
NBA rookie of the year salutes the Hayao Miyazaki anime classic.
When thinking of anime characters to dress up as, Spirited Away’s No Face seems like he’d be pretty low on the degree-of-difficulty scale. Sure, you might have to get out some paint brushes and construction paper to make his mask, but the design isn’t all that complex, and for the rest of the costume any sort of head-to-toe length cloak, robe, or bodysuit should do the trick, right?
But convincingly recreating No Face’s atmosphere requires not just replicating the character’s attire, but his stature too, and that’s the hard part. A lot of what makes No Face such a compelling figure is that his child-like personality is paired with a massive physical frame, as he towers in height over anyone else on screen. So to really pull off No Face cosplay, the person wearing the costume has to be really tall, like professional basketball player-tall…and hey, what do you know, here comes San Antonio Spurs center Victor “Wemby” Wembanyama…
WEMBY! 😱🎃 pic.twitter.com/biGipEqE6H
— NBA (@NBA) October 31, 2024
…dressed as No Face!
The video was taken as the seven-foot, three-inch (221-centimeter) tall Wembanyama arrived at the stadium for a game against the Utah Jazz. It should be noted that, with the game taking place on October 31, Wembanyama wasn’t the only person in the building in costume It’s a sign of the far-reaching appeal of Studio Ghibli’s works, though, that out of all the characters he could have dressed up as for Halloween, the French-born Wembanyama chose No Face, and that the NBA’s official Twitter account was eager to share video of his outfit.
Wembanyama would go on to score 25 points in a 106-88 victory for the Spurs over the Jazz, becoming the latest athlete to find success immediately after professing a fondness for the otaku arts.
Source: Twitter/@NBA
Top image: Studio Ghibli
● Want to hear about SoraNews24’s latest articles as soon as they’re published? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Studio Ghibli’s No-Face appears again on the streets of Japan to rock out on his shamisen 【Video】
Kindergarten student scares classmates by dressing up as No Face from Spirited Away for Halloween
Universal Studios Japan launches mask cosplay contest for Halloween
Spirited Away’s No-Face, Yubaba appear in seaside park in Japan as Ghibli museum exhibit opens 【Vid】
Japan now has potato chip-covered chocolate, and it’s amazing!【Taste test】
Village Vanguard’s most expensive Black Lucky Bag sets an ominous tone for 2026
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Evangelion original anime studio Gainax is now completely dissolved, Eva’s creator mourns ruined friendships
Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako creates jaw-dropping crowd at Winter Comiket【Photos】
Green tea chocolate-covered potato chips arrive in Japan! 【Taste test】
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Tokyo Station staff share their top 10 favorite ekiben
Chikan molester runs away from Japanese schoolgirls at train station in Japan【Video】
Crow surprises Japanese commuters by attempting to buy train ticket from a machine【Video】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Terrifying snow No Face found in Japan gets thumbs up from Studio Ghibli【Photos】
Spirited Away No Face lamp is back, senses when you’re near, welcomes you with lantern light【Pics】
The awesome costumed fans of Nagoya’s World Cosplay Summit 【Photos】
Studio Ghibli’s two most famous character masks come into the real world with mini o-men【Photos】
Moving, burping No Face coin bank figure is back to receive your Ghibli fan generosity【Photos】
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
Spirited Away’s No Face pulls up as a car with newest Studio Ghibli Dream Tomica now on sale【Pics】
Studio Ghibli cushions to cozy up mean you can finally give No-Face the hug he needs【Photos】
Studio Ghibli merch store debuts new, fantastical Spirited Away accessories【Pics】
Wobbly Spirited Away No Face tea time figure is ready for a jittery Ghibli break, Jiji too【Pics】
Studio Ghibli’s The Boy and the Heron finally has a U.S. release date and trailer, and it’s gorgeous【Video】
Beautiful 3-D puzzle kit lets you build Ghibli’s Spirited Away bathhouse with no tools, glue【Pics】
New Studio Ghibli No Face piggy bank brings us even more magic from Spirited Away
There’s always time, and space, for a Ghibli figure that’s also a calendar, right?【Photos】
We travel to China to watch Studio Ghibli anime Spirited Away on its inaugural opening day
Have you ever noticed how much Totoro looks like New Year’s mochi? This plushie’s designers did, and the result is adorable!
Leave a Reply