Nike drops release info for Yu-Gi-Oh! “Air Muscle” Air Max 95 collab sneaker
Nike has officially partnered with the classic anime series, Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters, for a special-edition release of the Air Max 95.
For over 25 years, fans have noted that the character Katsuya Jounouchi, or Joey Wheeler in the English dub, wears a pair of sneakers in the anime that are a clear parody of the iconic Nike shoe.
Now, the fictional “Air Muscle” sneaker is becoming a reality.
The collaboration will feature two different colorways of the “Nike Air Max 95 QS YGO,” each priced at ¥27,060 (approx. $183 USD/£135 GBP).
The global release, or “Joey” colorway, is a blue-toned version with various details that pay homage to the series, including a Yu-Gi-Oh! logo on the outsole, a card-inspired graphic on the heel, and a sockliner featuring art of Jounouchi and his signature monster, Red-Eyes Black Dragon.
A second, Japan-exclusive “Jounouchi” colorway will feature a gray base color, designed to be reminiscent of the original manga.
In a first for both companies, each pair of sneakers will come in a limited-edition box that includes a special, co-branded Nike x Yu-Gi-Oh! Official Card Game trading card, which is also legal for use in duels.
The collection also includes an apparel line.
A premium Nike Destroyer Jacket, inspired by the team varsity jackets of Domino High School, will be released, featuring a heavyweight wool body, premium leather sleeves, a satin quilted lining, and co-branded chenille patches.
A heavyweight, loose-fit T-shirt will also be available, which features co-branded graphics on the front chest and a large image of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon on the back.
The release of the collection will be handled in multiple phases.
An initial launch will take place at a special pop-up event in Tokyo, the “House of Duel,” located at 6-14-2 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku.
This event will run from the 5th to the 7th of September, and entry for a chance to purchase the items will be handled via a pre-lottery system.
Purchases at the pop-up event will be strictly limited to one of each item per person.
Following the event, the Japan-exclusive “Jounouchi” colorway and apparel will be released at select Japanese Nike retailers on the 12th of September, 2025.
The global “Joey” colorway and apparel will be released on the SNKRS app and at select Nike retailers worldwide on the same day, the 12th of September.
Lottery applications are now open and will run until 23:59 JST on the 30th of August.
Successful applications will be contacted after 18:00 JST on the 2nd of September.
Details regarding the lottery, and the link to apply, can be found on the official application page.
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