Following the reveal at New York Comic Con in October, a release date for Asics’ next anime collaboration has been locked in.

The “Bleach” x Asics GT-2160 “Ichigo” and Gel-NYC “Renji” will release just days after Christmas. The two colorways have been done up for their namesake characters, with Ichigo Kurosaki’s GT-2160 arriving in white, black, orange and red to match his uniform and hair color. His name appears in Japanese characters beneath the lateral collar, and the Soul Reaper mark appears on the heel.

Renji Abarai’s Gel-NYC is also modeled after his hair and uniform in red, black and gold, while his name appears in Japanese characters at the same place as its counterpart. On the heel, you’ll find mismatched symbols representing his 6th Division of the Goeti 13.

Anime collaborations are becoming more prolific in sneakers, as a “Demon Slayer” x Adidas capsule also made its debut at New York Comic Con before releasing in November. Crocs has taken to the medium quite strongly, as its anime collaborations include “Demon Slayer” and “Naruto”; and Asics collaborated with “Naruto” earlier this year as well with just 2,000 pairs of sneakers made available in the U.S.

The “Bleach” x Asics GT-2160 “Ichigo” and Gel-NYC “Renji” will release December 27 through Foot Locker and Champ Sports. Pricing for the GT-2160 is set at $165 and the Gel-NYC $145.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Update: Oct. 16, 2024 at 11:30 a.m. ET:

While many sneaker brands are going all-in on Halloween themes for the spooky season holiday, JJJJound and Asics have two shoes coming out that veer away from the usual flair and spectacle found on footwear collaborations.

First teased by JJJJound in September, the Tumblr-turned-minimalist menswear brand fully revealed its second Asics collaboration on Monday. Made up of two colorways of the popular Asics GT-2160 sneaker, the looks blend “sleek design with visibility-enhancing features,” according to JJJJound. 

A White/Black pair uses white mesh with gray overlays and reflective accents with added high-vis coming from Safety Yellow detailing. The second style is a nearly tonal Black/Pure Silver which features the addition of a reflective mesh material at the heel. Both shoes don carbon fiber-like overlays and come packaged with alternate two-tone shoelaces.

The first collaboration between JJJJound and Asics, which featured two styles of the Gel-Kayano 14, was one of 2022’s most popular releases. Both pairs helped generate buzz around the retro model, which remains one of the most in-demand 2000s-era designs of the moment. In comparison, the GT-2160 is more pared down with less emphasis on tech. 

Although some social media commenters deride the design’s simplicity, JJJJound seems to have landed on a recipe for success. The label’s various footwear projects regularly sell out quickly and resell for inflated premiums on the secondary market. 

Also in October, Asics will release a Gel-Terrain collaboration with Japanese brand Nonnative. Meanwhile, JJJJound is expected to launch a New Balance 993 collab before the end of the year. 

Retail pricing for the JJJJound x Asics GT-2160 has not yet been announced, but based on other Asics GT-2160 collaborations, readers can expect them to be around $150 each. The pairs will be available from jjjjound.com on Thursday, Oct. 31. A wider release has not been confirmed.

What We Originally Reported on Sept. 30, 2024

Montreal-based design studio JJJJound will soon release a follow-up to one of 2022’s most coveted sneaker collaborations.

Resuming its work with Asics, JJJJound previewed Monday two new styles of the GT-2160 model set to release during fall 2024. Like many of JJJJound’s designs, the looks are pared down, stripping away much of the flair and flash that is often associated with sneaker collaborations. Yet despite their simplicity, both of the upcoming JJJJound x Asics GT-2160s feature elevated detailing which separates them from standard pairs.

One colorway uses a white mesh base with synthetic gray overlays and small hits of neon yellow around the tongue and heel branding. The second look is even more reduced and uses a mostly black upper with reflective overlays. Both pairs make use of carbon fiber-textured synthetics with wide-micron mesh materials. 

Cushioned with Asics’ proprietary Gel technology, the GT-2160 is inspired by the brand’s 2010s-era running shoes, namely the GT-2000. Introduced to retail in 2023, the Asics GT-2160 has already seen a number of notable releases and collaborations including projects with Cecilie Bahnsen, Ronnie Fieg’s Kith and Gallery Dept. 

JJJJound and Asics first collaborated together on the Gel-Kayano 14 silhouette, which was released in two colorways during August ’22. 

Other recent JJJJound collaborations of note include the brand’s work on the classic Timberland 6-Inch Premium Waterproof Boot, which saw the addition of Gore-Tex membranes and Vibram outsoles. Looking forward, the design studio has also teased a New Balance 993 sneaker collaboration which is expected to be launched soon.

