Converse Drops The Highly Anticipated Naruto Shippuden Collection

Converse have gone and teamed up with the anime behemoth that is Naruto Shippuden, and the result is a rather extensive collection of trainers that landed this week. The iconic brand has properly integrated these ninja characters into the DNA of some classic silhouettes; the Chuck Taylor and the Weapon, specifically. It's a fresh perspective on these familiar models, viewed through the lens of this long running series.

What we have here is a seven pair lineup that genuinely attempts to fuse street style with some thoughtful storytelling. Converse is paying homage to Naruto, Sasuke, Gaara, Kakashi, and Itachi, and each design clearly draws inspiration from the character's individual style and abilities. You're not just getting a slapped on graphic; these designs feature embroidered symbols and colour schemes directly linked to the characters, which makes for a more considered and wearable tribute to the franchise.

The Naruto Shippuden x Converse Chuck Taylor dedicated to Naruto himself commands attention, truly capturing the raw dynamism of the series' protagonist. It proudly displays Naruto’s signature orange and black, complete with detailing rich in symbolism and those familiar off white touches on the toe and sole unit. It's bold, it's unmistakable, and it possesses that same headstrong quality as the character it represents.

Switching gears, the Naruto Shippuden x Converse Chuck Taylor Sasuke adopts a sharper aesthetic. Layered panels and a Fossil/Altitude Lilac colourway hint at Sasuke's complex duality throughout the anime. The inner lining features a specially designed star emblem, a navy tongue, and understated graphic details referencing his Rinnegan powers.

Arguably the most visually arresting of the lot is the Naruto Shippuden x Converse Weapon Itachi. The Itachi Uchiha tribute comes to life on this model, presenting a profoundly dark upper, a collar adorned with a red cloud motif, and a prominent red Chevron Star. Significantly, it stands alone as the collection's only design not built upon the Chuck Taylor silhouette, allowing its distinct form to underscore Itachi’s complex identity as both an outcast and a figure of honour within the story.

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The Naruto Shippuden x Converse Chuck Taylor Kakashi offers a more understated take on the theme. It keeps things relatively low key with a clean grey upper, dark blue accents, and a unique shuriken detail integrated into the Converse logo. The Kakashi edition showcases a high quality canvas construction and a generally more assertive design, where stitched embellishments and two tone colour placement contribute a sophisticated touch to the ninja's distinctive style.

The Naruto Shippuden x Converse Chuck Taylor Gaara, rendered in shades of red and cream, strongly evokes the character of Gaara. This design draws directly from his sand gourd and his battle worn armour. Black contrast laces and graphic stamps on the sole unit add a bit more punch, making it one of the more distinctive colourways in this collection.

Beyond the footwear, Converse are also dropping a capsule of Naruto inspired apparel, including jackets, tees, and backpacks; all designed with those anime references but intended for everyday wear. You’re also getting a Converse By You customisation experience, which will allow fans to create their own Naruto themed trainers using a wide array of colours and graphic elements.

The Converse x Naruto Shippuden collection dropped yesterday, 22nd May, and you can grab it on the Converse site and select retailers. Do have a look at the official images, and be sure to keep locked in at The Sole Supplier for all the latest goings on in the world of trainers and beyond.