🛹 Osaka Daggers: Japan’s Freestyle Skateboarding Rebels

In the heart of Osaka, Japan, a skateboarding movement emerged that would defy convention, embrace creativity, and redefine what it means to ride. The Osaka Daggers are not just a skate crew—they’re a cultural force, a philosophy, and a living testament to skateboarding as pure artistic expression.

🌱 Origins: Where It All Began

The Osaka Daggers began in the early 2000s, founded by a charismatic and visionary skater known as Chopper. Based in Triangle Park, a gritty and iconic skate spot in Osaka, the crew formed organically around a shared love for DIY skateboarding, punk aesthetics, and radical self-expression. Unlike traditional skate teams focused on competition and sponsorships, the Daggers were—and still are—about community, creativity, and rebellion.

🎨 What Makes Them Notable?

The Osaka Daggers are known for their freestyle street skating, which blends elements of old-school tricks, dance-like movements, and improvisation. They reject the rigid norms of modern skateboarding—no stair counts, no flip-in-flip-out obsession, no points or scores. Instead, they treat skateboarding as an art form, a way to express individuality and joy.

Here’s what sets them apart:

• Triangle Park: Their home base, a legendary spot that’s become a pilgrimage site for skaters worldwide.

• DIY Culture: From screen-printing their own gear to building custom obstacles, they embody the punk ethos.

• Global Recognition: Featured in documentaries, Olympic content, and skate films like Video Nasty by Heroin Skateboards.

• Style Over Stats: Their skating is raw, expressive, and often surreal—more performance art than sport.

🧑🎤 Crew and Sponsorships

While not a traditional company with a rigid sponsorship structure, the Osaka Daggers have collaborated with brands like Heroin Skateboards and Spotaka, and individual members have gained cult followings. Key figures include:

• Chopper: The founder and spiritual leader of the crew.

• Dal the Handsome: Known for his eccentric style and fearless tricks, even into his 50s.

• Ben Koppl: A freestyle skater who’s worked with the Daggers on various projects.

Rather than sponsoring in the conventional sense, the Daggers uplift skaters through collaboration, mentorship, and shared creative projects.

🔥 What Are They Up To Now?

The Osaka Daggers are still going strong. Their activities include:

• Skate Events: Participating in festivals like 橋の下世界音楽祭 (Under the Bridge World Music Festival), where they blend skating with music and performance.

• YouTube Channel: Regular uploads of skate sessions, birthday trick challenges, and DIY tutorials.

• Collaborations: Working with artists, musicians, and brands to push the boundaries of skate culture.

• Community Building: Hosting beginner sessions, supporting older skaters, and keeping Triangle Park alive as a creative hub.

The Osaka Daggers aren’t just skating—they’re storytelling, resisting, and celebrating life on four wheels. If you ever find yourself in Osaka, head to Triangle Park. You might just witness a gazelle flip at a birthday party or a 50-meter manual challenge by a skater in his 50s. And if you’re lucky, you’ll catch Chopper and the crew redefining what it means to skate—one trick at a time.

CHOPPER AND THE OSAKA DAGGERS TRIANGLE PARK PART FOR THE BERRICS 2013

the osaka daggers and chopper

Meet One Of The Most Unique Skate Crews In Japan | SKATE TALES Ep 6