Although an exact release date has not been announced, the JJJJound x Asics GT-2160 pack will be released this fall. Retail pricing for in-line GT-2160 styles ranges from $120 to $130 with most collaborations priced between $140 and $150, so readers can likely expect a figure closer to the latter. 

Asics is partnering with a Japanese jeweler for a run of its GT-2160 sneakers leaning into the coquette trend with various pearl dressings. The price: anywhere from $1,000 to $1,300.

The Tasaki x Asics GT-2160 starts by rendering the hit silhouette with a tonal color scheme featuring cream, white and grey as well as pearlescent detailing. Where each pair goes from there is unique, as strings of pearls are applied in different configurations and in increasing quantities.

Two pairs of the collaborative sneaker feature strings of three or four pearls serving as lace dubraes on each sneaker, while another variant covers almost every single row of laces in pearls. The three-pearl version sees gold spikes affixed to each gem, and the four-pearl pair are accompanied by gold bars sitting atop the row, just as they do for the upper most row for the edition with its laces covered more heavily.

A single shoe in yet another pair sees several ropes stacked atop each other while framing the opening like a necklace, while the most expensive pair of the lot features a net-like arrangement shrouding each shoe’s lateral profile from the beginning the beginning of the laces and all the way around the heel.

The high prices come in part because of the use of Akoya, which are more rare, feature a higher quality, and are smoother, rounder and shinier than their freshwater counterparts. Then there’s also the fact that Tasaki, which has made the shoes as part of its 70th anniversary festivities, is widely known for its high-end pearl work.

The Tasaki x Asics GT-2160s will release April 26 through the jewelers “Floating Shell” exhibition in Tokyo.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Asics‘ red-hot year is going right to the very end, as the Japanese footwear brand has announced the release for its highly anticipated collaboration with Gallery Dept.

Originally released as a ComplexCon exclusive, Gallery Dept.’s GT-2160 takes what might be considered a commonplace colorway and splatters it with paint. Josué Thomas, artist and founder of the creative studio, says his Asics collaboration takes inspiration from how his own sneakers would transform as he worked on his art.

Drops of turquoise, orange, yellow, and black paint start at midfoot and continue to the toe — leaving the heel unvarnished just as you’d expect from standing at a canvas and having pants to shield the rear. Silver, blue, black, and white define the shoe’s base for a colorway that puts the “dad” in “dadcore.” A yellow Gallery Dept. hang tag also appears near the lateral heel, matched by a yellow co-branded insole.

Gallery Dept.’s Jackson Pollock treatment on the GT-2160 has proven quite popular on the resale market, with prices regularly doubling the retail price of $295 on platforms such as StockX. Prices have dropped slightly with news of a wider release, but not so much as to expect anything other than rabid demand for the global launch.

The GT-2160 made its debut over the summer as an homage to Asics’ GT-2000 series from the early 2010s. It comes as a number of other running sneakers from the era have taken hold in sneaker culture, including Nike’s Zoom Vomero 5 and several New Balance models. Asics has quickly doled the model out to collaborators, including a Hidden.NY project dropping today.

The Gallery Dept. x Asics GT-2160 will release Dec. 15 through Asics website and select third-party retailers. As mentioned previously, the retail price is set at $295.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.

Hidden.NY and Asics‘ pixelated Gel-NYC looks to be a highlight of the sneaker lineup for the upcoming spring season, but before that release comes the two collaborators are bringing another surprise drop.

As part of its ongoing daily series of holiday releases, archival-Instagram-account-turned-label Hidden has enlisted JW Customs to handwork the Asics GT-2160 “Crystal Pine 0.5.” Because of the nature of the customization process, each pair is unique.

Several shades of green appear throughout the sneaker from its mesh and leather upper to its midsole. Although the parties involved haven’t revealed more precise information on how the sneakers were customized, the finish of the mesh underlays and midsole indicates that they’ve been dyed by hand.

Hidden’s circle logo is printed at the bottom of the eyestay on the left sneaker in each pair, while its name is also printed on each shoe’s lateral toe overlay. Rounding out the flourishes is a custom hang tag appearing on the lateral heel.

The Hidden x JW Customs x Asics GT-2160 will release Wednesday, Dec. 13, through Hidden’s website. Early access will be granted at 12 p.m. EST and followed by a general release at 3 p.m. EST. Pricing has not yet been announced, and the number of pairs made available should be extremely limited. A clothing capsule will also be available to purchase alongside the sneakers.

About the Author:

Ian Servantes is a Senior Trending News Editor for Footwear News specializing in sneaker coverage. He’s previously reported on streetwear and sneakers at Input and Highsnobiety after beginning his career on the pop culture beat. He subscribes to the idea that “ball is life” and doesn’t fuss over his kicks getting dirty.