On March 11, fans got an early chance to cop 100 Thieves’ highly anticipated collaboration with the ‘Attack on Titan’ anime series — and it was an experience well worth the wait.
100 Thieves is more than an esports team. The company has grown into a veritable entertainment giant over the years, scoring a team of major influencers, esports athletes, and creatives under its banner.
The org is also well-known for its passion for fashion, having collaborated with the likes of Gucci in the past (alongside its pre-existing and highly successful streetwear line).
However, in March 2022, 100 Thieves dropped jaws across Twitter by revealing that it was collaborating with none other than Kodansha for an exclusive Attack on Titan merchandise series.
The beast just so happened to resemble a human.
3.12.22 pic.twitter.com/CxEhiQGG7P
— 100 Thieves (@100Thieves) March 3, 2022
Hajime Isayama’s action-packed anime is coming to an end after nine years, with the season finale set to drop on Sunday, March 27.
Seemingly as an homage to this major event in the anime community, 100 Thieves wrapped their Culver City CashApp compound to look like Wall Maria, complete with the Colossal Titan peeking over the edge accompanied by Eren and Mikasa.
The sudden appearance of the Colossal Titan turned heads across social media — but not as much as 100 Thieves’ subsequent announcement of a pop-up shop for the merch line a day ahead of its online drop.
https://twitter.com/100Thieves/status/1500924257643098119
Being the die-hard anime-watchers we are at Dexerto, I knew I had to get an inside look into this unexpected (but absolutely welcome) collision of worlds between anime and esports.
I headed over to the CashApp compound on the morning of March 11, fully prepared to wait in line for several hours in the hopes of copping the mustard yellow Levi Ackermann hoodie.
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As anticipated, the line was already sprawling down the block by the time I arrived. Luckily, it wasn’t a monotonous, boring experience — being surrounded by esports and anime fans made for some good conversation as we all slowly made our way to the Compound.
That’s not all; some of 100 Thieves’ own influencers (like the adorably awkward JHB) took fans aside for quick interviews, adding some humor and star-power, and ultimately making some unforgettable memories.
I finally made it to the front of the line four hours later to see that 100 Thieves had decked out the compound with a flying Levi near the busted-in front gate of the Shiganshina District.
The Compound’s steps were also bedecked in the names of episodes from the anime’s 3rd season, where (spoiler alert) we learn the secret of the Titans that we’d so longed for, for over half a decade.
However, the wow-factor truly hit when I stepped inside the Compound. The entryway boasted a series of TV screens replaying major moments from the show, framed by a black-and-white mural of the Attack Titan going beast mode.
Turning to the left, I was met with a room decked out in oodles of 100 Thieves merchandise. On the far wall hung a large splash art of Mikasa, as well as a massive picture of Levi — in whose blades you can see the reflection of a bemused Kenny.
Staff were exceedingly friendly in spite of the huge turnout, doing their best to accommodate growing shortages of certain items and sizes.
I was able to nab the mustard yellow Levi hoodie that I’d wanted, but unfortunately couldn’t get the white T-shirt or sweatshirt. Instead, I copped the black 100 Thieves T-Shirt with Levi, and that’s not something I can complain about.
Ultimately, the attention to detail and fun atmosphere made the 100 Thieves x Attack on Titan pop-up store well worth the four-hour line. I made a few friends, got some great photos, and walked away with exclusive merchandise (without paying a shipping fee). How can you say no to that?