BEHIND THE STITCH: ALANI
June 21, 2024
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The Pokémon x adidas Originals collaboration is getting even bigger as the two global brands celebrate Pokémon’s 30th anniversary with an ambitious 12-pair sneaker collection. Reimagining some of adidas Originals’ most iconic silhouettes, the capsule combines nostalgic Pokémon designs with contemporary sneaker culture through premium materials, playful details and character-inspired color palettes.
From Pikachu’s fuzzy Superstars to Charizard’s winged design and Rayquaza’s football-inspired silhouette, each sneaker captures the personality of a beloved Pokémon while staying true to adidas’ rich footwear heritage.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming collection.
Pikachu leads the anniversary collection with three different sneakers, making it the most represented Pokémon in the lineup.
The Pro Model and one Superstar feature fuzzy yellow uppers inspired by Pikachu’s fur, complete with black accents and Poké Ball lace dubraes.
A second Superstar opts for a cleaner white leather build covered in playful Pikachu graphics, offering a more versatile everyday option.
The complete Charmander evolution line receives dedicated Superstar designs.
The Charmander edition arrives in soft cream and orange hues, while Charmeleon adopts a fiery scarlet upper accented by claw-inspired Three Stripes. The standout of the trio is Charizard, which features oversized wing-shaped eyelet flaps reminiscent of the legendary Fire-type’s wings.
The collection’s darker side arrives through Gengar and Haunter.
The Adistar XLG 2.0 “Gengar” is dressed in rich purple shades with character artwork decorating the tongue, while the Adistar Control 5 “Haunter” introduces aggressive overlays and darker tones that perfectly match the Ghost-type Pokémon’s eerie personality.
Legendary Pokémon Mewtwo appears across three adidas classics.
The Samba OG features triangular eyelets inspired by Mewtwo’s fingers, while the ZX 8000 combines lavender tones with a Master Ball lace dubrae. Completing the lineup, the Spezial incorporates a distinctive heel loop inspired by the cable extending from the back of Mewtwo’s neck.
The final chapter belongs to Rayquaza, whose iconic green-and-black color palette appears across two silhouettes.
The F50 Tunit Mega delivers a football-inspired interpretation, while the Adistar Control 5 translates the Legendary Pokémon’s dragon-like appearance into a bold lifestyle runner.
Rather than relying solely on themed colorways, adidas incorporates thoughtful storytelling throughout the collection.
Highlights include:
These subtle touches help each sneaker feel unique while preserving the identity of its respective Pokémon.
The Pokémon x adidas Originals collection is scheduled to release globally in September 2026.
Retail pricing ranges from $110 to $180 USD, with the collection launching through adidas.com and select adidas Originals retailers worldwide.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Collection | Pokémon x adidas Originals |
| Celebration | Pokémon 30th Anniversary |
| Release Date | September 2026 |
| Price Range | $110–$180 USD |
| Total Sneakers | 12 |
| Featured Pokémon | Pikachu, Charmander, Charmeleon, Charizard, Gengar, Haunter, Mewtwo, Rayquaza |
| Key Silhouettes | Superstar, Pro Model, Samba OG, ZX 8000, Spezial, Adistar XLG 2.0, Adistar Control 5, F50 Tunit Mega |
| Availability | adidas.com and select retailers |
The Pokémon x adidas Originals collaboration is shaping up to be one of the biggest sneaker releases of 2026. By pairing beloved Pokémon characters with timeless adidas silhouettes, the collection successfully balances nostalgia with modern design.
Whether you’re a lifelong Pokémon fan, a sneaker collector, or both, the 12-pair capsule offers something for every type of enthusiast while celebrating three decades of one of gaming’s most influential franchises.
