Brands like Number (N)ine: 7 alternatives, from closest to broadest

The closest matches to Number (N)ine, in our view, are NEIGHBORHOOD, WACKO MARIA and Mastermind Japan: Tokyo labels with dark, graphic, music-referencing clothing. Highsnobiety says Takahiro Miyashita launched Number (N)ine in 1997, while its 2026 article refers to a 1996 debut. Hypebeast and Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo date NEIGHBORHOOD to 1994, and Rakuten dates Mastermind Japan to 1997.

Which Number (N)ine you mean matters. Hypebeast reported in February 2009 that the label was ending, Highsnobiety says Miyashita sold it in 2010 and that new owners revived it, and Hypebeast reported in September 2025 that he was returning to the creative helm. Highsnobiety says the new label is called Number (N)ine by Takahiro Miyashita because he sold the original name. The picks below suit either, and we have sorted them by how much they overlap.

Last verified · 44 sources checked · how we chose

The short answer

  • Closest overall

    NEIGHBORHOOD

    Highsnobiety says it took elements of biker and rock & roll culture to create a blacked-out, skull-adorned streetwear brand.

  • Music-first Tokyo label

    WACKO MARIA

    HBX says music is at the core of its work.

  • Skull motif, thinner record

    Mastermind Japan

    Maxfield LA calls its skull and crossbones motif signature.

  • Hand-finished vintage look

    Saint Michael

    Hosokawa told Hypebeast it is a vintage-like brand, made in Japan.

  • Luxury, symbol-led

    Chrome Hearts

    Wikipedia lists a Rolling Stones collaboration in 2002.

  • Punk-leaning, from Seoul

    Thug Club

    Sneaker Freaker describes punk-tinged, horror-inspired black leather and metal detailing.

  • Grunge and punk graphics

    Pleasures

    HBX says its inspirations are 1990s grunge and rock record sleeves.

What 'like Number (N)ine' usually means

In our view, alternatives usually offer one or more of three things: the look (skull and dark graphics, a rock or grunge lean), the Tokyo designer-label story, or a similar price tier. Few brands deliver all of them.

Highsnobiety says the original label's famously grungy tees include skull graphics, and that it evolved from a graphic-heavy affair to elegant, influential runway shows. It says the name was inspired by the Beatles track Revolution 9. Hypebeast quoted Hint Magazine in 2009 calling it a Tokyo-based, Paris-showing men's label.

We found no current price list for the original label. The relaunch's own site listed US-dollar prices for items that were all sold out when we checked in October 2026, with no date on the page: 'BACK, I MISSED YOU.' at $168.80, 'Patti.' at $245.10 and 'Ian.' at $270.20, but also 'Timberland.' at $761.40 and 'Daydreaming.' at $3,045.30. Hypebeast gave the relaunch tees as ¥22,000 to ¥35,200. Because those listings are sold out and undated, and the alternatives list different items and currencies, the price notes below say 'no like-for-like price' unless they show a real match.

7 brands like Number (N)ine, ranked by how close they get

  1. #1 · $$–$$$$

    NEIGHBORHOOD logo

    NEIGHBORHOOD

    1994Tokyo, Japan

    The closest match in our view. Hypebeast says Shinsuke Takizawa resigned from the Major Force label in 1994 to launch NEIGHBORHOOD, and Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo lists 1994 as the year it was established.

    What it shares

    • A Tokyo label from the 1990s: Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo gives 1994 for NEIGHBORHOOD, and Highsnobiety gives 1997 for Number (N)ine
    • Dark, skull-led graphics: Highsnobiety says NEIGHBORHOOD took elements of American military, biker and rock & roll culture and built a blacked-out, skull-adorned streetwear brand, and says the original Number (N)ine's tees include skull graphics
    • Graphic tees as a staple: Harresoe's chronicle names graphic tees among NEIGHBORHOOD's signature pieces, and the relaunch sold a T-shirt capsule through its official website

    Where it differs

    • Hypebeast describes Takizawa as a motorcycle enthusiast who created the label to fill a gap in the market, aiming at high-quality, technical motorcycle apparel
    • Number (N)ine was reported ending in 2009 and sold in 2010, so there are original-era and relaunch versions of it; the NEIGHBORHOOD sources we opened describe no such break
    Price vs Number (N)ine
    No like-for-like price. END.'s US site listed a Pigment Dyed Logo T-Shirt at $125 (checked October 2026); the relaunch's tees were all sold out on an undated page, so we cannot set a price against it.
    Best for
    The nearest Tokyo equivalent in look, with skull graphics and rock references, from a label founded in 1994.

