The Rakuten Super Baseball Game, a special event where fans can watch the Tohoku-based Rakuten Eagles play at Tokyo Dome, was held again this year. The stands were vividly colored with the special pink third uniform distributed to the first 30,000 fans to arrive, as a heated battle unfolded and the Eagles celebrated a walk-off victory in the 12th inning with a score of 8-7. Various projects were also carried out inside the stadium. Experiences ranged from interactive booths utilizing the latest AI to the launch of environmentally conscious recycled shopping bags, and even projects that fulfilled fans' dreams. Here's a report on the exciting events of the day!

Digital signage to enhance the special occasion

On the day of the game, giant digital signage installed in various locations around Tokyo Dome displayed visuals announcing the Rakuten Super Baseball Game event. The images featured athletes, including players from the Rakuten Eagles, and the message, “Towards a better future with sports.” The slogan “A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER” caught the attention of visitors. Even before stepping inside the dome, you could sense that today was a special day.

The main gate at Tokyo Dome welcomes the Rakuten Super Baseball Game.

Various digital signs heighten the expectations of the visiting fans.

Large LED screens in the concourse entrance hall greet visitors.

Upon entering the stadium’s concourse, visitors are greeted by a variety of booths designed to entertain them. These initiatives are rooted in two guiding principles championed by the Rakuten Group: “Sports for Everyone,” which aims to create an environment where everyone can enjoy sports in their own way, regardless of gender, age, or disability; and “A Greener Future,” which seeks to create a rich global environment where people can continue to enjoy sports through climate change countermeasures and the efficient use of resources. The venue was bustling with activity from the moment it opened, featuring interactive exhibits and photo opportunities.

Visitors could snap photos with mascot-themed fans and player panels. Ambassadors Ginji Akaminai and Takero Okajima stopped by for a shot.

Recycled shopping bags embody the wishes of fans

At the merchandise shop, recycled shopping bags made of plastic collected from fans at the home opener were sold (see article for details). Many people also contributed to the plastic bag collection boxes set up for the creation of the next shopping bags, creating a positive cycle where fans’ wishes were transformed into cheering goods.

Okajima holds the newly released recycled shopping bag in his hands. Ginji is holding a recyclable plastic bag which will eventually be turned into another shopping bag.

A plastic bag collection box installed in the merchandise shop.

THE NEXT BATTER delighted fans with cutting-edge technology

At THE NEXT BATTER booth, visitors entered their photos, nicknames, and condition, to have AI instantly create an original cheering song for them. They would then hear their name called, walk up to the batter’s box, and watch the pitcher throw his pitch on a monitor. This booth drew a large crowd of fans. What’s more, an original player card with each visitor’s picture and data was printed out on the spot as a special keepsake to remember the day by. Both Ginji and Okajima were surprised by the high level of craftsmanship.

Ambassadors Ginji and Takeo Okajima enter their nicknames and conditions on a tablet.

The virtual footage from the batter’s box is incredibly immersive.

An AI-generated cheering song for Okajima.

The card had each visitor’s photo and data printed on it, making it a one-of-a-kind memento.

Newly developed AI commentary that surprised even professionals

At the “AI Commentary” booth, a new service set to be released later in “Rakuten Pacific League Special” was introduced. The service analyzes plays in official games and uses AI to automatically generate commentary similar to that of a baseball commentator, and is expected to be introduced next season. The two ambassadors who witnessed the demonstration were impressed by the AI’s accurate commentary on the players’ batting averages and their current form, and said they would like to use the tool for their own commentaries. Advances in technology also play a big role in helping us enjoy sports more.

Ginji and Okajima listen attentively to the AI’s explanation.

“I want to use this in my own commentary,” said Ginji.

A stamp rally that brought smiles

A stamp rally, where participants could collect three original stamps by visiting designated booths set up by various Rakuten Group companies, and then enter a raffle to win prizes, was also held. A long line formed in front of the lottery booth, and the fans receiving their prizes were beaming with smiles. It was a popular event that allowed visitors to enjoy themselves while touring the stadium.

At the Rakuten Mobile booth, fans formed long lines for the perk of being able to take a photo with a player if they signed up for a new service.

