
When wrestling meets sneakers, expect sparks, literally. adidas Originals and Brain Dead are setting the ring on fire (figuratively, though the shoes might disagree) with their latest Japan Flames collection, a drop that fuses wrestling’s camp-glam theatrics with streetwear’s obsession for nostalgia-heavy silhouettes.
This isn’t Brain Dead’s first foray into wrestling’s universe. In 2022, the Los Angeles-based collective birthed its own promotion, Brain Slam Wrestling, proving their love for piledrivers and pyrotechnics goes deeper than aesthetics. Now, they’re channeling that same energy into footwear, honoring Japan’s indelible role in shaping the wrestling scene.
The Collection: Flames, Fur, and Fierce Attitude
At the heart of the release is adidas’ archival Japan silhouette, a low-profile classic that has been quietly resurging thanks to its sleek build. Brain Dead gives it a wild makeover:
- Japan Lo Brain Dead arrives with leather uppers, flame-laced suede overlays, contrasting stripes, furry laces (yes, you read that right), and co-branded sockliners. Two colorways bring the heat: earthy brown with yellow-green accents, and a moodier black with blue and off-white detailing.
- Japan Hi Brain Dead stretches the drama into wrestling-boot territory, complete with flame overlays. It lands in a single black, off-white, and pine green palette, basically the sneaker equivalent of a chokehold.
It’s flamboyant, it’s playful, it’s a love letter to the spectacle of wrestling. Think lucha libre meets Tokyo street fashion, ready to strut out of the tunnel and straight into your rotation.
Photos by adidas
Drop Details
The adidas Originals x Brain Dead Japan Flames Collection drops August 28, 2025, in limited quantities. You’ll find it on CONFIRMED, select adidas stores and retailers, and on wearebraindead.com. Expect fast sell-outs, after all, when culture, chaos, and craftsmanship collide, the hype is inevitable.
Why It Matters
This collab is more than just footwear, it’s culture play. Brain Dead thrives on championing the fringes: wrestling, counterculture, outsider art. adidas Originals, meanwhile, knows how to pull its archives into the now without losing credibility. Together, they’ve built a collection that feels as raw as a ringside fight and as stylish as a Shibuya side street.
Photos by adidas