    Pigment-dyed logo tee $125 (END., Oct 2026) · Staple logo zip hoodie $245 (END., Oct 2026) · Zip work jacket $299 (END., Oct 2026)

  2. #2 · $$$–$$$$

    Wacko Maria logo

    Wacko Maria

    2005Tokyo, Japan

    Slam Jam says WACKO MARIA was founded in 2005 by retired J-League footballers Keiji Ishizuka and Atsuhiko Mori, which on the dates given makes it a younger Tokyo label than Number (N)ine.

    What it shares

    • A Tokyo label with a music link: HBX says music is placed at the core of its work, and Highsnobiety says Number (N)ine's name was inspired by a Beatles track
    • A rock lean in the look: END. says its AW21 collection leaned into a bold rock 'n' roll aesthetic, and Highsnobiety describes the original Number (N)ine's tees as famously grungy
    • Graphics tied to music: Hypebeast said the faded graphics on the 2009 Rock & Shake hoodie referenced music and Latino Catholic culture; Highsnobiety says Number (N)ine's tees include skull graphics

    Where it differs

    • END. lists patterns from psychedelic spider's webs to leopard print, and Hypebeast names Hawaiian shirts and souvenir jackets as signature staples
    • Slam Jam says the founders were retired footballers, where Number (N)ine was launched by Miyashita
    Price vs Number (N)ine
    No like-for-like price. HBX listed the UFC heavyweight full-zip hoodie at £215 regular and £130 on sale (checked October 2026); the relaunch's own site lists dollars on sold-out tees.
    Best for
    A Tokyo label built around music and rock references, with a wider mix of prints.

    UFC heavyweight zip hoodie £215 (£130 sale) (HBX, Oct 2026) · Silver Nude Ring €205 (€172.27 net plus 19% German VAT, shipping extra) (Firmament, Oct 2026)

  3. #3 · $$$–$$$$$

    Mastermind logo

    Mastermind

    1997Tokyo, Japan

    Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo says designer Masaaki Homma established Mastermind Japan in 1997, the same year Highsnobiety's interview gives for Number (N)ine. Our data on this label is thin: three sources and no brand profile.

    What it shares

    • The skull: Maxfield LA calls Mastermind Japan's skull and crossbones motif signature, and Highsnobiety says the original Number (N)ine's tees include skull graphics
    • A Tokyo origin and a 1990s start: Rakuten calls it a Tokyo brand established in 1997, and Hypebeast calls Number (N)ine a Tokyo-based label

    Where it differs

    • A 2011 Rakuten interview with Homma says the brand will stop after its Spring/Summer 2013 collection; that page does not say what happened afterwards, and HBX was still listing a Mastermind Japan tee in October 2026
    • HBX says the Will Never Die tee is crafted in Japan from premium cotton jersey with iconic skull and logo prints, and listed it at £447
    Price vs Number (N)ine
    No like-for-like price. HBX listed the Will Never Die tee at £447 in pounds (checked October 2026), and the relaunch's tees are listed in dollars on a sold-out, undated page; we did not convert between them.
    Best for
    The skull-led Tokyo look, if you accept a thin source base.

    Will Never Die short-sleeve tee £447 (HBX, Oct 2026)

  4. #4 · $$$$–$$$$$

    S

    Saint Mxxxxxx

    2020Japan

    Hypebeast presents Yuta Hosokawa, who launched READYMADE in 2013, and Los Angeles artist Cali Thornhill DeWitt as the people behind Saint Michael, and HBX's Japanese page says it was established in January 2020.

