Players from the Los Angeles Dodgers are making the most of their time off by fully immersing themselves in Japanese entertainment.

Kiké Hernández’s Family and Their Love for Chiikawa

Mariana Vicente, the wife of Dodgers' mood-maker Kiké Hernández and an actress-model, recently shared photos on her Instagram of a massive haul of Chiikawa merchandise. Along with the collection, she also posted a two-shot of herself and her daughter taken in Harajuku, Tokyo, showcasing their enjoyment of their time in Japan.

Anthony Banda’s Special Visit to Pokémon Headquarters

Meanwhile, left-handed pitcher Anthony Banda took a special tour of The Pokémon Company headquarters in Roppongi, Tokyo. The Dodgers' official X (formerly Twitter) account posted photos of Banda posing joyfully with an armful of Pikachu plushies, as well as a commemorative shot with Pokémon President Tsunekazu Ishihara. The post also featured a Venusaur card signed by Ishihara himself.

Expressing his excitement, Banda commented,
"I had the best time. I've been a huge Pokémon fan since childhood, and this really feels like a dream come true. I'm beyond thrilled!"

Fans React on Social Media

Fans were quick to react on social media, leaving excited comments such as:

"Kiké’s wife and daughter are into Chiikawa! They even bought the MLB collaboration items!"
"Kiké is collecting Chiikawa for his daughter—such a great dad!"
"Wait, Kiké’s daughter is a Chiikawa fan?!"
"Casually featuring Pokémon President Ishihara in the pics!"
"They're really soaking up Japan’s pop culture!"
"They went on a massive Pokémon card shopping spree!"

Dodgers vs. Cubs: The Highly Anticipated MLB Tokyo Series

The MLB Tokyo Series presented by Guggenheim is set to take place on March 18 and 19 at the Tokyo Dome, featuring the reigning 2024 World Series champions, the Dodgers, against the legendary Chicago Cubs in the season opener.

This matchup has garnered significant attention in Japan, particularly with high-profile Japanese players in the spotlight—Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki from the Dodgers, as well as Seiya Suzuki and Shota Imanaga from the Cubs.