Best Anime Sneakers of All Time

Published April 9, 2024 at 10:58 PM

Contents

Table of Contents

Dragon Ball Z x adidas JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure x Vans Naruto x adidas Yu-Gi-Oh! x adidas One Piece x Puma Demon Slayer x Crocs BAIT x Attack on Titan x adidas Ultraboost Pokemon x Puma Naruto Shippuden x Crocs Sailor Moon x Vans

Anime isn't just niche comics anymore. The Japanese art form has exploded in the last couple of decades, becoming a global phenomenon deeply intertwined with pop culture. And when something goes pop like anime has, the licensed collabs aren't far behind. So, it's no surprise we've seen lots of anime-inspired sneakers paying homage to the greats. Sneaker brands, recognizing the fiery passion of anime fans, have embarked on collaborations that fuse the artistry of Japanese animation with streetwear, resulting in collectible pieces that are as much a statement of fashion as they are of fandom.

The history of anime dates back to the early 20th century, evolving from simple theatrical shorts to the sprawling, diverse medium it is today. Characterized by vivid art, fantastical storylines, and larger-than-life characters, anime covers a wide range of genres, appealing to all ages and demographics. This universality makes anime a rich source of inspiration for designers and brands alike.

Series such as Dragon Ball Z, JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, Naruto, One Piece, Demon Slayer, Attack on Titan, Pokemon, and Sailor Moon have garnered massive international followings and offer a wealth of inspiration for sneaker designs. From the explosive battles of DBZ to the vast adventures of One Piece, each series brings unique flavor to footwear.

Whether you're a sneakerhead, anime enthusiast, or both, this list promises a journey through some of the most innovative and awe-inspiring intersections of anime and footwear.

Dragon Ball Z x adidas

In 2018, Dragon Ball Z’s iconic characters and epic battles were brought to life when adidas partnered with Toei Animation to re-imagine the series' most iconic heroes and villains through a line-up of seven sneakers. Each pair draws inspiration from a character's traits, colors, and story arcs, making them instantly recognizable to fans.

The collection started with sneakers representing the legendary rivalry between Son Goku and Frieza, embodied in the ZX 500 RM and Yung-1 models. These were followed by matchups such as Son Gohan vs. Cell with the Deerupt and Prophere sneakers, and concluded with Vegeta vs. Majin Buu through the Ultra Tech and Kamanda models. The final pieces in the collection paid homage to Shenron the dragon with the EQT Support Mid ADV PK, symbolizing the culmination of the Dragon Ball quest, and the Nizza Hi Oolong and EQT Support Mid ADV PK Super Shenron.

Each of the seven sneakers came in special packaging designed to connect and create collective artwork, much like the spines of the original Dragon Ball magazines.

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure x Vans

JoJo's Bizarre Adventure and Vans teamed up in March 2019 to celebrate the Golden Wind saga with two distinct sneaker styles that pay homage to the series' intricate storytelling.

The collection features the Vans Era Pro and Slip-On models, each infused with details inspired by the characters Giorno Giovanna and Bruno Bucciarati from Golden Wind. The Era Pro dazzles with a velvet upper, showcasing golden embroidered wings at the heel and a heart cutout from the tongue, among other JoJo-inspired elements. On the other hand, the Slip-On opts for a more understated elegance, presenting a clean black-on-white design with gold trim and a unique zip compartment that reveals quotes from the source material.

Both models come packaged in a box that draws inspiration from the anime's Japanese origins and Italian setting.

Naruto x adidas

The Naruto x adidas collection is a tribute to significant narratives within the Naruto series, embodied through unique sneaker designs. Each pair is themed around major arcs, capturing the essence and colors reflective of their respective stories and characters.

Naruto’s sneakers, the adidas Predator 19.1 ADV, evoke his fiery determination against Pain with dynamic gradients. Itachi Haruno's X 19.1 ADV represents her role in The Fourth Ninja War, and Kakashi’s COPA 19.1 TR ADV UltraBoost honors his Anbu legacy. This collection, exclusive to Asia, is a coveted blend of anime culture and streetwear fashion, marking a rare intersection for fans and collectors.

Yu-Gi-Oh! x adidas

The Yu-Gi-Oh! x adidas collaboration merges the nostalgic allure of early-2000s anime with contemporary streetwear, creating a collection that resonates with Yu-Gi-Oh! fans and sneakerheads alike. The Reptossage slide and the ADI2000 sneaker draw inspiration from iconic Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and their signature monster cards.

The Reptossage slides are highlighted by prints of Yugi Motou's Dark Magician and Seto Kaiba's Blue-Eyes White Dragon, the series's two most emblematic Monster Cards. These designs reflect the essence of the collaboration, paying homage to the characters' alter-egos and legendary duels.

Similarly, the ADI2000 sneakers carry the spirit of early-2000s skate shoes, offering fans a choice between the Dark Magician and Blue-Eyes White Dragon themes. Each pair is embellished with details that nod to the Millennium Puzzle and Kaiba Corp., including an Exodia hangtag, creating a rich thread throughout the design. The packaging and insoles further emphasize the Yu-Gi-Oh! motifs, making these sneakers a thoughtful tribute to the series.

One Piece x Puma

Puma and the legendary anime One Piece have partnered multiple times, with the latest partnership in 2024. Drawing inspiration from the powerful Pirate Emperors, each pair of Puma Suedes pays tribute to one of the four emperors: Blackbeard (Marshall D. Teach), Shanks, Fifth Gear Luffy, and Buggy.

