What to know | New Balance Launches Samurai Japan Jerseys: Authentic, Replica and Junior Options

New Balance Japan, as the official partner of the Japanese baseball team Samurai Japan, will start selling the first batch of jerseys and related products on October 20, 2026. The series includes Authentic versions with the same materials and specifications for players, as well as Replica, children's and training T-shirts. The familiar team names are the same, but there are still differences in product usage and content. It is worth reading the full version name before purchasing.

Cover image: New Balance

Authentic and Replica are not only different in price

Authentic Japan has announced a price of 88,000 yen, featuring the same materials and specifications as the players. Replica offers a model with a name and number for 19,800 yen, and a model without a name and number for 15,400 yen. They are different product options, and it cannot be inferred that all fabrics and structures are exactly the same just because they have the same representation of the team.

For collectors who want to get close to the specifications of players' clothing, Authentic provides a clear comparison direction; for those who mainly focus on watching games and daily matching, they can start with Replica's configuration. The price cannot directly determine the use for you. It still depends on the size, frequency of wearing and the team elements you want to retain.

Name and ID number, first confirm whether it has been configured or can be customized

The released information is divided into name and number and blank version, which does not mean that any name or number can be freely produced. When purchasing, you should check the players, numbers and optional content listed on the actual product. In particular, do not rely solely on image photos and regard the shooting examples as a complete orderable list.

If you want the jersey to match a jacket or everyday lower body, you can also compare the front logo, back information and body proportions. The blank back and the complete back number each have different visual emphasis, and the part exposed when worn will also change depending on the backpack, jacket and viewing angle.

Children’s models and training T-shirts are the other two needs

The Japanese price of the children's jersey is 8,910 yen. It should be confirmed based on its exclusive size information. It is not suitable to estimate directly by the reduction ratio of the adult jersey. For growing wearers, the length, cuffs and movement space are all worth looking at separately, rather than just choosing the number closest to your current height.

The series also includes T-shirts using the same materials, specifications and designs used by players and staff during training. Training T-shirts and game jerseys have different tasks. Even if they are both official products, the materials and functional descriptions of each piece cannot be applied to each other.

It will be sold gradually from October 20th, and the channel and inventory will be confirmed separately.

Japan’s announced channels include some New Balance official stores, as well as the official online stores of New Balance and Samurai Japan. Sequential listing means that the time and items of each channel may be different, and not all stores will have full sizes at the same time on the same day; the price and delivery in Taiwan need to be checked based on local information.

This batch of products brings the choice of jersey closer to a clear question of use: is it a collection specification, game wear, daily styling, or children's activity clothing? First match the version with the usage situation, and then compare the color, name and size. It will be easier to find a choice that can be used continuously than just chasing the same model.