A Groundbreaking Collaboration for Duelists
In an exciting development for fans, Nike has unveiled a special edition of their iconic “Air Max 95” sneakers, inspired by the footwear worn by Jounouchi Katsuya in the TV anime, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters. These unique sneakers are set to launch at the “House of Duel – Domino-chou Kettou Yuugikan -” event, scheduled to commence on September 5, 2025.
About Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters
Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters is a beloved TV anime series adapted from Takahashi Kazuki’s manga of the same name, which was serialized in “Weekly Shonen Jump.” This popular work vividly depicts the journeys of duelists, including the protagonist Mutou Yuugi, as they immerse themselves in the card game known as “Duel Monsters.” Under the direction of Sugishima Kunihisa, Gallop handled the animation production, with the series airing a total of 224 episodes from April 2000 to September 2004.
The Iconic Air Max 95, Reimagined
More than 25 years after Jounouchi Katsuya (known as Joey Wheeler in the English version) captured the hearts of anime and sneaker fans worldwide, Nike is releasing a special edition of the “Air Max 95” in 2025.
This highly anticipated collaboration faithfully recreates the footwear that appeared in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters.
The collection features two distinct colorways: the global release, “Nike Air Max 95 QS YGO “Joey”,” and the Japan-exclusive, “Nike Air Max 95 QS YGO “Jounouchi”.”
The global “Joey” colorway incorporates various shades of blue throughout, evoking the in-anime aesthetic. It includes subtle design elements like logos and scars reminiscent of the series, along with a visible Air unit on the outer forefoot. The outsole proudly displays the Yu-Gi-Oh! logo, while graphics inspired by Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters cards adorn the heel. The sockliner features an image of Jounouchi and his formidable companion, Shinkugan no Kokuryuu (Red-Eyes Black Dragon), symbolizing their unbreakable bond of friendship.
In contrast, the “Jounouchi” colorway, a Japan-exclusive, features a gray base, reflecting the manga’s original monochromatic style before its anime adaptation. Both colorways come packaged with special collaboration trading cards, marking the first joint production between KONAMI and Nike.
Exclusive Apparel and Media Release
Alongside the “Nike Air Max 95 QS YGO” release, Nike is also introducing a “Nike Destroyer Jacket” and T-shirt, both featuring the school emblem of Domino Koukou (Domino High School), the alma mater of Jounouchi and his friends. The jacket is designed to resemble a dueling team uniform, crafted from thick wool with premium leather sleeves, dimensional embroidery, a satin quilt lining, and two co-branded chenille patches for customization. It proudly showcases dual-brand graphics on the front and a bold depiction of Shinkugan no Kokuryuu on the back.
To celebrate this collaboration, a special trailer has been produced, featuring both Japanese and English voice actors from the anime series introducing the new footwear.
Event Details and Availability
The “Nike Air Max 95 QS YGO” sneakers and accompanying apparel will be available for purchase at the “House of Duel – Domino-chou Kettou Yuugikan -” event, held in Harajuku, Tokyo, for three days only, starting from September 5. Please note that purchases at the venue require pre-registration via a lottery system.
The Japan-exclusive “Jounouchi” colorway and apparel are scheduled for release at select Nike retailers within Japan from September 12. On the same day, the “Joey” colorway will be available globally via SNKRS (Nike’s dedicated sneaker app) and at select Nike retailers worldwide.
TV Anime Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters × Nike
- Nike Air Max 95 QS YGO “Joey”: 27,060 yen (tax included)
- Nike Air Max 95 QS YGO “Jounouchi”: 27,060 yen (tax included)
House of Duel – Domino-chou Kettou Yuugikan – Overview
- Venue: 6142 (6-14-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
- Dates: September 5 (Friday) – September 7 (Sunday)
(C)2020 Studio Dice／SHUEISHA, TV TOKYO, KONAMI
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