Editor's note: I don't own a single bit of gaming-related apparel, but if I could have one shirt to wear, this would be it. -James
In November of 2009, I spent a month in Japan to visit my honbu dojo for martial arts training. Of course, I made it a point to duck out of class once or twice to visit beautiful Akihabara, Japan's geek mecca. While there, I finally completed the ultimate nerd pilgrimage: a visit to Super Potato, which is possibly the most complete and well-stocked Japanese retro gaming store ever.
Amidst the stacks of rare PC Engine HuCards and Super Potato-branded canned bread -- which is delicious, by the way -- I found a modest selection of rare and odd video game shirts. As I perused the rack, I came across this unassuming Ninja Warriors shirt.
A ninja, a kuniochi, and katakana that reads "destroy the evil dictator." It's pretty awesome, but it's hardly the greatest gaming shirt ever -- that is, until you look at the back.
The back of the shirt is what makes this garment such a winner, even though it goes against my very own treatise on gamer behavior. Check out page two to see why I spent 4,000 yen -- roughly $43 USD -- on a single game shirt.
Beware, it's slightly NSFW.
Nope, I cannot think of a better gaming shirt. That takes the cake. I heard Hitler wore this all the time!
Ha, at first I read the katakana as "Destroy the every dictator." Now I'm not sure which slogan I like better.
When I went to Japan, I was determined to get a t-shirt with good Engrish on it, but the prominence of "fuck" in modern Engrish made it hard to find one I'd be able to wear back in America.
I still wear this to bars and gamer conventions. Look for it at PAX Prime this year.
Yeah Mars Sixteen makes awesome game shirts, I highly recommend checking the rest of their selection out: http://www.mars16.com/single/mars16single_index.html
Ryan, you just made me day. Seriously.
OMG! I have been looking for this shirt for the last two years! Too bad I need it in an XL and Japanese don't usually come in XL.
Any chance I can get the hook-up? I can reward you for your efforts...
Oh sure, I've seen that shirt hanging in Super Potato many times. The price tag always scared me away though. Congrats on taking the plunge.
The one I got was a Large, because I am a Medium and you always go one size bigger with Japanese sizing. Fits perfectly.
@Daniel, isn't it weird how small the world is?