Image Credit: Foot Locker
Foot Locker and ASICS have teamed up to launch the “Welcome to the Dojo: Sneaker Samurai” campaign through a bespoke anime series and ASICS Dojo Pack collection, inclusive of apparel and footwear. In the series, YFN Lucci will also be joined by Luka Sabbat, who serves as the campaign’s lead character, “Sneaker Samurai,” and Princess Nokia as “Kiku.” The original anime series, created by BBDO and the illustration/animation studio SHOTOPOP, will feature four short animated episodes and lead up to the official release of the ASICS Welcome to the Dojo Pack at Foot Locker on Friday, Aug. 24. The ASICS Welcome to the Dojo collection, which includes apparel and footwear, will be available exclusively from Foot Locker, Inc. retailers including Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports.
The premise of “Sneaker Samurai” features a samurai hero who enters the Dojo, a training space for martial arts. Before he enters, he removes his ASICS GEL-Lyte III sneakers, and emerges from his training to discover that someone has stolen his shoes. He then sets off on a quest to reclaim his coveted sneakers. The series also touts voiceover talent from top creators and influencers. Actor Luka Sabbat, who serves as the campaign’s lead role, “Sneaker Samurai.”
Image Credit: Foot Locker
The original anime-inspired series, created by BBDO and the illustration/animation studio Shotopop, will feature five short animated episodes to celebrate the official release of the ASICS “Welcome to the Dojo” Pack at Foot Locker on Friday, Aug. 24. The premise of “The Sun and the Snake” features a samurai hero who enters the Dojo, a training space for martial arts. Before he enters, he removes his ASICS GEL-Lyte I sneakers, and emerges from his training to discover that someone has stolen his shoes. He then sets off on a quest to reclaim his coveted sneakers. The series also touts voiceover talent from top creators and influencers. Model, actor and entrepreneur Luka Sabbat plays the lead character, “Sneaker Samurai,” and is joined by notable rappers Princess Nokia as “Kiku” and YFN Lucci as “Ghost Samurai.” The first episode will debut on August 21, and each episode will be available on Foot Locker’s YouTube and Instagram channels. The episodes will also be shoppable, allowing viewers to purchase the featured “Welcome to the Dojo” gear and footwear directly within the platforms.
The “Welcome to the Dojo” Pack: The ASICS “Welcome to the Dojo” pack, which includes apparel and footwear, will be available exclusively on August 24 from Foot Locker, Inc. retailers including Foot Locker, Footaction and Champs Sports.
We got a chance to speak with Luka Sabbat & YFN Lucci to talk about their roles in the campaign. Check it out below.
Image Credit: Foot Locker
RESPECT.: How did you feel when Foot Locker reached out to you, to be apart of the campaign?
Luka Sabbat: I was surprised. I didn’t expect that phone call, I was in Paris minding my own business and then I got a phone call. They were like Foot Locker is interested in doing a cartoon of you that’s animated and I was like “Lets Go” ! It’s a first for everything. Next thing you know, I’m here.
You play Sneaker Sumurai the lead character, tell me the role he plays in this series?
That’s me. I get finessed for my shoes and I get tight because I ain’t got no shoes. I have to go through extreme measures to get my feet back on my sneaker game.
Image Credit: Foot Locker
Are you a fan of the ASICS “Welcome to the Dojo” Pack ?
It looks like Kill bill so I like it. It reminds me of Kill Bill it’s like yellow + black. So the answer is yes!
What is your favorite sneaker at the moment?
I really be wearing like cowboy boots and stuff if you have me on instagram like on the everyday basis. I wear sneakers when I gotta wear sneakers you know, to like workout or something like that. But I just wear cowboy boots like up to my knee type sh*t.
Should their be gender roles in fashion or people should be allowed to wear what they like?
I feel like people should be able to wear what the f*ck they want. It’s literally as simple as it is. In the real world most dudes are okay with a white t-shirt or a button-up and cargos, khakis and a pair of sneakers. So I don’t think it matters. I just think nowadays it’s easier way to get things. Girls pay way more for s*it than dudes, which is still funny. Like you can literally go to the balenciaga store and see the same thing but then go to the women’s side and see the same thing and it’s cut slightly different but they’ll triple the price because it’s tailored or whatever. Young Thug wore a dress on the cover of Jeffery and that changed the game.
What are you most excited for your fans to see with the campaign?
I look good and I mean I’m getting my a** kicked. (Laughs). I Iook tall + good so hopefully they like it.
Image Credit: Foot Locker
I’m very excited about it and I can’t wait till it drop. I can’t wait for all my fans to go cop the shoes and tag me in it. I’m also looking forward to doing more business with Foot Locker. – YFN Lucci
YFN Lucci speaks a bit about his role as “Ghost Samurai below.
How did you feel when Foot Locker reached out to you to do the campaign?
YFN Lucci: I was excited, because I used to wear Asics and to be apart of that it’s big. That’s special and it’s like being the face of something.
Tell me a bit about your journey as “Ghost Samurai” (Lucci’s character in the series)?
This is my first time, so I was doing voiceovers almost the whole summer. I think my fans gone just be thankful to hear my voice just to see me and hear what I got to say. Just to see me as a cartoon that’s gone be big for my fans. I came in rapping and I’m doing stuff like this now. This is like real motivational. It just shows you it’s a lot of things you can do besides being a rapper.
Are you a fan of the “Welcome to the Dojo” Pack?
Yes
Favorite piece from the collection?
I like the shoes, they like real comfortable. Running + training shoe so they fit type comfortable. They got a cool look on them.
Image Credit: Foot Locker
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