Rakuten Mart’s booth gave away cooling towels to new registrants or those who reposted on X.

At the Rakuten Bank booth, participants who followed and reposted the official X account could receive Rakuten Eagles merchandise as a prize.

The warm smiles on the staffs’ faces further enhanced the atmosphere at the stamp rally prize booth.

Many fans collected stamps and received prizes.

Before the game, a joint performance by the Rakuten Girls, the cheerleading group for the Rakuten Monkeys who had come from Taiwan, and the Tohoku Golden Angels, was held, and amid the pink light bathing the whole Dome, this instantly raised the energy level of the crowd. Yinglu and Kaho Takahashi of Rakuten Girls were selected as the top two in a popularity poll held in collaboration with “Weekly Young Magazine,” thrilling the crowd with their ceremonial first pitch. It was a moment when smiles filled the stadium, regardless of nationality or language.

The two cheerleading teams from Taiwan and Japan join forces.

They captivated the stadium with their dazzling performance.

Rakuten Girls members Kaho Takahashi (left) and Yinglu (right) threw the ceremonial first pitch.

Yui Takahashi’s solo performance of the national anthem created a solemn atmosphere at Tokyo Dome

Next, soprano Yui Takahashi sang the national anthem solo. Her soaring vocals, honed on the world stage, resonated throughout the stadium, instantly transforming the lively atmosphere into a serious, focused one. Stay tuned for Takahashi’s interview which is set to be published at a later date.

Soprano singer Yui Takahashi performed the national anthem solo.

Takahashi dominated the packed stadium with her overwhelming vocals.

The “Your Dream Journey with Rakuten” project receives warm applause

The “Your Dream Journey with Rakuten” project made lucky Rakuten member Mr. Matsuda’s sports-related dream come true when his dream to throw the ceremonial first pitch before the game was chosen out of all the applications. With mascot Clutchina and his family watching, he stepped onto the mound on the big stage with a nervous expression, but threw the ball with a confident form, receiving warm applause from the stands.

Before throwing the first pitch, Mr. Matsuda took commemorative photos with the mascot Clutchina and his family.

He throws a powerful pitch from the mound.

This project also featured the Starting Family. The children, each speaking with the players at their respective defensive positions, were beaming throughout the event. No doubt these special interactions with players left unforgettable memories for each of them.

Standing before his idol, Tatsuya Taira, the boy’s face is a mix of joy and awe.

Parents and children, having spent a special time together, run around the field with boundless energy.

Children with illnesses and disabilities try out the role of groundskeeper

Just like the year before, children with illnesses or disabilities and their families took to the field as groundskeepers after the bottom of the fifth inning, with the support of the NPO AYA. The children worked diligently with the rake to level the soil, drawing warm cheers from the stands and creating a gentle atmosphere throughout the Tokyo Dome. Rakuten Super Baseball Game offers numerous opportunities for everyone to enjoy sports.

The children and their families participated as groundskeepers.

This boy gripped the rake which was taller than him tightly with both hands, and worked hard to prepare the ground.

There were moments when smiles could be seen amid their nervousness.

The smile on the children’s faces after completing their important tasks made an impression.

A dramatic walk-off victory in the 12th inning

Despite being held on a weekday, this year’s Rakuten Super Baseball Game attracted over 40,000 fans to Tokyo Dome. The game remained close until the bottom of the 12th inning, when Fumiya Kurokawa hit a walk-off single to secure the victory. The fans, clad in their special pink uniforms, all rose to their feet, reveling in the afterglow of their dramatic victory.

Fans stand shoulder to shoulder, cheering at the same moment. It was a moment when the entire stadium became one.

We aim to create an environment where everyone can participate in sports and where everyone can enjoy them. This is the kind of future that the Rakuten Group aims for the future of sports. “Towards a better future, together with sports.” Under the slogan “A BETTER FUTURE TOGETHER,” Rakuten Super Baseball Game embodied two guiding principles: ” Sports for Everyone” and “A Greener Future ,” and for the fans who attended, it undoubtedly served as a sure catalyst for creating a “better future.”

TEXT：Kodai Wada
PHOTO：Teppei Hori, Ou Itabashi
EDIT：Yohsuke Watanabe, Satoru Komura (IN FOCUS)