Matt Varga There’s never been a better time to be at the intersection of anime and sneakers. That’s particularly true when it comes to the Naruto fanbase; we’ve gotten some sort of collab fare on a yearly basis across multiple brands. 2022 was really when the floodgates opened, as Zion Williamson’s first signature shoe took to the show’s imagery before the ASICS GEL-Lyte III fired back about a month later. In subsequent years, more from the Pelicans star, as well as steps by Crocs and Converse, have added options for the totemic series.
The All-Star company is now adding its own second chapter, as news of a Converse Japan x Naruto Shippuden capsule hits the newswire. It comes less than a year after the US market saw the aforementioned series and, in many ways, mirrors the aesthetics we saw there. The Converse All-Star Hi and Lo appear in two and four colorways, respectively, faithfully adapting show-accurate hallmarks. The Hi cut gets the more expressive end of the equation, as Itachi’s red and black cape and the Hokage cloak lend their patterns to the iconic sneaker’s upper. On a more low-key note, the All-Star Ox adapts the main cast’s palettes and prints clan-specific emblems on the heel: Hatake, Haruno, Itachi, and Naruto himself get that treatment.
We’ll attach the obligatory disclaimer before getting into launch details; Converse JP operates as a distinct entity from the Nike-owned counterpart here in the States. In other words, don’t hold your breath for a US release. For those in the correct market, the Naruto Shippuden x Converse collection will release on February 20th via Converse and select partnering retailers like atmos.
