Nike Launches Yu Gi Oh Air Max 95 Joey Wheeler Sneaker Worldwide September 12

In an unexpected yet thrilling move for anime and sneaker culture alike, Nike has partnered with KONAMI and the iconic Yu-Gi-Oh! franchise to reimagine the shoes worn by Joey Wheeler, the legendary third-rate duelist with a fourth-rate deck, but a first-rate heart. For more than twenty-five years, Joey (or Katsuya Jonouchi, as he’s known in Japan) has embodied the underdog spirit that resonates across generations, inspiring both anime devotees and sneakerheads around the globe.

And now, in a release that many fans considered impossible, the Nike Air Max 95 QS YGO launches globally on September 12, bringing this silhouette from the screen into the real world, joined by an exclusive apparel collection and an unprecedented crossover between trading card games and streetwear culture.

The Collaboration: Fandom, Friendship, and the Heart of the Cards

Joey Wheeler’s journey from “third-rate” to the top was never about having the rarest or shiniest card. It was about guts, loyalty, and always rocking the freshest shoes — a detail that captured the imagination of Yu-Gi-Oh! Fans when the Air Max 95 is on his feet in the original 1998 anime.

This new collaboration, officially titled the Nike Air Max 95 QS YGO, is meticulously designed to pay tribute to Joey’s anime look. To amplify the excitement, Nike is also launching a campaign starring the original English and Japanese voice actors from the Yu-Gi-Oh! series, showcasing the sneaker’s debut in a celebratory trailer.

“At Nike, we believe the future of sport is creative and unlimited in possibility, and we know that athletes draw inspiration from extraordinary sources in the video games they play and the anime they watch,” says Dave Vericker, Sr. Director, NBHD/Energy Merchandising at Nike. “We didn’t invent this lore: It was born organically from the community. Through our partnership with KONAMI, we wanted to show love to longtime fans and inspire the next generation by bringing a beloved mythical story to life through design with these special Air Max 95s and a limited apparel collection.”

KONAMI’s Jennifer Coleman, VP of Licensing & Marketing, adds: “The passion, care, and attention to detail Nike brought to this Yu-Gi-Oh! Collaboration has been extraordinary. Their unique vision of Yu-Gi-Oh! characters and fans as athletes, combined with Nike’s iconic marketing, footwear, and apparel design, will redefine how our audience connects with their favorite characters, especially Joey Wheeler.”

The Design: From Anime Frame to Sneaker Icon

The Nike Air Max 95 QS YGO “Joey” colorway faithfully mirrors Joey’s look on screen, featuring layered blue tones, paneled design, scratch marks (a nod to his dueling adventures), and lace loops that channel the show’s original art. Innovations include the Yu-Gi-Oh! logo on the outsole and a custom heel graphic inspired by the trading card game. The sock liner even displays imagery celebrating Joey’s legendary partnership with his Red-Eyes Black Dragon, cementing the fandom connection.

A special “Jonouchi” colorway, reflecting the manga’s origin and Japanese airing, will be available exclusively in Japan, bringing a grayscale twist for collectors and purists.

Every pair arrives in exclusive packaging, including playable Nike x Yu-Gi-Oh! Trading Cards, making history as the first official shoe partnership to enter the Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG.

The Apparel: Dueling Team Drip

Matching the shoes, Nike is releasing an apparel capsule led by a Destroyer varsity jacket, customized with a Domino High School patch in a nod to Joey’s fictional alma mater. The jacket features heavyweight wool, luxury leather sleeves, 3D embroidery, and co-branded chenille logos for that true varsity feel.

Also dropping: heavyweight T-shirts emblazoned with Nike x Yu-Gi-Oh! graphics and, for fans, a giant Red-Eyes Black Dragon on the back, a must-have for anyone wanting to flex duel spirit and sneakerhead status.