    What it shares

    • A Japan-made, distressed look: Hosokawa told Hypebeast it is a vintage-like brand, everything is painted by hand and it is all made in Japan
    • Dark, punk-referencing graphics: Highsnobiety says the distressed finish dovetails with DeWitt's religious iconography and off-the-wall punk scrawls; Highsnobiety describes the original Number (N)ine's tees as grungy, with skull graphics

    Where it differs

    • A far newer label, established in January 2020 per HBX's Japanese page, run by a team Hosokawa said is only three or four people
    • We found no brand-operated store; the product pages we opened were on retailers including Maxfield LA and Feature
    Price vs Number (N)ine
    No like-for-like price. Maxfield LA listed the Saint Love T-shirt at a sale price of $400 and the Saint Means T-shirt at $510, with the currency not labelled and no date (checked October 2026); the relaunch's tees are on a sold-out, undated page.
    Best for
    Hand-finished, vintage-style graphics made in Japan, bought through retailers.

    Saint Love T-shirt, sale price $400 (Maxfield LA, undated, currency not labelled, checked Oct 2026) · Saint Means T-shirt, sale price $510 (Maxfield LA, undated, currency not labelled, checked Oct 2026) · Saint Logo hoodie (grey), sold out £325 (was £458) (HBX, undated page, checked Oct 2026)

  5. #5 · $$$$$

    Chrome Hearts logo

    Chrome Hearts

    1988Los Angeles, United States

    Wikipedia says Chrome Hearts was founded in Los Angeles in 1988 by Richard Stark, Leonard Kamhout and John Bowman. It is the luxury, symbol-led end of this list rather than a close stylistic match.

    What it shares

    • Symbol-led dark graphics: Chrome Hearts' logo is a cross with the brand name on a circular ribbon, and Highsnobiety says the original Number (N)ine's tees include skull graphics
    • Music references: Wikipedia lists a Rolling Stones collaboration in 2002, and Highsnobiety says Number (N)ine's name was inspired by a Beatles track

    Where it differs

    • Wikipedia says Chrome Hearts primarily produces silver, gold and diamond accessories alongside apparel and other goods; the Number (N)ine sources we opened focus on clothing
    • Access is limited: Coveteur reported in June 2026 that boutiques are by appointment and online drops happen only a handful of times a year
    Price vs Number (N)ine
    No like-for-like price. The only recent retail anchor we found was a '1988' hoodie offered as a web-store pre-order at $550 in April 2024; the relaunch has no hoodie price on its sold-out, undated page.
    Best for
    Symbol-led luxury with a rock heritage, if you want silver and leather rather than graphic tees.

    '1988' hoodie, web-store pre-order $550 (April 2024) · Denim adorned with leather crosses $1,750 (Complex, July 2020)

  6. #6 · $$$–$$$$$

    T

    Thug Club

    2018Seoul, South Korea

    HBX describes Yeong Min Cho, known as Thug Min, as the label's brainchild and co-founder, and says it first launched in 2018.

    What it shares

    • A punk-leaning, dark look: Sneaker Freaker describes punk-tinged, horror-inspired black leather and metal detailing, and Highsnobiety describes the original Number (N)ine as grungy and skull-graphic

    Where it differs

    • A newer label: HBX says it first launched in 2018, and Highxtar says it draws on the hip-hop and biker culture of Itaewon
    • HBX says its slogan boxers went viral in 2021, and Complex says its pieces take inspiration from military wear and workwear with a punk twist
    Price vs Number (N)ine
    No like-for-like price. END. (US) listed the Two Face Dirt hoodie at $355 and the Skull Stitch ripped denim pants at $679 (checked October 2026); the relaunch's own site has no hoodie price on its sold-out, undated page.
    Best for
    A punk-leaning label with a dark look.

    Two Face Dirt hoodie $355 (END., Oct 2026) · Skull Stitch ripped denim pants $679 (END., Oct 2026) · Jamong two-tone washed MA-1 jacket $885 (END., Oct 2026)

  7. #7 · $$–$$$

    P

    Pleasures

    2015Los Angeles, United States

    TITLE describes Pleasures as a Los Angeles streetwear brand founded by Alex James in 2015; in our view it is the most graphic-tee-led pick on this list.

    What it shares

    • Grunge, punk and rock graphics: HBX says its inspirations are 1990s grunge and rock record sleeves and that its pieces reference 1990s punk subculture; Highsnobiety describes the original Number (N)ine's tees as famously grungy

    Where it differs

    • A Los Angeles brand from 2015 with no Japanese link in the sources we opened
    • Sold through retailers including Slam Jam, West NYC and Foot District; we found no brand-owned shop
    Price vs Number (N)ine
    No like-for-like price. West NYC listed the Crash heavyweight shirt at $69.95 regular ($39.99 sale) and the reflective track jacket at $139.95 regular ($49.99 sale), with no date (checked October 2026). On those figures it is lower than the relaunch's $168.80 tee, but that tee's listing was sold out and undated and the shirts differ, so we do not treat it as a match.
    Best for
    Grunge- and punk-referencing graphics at a lower listed price, if you do not need a Japanese label.

