Amin Abbas
Baseball United, the first professional baseball league in Dubai, began its debut season from November 14 and will run until December 14 with all games being played at Baseball United Ballpark in Dubai.
Zealz Inc., which has its headquarters in Osaka, Japan, announced a unique initiative as the “First Japanese sponsor” and “official Anime partner of Baseball United (BU)”, the first professional baseball league spanning the Middle East and South Asia, which launched on November 14, 2025.
The Osaka-based IT solutions company is contributing far more than financial support. It is introducing two cultural assets to the league: Japanese Anime and Japanese-style Cheering Culture, aiming to reimagine the entire fan experience inside the desert stadium.
During the bottom of the fourth inning — just as the game reaches its midpoint — Zealz’s original anime will take over the stadium’s giant screen.
For this league, the company animated an original character inspired by its online service “Uemo,” which allows users to casually learn anime production.
In the video, the character does not represent any single team; instead, she appears in the uniforms of all four BU clubs, switching from one to another. Her powerful full swings and graceful pitching motions express respect for the entire league and serve as a showcase of the animation production technology (“Creative Power”) that the company provides.
The idea of an educational-service concept character crossing borders to “perform” in a professional sports league — even in animated form — is entirely new to the region and is expected to surprise and excite both anime fans and baseball spectators.
Zealz is already receiving inquiries from local companies impressed by the BU project. The company expects this momentum to accelerate the spread of anime commercials and short-form animation created by Japanese creator-led teams in the Middle East.
In addition to visual entertainment, Zealz is bringing the “Cheering Megaphone,” appealing to both hearing and touch. Widely used in Japanese baseball stadiums, this megaphone creates a “participatory” style of cheering that enhances engagement in the region’s newest professional league.
Each megaphone features customizable inner sheets that can be replaced with team-themed designs, personal drawings, or messages — allowing fans to create their own unique cheering gear and deepening their sense of ownership and involvement.
The cheering megaphones will be available for purchase both inside the stadium and through the official online store, giving fans an accessible way to join in the experience whether attending in person or watching from home.
Derived from the Latin proverb “Usus Est Magister Optimus” — “Experience is the best teacher.” This philosophy forms the core of Zealz’s educational approach: teaching not only technical skills, but the deeper foundations of being a creator — mindset, career direction, and work ethic — guided by real professionals.
This ethos strongly resonates with the spirit of athletes who grow through practice and real-world challenge.
Zealz CEO Yoshihisa Otani said: “Knowledge and experience gained by taking on new challenges in new territories foster growth. Uemo symbolizes our journey into this new field in the Middle East.”
The fusion of Osaka-born innovation and Japanese cheering culture — Zealz’s two signature strengths — is set to help transform Baseball United’s new stage into one of the most vibrant and spirited ballparks in the world.
AloJapan.com