A heart that cherishes things is a heart that cherishes connections with people.

A yoyo born from "waste" becomes a catalyst for "new encounters."

#UNWASTED Story

The bonds forged by yoyos run surprisingly deep. This is a fact that many players know firsthand. It is not uncommon for friendships to span over 10 or 20 years, all starting from the common ground of yoyos. These are not just hobby acquaintances, but special relationships that become "friends for life." Perhaps you, too, can become part of this circle of connection.

We at #UNBRANDED believe in this mysterious "connecting power" of yoyos. We want to provide a simple opportunity for anyone to pick up a yoyo and connect with others in their own unique style. However, recently, a batch of our STEPROUND FULLSIZE yoyos failed to meet our strict quality standards during the anodizing process at our manufacturing partner's factory. While there were no major performance issues, visually, they fell short of our criteria and were classified as defects.

Facing these yoyos destined for disposal, we felt a simple yet strong emotion: "What a waste" (Mottainai). We returned to the sentiment we have always cherished: "A heart that cherishes things is a heart that cherishes connections with people." We decided to responsibly buy back all these yoyos and laser engrave them with the special mark #UNWASTED, giving them new value and a new story. We want these yoyos to serve as a humble "catalyst" for creating connections with lifelong friends within the community. This is our small challenge, born from objects that were meant to be thrown away—a modest way to give back to the community and a wish for the future.

The Wish Behind the Special Engraving

The face of the yoyo features the #UNWASTED engraving. This is a testament to our resolve "not to waste," and a wish that this yoyo becomes a "seed of possibility" creating new value and encounters. We hope that through this yoyo, the spirit of cherishing things and the connections between people will continue to spread.

Why not use the #UNWASTED yoyo as a reason to join a local practice meet and find new connections?

The STEPROUND FULLSIZE with the #UNWASTED engraving is available as a loaner sample thanks to the cooperation of yoyo practice meets nationwide that support this initiative. Find a practice meet near you and please pay them a visit. Feel free to ask the organizer or participants. "I'd like to try the #UNWASTED STEPROUND FULLSIZE." Fellow yoyo lovers will surely welcome you warmly.

Practice meet organizers who wish to cooperate with the #UNWASTED campaign. please contact the #UNBRANDED X account.

Shop / Practice Meet List

[Tokyo] SPINGEAR Koenji Store

A yoyo shop located in Koenji, Tokyo.
The experienced SG Crew supports everything from choosing gear to learning tricks.
Open: Wed-Fri 15:00-19:00, Sat-Sun-Holidays 13:00-19:00

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[Ishikawa] Ishikawa Yoyo Practice Meet

We have loaner yoyos available for those who don't own one. We welcome everyone from complete beginners to experienced players.
Beginner workshops are also held regularly.
Since participants range from children to adults and the focus is heavily on exchange and interaction, please feel free to join us even if it's your first time.

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[Ibaraki] Mito Yoyo Practice Meet

A yoyo practice meet held at the "Sannomaru Civic Center" in Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Official X Account

[Hyogo] Yoyo Teaching

Rather than a practice meet, we irregularly hold yoyo classes for children at the children's center.

Official X Account

[Tokyo] Koiwa Yoyo Practice Meet

We started this meet to secure a practice space and create a fun environment for yoyo play, as there were few venues in eastern Tokyo.
The organizer is a casual competitor (B-Division level), but anyone who wants to enjoy yoyoing—from beginners to A-Division competitors—is widely welcome.

Official X Account

[Hyogo] Sanda Yoyo Club

Centered around "Team Sanda" (elementary and middle school kids) in Sanda City, Hyogo, we practice happily but seriously! We also host events like the Sanda Yoyo Fes. Please come and hang out with us! We look forward to seeing you.

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[Aichi] Aisai Practice Meet

We practice seriously for events and contests. Beginners are also very welcome. We are relatively hardcore.

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[Kanagawa] Kohoku Yoyo Practice Meet

A yoyo practice meet active in Kohoku Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa. Held irregularly around noon on holidays.
We do free practice sessions and more. We have a wide range of attendees from beginners to contest participants.

Official X Account

[Kanagawa] Yokohama Kannai Yoyo Practice Meet

A yoyo practice meet active in Naka Ward, Yokohama City, Kanagawa. Held irregularly on weekday evenings.
We distribute "Giken String" samples from Tsuchiya Aviation & Space Engineering and hold practice sessions before events. Please come by if you want to throw some yoyos after work.

Official X Account

[Gifu] Gifu Yoyo Practice Meet

An at-home practice meet with participants ranging from contest players to casuals, and ages from kindergarteners to 79-year-olds.

Official X Account

[Aichi] Toyokawa Yoyo Practice Meet

We hold "beginner-first" practice meets that everyone can enjoy, including mini-games. A wide range of participants, from beginners to competitors, enjoy playing yoyo together.

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[Tokyo] Hachioji Yoyo Club

Based at the Koyasu Civic Center once a month, we are an experience-and-exchange group where you can freely play and learn with various skill toys like yoyos, kendamas, and spintops. Beginners are very welcome! We always see kids who "have never tried but want to" or "practiced a bit at home but want tips" mastering basic tricks.

Official X Account

[Shizuoka] Fujisan Yoyo Practice Meet

Anyone interested in yoyos or who loves yoyos is welcome! Participation is free, so please feel free to join us!

Official X Account

[Osaka] IZUMI YOYO MEETING

A yoyo meeting in Izumi City, Osaka.
With the concept of "Enjoy yoyo," we aim to create an entry point for practice meets where experts, beginners, and everyone in between can play loosely and interact.
We strive for a gentle world where we can chat, have fun, teach what we can, and learn what we can't!
We also organize projects like freestyle relays played freely with music and group trick challenges.
Please come and play.

Official X Account

#UNBRANDED wants to be the Catalyst

#UNBRANDED has intentionally shed flashy brand names and complex stories. What we want to deliver is the simple deep fun inherent in the yoyo itself. And the warm experience of connection that spreads from a single string transcending generations and backgrounds—connecting just like a hashtag (#). We want to be a "simple entrance" that anyone can pick up without hesitation. That is our starting point.

This #UNWASTED campaign is a small but important step that gives shape to these thoughts. If this special yoyo born from a heart that "cherishes things becomes a catalyst for you to rediscover the joy of yoyoing... Or if it becomes a catalyst for you to meet someone irreplaceable... There would be no greater joy for us. We believe in a future where many smiles and warm connections are born from this humble catalyst.”

FAQ

Q1. I want to participate in the #UNWASTED campaign. What should I do?

Please contact the #UNBRANDED X account or enter via this form. A representative will contact you.

Q2. Can I purchase the #UNWASTED yoyo?

Currently, we do not plan to sell the #UNWASTED yoyos. They are available as loaner samples at cooperating practice meets nationwide. The purpose of this campaign is not to sell products, but to spark new encounters and activate the community through yoyos.

Q3. Is the quality of the #UNWASTED yoyo really okay? Please tell me more about the specific errors and their effect on play.

The #UNWASTED yoyos are units that did not meet our A-Grade (standard product) criteria due to color unevenness or minor scratches during the anodizing process. These visual characteristics do not significantly affect basic performance such as rotation or stability. However, depending on the individual unit, the surface texture may differ slightly from the standard product, or you may feel minute vibrations. While the quality is sufficient for practice, if you have any concerns, please check them in person at a practice meet.

Q4. Is it okay for a yoyo beginner to join a practice meet? What is the atmosphere like?

Yes, absolutely. Many cooperating practice meets welcome beginners with open arms. It is not uncommon for experienced players to kindly offer advice or for you to meet peers at the same level. Referring to the introductions in the Practice Meet List, we recommend you summon a little courage and peek into a meet near you. Most places will warmly welcome you even if you just want to watch. If you are anxious, why not contact the organizer beforehand?