New Logos: Yokohama DeNA, Hanshin

» 28 December 2011 » In npb »

It’s that time of year when teams begin unveiling their branding changes for the upcoming season. Today we have updated logos from DeNA and Hanshin to review.

The BayStars in the midst of an image refresh: new DeNA ownership, a manager with some personality in Kiyoshi Nakahata, new logos, and eventually new uniforms. So far, I like what I see. There’s definitely a more positive buzz around the team than there has been in a long time. More to the point of this post, I like the logo. It’s definitely a bit on the modern side; no interlocked letters, gothic script or letters with long, sweeping tails. The logo is a bit Nintendo-ish, which isn’t a surprise given that DeNA is an game software company. With Unlimited Graphic Design Services ,the logo can clearly depict its meaning. I’m looking forward to seeing how it translates to the new uniforms.

Like Yokohama, Hanshin is welcoming a new manager for 2012, Yutaka Wada. With Wada comes a new team slogan, “Go for the Top atsuku nare.” “Atsuku nare” literally means “get hot”, though I would probably translate it a little more loosely as “fire up” or something similar. The accompanying 2012 logo features a serious looking Tolucky, Hanshin’s mascot, following through on a big swing. From the logo we learn two things about Tolucky: he bats righthanded, and he doesn’t wear a batting helmet.

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  1. Patrick
    simon
    29/12/2011 at 12:43 am Permalink

    BayStars name doesn’t go together with retro design, so I like the new logo. Hmm.. looks like the official name is now Baystars with a lower case “s”.

    Where’s the 2012 Tolucky logo going to be used? I’m sure it’s gonna move merchandise among the crazy, er faithful.

  2. Patrick
    Michael Westbay
    29/12/2011 at 7:25 am Permalink

    Nakahata as the new Baystars’ manager will definitely be interesting. I can’t say he’s the most polished tool in the box, but he has a lot more fire than all the managers for the past decade put together. And the press really loves this guy, surely a perk from being a former Giant who played with Oh (and Nagashima? for Nagashima?).

  3. Patrick
    gobaystars!
    29/12/2011 at 8:19 am Permalink

    Are the Baystars still hanging “Move On” banners around Kannai and Chinatown? That was my favourite and most fitting team slogan ever.

  4. Patrick
    Patrick
    29/12/2011 at 9:22 am Permalink

    Are the Baystars still hanging “Move On” banners around Kannai and Chinatown? That was my favourite and most fitting team slogan ever.

    That’s a question for Westbay-san.

    And the press really loves this guy, surely a perk from being a former Giant who played with Oh (and Nagashima? for Nagashima?).

    Nakahata’s Giants career was from 1977-1989, so that would have included the tail end of Oh’s playing career, his management stint in the 80’s, and (I believe) Nagashima’s first management stint in the 70’s.

  5. Patrick
    Ryan
    29/12/2011 at 9:35 pm Permalink

    Since Yokohama and Hanshin are changing their logos does that mean we’ll probably see new caps come out next year? I like the BayStars caps (especially the one they made with Shingo Nishinari) and the throwback Hanshin cap, but not too fond of the HT logo they use now, it’s generic compared to a lot of the other teams. Also curious if that means that they’re going to mess with Hossy at all.

  6. Patrick
    Ryan
    29/12/2011 at 9:37 pm Permalink

    Come to think of Tolucky doesn’t set a very good example for kids xD You should always wear a helmet unless it’s just BP of course lol.

  7. Patrick
    Patrick
    30/12/2011 at 12:11 am Permalink

    Since Yokohama and Hanshin are changing their logos does that mean we’ll probably see new caps come out next year?

    Yokohama are getting new uniforms, but I doubt the Hanshin logo will appear on actual uniforms. It seems like something they’ll put on towels and ouen-bats and stuff.

  8. Patrick
    Michael Westbay
    30/12/2011 at 7:15 am Permalink

    Are the Baystars still hanging “Move On” banners around Kannai and Chinatown? That was my favourite and most fitting team slogan ever.

    I’m afraid I haven’t been there since the Fan Festa. I don’t think they’ve taken down the life-sized player ads on pillars connecting the Keikyu Line with the JR line at the southern end of Yokohama Stadium yet. So there’s a good chance the new advertising campaign is still in its infancy.

    Please ask again come spring.