UlasanAnime.com – The team at Boomslank generously sent over a couple of t-shirts for review. While I typically don’t venture into product reviews outside of Jtor, as it’s not my usual comfort zone, Boomslank has been on my radar for about a year. So, when they reached out with an email, I decided to accept. You could consider it a delayed favor, as these are the same individuals I referenced at the end of this post.
I believe I first encountered their merchandise in person at Animazement last year. They’ve been distributing some promotional items, and as always, their artwork is quite striking. The market for original anime-style apparel is competitive and presents a challenging sale. Many consumers opt for recognizable references, a practice I have mixed feelings about concerning the category of unlicensed clever shirts found on sites like J-List. Conversely, official licensed goods often tend to be rather uninspired. The exception, perhaps, is Cospa, though their shirts rarely exceed a size L and come with a hefty $50 price tag. However, this might be precisely what dedicated fans are seeking.
On the other end of the spectrum, we find the typical selection of wearable memes and items similar to those available on shirt.woot.com or Threadless. These designs can be perceived as either intensely nerdy or surprisingly mainstream, catering to a broad audience. Everything in between also finds its place.
From my perspective, Boomslank appears to be attempting to bridge these two distinct markets.
It’s difficult to definitively assess the fashionability of these designs. While they make sense to me conceptually, I wouldn’t claim to be a trendsetter. Perhaps I’m more of a risk-insensitive trend detector. Regardless, these shirts offer the closest experience to having actual pixiv-style artwork printed on your apparel, short of commissioning original pixiv art. Imagine the exquisite landscapes created by artists like vania600, but presented in a more subdued manner to ensure they withstand the rigors of your dryer after just one wash.
Oh, and I noticed a distinct lack of trains in their current offerings. Boomslank team, you know what you need to do next.
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This observation also touches upon my reservations regarding Boomslank’s current product line. Based on their online store, the artwork featured on their shirts aligns with designs I would genuinely desire to own and wear. However, they seem to be missing that subtle element that would compel me to spend $25-$30 on a purchase. Perhaps a touch more cheekiness is needed, as seen in the “Flag” design, one of the samples provided. It’s a visually appealing image, but at first glance, it doesn’t stand out beyond being a “cool graphics tee.” While this might be their intended outcome, there’s significant potential to enhance the layout to better showcase the intricate details. For instance, it would be a brilliant idea if they offered two companion shirts featuring the characters from different angles, perhaps from the back.
Another example is the “Carwash” design. Honestly, it could achieve an equally striking effect with a bullet train, and it would indeed be… well, it would be something. The current artwork is undeniably sleek, and the concept itself is excellent, but it lacks that distinctive edge that truly makes it memorable. What if it were reimagined with a retro prop aircraft equipped with high-tech hoses? The other t-shirt I received for review is the “Soundflow” design, which isn’t currently listed on their website. It features the key graphics with an anime-style girl’s bust and upper body image positioned from the bottom of the shirt. The inclusion of headphones is a definite plus. Unfortunately, due to the way the design needs to be worn to achieve its full effect, I found it challenging to properly showcase it during the testing period, especially given the winter chill. Therefore, I’ll reserve my final judgment on this particular piece. I might still have a pair of baggy jeans somewhere, though it’s not exactly my usual style. I suppose I rarely find myself needing to cosplay as a 90s hip-hop enthusiast. In retrospect, I probably should have taken more photos when I initially received the shirts; my apologies.
Regarding the fundamental aspects of t-shirt construction, these Boomslank shirts are made from cotton, specifically unisex Fine Jersey short sleeves tees (likely from American Apparel). They are of good quality and offer excellent comfort. The shirts have held up well after two dryer cycles. I appreciate their substantial feel, though they aren’t excessively thick. Each shirt came with a postcard detailing the illustration and its name, providing clear identification. It’s worth noting that the online store represents only a portion of their complete product range. For instance, XXL sizes are available for certain items, though I couldn’t find them listed on their store. A crucial characteristic of these shirts is their vibrant and colorful appearance, suggesting that using a dryer might not be the best approach for maintaining color accuracy. To preserve their brilliance, it’s advisable to wash printed tees inside out and avoid harsh treatments.
For some designs, like “Gate Keeper,” which is remarkably colorful for a non-custom item, extra care during washing and drying is recommended to ensure the longevity of the vibrant print.
(Test Notes: I wore each of the two shirts individually for an entire day over approximately two laundry cycles. This testing occurred during my weekend routines when I was out and about. Naturally, with sub-freezing temperatures for much of the time, testing t-shirts in public proved challenging, though their performance became evident indoors. Following each use, the shirts underwent my standard washing routine, which involves only liquid detergent and no special treatments.)
My personal favorites are the two flying fish designs. However, only “Pieces” is currently available as a t-shirt, while the other, “Blue Serengeti” featuring flying fish with Cenco, is offered only as a print. This brings up the recurring question: “Do I really want to wear a flying aquarium?” On a positive note, Boomslank deserves significant praise for offering phone cases compatible with the Samsung GS3. This is a welcome departure from the iPhone-centric market for graphic phone cases, although they do provide options for various Apple devices as well. This kind of inclusive approach is exactly what’s needed to elevate brands like P-shinobi to a level that justifies my investment.
