Adidas has officially released its limited-edition Pokémon collection, marking another collaboration in the franchise's ongoing 30th-anniversary celebrations. The collection includes more than 10 distinct sneaker designs, drawing inspiration from popular Adidas styles such as the Samba and Superstar II, with each shoe featuring a unique Pokémon theme.
The range of prices for the collection is between $60 and $180, and it is available in full family sizing. All sneakers from the collection are currently available for purchase.
While certain unifying elements, like a gold embroidered Pokémon x Adidas logo, are present across the line, each sneaker offers a distinct aesthetic. Notable designs include the Pikachu Superstar II (available in yellow and white), the Charmander Superstar II, and the Charizard Superstar Vintage. The Adistar Control 5 features Rayquaza, and the Samba model is inspired by Mewtwo.
Several designs highlight specific Pokémon evolutions, such as the Charmander to Charizard line, alongside individual popular characters like Pikachu and Mewtwo. The collection also includes other Pokémon like Gastly, Haunter, and Gengar, though some of these styles may be out of stock.
Early impressions suggest a blend of boldness and subtlety in the designs, allowing for varied personal styles. The Mewtwo Superstars are noted for their soft purple hue and iridescent sheen, and include a shoelace charm featuring the Pokémon's face, along with a "liquid" tag referencing Mewtwo's Psystrike move. The Charmander sneakers showcase a graphic of the Pokémon using Ember on the Samba stripes.
The illustrations of each Pokémon are described as high-quality, and the shoes themselves are considered comfortable. As a limited-edition release, availability may be restricted, a point emphasized by previous issues with scalping affecting Pokémon merchandise.
This collaboration is part of a broader series of events celebrating Pokémon's 30th anniversary, a franchise recognized as the highest-grossing of all time. Previous anniversary partnerships have included brands like Puma, Crocs, and Krispy Kreme. Further announcements are anticipated as the year progresses, potentially leading up to the reveal of the next mainline Pokémon generation.