Basketball star Zion Williamson who is represented by the Jordan brand has once again collaborated with the popular anime series Naruto to release an Air Jordan basketball shoe inspired by the series. The sneaker is based on the Air Jordan 37 and is the sequel to the first sneaker, Zion 1 x Naruto. This particular sneaker will have a deeper look into the themes from the anime series as Zion Williamson is a long-time fan of the show.
The color of the sneaker is blue, which represents Naruto’s Rasengan, a ball of chakra that can decimate anything. As for the tongue of the sneaker, the front represents the headband badge that derives from the anime series, while the back of the tongue has the word Naruto’s slogan, “Believe It” in English and in Japanese on each pair. Additionally, the top of the tongue has Naurto’s hairstyle and hair color. One more unique design that the shoe has is the insole, which has the graphic of the Rasengan. The sneaker is set to release on February 20th.
Image Credit: Nike
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Anime-themed Sneakers
- The popularity of anime culture extends beyond traditional merchandise and into fashion, creating an opportunity for sneaker companies to collaborate with popular anime franchises.
- Athlete-inspired Sneakers
- Sneaker brands can leverage the popularity of athletes, who have a strong fan base, to gain visibility and create unique products that cater to both the athlete and fan markets.
- Pop Culture Merchandise Continues to Thrive
- As fandoms grow larger and expand into mainstream culture, there is still a significant demand for pop culture merchandise that appeals to a specific group of enthusiasts.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Sports Apparel
- Collaborations between sports apparel brands and popular anime franchises create a unique opportunity for brands to produce limited edition and collectible products that appeal to a niche audience.
- Athletic Footwear
- Athletic footwear companies can leverage collaborations with athletes and pop culture franchises to create unique products that appeal to both the athlete and fan markets.
- Anime Merchandise
- As anime and pop culture continue to gain mainstream popularity, there is a growing market for unique merchandise that appeals to fans of various anime franchises.
