It has become a common practice in Japan for clubs to release special edition kits during the summer. Here we take a look at all the releases of 2021.
J1-League
Nagoya Grampus 21-22 Special & Goalkeeper Kits
Nagoya Grampus' special shirt is in white, similar to their away jersey. What makes it stands out is the Arimatsu tie dyeing design that appears on the front of the shirt as well as on the sleeves.
The goalkeeper shirt also get the same treatment. It is in black with golden tie dyeing design pattern and orange details.
Nagoya Grampus 21-22 Special & Goalkeeper Kits Released
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2021 25th Anniversary Kits
Introducing an uncommon stripes look, the Mizuno Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2021 25th anniversary football shirt features stripes of varying width on the front. The black stripes increase in size from left to right, while the red stripes experience the opposite effect.
Based on the same template, the Mizuno Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2021 goalkeeper 25th anniversary shirt pairs grey / black stripes with red trim.
Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo 2021 25th Anniversary Kits Released
Nike Kashima Antlers 2021 Third Kit
Reminiscent of Brazil's kit, the Nike Kashima Antlers 2021 third shirt combines a yellow base with green applications.
Inside the collar is a special text to commemorate the historical connection between Kashima Antlers and the Brazilian.
'Brazil' Nike Kashima Antlers 2021 Third Kit Released - Pays Homage to Zico, the "God of Football"
The Puma Kawasaki Frontale 2021 special shirt boasts a modern and unique look inspired by the history of Kawasaki City and its water supply.
Kawasaki Frontale 2021 Special 'Water' Kit Released
Yokohama F. Marinos Adidas 2021 Special Jersey
The Adidas Yokohama F. Marinos 2021 special jersey boasts the anchor of the club logo instead of the regular club crest. The anchor was taken from the club crest.
Yokohama F. Marinos 2021 Special Kit Released
FC Tokyo 2021 Third Jersey
Drawing inspiration from the Tokyo Tower, Japan's tallest building for more than 50 years, and the Tokyo Sky Tree, which is now Japan's tallest building, the New Balance FC Tokyo 2021 third football shirt is black with a blue-red stripe across the front.
FC Tokyo 2021 Third Kit Released
The Puma Shimizu S-Pulse 2021 limited jersey is predominantly orange with graphic stripes and fireworks pattern inspired by the local Shimizu Minato Festival.
Shimizu S-Pulse 2021 Limited Kit Released
Shonan Bellmare 2021 Jersey
The design theme and colors of the shirt intend to represent various aspects of nature. This is a collaboration with One Health Project, which aims at promoting a healthy lifestyle that benefits people, animals and ecosystems.
Gamba Osaka 2021 30-Years Mash-Up Kit
The Umbro Gamba Osaka 2021 30-years mash-up shirt boasts a one-of-a-kind mash-up look. The Umbro Gamba Osaka 2021 30-years mash-up jersey features the "favorite six designs voted by fan supporters".
The Gamba Osaka 2021 30-years mash-up kit retails at 15.400 Japanese Yen (equals 118 Euro) [autentic 26.400 Japanese Yen (equals 200 Euro)].
Gamba Osaka 2021 30-Years Mash-Up Kit Released
The Puma Cerezo Osaka 2021 limited football shirt is in dark blue with pink details. There is an all-over geometric graphic on the shirt with each shape resembles a cherry blossom petal.
Cerezo Osaka 2021 Limited Kit Released
Sanfrecce Hiroshima Nike 2021 Special Shirt
The Nike Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2021 special football shirt is predominantly red, based on the traditional color of the baseball team's home unis.
Sanfrecce Hiroshima 2021 Special Kit Released
The Puma Oita Trinita 2021-22 special shirt is black with a yellow triangles and smoke graphic. It is a combination of the club's symbol of trinity (triangles) with Tokyo's famous hot spring baths. Yellow accents can be found on the cuffs and shoulders.
Vegalta Sendai 2021 Limited Jersey
The shirt is design to commemorate the catastrophic tsunami that hit the coasts of Miyagi prefecture ten years ago. It intends to be a good omen for the future of the Miyagi prefecture
Melange blue is the dominant colour. It is the same shade of blue of the stars Vega and Altair, which are the basis of the name of the club and are among the brightest in the northern celestial hemisphere.
The special jersey designed by Yonex features a chequered pattern, which in the Japanese tradition is considered a good omen. In addition, the graphics take up the logo of Tokyo 2020, the Olympic tournament held in Japan on the days when the shirt was presented.
Tokushima Vortis 2021 Limited Jersey
The design of the Shikoku club is based on the main attraction of the city, its' famous Naruto whirlpool that is created in the homonymous strait from the encounter between the waters of the Pacific Ocean and the Seto Inland Sea.
J2-League
Jubilo Iwata 2021 Limited Jersey
The Jubilo Iwata 2021 special shirt is in a navy background, on which is a unique graphic which features the city's mascot, a dragonfly. Minor details on the cuffs and shoulders as well as the Puma logo are all in white.
Blaublitz Akita 2021 'Sharply Bold' Kits
The Athleta Blaublitz Akita 2021 'Sharply Bold' shirt features special geometric graphics, represented in the name, which are printed all over the shirt.
The Athleta Blaublitz Akita 2021 'Sharply Bold' keeper football shirt has the same design as the home shirt, having angular shapes all over the body.
Blaublitz Akita 2021 'Sharply Bold' Kits Released
V-Varen Nagasaki 2021 Peace Prayer Special Kits
The Umbro V-Varen Nagasaki 2021 Peace Prayer special shirt is mostly sky blue with white stripes on the shoulders and sides of the body. Black Umbro diamond patterns are placed on the shoulders as well.
The Umbro V-Varen Nagasaki 2021 Peace Prayer special keeper jersey features the same design as the home shirt. It is in yellow while white is still the colour for the stripes and black for the diamonds.
V-Varen Nagasaki 2021 Peace Prayer Special Kits Released
Ryukyu 2021 Limited Jersey
The shirt, is a tribute to the nature of the archipelago and pristine beaches of the Okinawa island.
Tokyo Verdy 2021 Limited Jersey
There are two special edition jerseys for Tokyo Verdy. The first celebrates 20 years since the team moved from Kawasaki to Chofu, Tokyo. This shirt has vertical stripes in two shades of green.
The second is represented by a mashup shirt from the last 10 seasons, to celebrate 10 years partnership with Athleta.
What do you think of the special kits of Japanese clubs this year? Comment below.