ZUTOMAYO x ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 injects a highlight into sneaker culture in 2025

To infinity and beyond, ASICS is looking to rejuvenate the brand's appeal by connecting new colorways and styles to those of previously known looks, and honestly, it might be working. 

The sneaker brand rolling out a brand new collaboration with the loud and vibrant Japanese band, ZUTOMAYO. Focusing on the ASICS Gel-Kayano 14 shoe as the model highlighted in the collab, the joint sneaker finds itself detailing two new unique colorways featuring neon hits that pay showcase some of the signature sounds and looks that the band is most known for.

Immediately upon checking out the ZUTOMAYO Instagram account, you can get a feel for what the aesthetic is pertaining to their music and how it combines with a possible collaboration in the fashion world. A dark, vibrant, spacey feel strikes you immediately, and that is what is present in the first colorway shown off in this unit. A "Black and Purple" style is the first one in the set, and it is pretty self-explanatory, adding a unique flavor to the simple color combination. Reminicent of a chunky Balenciaga model, the sneaker is covered in black and silver, combined with purple lining giving hits in the right spots. Topped off with a pink hit in the center of the sole, this offers a simple yet striking aesthetic that could be a good shoe to throw in the everday rotation.

The next model dives straight into Buzz Lightyear territory, taking from the iconic white, purple, and green color model that the iconic character is known for. It could be an official collaboration with how close it is, and it has to be intentional, also lining up with the band's aesthetic in an opposite way, using the neon look in a lighter fashion. The more striking model in the set, just not as wearable, in my opinion, it still would be a pickup for me, however. 

Following the announcement, we have no other details; the sneaker is set to release in 2025, which looks to be a highlight for the year.