Crunchyroll has partnered with 2024 Olympic track and field gold medalist Noah Lyles for a limited-edition capsule collection powered by sportswear leader adidas. Launching September 18, 2025—just as Lyles competes on the world stage in Tokyo—this exclusive drop is inspired by the high-energy spirit of anime that fuels Lyles both on and off the track.
Lyles is not only an Olympic Champion, he’s also a six-time World Champion and the 200-meter record holder in the United States. In June 2025, the sprinter revealed that his next challenge will be off the track, with the formation of his own media production group, Iconic Productions. Formed in partnership with Box To Box Films, Iconic Productions will amplify “voices that deserve to be heard” and lean into Lyles’ “interests across sports, entertainment, fashion and popular culture, as well as, of course, his connections in athletics,” per Deadline.
Lyles is known as “world’s fastest anime fan,” at least in international media. At races, he often does poses from Dragon Ball and other anime series before or after races, sometimes both. For example, prior to a 100-meter race at last year’s U.S. trials for the Paris Olympics, he pulled out a Yu-Gi-Oh! card during his introduction.
@nbcsports Noah Lyles really pulled out a Yu-Gi-Oh! card for his 100m intro (Blue-Eyes White Dragon, for those wondering.) 😆 #TrackFieldTrials24 #running #track #trackstar #noahlyles #yugioh ♬ original sound – NBC Sports
Anime isn’t just a hobby for Lyles; it’s a core part of who he is and serves as his source of strength and motivation. The medium is where he draws strength, motivation, and mental resilience—influences like Dragon Ball inspire his relentless pursuit of pushing his limits, while Tokyo Ghoul mirrors the sacrifice and grit required in his path to greatness. Fullmetal Alchemist, a longtime favorite of Lyles, speaks to his belief in adaptation, transformation, and growth.
He’s also said that his love of anime could be the secret to raising the profile of track and field in non-Olympic years. “In a lot of countries, they already have their top 3 sports, and that’s fine,” he told The Japan Times. But when you get involved with culture, that’s when people start taking a look and being like, ‘Oh, what are they doing over there.'”
“Not to toot my own horn, but I have a very big love for Japan, and I’m very honored they have a love for me. It probably comes from winning medals, but it also comes from my love of Japan and my love of anime. I’ve probably done about 70 Kamehamehas today to the fans. That has nothing to do with winning or losing. That was just simply they felt they could gravitate or connect culturally with me, instead of just, did this person win or lose.”
@marcusshoutsanimanga Olympic Gold Medalist Noah Lyles is Living EVERY Anime Fans DREAM! #noahlyles #anime #manga #baki #trackandfield ♬ Japanese-style dramatic piano song – スタジオ Music Rabbit
“Anime has always been part of how I see the world,” Lyles said in the Crunchyroll PR. “When I’m on the track, I channel the same energy as the heroes I grew up watching. Their determination, their style, their fight to push beyond limits; this collab is my way of sharing that love with fans everywhere. We built something that’s fast, bold, and full of anime spirit.”
That shared passion makes the Lyles and Crunchyroll collaboration feel effortless. The sprinter embodies the spirit of anime, while Crunchyroll unites millions of fans worldwide through it. Together, they’ve created a collection that celebrates the power of fandom, the drive for greatness, and the connection between anime and athletic excellence—on the track and far beyond. With the current popularity of sports-themed anime, now seems like the perfect time for this collaboration to drop.
“Anime is a universal language of passion, drive, and resilience,” said Kristin Hamilton, Senior Vice President, Head of Global eCommerce & Direct to Consumer. “Noah embodies those same qualities every time he steps on the track. This partnership is about celebrating that connection: how anime inspires people to push past limits, express themselves, and carry that energy into every part of life.”
According to the press release:
“The launch also marks another milestone for Crunchyroll, as the brand continues to spark cross-fan momentum by bringing anime into new arenas of culture. Recent activations with wrestling icon Mercedes Moné have broadened both Crunchyroll and anime’s reach, and now, with Noah Lyles, Crunchyroll is stepping into the global sportswear spotlight, with more athlete collaborations to come later this year. The Crunchyroll x Noah Lyles capsule represents the next evolution of that vision, uniting anime, athletics, and fashion at a moment when Lyles is racing for gold.”
“Each piece draws inspiration from Lyles’ lightning speed, anime and manga–inspired artwork, and his signature color red, brought to life through his favorite wardrobe staples,” reads the PR. The collection, designed by Lyles and Crunchyroll, and powered by adidas, includes:
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Speedline Saga Tee – $40
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The Poster Tee – $40
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Crunch Mode Hoodie – $70
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Speedline Saga Hat – $35
Check out Lyles modeling the full collection in the gallery below!
The Crunchyroll x Noah Lyles capsule will launch September 18, 2025, exclusively on the Crunchyroll Store in the United States. Shop now!
