Puma and Pokémon have announced a new collaboration featuring the All-Pro Nitro 2 basketball shoe themed around Pikachu, set to release on April 1, 2026. The design draws directly from Pikachu's appearance, incorporating yellow coloring, black accents, and red suede details. This drop coincides with Pokémon's 30th anniversary, highlighting the franchise's enduring cultural presence.
The Pokémon x PUMA All-Pro Nitro 2 “Pikachu” shoe builds on the success of last year’s PUMA x Pokémon Suede “Mewtwo,” which blended gaming iconography with streetwear. Unlike its predecessor, this model targets basketball performance, featuring a vibrant yellow upper that echoes Pikachu’s fur, black contrasts on the formstrip, tongue, and panels inspired by the character’s tail stripes and facial markings, red suede around the eyestays nodding to its cheek patches, and maroon at the heel. Subtle Pikachu graphics appear on the heel tabs, insole, and laces.
Performance aspects remain uncompromised in this collaboration. The midsole uses PUMA’s NITRO SQD foam for balanced responsiveness and impact protection, providing shock absorption for jumps and support during extended play. The outsole offers multi-directional traction suited for basketball courts, appealing to both professionals and casual players, as seen in prior All-Pro Nitro 2 iterations.
Pokémon, which launched in 1996 with Pokémon Red and Green on the Game Boy, marks its 30th anniversary in 2026. Pikachu has served as the franchise’s mascot across trading cards, animated series, films, and mobile games. As Dexerto noted in a March 2, 2026, tweet: “PUMA is releasing Pikachu basketball shoes to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th anniversary.”
Compared to the Mewtwo Suede’s lifestyle focus, the Pikachu version emphasizes bolder colors and athletic functionality. Release details include: name Pokémon x PUMA All-Pro Nitro 2 “Pikachu,” colorway Yellow / Black, SKU 312843-01, MSRP $140 USD, available via official PUMA channels and select retailers. Demand from Pokémon and sneaker enthusiasts is expected to be high, potentially involving raffles at launch.
