BODY: Dragon Quest fans can finally wear their slime loyalty on their sleeves — literally. Uniqlo has launched its first-ever collaboration with the legendary RPG franchise as part of its UT graphic tee lineup, with four men's designs going on sale today, April 29.
Each shirt is priced at ¥1,990 (roughly $13), keeping with Uniqlo's affordable basics ethos. The collection features iconic imagery from the series, including the beloved King Slime and other monsters and motifs that have defined Dragon Quest across nearly four decades of gaming history. The designs tap into the franchise's distinctive Akira Toriyama art style, which remains one of the most recognizable aesthetics in Japanese pop culture.
Online sales kicked off at 8:15 AM JST through Uniqlo's web store, while brick-and-mortar locations have the tees available from store opening. As with past popular UT drops, sizes and designs could sell through quickly — Dragon Quest commands a massive and devoted fanbase in Japan, where the series is often called the country's "national RPG."
The collaboration arrives at a moment of renewed Dragon Quest momentum. With Dragon Quest XII: The Flames of Fate still generating anticipation and the franchise's continued presence across mobile, merchandise, and media, Square Enix has been steadily expanding the brand's reach beyond traditional gaming.
The insider take
The April 29 launch date is no accident — it's Shōwa Day, a national holiday in Japan and the start of Golden Week, the country's biggest vacation stretch. Uniqlo routinely times splashy UT drops to coincide with high-traffic shopping days, and pairing Dragon Quest with a holiday when families are out and about is a smart retail play. It's worth noting this collection is men's-only with just four designs, which suggests Uniqlo may be testing the waters before potentially expanding to women's and kids' sizes. For a franchise this iconic, a broader rollout would hardly be a surprise.
Originally reported by GAME Watch (Japanese).