Charlotte Hornets go full anime for 2025-26 NBA schedule release
The NBA’s schedule drop isn’t just for logistics — it’s a full-on social media arms race.
The Charlotte Hornets lit up X Wednesday afternoon with an anime-inspired video titled “A New Era,” transforming LaMelo Ball, Kon Knueppel and prominent members of their new-look roster into superpowered manga heroes blasting energy beams across a futuristic Queen City.
An animated Brandon Miller wearing teal shorts and a cape with his No. 24 dunks a basketball on a yellow robot that initially showed up as a taxi — indicating Charlotte’s matchup with the New York Knicks on Nov. 26 — and then proceeds to launch a basketball at a hawk that symbolizes their Dec. 18 date with Atlanta.
“Schedule Storm Rolling In” appears on-screen at the beginning, when the backs of Tidjane Salaün, Miles Bridges, Liam McNeeley, Ball, Kneuppel and Miller gaze at an inventive Spectrum Center. Key matchups continue flashing by in the chaos, including Bridges — flying through the air with wings resembling a hornet — appearing to take down the Golden Gate Bridge to show their game against the Warriors, and then extinguishes the fire to resemble their March 6 matchup against the Miami Heat.
Every NBA account turned Thursday’s schedule unveiling into a showcase of creativity, humor and viral ambition. Here are the five of the best releases that won the internet Thursday afternoon:
