This October, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has taken a creative leap, joining forces with popular local boba shop Yifang to roll out a special anime-themed collaboration. Centered on BART’s popular anime mascots—Baylee, Nimbus, Jasmine, and Mira—the partnership merges art, culture, and community in a way that brings fresh energy to Bay Area transit.
Thirty local artists, selected from nearly 500 applicants, have contributed to bringing BART’s anime characters to life. The artwork includes exclusive designs on merchandise like lanyards, stickers, and collector’s items, with local Bay Area artist Christine Tengco (aka Rumikuu) leading the charge on the signature cup sleeves. Tengco’s miniaturized anime characters, complete with tea and boba in their design, highlight her unique artistic style, which she describes as “cute and simplified.”
The collaboration launched on October 16 across Yifang locations near BART stations, including popular spots in San Francisco’s Chinatown, UC Berkeley, and Downtown Walnut Creek. Fans can snag exclusive cup sleeves, character-themed stickers, and enjoy themed drinks inspired by each character. Themed drink options have already become popular, with choices like the Jasmine Matcha—matcha tea paired with brown sugar boba pearls—drawing fans.
“Our online anime merchandise has been a big hit, and we wanted to expand this collaboration with in-person events,” said BART Chief Communications Officer Alicia Trost. The campaign is inspired by the success of anime mascots for train systems in Japan and Taiwan, a trend that’s highly relatable in the Bay Area, where anime culture has a strong presence across generations.
The Yifang pop-up in Berkeley drew dozens of college students and East Bay residents, with Tengco herself receiving an outpouring of support online. “Seeing my art on the cup sleeves and being recognized has been such a rewarding experience,” Tengco shared. A digital illustrator with a decade of experience, Tengco started working with BART two years ago and has seen her style evolve to stand out in the Bay Area art scene.
Read more:
