The Tokyo Samurai were the first team I came up with for the NAFL - I mean, of course a Japan-based league has a Samurai team. The Samurai contrast Tokyo's other team, which is aggressive and modern, by showing restraint and being a classic football look with a unique Japanese twist. The Samurai would play their home games at the Tokyo Dome, home of NPB's Yomiuri Giants.




The Samurai are decked out in red, navy blue, and gold, taking cues from the USFL's New Jersey Generals. Their helmet is obviously their most unique feature, forgoing the traditional logo for a horned design inspired by real samurai helmets with where a clan's symbol would be replaced by a T for Tokyo. Traditional striping is on the jerseys and pants, with red being swapped for white on the road jersey. On the front helmet bumpers, the Japanese kanji for samurai (侍) can be found. This is the only example of kanji showing up in the NAFL, as it's incredibly rare for a Japanese team to use it in their branding, instead opting for Latin characters.

There's team number one! I plan on posting a team a day as a way to distract myself over winter break. It's a shame they weren't finished earlier so I could do a 12 days of Christmas thing, but oh well. Tomorrow we head down south to the island of Kyushu!

Last edited by QCS (12/19/2024 8:28 pm)

Steelman wrote:

Super cool to see a unique new concept series! I really like the league logo.

The Samarai are cool. They remind me a bit of those classic Buccaneers teams in the best way. I think the logo is really solid. The two bottom sides of the cape not being the same threw me a bit but it's growing on me. Still wonder if they were both red it would feel more connected. Regardless I dig it. I do wonder if the gold is just a tad too dark for the color scheme but it's really only prominently on the helmet logo so maybe it's not a problem. The NJ Generals had a brighter red to offset if I recall. It does have that older established 90's feel, so maybe it's perfect for what you're going for. I think the helmet design is super cool and unique! Definitely a cool team. Great start!

Can't wait to see more!

Thanks a ton! The colors could probably use some tweaking - the primary monitor I work on is a really high-quality one, so I can end up making decisions that don't work as well on other screens. I'm pretty sure the red was selected to match the shade on the Japanese flag, but looking back I agree it should probably be a little brighter. I'll post updates after I share all 12 teams!