Tekken and Nike Team Up for Surprising Collaboration

Summary

Bandai Namco and Nike are collaborating to celebrate Tekken's 30th anniversary and the release of Tekken 8 with two special sneaker designs.
The men's sneakers, inspired by Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama, will be released in September.
While the Jin sneakers have yet to be revealed, the Kazuya-inspired kicks feature a black crocodile skin-like pattern on the sides, the word “Fist” on the soles, and a Tekken 8 symbol on the left tongue.

Bandai Namco and Nike are joining forces for an unlikely project in honor of the 30th anniversary of Tekken and the release of Tekken 8 earlier this year: two special sneakers inspired by Kazuya Mishima and Jin Kazama. The original Tekken was released in the mid-90s and revolutionized the 3D fighting landscape while introducing gamers to the long and twisted history of the troubled Mishima family.

This tumultuous history would play out in the many Tekken sequels released over the past few decades, eventually reaching its apex with the final battle between Kazuya and Jin in Tekken 8. The latest entry in the Tekken series launched earlier this year to critical acclaim thanks to its polished visuals and more “aggressive” gameplay, though Tekken 8 would generate controversy in later months due to the addition of microtransactions and a live service-like Tekken Fight Pass. Still, fans are celebrating the Tekken series’ 30th anniversary this year, and they'll soon be able to land some stylish footwear to show their support.

As reported by Sole Retriever earlier this week, a new crossover between Tekken and Nike is on the way. Two special pairs of Tekken 8 x Nike Air Foamposite One Fist sneakers will be released through Nike, SNKRS, and select retailers starting in September with designs inspired by Kazuya and Jin. Images of the Kazuya pair have already been revealed, with the shoes sporting a black crocodile skin-like pattern on the sides, the word “Fist” on the soles, and a Tekken 8 symbol on the left tongue.

Tekken Fans Can Get Kazuya-Inspired Nikes Starting In September

While a Tekken/Nike collaboration is unexpected, the crossover does have a fitting connection to the original anti-hero and recurring antagonist Kazuya Mishima. It isn’t mentioned often, but Kazuya is noted to be something of a sneaker enthusiast in his character bio in the original Tekken game. Tekken project director Katsuhiro Harada confirmed that this aspect of Kazuya’s character has remained even after his turn to villainy in later entries, and his Arcade Mode ending cutscene in Tekken 8 has the character showing off his impressive sneaker collection after conquering the world through his G-Corporation.

Kazuya Mishima would likely be flattered by the upcoming Tekken 8 x Nike Air Foamposite One Fist sneakers, which are set to release this fall to celebrate not only his latest appearance in Tekken 8, but his debut in the original Tekken 30 years ago. The second Tekken/Nike design inspired by his son Jin Kazama has yet to be revealed, but the Tekken 8 x Nike Air Foamposite One Fist sneakers will be available in men’s sizes at a retail price of $250.

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Tekken 8

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9 /10

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Released: January 26, 2024

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Tekken 8 brings the fight to the latest generation of consoles, powered by Unreal Engine 5. Feel the power of every hit in Tekken 8, the latest entry in the legendary fighting game franchise from Bandai Namco. Utilising the power and realism of Unreal Engine 5, Tekken 8 pushes the envelope for fighting games by taking full advantage of the power of the latest generation of consoles. Ground-breaking new features, breathtakingly detailed character models and dramatic environments make this one of the most visually stunning and immersive titles in the genre yet. Tekken 8 picks up after the gruesome battle that ended in Heihachi Mishima’s defeat in Tekken 7, focusing on a new rivalry, pitting father against son as Jin Kazama stands in defiance against Kazuya Mishima in a city-shattering face-to-face showdown.