Nike debuted the Kubo inspired Air Jordan XV today. For the release of the animated film Kubo and the Two Strings, Nike, Laika, and Focus Features have teamed up to rework the previously issued sneakers. The connection between Laika films and Nike is Travis Knight, son of Nike co-founder Phil Knight.
For famed designer Tinker Hatfield, it’s a do over on one of his sneaker designs. Long considered one of the rare duds in the 31 editions of the iconic sneakers. In an exclusive interview with Complex Magazine, Hatfield said:
People ask me all the time. What’s your favorite Air Jordan and what’s your least favorite?Sometimes I’ll say my favorite is the Jordan XI, and a few times I’ve said my least favorite is the Air Jordan XV.
Hatfield believes the original XV has design mistakes and the new version will be more visually pleasing. Using the theme of good vs. evil inspired by the film, each shoe in the new design pair is a different color. One red and one blue. Hatfield said:
It made sense to use a single pair but tell both sides of the story.
While the movie will be in theaters on August 19th, there are a few ways for fans to try and win a pair of the new sneakers. On August 8, the Just Keep Livin Foundation will host a live eBay auction with dozens of pairs of Kubo XV sneakers up for bidding; all the proceeds will go to the Foundation’s programs that teach the importance of decision-making, health, education, and active living.
Also on August 10, gamers who sign up to play the new Moon Beast game at the official Kubo and the Two Strings website can compete to be the top scorers and win a pair of Kubo XVs.
See the full video with Tinker Hatfield below. And, flip the pages to see additional pics of the new XV’s.