    Crash heavyweight shirt $69.95 regular ($39.99 sale) (West NYC, Oct 2026) · Reflective track jacket $139.95 regular ($49.99 sale) (West NYC, Oct 2026)

At a glance

Brand From Price tier vs Number (N)ine Known for
Number (N)ine Tokyo $$–$$$ — Skull graphics, Miyashita's 2025 return
NEIGHBORHOOD Tokyo $$–$$$$ No like-for-like price Skull graphics, biker and rock culture
WACKO MARIA Tokyo $$$–$$$$ No like-for-like price Music-led collections, leopard prints
Mastermind Japan Tokyo $$$–$$$$$ No like-for-like price Skull and crossbones motif, Made in Japan
Saint Michael Osaka / Los Angeles $$$$–$$$$$ No like-for-like price Hand-painted vintage-style pieces
Chrome Hearts Los Angeles $$$$$ No like-for-like price Silver, leather, cross logo
Thug Club Seoul $$$–$$$$$ No like-for-like price Slogan boxers, punk-tinged leather and denim
Pleasures Los Angeles $$–$$$ No like-for-like price Grunge and punk graphics, collaborations

Price tiers use the directory's $–$$$$$ scale and describe typical retail positioning, not exact prices.

A note on dupes and replicas

We don't list replicas. The relaunched Number (N)ine by Takahiro Miyashita sells through numberninebytakahiromiyashita.com, and Hypebeast says the Supreme x Number (N)ine capsule was produced by Supreme with Kooks Co. Japan, independently of Miyashita's current brand. That distinction between collaborations is worth knowing before you buy. We found no source on how Number (N)ine handles counterfeits, so we make no claim about it.

A genuine alternative is a different brand with its own designs. The picks above were chosen on that basis: each is a separate brand selling under its own name.

What is a legit check?

Frequently asked questions

What are the best brands like Number (N)ine?

In our assessment, NEIGHBORHOOD, WACKO MARIA and Mastermind Japan come closest: Tokyo labels with dark, graphic or music-referencing clothing. Saint Michael, Thug Club and Pleasures are picks if you want a hand-finished, punk-leaning or graphic alternative.

Are there cheaper brands like Number (N)ine?

Possibly, but we could not show a clear case. The relaunch's tees were sold out on an undated page in October 2026, and the alternatives list different items and currencies. Pleasures' listed regular price for a heavyweight shirt was $69.95 at West NYC, but that is not like-for-like.

Who founded Number (N)ine?

Takahiro Miyashita. Highsnobiety says he launched it in 1997, and its 2026 article refers to a 1996 debut.

Did Number (N)ine close?

Hypebeast reported in February 2009 that the brand was ending; Highsnobiety says new owners later revived it, and Miyashita announced his return in September 2025.

Is there a Number (N)ine dupe?

We don't list replicas. Each brand on this page sells under its own name; we do not list replica sellers.

Where can you buy Number (N)ine?

The relaunch sells through numberninebytakahiromiyashita.com, where everything we saw was sold out in October 2026. Hypebeast says the relaunch T-shirt capsule was sold through the official website with international shipping and names no retail stockists.

How we chose these brands

We shortlisted seven brands from the directory whose story, look or craft style overlaps with Number (N)ine, using only brands whose research records we have completed. Facts such as founding, ownership and prices come from the numbered sources in each brand's research record, opened and checked in October 2026, and the page text was then checked against them by an independent pass. Rankings, 'what it shares' and 'best for' are our editorial judgement: no reputable source we found compares most of these brands to Number (N)ine directly. Price comparisons are like for like only where the garment, currency and listing type are comparable; otherwise we say so, and the relaunch's listings were sold out and undated. Our record for Mastermind Japan is thinner than for the other picks. Prices are single snapshots from retailers and brand sites and will change.

Sources

← Back to Number (N)ine