Continuing the journey of discovery and cultural connection of the “From Naples to the World” project, Napoli revealed their new Japan-inspired third shirt for 24/25 from EA7 before debuting it in the Serie A match against Atalanta this weekend.
Joining their already released home (one of our favourite of the 24/25 season) and away shirts, Napoli revealed their new third shirt from EA7 over the weekend, before debuting it in the Serie A match against Atalanta (less said about the result there the better!). The shirt design brings together Naples and Japan and continues the “From Napoli to the World” journey of discovery and cultural connection. This leg of the journey draws inspiration from the historic twinning between Naples and the Japanese city of Kagoshima in 1960, and fittingly this was the location chosen for the jersey’s photo shoot.
Despite being so far away from each other, the twinning of the two ports is a symbol of their affinity and the unique characteristics that they share, from the gulfs to the volcanos that dominate the landscape: Vesuvius in Naples and Sakurajima in Kagoshima. The friendship between the two cities has led both of them to dedicate street names to each other: “Napoli-dori” (Naples street) in Kagoshima and “Via Kagoshima” in Naples.
The jersey was designed as a modern armour for those that wear it. It pays homage to the figure of the Samurai and features distinctive details such as the kabuto (helmet), the menpo (mask), and the katana, a symbol of strength and protection but also of ideal union between cultures. The samurai mask sits on a pattern of waves, a motif that makes reference to Japanese art. The shirt also features a design enriched by the Neapolitan baroque style, as seen on the finish around the collar, which adds a touch of elegance and pays homage to the artistic traditions of Naples. On the right side of the shirt the seven Bushido virtues are written: Righteousness, Respect, Courage, Honour, Compassion, Honesty and Loyalty. These are the fundamental principles of Samurai discipline.
On the launch of the third kit, Tommaso Bianchini, Chief Revenue Officer of Napoli, said: “The third kit perfectly places itself at the heart of our project ‘From Napoli to the World’. Starting in Naples, we arrive at the Japanese city of Kagoshima to tell the story of the relationship between these two distant cultures that are linked by a warrior’s spirit. With this shirt, we celebrate strength, respect and loyalty, which are values that we proudly bring onto the pitch. We chose to present the kit in Kagoshima in honour of the historic twinning of our two cities. At the same time, we went to discover a hidden corner of Japan in Naples, the Ten Shin Zen Temple in Fuorigrotta where we filmed part of the launch video with students from the Samurai Academy Naples.
“This is only the start of a process of developing projects linked to Japan and is part of a bigger strategic plan to widen our global fan base.”
The Napoli third kit is now available on the Online Store and can be purchased from 3 November in official SSC Napoli stores and from 4 November in SSC Napoli Official Resellers.
