BODY: Splatoon fans plotting their Switch 2 purchases now have another reason to pick their retailer carefully. Rakuten Books has unveiled its pre-order bonus image for "Splatoon Raiders," the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 title launching July 23, and it leans hard into summer-festival energy.
The bonus is a mesh tote bag bundled with an acrylic charm featuring an Inkling squid design. Mesh totes have surged in popularity across Japan over the past two summers as beach and pool-day accessories, making the choice a clear bid to align the new Splatoon spin-off with the season of its release.
"Splatoon Raiders" represents a notable departure for the series — the first major Splatoon title built specifically for Switch 2 hardware, and reportedly a more adventure-focused experience than the mainline turf-war shooters. Nintendo has been drip-feeding details since the Switch 2 launch window announcements, and retailer bonuses are typically among the last marketing beats before release.
Japanese retailer pre-order bonuses have become a competitive sport in their own right, with chains like Amazon Japan, Yodobashi, Bic Camera, and Rakuten Books each offering distinct exclusives. Splatoon's merchandise pipeline has historically been one of Nintendo's strongest, so collectors are likely watching the full bonus lineup closely.
The insider take
In Tokyo, mesh totes have quietly become a staple of summer street style — you'll spot them on commuters in Shibuya and Shimokitazawa, often paired with bottled drinks from convenience stores. Rakuten's choice signals that Nintendo's licensing team understands the Splatoon audience extends well beyond gamers into broader youth fashion culture. It's the kind of bonus that gets used in daily life rather than displayed on a shelf, which is increasingly how Japanese publishers think about merchandise tie-ins. Expect rival retailers to counter with their own seasonally-tuned exclusives in the coming weeks.
Originally reported by GAME Watch (Japanese).