Seven-time world champion Noah Lyles has transformed his lifelong passion for Japanese anime into a groundbreaking fashion collaboration, launching an exclusive capsule collection with Crunchyroll and Adidas. This venture not only fulfills his childhood dream of creating anime-inspired art but also marks a significant moment for track athletes venturing into unique brand partnerships, fresh off his incredible performances at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025.
In a significant move that extends his influence far beyond the athletics track, sprinting superstar Noah Lyles has unveiled a new anime-inspired capsule collection. The seven-time world champion, known for his speed and charismatic personality, launched the collection in collaboration with Crunchyroll and Adidas at New York City Comic Con on Thursday, October 9, 2025. This project is more than just a sponsorship; it’s a realization of a childhood dream, as he exclusively shared with People.
“It’s everything that I probably could want,” Lyles stated, emphasizing the personal significance of creating his own merchandise, a rare opportunity for track athletes. His line with Crunchyroll is described as a high-velocity clothing collection that seamlessly fuses speed, storytelling, and distinctive style.
A Lifelong Passion Ignites a New Venture
Lyles’ foray into the world of anime fashion is a natural extension of a passion he has openly embraced throughout his career. Fans have long associated him with his love for Japanese animation, often showering him with anime merchandise after his races. This deep connection dates back to his formative years, revealing a childhood dream that predates his track ambitions.
“When I was a kid, I was like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m going to actually make my own anime. I’m going to be a manga artist,’ and all this other stuff,” Lyles recalled. While his path diverged to make him one of the fastest men in the world, this collaboration allows him to revisit and fulfill that artistic aspiration, proving that dreams can evolve and find new expressions.
The Origin of an Anime Aficionado
The sprinter vividly remembers the moment his love for anime was ignited. It was during a sleepover with friends, where they introduced him to the video game Dragon Ball Z Budokai Tenkaichi. Unfamiliar with the game at first, he agreed to stay up with his friends to watch the actual show on Toonami.
Despite being tired at 1:00 a.m., the start of one of the first episodes of the Cell Games saga captivated him instantly. “This is amazing!” he exclaimed, a sentiment that clearly resonated and grew over the years to become a defining part of his public persona.
Connecting Athletic Prowess with Pop Culture Impact
This collaboration comes on the heels of Lyles’ incredible athletic accomplishments. He recently secured his fourth consecutive gold medal in the men’s 200-meter at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 2025, a feat that ties him with legendary sprinter Usain Bolt. His success isn’t new; Lyles boasts an impressive string of accolades including an Olympic bronze medal, six world titles, and four Diamond League Final trophies, as documented by Olympics.com. At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, he achieved a rare sprint treble, winning gold in the 100m, 200m, and the 4x100m relay, a feat not seen since Bolt in 2015.
His anime fandom is so well-known that at previous World Athletics Championships, fans eagerly gifted him a vast array of merchandise. Lyles humorously recalled needing extra suitcases to carry home all the Goku figurines, towels, blankets, and pictures he received, jokingly asking fans to “Please stop sending me stuff!”
Pioneering New Pathways for Athletes
This collaboration with Crunchyroll and Adidas is more than a personal milestone for Lyles; it’s a significant moment for the broader world of sports. By leveraging his personal interests and connecting with a global pop culture phenomenon, Lyles is setting a precedent for how track and field athletes can build their personal brands and engage with fans beyond traditional endorsements.
Lyles’ ability to translate his on-track dominance into off-track ventures like this anime collection showcases a modern athlete’s capacity to be a cultural influencer. It highlights his desire to not only break records but also to break barriers, expanding the profile of track and field athletes into new and exciting realms, much to the delight of his dedicated fanbase.
