On March 11, fans got a chance to check out 100 Thieves’ highly anticipated collaboration with the “Attack on Titan” animated series – and it was an experience well worth the wait.
100 Thieves is more than an esports team. The company has grown into a true entertainment giant over the years, gathering a team of major influencers, esports athletes and creatives under its banner.
The organization is also known for its passion for fashion, having collaborated with Gucci in the past (alongside its pre-existing and highly successful streetwear line).
However, in March 2022, 100 Thieves dropped jaws on Twitter when they revealed they were collaborating with none other than Kodansha for an exclusive run of Attack on Titan merchandise.
It turns out that the beast looked like a human.
3.12.22 pic.twitter.com/CxEhiQGG7P
– 100 thieves (@100thieves) March 3, 2022
Hajime Isayama’s action-packed anime is coming to an end after nine years, with the season finale set to drop on Sunday, March 27.
Seemingly as a tribute to this major event in the anime community, 100 Thieves have wrapped their Culver City CashApp complex to resemble Wall Maria, with the Colossal Titan looking over the edge accompanied by Eren and Mikasa.
The Colossal Titan’s sudden appearance turned heads on social media – but not nearly as much as 100 Thieves’ subsequent announcement of a pop-up store for the merchandise line a day before it went live.
100 thieves x attack on titan
Pop-up: 3/11
Online: 3/12https://t.co/8q3ChCqYeKEverything has a cost. #100TxAoT pic.twitter.com/3yVv5VGr6X
– 100 thieves (@100thieves) March 7, 2022
As diehard anime watchers that we at GameSpot are, I knew I had to take an inside look at this unexpected (but absolutely welcome) collision of worlds between anime and esports.
I headed to the CashApp compound on the morning of March 11, fully prepared to wait in line for several hours in hopes of picking up the mustard-yellow Levi Ackermann hoodie.
As expected, the line was already extending into the block by the time I arrived. Luckily, it wasn’t a monotonous, boring experience – being surrounded by esports and anime fans made for great conversation as we all slowly made our way to the Compound.
100 Thieves’ AoT pop-up store line was certainly sprawling.
That’s not all; some of the 100 Thieves influencers (like adorably goofy JHB) pulled fans aside for quick interviews, adding a bit of humor and star power, and ultimately creating lasting memories.
I finally got to the front of the line four hours later to see that 100 thieves had adorned the enclosure of a flying Levi near the entrance gate to Shiganshina district.
Levi guards the entrance to the 100 Thieves CashApp Compound.
The stages of The Compound were also adorned with the names of episodes from the anime’s 3rd season, where (spoiler alert) we learn the Titans secret we’ve been waiting for for over half a decade.
The CashApp Compound has decorated its front steps with episode names from the anime’s 3rd season.
However, the wow factor really hit when I entered the compound. The entrance featured a series of TV screens replaying major moments from the show, framed by a black-and-white mural of the Attack Titan in beast mode.
100 Thieves certainly knows how to excite anime fans.
Turning left, I encountered a room decorated with tons of 100 Thieves merchandise. On the back wall hung a large splash art of Mikasa, as well as a massive image of Levi – in the blades of which you can see the reflection of a puzzled Kenny.
This Levi mural was the star of the show at the 100 Thieves AoT pop-up store.
The staff were extremely friendly despite the huge turnout, doing their best to accommodate growing shortages of certain items and sizes.
The 100 Thieves x AoT pop-up store was pure flames.
I was able to grab the mustard yellow Levi hoodie I wanted, but unfortunately I couldn’t get the white t-shirt or sweatshirt. Instead, I checked off the black 100 Thieves T-shirt with Levi, and it’s not something I can complain about.
Ultimately, the attention to detail and fun atmosphere made the 100 Thieves x Attack on Titan pop-up store well worth the four-hour line. I made a few friends, took some great photos, and walked away with exclusive products (without paying shipping). How can you say no to that?