[GameSpot] - Converse Celebrates Pokémon's 25th Anniversary with A New Collection

[343iBot]

Converse just announced its upcoming Converse x Pokémon collection to celebrate the series’ 25th anniversary. This nostalgia-filled drop features fan favorites like Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Jigglypuff, and Pikachu to honor the franchise's start in the Kanto region. Expect Pokémon-themed footwear, apparel, and accessories for all sorts of lifestyle needs.

Converse highlighted these two variations of its signature Chuck Taylors: the Converse x Pokémon First Partners Chuck Taylor All Star and Poké Ball Chuck Taylor All Star. The Converse x Pokémon First Partners Chucks come in black canvas with two separate designs on each foot. Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu welcome Jigglypuff to their group on the right sneaker, and fend off Meowth on the left.

One side of the Converse x Pokémon First Partners Chuck Taylor All Star, featuring Kanto starters and Pikachu

Meanwhile, the Poké Ball Chuck Taylor All Star features sketchbook-like Pokémon print all over its white canvas upper. Both the Converse x Pokémon First Partners and Poké Ball Chuck Taylors feature Poké Ball variations of the brand's standard star icon on the side. These special edition Chucks come in adult, youth, and infant sizes for Pokémon trainers of all ages. In addition, Converse created Easy-On Pokémon Chucks for infants in bright yellow Pikachu and pink Jigglypuff versions.

The collection includes Pokémon apparel like hoodies, crewnecks, and t-shirts, too. The Pokémon 25th Celebration Hoodie boasts an electric type, band-themed design with each of the regions printed like tour stops on the back. On another note, the Jigglypuff Sherpa Crew Neck Sweater combines sweet and skater aesthetics with its pink fluffy fabric and Jigglypuff graphic. More basic designs like the Pokémon Team and Pikachu T-Shirts offer long and short sleeve t-shirts that feature fan-favorite Pokémon and 25th celebration branding.

The Pokémon 25th Celebration Hoodie rocking an electrifying vibe

Lastly, the Camp Cap and Go 2 Backpack add practical accessories to the well-rounded collection. The simple black camp cap features a Pikachu graphic on the front with "Converse" stylized on the back in a blocky retro font. The Go 2 Backpack follows a similar theme with wording and lightning print all over the bag.

Converse also advertised a special Converse By You powered self-design experience, which uses the company’s already existing digital customization tool to craft custom Pokémon Converse designs on the Chuck Taylor All Star and Chuck 70. Pokéfans can choose from their favorite Kanto starters and the usual selection of colors, eyelets, patches, and more.

Converse x Pokémon First Partners Chuck Taylors, and Easy-On Chuck Taylor All Star Ox in Pikachu and Jigglypuff colorways for infants

Prices on these items range from £25 to £62--approximately between $33 and $87 based on the current conversion rate. The press release specifically stated the aforementioned prices in GBP, thus the estimates for USD. Converse hasn’t revealed the pricing for specific products at this time.

The Pokémon Company has already collaborated with Adidas, Levi’s, and UNIQLO to release Pokémon-themed apparel and accessories. In other words, this partnership with Converse is only the latest in its portfolio of successful collaborations. Converse x Pokémon goes live on Converse.com and select retailers on December 10, 2021.

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