The Time Has Come for Naruto x Crocs
One of the most popular Japanese franchises of all time, Naruto is not only famous for the 720 binge-worthy episodes that its manga and anime series produced but also for its presence in the streetwear scene.
If we look back at 2023 alone, the series is responsible for some big-name sneaker releases with both Nike's Jordan label and ASICS.
Now, early into the new year, photos have emerged online of two new Naruto-themed Crocs clogs, bringing together one of the world's most famous ninja and the most prolific footwear collaborator there is. Oh, and Naruto's sensei, Kakashi, is here, too.
Crocs has collaborators as disparate as Balenciaga, Hello Kitty, and McDonald's in its vast catalog and even has its own history of anime collabs, so it was only a matter of time before Crocs tapped Naruto to get on board.
The Naruto collaboration uses a familiar model as its base, the Crocs Classic Clog, but this drop gives Crocs' most famous model a host of new features.
Amongst the many Naruto-themed details on these Crocs, Naruto Uzumaki's headband has been cleverly recreated with its silver metal plate sitting on the top of the shoe. Same for the Kakashi Hatake-themed pair
The headband attaches to the Crocs mule's heel strap which has been decked out in a puffy fabric (a far more comfortable-looking material than the regular heel strap) and a detachable pocket.
Plus, as is customary for any Crocs Classic Clog collaboration, there are a bunch of custom Naruto Jibbitz to pick from that can be added to the front of the shoe.
So far, pictures have emerged of the shoe in green or orange — the former is obviously Naruto and the latter, Kakashi.
However, before you start deciding which pair you want to buy, it's important to note that these are just samples. Makes you wonder if Naruto and Kakashi are the only characters getting their own Crocs clogs: is Sakura up next? Sasuke?
There's no saying whether both Crocs x Naruto colorways teased thus far will be released (or if any of them will be released, for that matter).
These leaked photos do tend to be quite reliable though, as was the case with the early blurry image of ASICS' Naruto collaboration.
Crocs' experimental footwear releases made it both an enigma and a roaring success in 2023. Now, if the leaked images are to be believed, Crocs has managed to get yet another big name to bring its stylish rubber footwear to the next level.
