Puma is no stranger to collaborating with popular culture icons, from celebrities to musicians to video games. But its latest partnership takes it to a whole new level of fandom: the anime world. Puma has teamed up with One Piece, one of the most successful and beloved manga and anime series of all time, to create a collection of sneakers inspired by the characters and themes of the show.
The collection, which is set to launch on March 23, 2024, features four different colorways of the classic Puma Suede silhouette, each representing one of the four Pirate Emperors of One Piece: Luffy, Blackbeard, Shanks, and Buggy. The sneakers are made of premium suede and leather, and feature details and motifs that reference the personalities and powers of the pirate leaders.
The Luffy Sneaker
The Luffy sneaker is a tribute to the main protagonist of One Piece, Monkey D. Luffy, the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates and the aspiring King of the Pirates. The sneaker is mostly white, with a grey Formstrip and a red heel tab. The white color represents Luffy’s Gear 5 form, a powerful transformation that gives him white hair and a cloud-like aura. The cloud motif is also present on the side of the sneaker, as well as on the tongue, where Luffy’s Gear 5 symbol is embossed. The red heel tab is a nod to Luffy’s signature straw hat, which he inherited from his idol, Shanks.
The Blackbeard Sneaker
The Blackbeard sneaker is a homage to Marshall D. Teach, also known as Blackbeard, the captain of the Blackbeard Pirates and one of the main antagonists of One Piece. The sneaker is black and gold, with a brown Formstrip and a white heel tab. The black and gold color scheme is inspired by Blackbeard’s coat, which he wears over his shoulders. The coat also features his pirate flag, which depicts a three-headed skull with a snake, a sabre, and a flintlock pistol. The flag is replicated on the tongue of the sneaker, as well as on the insole. The brown Formstrip represents Blackbeard’s beard, which is shaped like a crescent moon. The white heel tab is a reference to Blackbeard’s ability to manipulate darkness, which he often uses to create black holes.
The Shanks Sneaker
The Shanks sneaker is a tribute to Shanks, the captain of the Red Hair Pirates and one of the most respected and influential pirates in the world. The sneaker is burgundy, with a silver Formstrip and a white heel tab. The burgundy color is a reflection of Shanks’ red hair, which gives him his nickname. The silver Formstrip is a symbol of Shanks’ sword, which he wields with great skill and strength. The sword also bears his pirate flag, which shows a two-sworded skull with a scar across the left eye. The flag is also displayed on the tongue of the sneaker, as well as on the insole. The white heel tab is a reminder of Shanks’ three scars on his left eye, which he received from Blackbeard.
The Buggy Sneaker
The Buggy sneaker is a homage to Buggy, the captain of the Buggy Pirates and a former member of the Roger Pirates, the crew of the late Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. The sneaker is red and blue, with a yellow Formstrip and a white heel tab. The red and blue color scheme is a reflection of Buggy’s clown-like appearance, which includes his red nose, blue hair, and colorful outfit. The yellow Formstrip is a symbol of Buggy’s ability to detach and manipulate his body parts, which he often uses for comedic and combat purposes. The ability also grants him immunity to cutting attacks, which is why he has a cross-shaped scar on his chest. The scar is also represented on the tongue of the sneaker, as well as on the insole. The white heel tab is a reference to Buggy’s pirate flag, which depicts a star-shaped clown face with a cross on the forehead.
