Despite being over 25 years old, theYu-Gi-Oh!franchise has never managed to create another character as endearing and beloved as Joey Wheeler. While he began his story as a novice duelist who could barely hold his own in a real game, his perseverance and love for his friends pushed him to become one ofthe original anime’s best duelists.
No matter how much time passes, Wheeler will forever remain an icon of this cherished franchise, which is why Nike has partnered with Konami to celebrate Joey’s legacy. Soon, fans will be able to acquire a limited-edition pair of sneakers based on the ones used by Yugi’s best friend during theDuel Monstersshow.
Nike’s New Sneakers Celebrate Joey’s Legacy in the Best Way Possible
On June 28, 2025,the official Nike websiteannounced that the company would soon release a limited-edition line of sneakers based onYu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monster’s Joey. The shoes, named Air Max 95 QS YGO, have been made to resemble the ones worn by the iconic duelist as much as possible, as if taken directly from Kazuki Takahashi’s world-famous manga.
Each crease, fold, and even the laces have been designed to give the shoes an authentic anime-like appearance, including even the scratches seen on Joey’s shoes during the show. According to the company, this product looks to celebrate the legacy ofone ofYu-Gi-Oh!’s best heroes.
Besides the shoes, this collab will include a unique and playable TCG card that will not be printed again, making it a true treasure for collectors. The sneakers will become available for purchase on Nike’s website starting August 04, 2025, with both an international release and a Japanese exclusive sale.
Joey Is Not Only Yugi’s Best Friend, He Is the Heart and Soul of the Anime
Although it is true thattheYu-Gi-Oh!anime tended to do Joey dirty, in great part to make him a comedic relief character, there is no denying how vital he was to theDuel Monstersanime. There are few anime characters with as much determination and heart as Wheeler, willing to work harder than anyone to achieve his goals.
His contributions to the series go far beyond themany hilariousYu-Gi-Oh!memesand scenes born from his character, as he was the heroes' soul. He was kind, brave, and a truly skilled duelist. Joey might never be as popular as Yugi, but it is refreshing to see a company as big as Nike recognize the importance of this iconic character.
