Sneaker giant Nike just dropped a bombshell! They're teaming up with the legendary anime "Yu-Gi-Oh!" for a killer collab: the Air Max 95 QS YGO. These kicks are inspired by the iconic "Air Muscle" sneakers worn by none other than Joey Wheeler in the series. And get this: there are two colorways dropping – a global "Joey" edition and a Japan-exclusive "Jonouchi" version.
The inspiration for this epic crossover comes straight from Volume 2 of the "Yu-Gi-Oh!" manga, specifically the "Poisonous Man" arc. That's where the super rare, high-priced AIR MUSCLE sneakers made their debut. In a classic scene, Joey snags them for half price (50,000 yen!) only to have them swiped by the infamous "Air Muscle Hunting Gang." But don't worry, he gets them back and rocks those kicks throughout the series, even during intense duels!
Fun fact: the in-manga "AIR MUSCLE" was a direct homage to Nike's iconic high-tech running shoe of its time, the Air Max 95. Despite being a running shoe, it featured visible Air units in both the front and back. Its futuristic design and functional aesthetics made it a legendary, highly sought-after sneaker back in the day.
Now, Nike is officially bringing that manga magic to life, using the "AIR MUSCLE" name for a truly inspired release. Again, two colorways: the global "Joey" edition and the Japan-exclusive "Jonouchi" version.
▼ The "Joey" Colorway (Global Release)
This version rocks various shades of blue, echoing Joey's signature anime outfit. The upper panels and lace loops are packed with original manga art details. The tongue logo gets a sweet "AIR MUSCLE" makeover, and the upper even features faux scratch marks, a nod to the manga's storyline. The forefoot Air unit is subtly hidden, the sole sports the "Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters" logo, and the heel rocks card-series-style graphics. Inside, the insole is emblazoned with the word "Friendship" and features an awesome illustration of Joey alongside his ace monster, Red-Eyes Black Dragon!
▼ The "Jonouchi" Colorway (Japan Exclusive)
This Japan-exclusive comes in a sleek black and grayscale palette. It keeps all the cool details found in the Joey version while blending the early manga and anime art vibe with a modern design twist.
Both sneakers come in a special Nike x "Yu-Gi-Oh!" limited edition box and include an exclusive collaboration card. This marks the first time KONAMI has teamed up with Nike to produce official trading cards – a true collector's item! The suggested retail price is 27,060 JPY.
Nike Japan announced an early release at the "House of Duel – Domi-no Town Duel Game Hall" event in Tokyo, running from September 5th to 7th, 2025, via a pre-lottery system. The Japan-exclusive version will hit select Nike stores in Japan starting September 12th, and the global edition will also drop on the same day at various retailers worldwide.
via： UP TO DATE 日本 Nike 官網