[Editor's Picks] YASAKA 'MYTH EXTRA OFFENSIVE' The legendary 5-ply blade gets a refresh. It’s up to you to weave a new “Myth”

The legendary 5-ply blade gets a refresh. It’s up to you to weave a new “Myth”

　Even if the name “Myth” doesn’t ring a bell, once you hear “Extra Offensive,” anyone familiar with rackets will know exactly what it is.

　YASAKA’s MYTH series of offensive rackets, newly released in March 2026, is a refresh of the long-popular Marlin series. When news broke that YASAKA’s contract with Ma Lin (China) had expired, users worried that the rackets might also be discontinued, but four rackets, excluding the “Hard Carbon,” have now been released with a new look.

　The “MYTH EXTRA OFFENSIVE” introduced here is a 5-ply blade. Five-ply blades are usually associated with a focus on Control, but this “Extra Offensive” uses a harder walnut outer ply. This unique blade, which combines not only Control but also power, has earned unwavering support from users. As for the rubbers paired with it, it is a proven match not only for today’s mainstream spin-type tension and tacky tension, but also for Chinese tacky rubbers.

　The refresh also changed the grip material. Until now it had a slightly rough feel, but now it has a smooth finish that seems to cling to the hand, giving you the sensation of something you’ve used and grown used to for years, even the first time you hold it.

　According to Shun Yaoita of YASAKA, some table tennis specialty shops recommend this “Extra Offensive” to beginners, saying, “You can use it for a long time while changing rubbers.” Although it’s a racket with a proven track record around the world, one of its great strengths is that beginners can use it if they pair it with a less bouncy rubber. Rather than starting with a beginner racket and then buying a second one later, you can use this one steadily over time and build up your feel.

　What the name “MYTH” means is not just the tradition built in the past, but also the story that is newly woven from here. If you want to paint your own success story on the table, this is the kind of reliable partner that will have your back.

YASAKA
MYTH EXTRA OFFENSIVE

●Offensive racket　
●5-ply wood　●Grip: FL・ST・Penhold
●Thickness: 6.0 mm　●Blade size: 157 × 151 mm　●Average weight: 85 g