Sparks are sure to fly every time anime meets sneaker culture. With anime becoming ever more popular in mainstream culture, we are seeing such collaborations more often. For a lot of us millennials, Yu-Gi-oh! was among those classic introductory anime alongside the likes of Pokemon, Naruto and Dragon Ball Z. The adidas Originals x Yu-Gi-Oh! Adi2000 hits all the right notes and looks nailed on to be an instant classic.
As such, the fond memories and nostalgia mean any collaboration between some of our favourite fashion brands and anime shows will always have a soft spot in our hearts. We all love these collaborations and celebrate each and every time one drops. adidas is no stranger or even a novice when it comes to collaborations. In fact, the adidas Originals x Yu-Gi-Oh! Adi2000 follows hot on the heels of the August 2022 Yu-Gi-Oh! Reptossage Hook-and-Loop slides release. adidas sees this as the perfect collaboration, marrying the2000s inspired Adi2000 with the anime show that rose to prominence in the early 2000s.
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Design And Comfort
The iconic pharaoh Yami Yugi is the muse and inspiration for this latest iteration of the adidas Originals Adi2000.
The adidas Originals x Yu-Gi-Oh! Adi2000 features a black leather upper, contrasting gold stripes, purple accents, and pink details. This is a homage to the legendary pharaoh Yami Yugi’s signature, unmistakable attire.
With each pair, the buyer also gets Millennium Item lace jewels, the last piece of Exodia hangtag, and a limited co-branded Dark Magician card. Additionally, the adidas Originals x Yu-Gi-Oh! Adi2000 also features references to the Millenium Puzzle on the dubrae and the packaging. If none of that made sense to you, don’t worry too much about it. These details may mean very little to you but will mean the world to hardcore Yu-Gi-Oh! fan. If nothing else though, these minor yet significant details add a style and flavour to the silhouette that gives it a unique look and feel.
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Appeal and Audience
The adidas Originals x Yu-Gi-Oh! Adi2000 will undoubtedly appeal to lovers of the Yu-Gi-Oh! Anime series all over the globe. Moreover, the adidas Originals Adi2000 is a well-loved and highly popular silhouette that I believe will crossover and appeal to non-anime fans as well.
The adidas Originals x Yu-Gi-Oh! Adi2000 is a great-looking sneaker, and its minimalistic aesthetic lends itself to a diverse audience. Many will have some very fond memories of Yugi/Yami and co. on all their numerous adventures and iconic battles. This collaboration is borne of blissful reminiscence, a kickback to the good old days planted in front of the tv, absolutely glued to the screen.
If you weren’t one of those, then perhaps these sneakers bring you and others along as a crop of new viewers to this iconic franchise. After all, is that not what these collaborations are all about?
Last Word
Unfortunately, the adidas Originals x Yu-Gi-Oh! Adi2000 sneakers are not available for purchase locally. As a result, it may also prove a bit hard to get on the international market. Should you have managed to get your hands on a pair, please let us know your thoughts in the comments and on our Instagram.
