YOASOBI x ASICS: J-Pop on the sole

Japanese running precision combined with the incredible, neofuturistic energy of J-Pop's biggest stars. This shoe is the epitome of vibrant, nocturnal Tokyo, compressed to a US9 size.

YOASOBI: When Literature Goes Viral

The phenomenon of YOASOBI is something globally unique. The duo, formed by producer Ayase and the incredibly distinctive vocalist Ikura, gained fame by creating songs based on... short stories published on a Japanese literary portal. The fast tempo, electronic music influences straight from Vocaloid culture (like Hatsune Miku), and massive anime successes (their song "Idol" is one of the biggest hits of the decade) have made them the most important export product of the Japanese music industry today.

ASICS: From Track to Gorpcore

Meanwhile, ASICS is currently the undisputed king of the technical footwear trend and so-called "Y2K runners" (running shoes from the early 2000s). Thanks to the incredible comfort of the advanced GEL cushioning system and the raw aesthetic of mesh models (like GEL-Kayano 14 or GEL-Nimbus 9), the brand is no longer associated solely with physiotherapists and marathon runners, but has become an object of desire for hypebeasts worldwide.

About the Project: Cyberpunk Cover

The GEL-KINETIC FLUENT Y shoe is a technical beast. YOASOBI required ASICS engineers to make radical changes. The traditional lacing system disappeared under an innovative, asymmetrical shroud covering a powerful zipper. Underneath the shroud, you'll find a bungee-style quick-lacing system borrowed from outdoor apparel.

The upper is covered in sharp details – panels of reflective 3M material are arranged to mimic a racetrack. The most outrageous colorway is "Midnight / Dragon Fruit" – a combination of deep, cosmic purple with a fierce neon pink. The gel pads in the sole have been colored fluorescent, making the shoe literally "glow" in the darkness of clubs.

This is pure, cyberpunk vibe at its best, Japanese edition. If your gloomy, autumn outfit needs some current, these Asics will light it up with the power of Tokyo's neon lights in Akihabara.