by Haikyu!! fans will soon have a new reason to visit Sendai, Japan, as JR East has officially announced a large-scale collaboration event titled “Welcome to Sendai!!” The special campaign will begin on August 19, 2026, bringing together one of anime’s most beloved sports franchises with Japan’s railway network.
The collaboration features all-new character illustrations of Shoyo Hinata, Tobio Kageyama, and other fan-favorite characters dressed in stylish station attendant-inspired uniforms. Alongside the new visuals, fans can look forward to exclusive voice content, limited-edition merchandise, station announcements, digital rewards, and interactive experiences available only during the event.
Running until October 31, 2026, the campaign aims to celebrate both the world of Haikyu!! and the city of Sendai, the hometown that inspired many locations featured throughout the series.
Haikyu!! Characters Wear JR Station Attendant Uniforms
The newly released key visual showcases several popular characters wearing specially designed JR station attendant-style uniforms, created exclusively for the collaboration.
Featured characters include:
- Shoyo Hinata
- Tobio Kageyama
- Toru Oikawa
- Hajime Iwaizumi
- Takanobu Aone
- Kenji Futakuchi
- Kanji Koganegawa
The elegant railway-inspired outfits give each character a fresh new look while celebrating the connection between Haikyu!! and the Tohoku region.
These original illustrations will appear throughout the event and on a wide range of exclusive merchandise.
Explore Sendai With Exclusive Character Voice Guides
One of the highlights of the collaboration is an immersive audio experience available through the Locatone audio augmented reality (AR) application.
Passengers traveling on the Tohoku Shinkansen or Akita Shinkansen can activate location-based audio featuring the voices of their favorite Haikyu!! characters while exploring Sendai.
Each featured character includes four different voice programs:
- Type A
- Type B
- Type C
- Type D
These exclusive recordings allow fans to enjoy personalized commentary and conversations as they travel through the city, creating an experience that combines anime storytelling with real-world tourism.
Receive Exclusive Digital Rewards
Fans traveling to Sendai using a Shinkansen e-ticket can also receive special digital bonuses.
Passengers whose destination is JR Sendai Station and who register through the JRE POINT website will receive an exclusive “Welcome to Sendai!!” digital illustration created specifically for the campaign.
In addition, 100 lucky participants will be selected to receive a limited-edition Welcome to Sendai!! Collection Card, making it one of the event’s most sought-after collectibles.
Limited-Time Haikyu!! Merchandise at Sendai Station
Collectors will have the opportunity to purchase exclusive collaboration goods during a special pop-up store at JR Sendai Station.
The merchandise sales event will take place:
August 26 – September 2, 2026
Location:
Event Space in Front of the Stained Glass Area
JR Sendai Station
The exclusive product lineup includes:
- Acrylic Stands
- Clear Files
- Clear Fans
- Clear Sticker Sets
- Can Badge Sets
- Name Badges
- Aurora Charms
- Trading Cards
- Swaying Acrylic Blocks
All items feature the newly illustrated station attendant-themed character designs created exclusively for this collaboration.
Because these products will only be available during the event period, many fans are expected to visit early before popular items sell out.
Special Station Announcements Featuring Hinata and Kageyama
Another unique attraction will be the special station announcements broadcast inside JR Sendai Station throughout the campaign.
Visitors can hear three exclusive announcements featuring:
- Shoyo Hinata
- Tobio Kageyama
- Hinata & Kageyama together
These limited-time announcements are designed to make fans feel as though the beloved volleyball duo is personally welcoming them to Sendai.
Celebrating Haikyu!! and the Spirit of Sendai
JR East explained that the collaboration is part of its long-term business strategy known as “Beyond the Border.”
The initiative aims to connect entertainment, tourism, and regional communities by encouraging anime fans to visit real-world locations associated with popular series.
Since Haikyu!! is heavily inspired by Miyagi Prefecture and the surrounding Tohoku region, Sendai serves as the perfect location for this large-scale collaboration.
The campaign is expected to attract both domestic and international fans while supporting local tourism.
About Haikyu!!
Created by Haruichi Furudate, Haikyu!! is one of the most successful sports manga of all time.
The series was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 2012 to 2020, running for approximately eight and a half years.
The manga has sold more than 75 million copies worldwide, making it one of Shueisha’s best-selling sports titles.
The television anime adaptation premiered in 2014, eventually producing four seasons that earned praise for their exciting volleyball matches, memorable characters, and emotional storytelling.
Today, Haikyu!! remains one of the world’s most popular sports anime franchises.
The Franchise Continues to Grow
The latest theatrical film, Haikyu!! The Movie: Battle at the Garbage Dump, premiered in February 2024 and became a massive commercial success.
The film earned more than ¥20 billion worldwide at the box office and received the Excellent Animation of the Year Award at the Japan Academy Film Prize, further cementing the franchise’s legacy.
Fans also have more to look forward to in 2027, with two highly anticipated projects already announced:
- Haikyu!! The Movie: VS the Little Giant, covering the quarterfinal matches between Karasuno vs. Kamomedai and Fukurodani vs. Mujinazaka.
- Haikyu!!: Where the Monsters Go, a brand-new special anime continuing the story.
These upcoming releases are expected to conclude the anime adaptation of Haruichi Furudate’s beloved volleyball saga.
Event Schedule
Event Name
Welcome to Sendai!!
Collaboration
JR East × Haikyu!!
Event Period
August 19 – October 31, 2026
Merchandise Sales
August 26 – September 2, 2026
Location
JR Sendai Station and participating JR East locations.
Final Thoughts
The Haikyu!! x JR East “Welcome to Sendai!!” collaboration offers far more than a traditional anime merchandise event.
From exclusive station attendant-themed character illustrations and immersive AR voice experiences to limited-edition collectibles, railway announcements, and special pop-up merchandise, the campaign transforms a trip to Sendai into an unforgettable experience for fans.
Whether you’re a longtime supporter of Karasuno High, an admirer of rivals like Aoba Johsai and Date Tech, or simply looking to explore the real-life locations connected to one of anime’s greatest sports series, this collaboration promises to be one of the biggest Haikyu!! events of 2026.
