SEPTEMBER 2018—Kicking off one of the most anticipated collaborations of the year, adidas Originals proudly presents the first installment of its collaborative project with iconic Japanese anime series, Dragon Ball Z.

With each shoe in the project taking inspiration from one of the franchise’s characters, the inaugural release pays homage to a classic battle between two of Dragon Ball Z’s most familiar faces, Son Goku and Frieza.

Commonly heralded as one of, if not the greatest showdown in Dragon Ball Z history, Son Goku and Frieza’s battle on the Namek Planet spanned over 20 episodes and is now regarded as a benchmark of anime culture.

First up, the remodeled adidas ZX 500 RM silhouette forms the backdrop for Son Goku’s character, assuming an orange and blue colorway that immediately harks to the character’s iconic Ki.

The shoe’s classic mesh and suede construction stays true to the design of the original ZX 500 model, whilst ripped canvas on the 3-stripe mark and tongue reference the character’s ripped jumpsuit. Similarly, the shoe’s faded yellow mesh on the toebox and sides references the Super Saiyan transformation that would eventually lead to his victory in the battle.

Finally, hidden details across the shoe complete the referential design, such as embroidery of Son Goku’s Flying Nimbus and the Kanji detail on the medial side, referencing the sound of the flying nimbus cloud. Dragon Ball details on the tongue, and Goku Kanji details on the heel patch complete the picture.

Next up, the striking purple and white color palette of Sun Goku’s nemesis Frieza is applied to the new Yung 1 silhouette. The shoe’s fluid, disruptive design forms the perfect canvas for Frieza’s own unmissable appearance, featuring a suede and textile construction with pink accents peppered throughout.

TPU components reference Frieza’s glossy shoulder and head elements, while an embossed suede patch on the medial side references the character’s muscular first form. Finishing touches include similar Dragon Ball details on the tongue and sock liner, culminating in a fitting tribute to another of Dragon Ball Z’s most iconic characters.

Releasing globally on September 29th, each shoe in the release will be presented in special collaborative packaging featuring an individual Dragon Ball detail, each box coming together to create a singular back cover design. Starting things off with a duo of truly unforgettable models, this first release sets the pace for the remaining releases to come, uniting classic adidas design with one of the most beloved animated series of all time.

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About adidas Originals

Inspired by the rich sporting heritage of adidas – one of the world’s leading sports brands and a global designer and developer of athletic footwear and apparel ­­– adidas Originals is a lifestyle brand founded in 2001. With the adidas archive at its foundation, adidas Originals continues to evolve the brand’s legacy through its commitment to product innovation and its ability to filter the creativity and courage found on courts and sporting arenas through the lens of contemporary youth culture. Marked by the iconic Trefoil logo that was first used in 1972 and championed by those that continue to shape and define creative culture, adidas Originals continues to lead the way as the pioneering sportswear brand for the street.