Nike Hyperize “11Change” by Takehiko Inoue

Nike’s Harajuku store opened to a very welcome Japanese culture. 11 athletes or personalities were chosen to design a Nike shoe to mark the occasion. Takehiko Inoue, whose “Slam Dunk” comic book and cartoon helped bring popularity to basketball to Japan, designed this Nike Hyperize and matching shirt.

Takehiko chose a basketball shoe because of the influence is had over him when he was growing up. Blue appears at multiple points, including the sole, liner Flywire and so on, to accent the light grey leather used on the toe and midfoot. On those areas hand-drawn characters appear, with multiple basketball references. The shirt uses a similar print. Only 100 of each good will be available on January 30th at the Nike Harajuku store.