Without a shadow of a doubt, Zion Williamson is the biggest manga fanboy currently in the NBA. In the past, the New Orleans Pelicans power forward has very openly discussed his love for Japanese comics, and he has boldly claimed that Naruto is the GOAT. With that said, it looks like he's about to take his passion for the Masashi Kishimoto series off the page and on the court, as we take our very first look at the Naruto x Air Jordan 37 "Rasengan."
Inspired by Uzumaki Naruto's ultimate move, the Rasengan, this collaboration takes on Michael Jordan's 37th signature shoe. Painted in a bright blue hue inspired by the powerful ball of chakra, the Air Jordan 37 boasts a Lenoweave upper with leather and nylon details throughout. An oversized pull tab features around the back for a rugged look and feel, while the topmost eyelets have been done up in stainless steel for an extra luxurious look.
Elsewhere, the tongue is highlighted in yellow as a nod to the heroic protagonist's iconic hair, while scratches around the collar pay homage to the Nine Tailed Demon Fox. Other Naruto elements include "Believe it!" embroidered around the back of the tongues in Japanese kanji, and a graphic of the namesake Rasengan prints across the black insoles. To round it all off, the Jordans sit on top of a Nike Air midsole, finalizing the anime-inspired aesthetic.
Expected to release at the end of the month, the Naruto x Air Jordan 37 "Rasengan" is a must-have especially for fans of the world-renowned franchise. Let us know what you think of this collaboration, and while you're here, you might as well take your first look at the Air Jordan 3 "Reimagined"!