Japan has a lot of anime-themed things, from restaurants and shops to cars and manhole covers. What it didn’t have was an anime-themed gym - but that’s about to change with the opening of BragMen. It’s a new gym that is not just themed after one of the most popular anime in the world, One Piece.
One Piece is one of the longest-running manga and anime series ever, and still has new episodes and chapters coming out even now. Its popularity spans generations, and it already has a strong cultural presence across Japan. There are One Piece shops, special collaborations, limited cafés, and more always springing up around Japan - but never before has there been a permanent One Piece venue quite like BragMen.
The stereotype that anime fans and otaku are not fit is set to be challenged by BragMen. This unique gym will combine anime and fitness in fun ways to motivate people to work out and meet their personal goals. It will open in Shibuya, putting it in a central location for many people living in Tokyo. BragMen is taking its One Piece theme very seriously. The inside of the gym’s decor will take inspiration from this incredibly popular series. Its concept art for the interior looks like the inside of a ship, totally different from your average gym. The One Piece inspiration doesn’t stop with only interior design, though.
Even the staff working at the gym will be embracing a pirate style and wearing a themed uniform. In fact, they’re hiring pirate trainers right now. To keep things fun for people trying to reach their fitness goals, BragMen will have a ranking system in place. Whenever you are able to reach a goal you’ve set for yourself, your pirate rank will go up. Visitors also get points just for going to the gym at all, with a hole to motivate people not to be lazy and skip out on their training sessions. For kids who want to get fit too, BragMen will also have a special program available for elementary school students and fitness programs for adults.
These kinds of things - themed interior, cosplay trainers, leveling up systems, etc. - are a really great idea for motivating otaku. Where a regular gym is boring and may not be to their interest, a themed gym that is inspired by what they love and uses a video game-like system for your actual body is perfect. Whether people are huge fans of One Piece and willing to spend money on anything related to the series or looking for a fun place to get fit, BragMen has the potential to fit the bill.
There aren’t too many details available regarding BragMen yet as it was just announced, but we will be keeping our eyes open for more details in the future! It certainly adds something else special for anime fans in Tokyo, especially in Shibuya which is already a mecca of otaku shops. BragMen will open in Shibuya, Tokyo in early 2023.
Source: BragMen