From Noah Lyles’ Kamehameha-inspired celebration to Kishane Thompson’s “Goku bounce,” track and field is now a stage where pop culture reigns, too. Anime has clearly dominated this new generation of stars, and with Lyles landing a massive anime partnership that Thompson and other anime fan-athletes might have dreamed of, a fusion of sports and anime. So, what’s cooking on the sidelines?

Crunchyroll has officially teamed up with Noah Lyles to launch his merch in full anime style, a perfect match, given that the 200m world champion is a massive anime fan himself. When approached with the offer, the six-time 200m world champ had just one response: “Hell yes.”

Cat Bowen, of Runner’s World, wrote about her excitement about the two worlds colliding. “I’m a nerd. I’m a runner. And honestly, those two worlds usually only collide when I’m geeking out over the latest running tech—headphones, GPS watches, shoes. But when I was invited to view the Crunchyroll and Noah Lyles collection at New York Comic Con, it felt like a gum gum shot. Here was lifestyle gear designed for people exactly like me—those of us who crave sports apparel but also want to wear our nerdiness unapologetically,” wrote Cate.

Noah Lyles is a massive anime fan who openly celebrates the anime heroes that shaped him, whether it’s One Piece’s Luffy and Zoro, teaching him never to back down, Goku’s Ultra Instinct inspiring his speed, or his all-time favorite, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood. In fact, Lyles appeared at the Doha World Championships in 2019 with silver hair. When asked, he explained in a conversation with the Washington Post, “In Dragon Ball Z, Goku’s final stage, or form, is Ultra Instinct.” He further added, “His hair turns silver/grey. I’m ready to go. I’m ready to make the team. I’m in my highest state.” Clearly, Noah Lyles’ love for anime is unparalleled!

Lyles’ collection is more than just cool graphics. It’s a premium lifestyle and running gear that holds up to the way we runners treat our everyday clothing. According to Crunchyroll, the fabrics are soft, the fits are perfect, and each design exudes the unmistakable flair of a true passion project. And who better to be the face of the brand than Noah Lyles? After all, as alluded to previously, anime is a big part of Lyles’ life. Let’s hear it from the man himself.

Noah Lyles finds anime to be much more peaceful than anything else

Back in 2021, Noah Lyles revealed that Fullmetal Alchemist is his favorite anime and that it has taught him a lot about life. That’s not all, he also shared that Cage of Eden tops his manga list. His love for Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards are no secret either. At the Team Trials, the 27-year-old was handed a suitcase by legendary rapper Snoop Dogg containing his race-day kit and the coveted Exodia card, which Lyles proudly flashed to the camera just before the men’s 100m in Oregon.

Talking about the Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards, the athlete revealed that he keeps the Blue-Eyes White Dragon card tucked inside his tracksuit reads, “This legendary dragon is a powerful engine of destruction. Virtually invincible, very few have faced this awesome creature and lived to tell the tale.” A fitting choice, mirroring the explosive energy and unstoppable drive that Noah Lyles brings to the track.

Certainly, the way he talks about his anime and manga unapologetically shows just how much he loves immersing himself in those imaginative worlds. Now, as he gears up for the upcoming season, who knows, he might pull off another stunt inspired by a different anime. But for now, one thing’s for sure: the new Noah Lyles merch is absolutely classy. So, what do you think about this recent partnership? Let us know in the comments below!