyasha and Kagome’s quest – and appear in the collection – proving again and again that when people come together, they are insurmountable.
“I love the story of togetherness in Inuyasha. I am all about collaboration whether it’s in my music, fashion, or every day. I have always been inspired by the magic of when people from differing perspectives align to create something new.” – Steve Aoki.
Paying homage to Rumiko Takahashi’s epic narrative, Aoki blended his Dim Mak aesthetic with the elegance of Takahashi’s artwork across twelve apparel styles including an array of graphic t-shirts and hoodies ranging from $38 to $85. The graphics depict fan-favorite characters in the anime series including Inuyasha, Sesshomaru, Kikyo, Kanna, and Sango in bright heliconia pinks and kaleidoscopic tie dyes.
The Dim Mak x Inuyasha collaboration will be available on Friday, May 28th, 2021 at midnight PST exclusively at dimmakcollection.com and on the NTWRK platform.
About Dim Mak
In 1996, Steve Aoki founded DIM MAK and developed it into an influential independent record label, music and fashion lifestyle brand. Responsible for launching the careers of seminal acts such as Bloc Party, The Bloody Beetroots, The Chainsmokers, Deorro, Keys N Krates and countless others, the independently owned DIM MAK has consistently pushed new musical movements via its staunch DIY ethos. As a fashion leader, Dim Mak cultivates community by bringing together collaborators from all walks of life including the likes of Hiroshi Fujiwara, Sanrio, and Playboy, to name a few. With nostalgic references toward his youth, Aoki often includes manga, music, and games into the Dim Mak aesthetics. Aoki named his record label and subsequent fashion brand “Dim Mak” as a nod to Bruce Lee’s signature fight move: the touch of death. With a back catalog hundreds of records deep, a history of legendary live events, and a fully formed clothing line, Dim Mak continues its global mission of promoting boundary-pushing music and culture ‘by any means necessary.’
About Steve Aoki:
Counting nearly 3 billion music streams to his name, Steve Aoki is a true visionary. Billboard described the 2x-GRAMMY-Nominated artist/DJ/producer and Dim Mak Records founder as “one of the most in-demand entertainers in the world.” As a solo artist, Aoki boasts a cross-genre discography that includes 7 studio albums and collaborations with Lil Uzi Vert, Maluma, BTS, Linkin Park and Louis Tomlinson amongst others. In 1996, he established Dim Mak out of his college dorm room, a trendsetting record label, events/lifestyle company and apparel brand. It has served as a launch pad for global acts like The Chainsmokers, Bloc Party, The Bloody Beetroots, and The Kills, in addition to being the home of early releases from acts such as ZEDD and Diplo. As a nightlife impresario, Aoki’s legendary Hollywood club night Dim Mak Tuesdays hosted early performances from future superstars such as Kid Cudi, Daft Punk, Lady Gaga, and Travis Scott. A true renaissance man, Steve Aoki is also a fashion designer, author and entrepreneur. In 2012, he founded THE AOKI FOUNDATION, which primarily supports organizations in the field of brain science research with a specific focus on regenerative medicine and brain preservation. In addition, Aoki has pushed his clothing line Dim Mak Collection to new heights, both with original designs and collaborations with everyone from A Bathing Ape to the Bruce Lee estate. Aoki’s multi-faceted journey is chronicled through the Grammy-nominated Netflix documentary I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead (2016) and his memoir BLUE: The Color of Noise (2019). In the summer of 2020, Aoki unveiled his Latin music imprint, Dim Mak En Fuego, continuing to break down musical and cultural boundaries ‘by any means necessary.’
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About Inuyasha:
INUYASHA is one of the most successful manga and anime properties of all time. The epic TV anime series reached 193 episodes, and was adapted into 4 films, while the manga became a New York Times Bestselling series reaching over 50 Million copies in sales across 56 volumes. Created by the critically acclaimed mangaka Rumiko Takahashi who’s distinguished work adeptly incorporates a wide variety of elements such as comedy, romance, fantasy, and martial arts. Rumiko Takahashi is an artist who truly represents the very best from the world of manga.
This hybrid anime fairy tale follows Kagome Higurashi, a modern high-school girl transported back in time to feudal Japan. There, she discovers she’s the reincarnation of a deceased priestess and must prevent the antihero Inuyasha from taking the Shikon Jewel. These should-be rivals end up on the same team, but the question is, once the sacred Jewel is found, will true love overcome Inuyasha’s penchant for evil?
About VIZ Media:
An international authority on manga for more than three decades, VIZ Media is leading the way in what’s now, new and next. Reaching one in four millennials and half of all GenZ manga readers, VIZ is at the forefront of America’s Japanese pop-culture phenomenon, which today dominates multiple industries from publishing and animation to film and gaming.
VIZ is proud to be the #1 destination for manga in America and home to some of the most prestigious anime brands driving the industry. Combined with a market share footprint larger than household names collectively, VIZ has pivoted from a localization company to a market leading pop culture publisher and producer.
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