One Piece is taking over the Air Max Plus
Anime and sneaker culture have been getting closer for years, but Nike’s latest collaboration puts one of the world’s biggest manga franchises directly onto one of its most recognisable silhouettes.
The Nike x One Piece collection launches globally on 25 September after beginning with pop-up and retail experiences in Tokyo earlier this month.
The shoes are inspired by Devil Fruits
Instead of simply printing Luffy across a standard trainer, Nike has taken inspiration from the Devil Fruits that give characters their extraordinary powers.
There are three different Air Max Plus expressions in the collection, each translating elements of the One Piece world into the shoe itself. That makes the collaboration particularly interesting for older children and teens who want something connected to the series without wearing an obvious cartoon character across the side of their trainer.
There is clothing too
The collection extends into jerseys, T-shirts, caps and a vest. Some of the apparel uses actual manga panels, alongside a special Nike and One Piece collaboration logo.
That combination gives fans several ways into the collection. The trainers are likely to attract the most sneaker attention, but the clothing may be the more accessible option for younger fans who simply want to wear something connected to One Piece.
Why parents may hear about this drop
One Piece now spans manga, anime and live action, which means its audience covers a huge age range. For older kids who are becoming interested in trainers and streetwear, a Nike collaboration can carry considerably more playground status than conventional licensed merchandise.
With the global launch happening tomorrow, this is also one of those releases where interested families may want to look early rather than assuming every style will remain readily available.
