The MLB has also recently announced a new anime-inspired collaboration, titled "Heroes of the Game." Using this project, talented anime artists are bringing famous baseball players to life through their art, with creators from One Piece and Fullmetal Alchemist pitching in.

Artists Who Worked on Major Anime Series Have Partnered With the MLB

The Project, Titled ”Heroes of the Game,” Brings Baseball Players to Life in an Anime Art Style

The hand-drawn short films included in the "Heroes of the Game" collection center around MLB players Shohei Ohtani, Paul Skenes, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. The anime-inspired project features each player drawn in familiar anime art styles that fans will recognize from series like Fullmetal Alchemist and One Piece, since artists from each of these animes were involved in the production of "Heroes of the Game." The partnership was directed by Hiroshi Shimizu, a well-known Japanese film director and his skills definitely helped blend the worlds of anime and baseball cohesively, creating a masterpiece for sports and anime fans alike to enjoy.

The official MLB X has posted a few times about "Heroes of the Game," revealing stills of the artwork from the project and even a sneak peek trailer. The trailer offers viewers a glimpse at the players included in "Heroes of the Game" as well as the flawless, breathtaking animation provided by so many gifted artists in the anime industry. "Heroes of the Game" is the ultimate team-up between anime and baseball, but it is actually not Major League Baseball's first experience with anime. Demon Slayer and One Piece have also collaborated with the MLB in recent months.

Demon Slayer and One Piece Partnered With the MLB in 2025

Both Franchises Have Released Sports-Themed Fan Nights and Short Films, Blending Anime and Baseball

Both Demon Slayer and One Piece, two of the biggest franchises in anime history, also have ties with the MLB. On April 8, 2025, a special at a Los Angeles Lakers game. The fan event boasted an animated video of Luffy playing baseball, One Piece posters and jerseys, and a photobooth.

Related

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Announces Historic Collaboration With the MLB, Teasing Anime's Global Growth

The hype for the new Demon Slayer film is real, and to celebrate its release, the series is teaming up with an unexpected collaborator.

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Finally, a Demon Slayer animation was recently unveiled by the MLB, starring players like Shohei Ohtani and Shota Imanaga animated by ufotable in the Demon Slayer style. The brief video clip perfectly drummed up excitement for both sports and anime, as baseball season enters full swing and Demon Slayer's Infinity Castle film franchise rapidly approaches its release date later in 2025. All of these recent collaborations prove that sports and anime can both be appreciated together, and the "Heroes of the Game" partnership is sure to increase fans' appreciation for both categories even more.

Source: Crunchyroll, X (1)(2), YouTube

Demon Slayer

Created by

Koyoharu Gotouge

First Film

Demon Slayer the Movie: Mugen Train

First TV Show

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Cast

Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kitō, Hiro Shimono, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Kengo Kawanishi, Kana Hanazawa, Toshihiko Seki, Saori Hayami, Tomokazu Sugita

Video Game(s)

Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board!, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles

Latest Film

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba - To the Hashira Training

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One Piece

Created by

Eiichiro Oda

First Film

One Piece: The Movie

First TV Show

One Piece

Cast

Kazuya Nakai, Akemi Okamura, Kappei Yamaguchi, Hiroaki Hirata, Ikue Ôtani, Yuriko Yamaguchi

Video Game(s)

One Piece: Unlimited World Red, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3, One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, One Piece Odyssey

Character(s)

Monkey D. Luffy, Roronora Zoro, Nami (One Piece), Nico Robin, Usopp (One Piece), Vinsmoke Sanji, Tony Tony Chopper, Franky (One Piece), Jimbei (One Piece)

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