Anime and sneakers have proven for years now to be an unstoppable collaborative force. Despite the hits-and-misses, there are standout pairs that just really work. We decided to rank the top anime-inspired kicks, from good to best, to save you time on your next shoe shopping spree.
Vegeta PG1
Those iconic Vegeta eyes, the trails of lighting, and the glowing Swoosh—what’s not to love about these customs? You better believe that these Nike sneaks helped Golden State Warriors’ Jordan Bell reach level 9000.
Luffy Air Max Dominate
Without going overboard on design, sneaker artist Kickstradomis installed Rudy Gobert’s fave One Piece character into some Nikes. Helps a lot that it’s the perfect color for the Utah Jazz’s city jerseys.
Frieza adidas Yung 1
Is it just us or does the Yung 1 perfectly capture the look of Frieza? The character’s iconic purple and gray perfectly accents the sneaker’s white form. And that pink patch in the middle is a rather striking touch.
Naruto PG2
Naruto on one side, Sasuke on the other! The only thing left is a Sakura-themed headband, and you’re good to go. Surprisingly, the orange and the purple blend perfectly without looking too Halloween-ish. If you’re a fan of this anime, this pair is a must-have.
Skechers D’Lites 2 - One Piece
This Skechers x One Piece collaboration has a staggering six-piece collection, with each colorway is based on a character. The list includes Luffy, Sangji, Law, Zoro, Chopper, and Doflamingo. We know you want to buy them all!
Evangelion x New Balance Fresh Foam Cruz YS2
Decked out in the colors of both Eva 02 and Eva 08, this fresh New Balance pair is pink on one foot and red on the other. Remember the late 2000s when you wore different color Chucks for each foot? This is kinda like that, but cooler and more otaku.
Goku adidas ZX 500 RM
Orange and blue are usually quite tricky to pull off, but they certainly work for this adidas pair inspired by Goku. The extra detail on those distressed stripes just reminds you of all the times Goku had his shirt torn off during battles. Ah, nostalgia trip coming.
Majin Buu adidas Kamanda
Majin Buu’s Kamanda’s are full of details about the character—from his signature “M” emblem on the heel to “Mr. Satan” inscribed underneath each tongue. Fans of this sinister villain will surely devour these kicks.
Slam Dunk Air Jordan 6
Naturally, the perfect anime basketball shoe is a collaboration between the most famous of basketball-themed anime and the most iconic of basketball shoes—Slam Dunk and Air Jordans. The subtle red details and perfect white-and-black accents make this a pair you’d wear even for athleisure. Sometimes, simplicity makes all the difference.
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