The collection sets sail with a pair dedicated to Blackbeard. It features a striking black and gold colorway that echoes the emperor's iconic coat, adorned with the Black Beard Pirates' menacing three-headed skull Jolly Roger on the tongue tag. Chenille-like cloud cutouts along the side nod to Blackbeard's formidable dark powers.

Next, the collection docks with a burgundy sneaker inspired by Emperor Shanks. It integrates his iconic three scars on the heel and the Red Hair Pirates' two-sworded skull Jolly Roger on the tongue, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of Shanks and his crew in a stylish all-suede design.

The journey continues with a sneaker that captures the essence of Luffy's Fifth Gear. This sneaker is a pristine white to reflect his awakened form's white hair. It is adorned with cloud strip detailing and Luffy's Fifth Gear symbol on the suede tongue, celebrating Luffy's transformation.

Finally, a vibrant red suede sneaker honors Buggy, the clown pirate emperor. This design features an ultra-blue stripe from the middle to the heel, symbolizing Buggy's distinctive blue hair, and is finished with Buggy's Star Clown Jolly Roger on the tongue tag, capturing the essence of his quirky and colorful character.

Demon Slayer x Crocs

Tough to beat Crocs in the collabs department, and anime is no exception. Unveiled at New York Comic Con, the Demon Slayer x Crocs collection featured clogs inspired by the series' main characters: Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke, and Zenitsu.

Tanjiro's design reflects his iconic green and black checkered haori. Nezuko's Crocs are adorned with her pink haori print, featuring unique Jibbitz, such as her wooden box and bamboo muzzle. Zenitsu's yellow Crocs highlight his timid yet courageous nature with triangle prints and character-specific Jibbitz like his sword guard and Chuntaro. Inosuke's version stands out in light blue, complemented by Jibbitz that echo his dual serrated blades and bold, confrontational spirit.

BAIT x Attack on Titan x adidas Ultraboost

Retailer BAIT has a long history of bringing anime to sneakers. In 2022, adidas teamed up with BAIT to bring Attack on Titan to life with the iconic adidas Ultraboost. Released to coincide with pivotal episodes of Attack on Titan: The Final Season Part 2, this special edition Ultraboost is inspired by the flesh of the Colossal Titan, blending a dark, blood-red base with bone-colored detailing across its upper. The sneaker features graphic insoles depicting the fierce battle between Eren Yeager and the Colossal Titan, capturing the intense drama of the series.

Pokemon x Puma

Pokémon crafted a vibrant footwear collection with Puma in 2022 inspired by some of the most beloved Pokémon from the Kanto region, paying homage to Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, Gengar, and Squirtle.

The collection showcases the Bulbasaur Rider FV, the Charmander Slipstream, the Squirtle Suede Classic, and two Pikachu-themed shoes – the Pikachu Rider FV and the RS-X. Each shoe incorporates distinct elements and colors representative of their Pokémon, from elemental hues on the heel tabs to Pokémon face graphics across the tongue tabs. Additional touches include Pokédex numbers printed on the inside of the tongues, adding an authentic Pokémon experience to each piece.

Naruto Shippuden x Crocs

The Naruto Shippuden x Crocs collaboration featured designs inspired by Naruto Uzumaki, Kakashi Hatake, Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze, Sasuke, and Itachi, each transformed into vibrant Classic Clogs. These pieces are not just footwear but a wearable tribute to the series, complete with unique Jibbitz charms representing hand signs, weapons, and more, alongside design cues drawn directly from the anime.

The Naruto clog stands out with its orange color, reflecting his iconic outfit, adorned with a metallic silver headband across the front and a unique puffy texture on the sports mode strap. Kakashi's version comes in his signature green with navy accents and Jibbitz of his Anbu face mask and weapons. Additional clogs in the collection pay homage to Naruto's father Minato, his godfather Jiraiya, his rival Sasuke, and the complex character of Itachi, each with details fans will instantly recognize.

Sailor Moon x Vans

The Sailor Moon x Vans collaboration pays tribute to one of the most iconic anime series of all time, Sailor Moon, celebrating its themes of love, justice, and friendship. Launched in June 2022, this collection spans a wide range of footwear, apparel, and accessories, showcasing the beloved characters and elements from the series across iconic Vans styles.

The collection features various women's, men's, and kid's styles inspired by characters from the series, including the Sk8-Hi Stacked that incorporates Sailor Moon's transformation brooch and bow. Additional highlights include slides, Authentics, and Old Skools celebrating the protagonist alongside Tuxedo Mask and fellow Sailor Guardians. Fans of Luna, the titular hero’s talking cat, can also find Slip-Ons made in her image. In total, there are 12 different sneakers, including the Sailor Moon x Vans Sk8-Hi, Sailor Moon x Vans Authentic, Sailor Moon x Vans Skate Slip-on, Sailor Moon x Sk8-Hi Mysterioso, Sailor Moon x Vans The Lizzie Sailor White, Sailor Moon x Vans La Costa Slide-On, Sailor Moon x Vans Old Skool Patchwork, Sailor Moon x Vans Skate Old Skool Sailor Black, Sailor Moon x Vans Old Skool Parisian Night, and the Sailor Moon x Slip-On Comfy Cush.