Custom Ōkami Vans by KyozoKicks.
I use video games as my inspiration, is there a finer more deserving game than Okami?
Okami was developed by Clover Studios and was one of the last big PS2 releases prior to the launch of the PS3 . The game unfortuantly suffered poor sales and shortly after release Clover Studios was forced to close it’s doors.
Clover Studios may be gone but we will always have Okami to enjoy. With such a strong and memorable art style it is hard to imagine that the game was first produced to be as photo realistic as possible, only later into the development was the change to the Japanese Watercolour/Sumi-e style we associate with the game today . What a refreshing decision.
My work with shoes and video games I have come to realise is my way of saying thank you to the people behind those games. Thank you for being bold with your ideas, for breaking the mould and for making video games genuinely funny. I can say without fail that next year we will have a better Call Of Duty, a better looking Fifa/Madden and a faster Need for Speed – But we may never surpass the brilliance of the original Okami.
Onto the Shoes!
What fun these shoes were to do! If you follow my work I like to think you can see my skills progress, becoming more confident with shapes, colours and Ideas.
I did not time how long they took me but I would guess around 15 hours. On the right shoe (Left in the pictures) depicts Ōkami Amaterasu. He is made up of around half a dozen seperate colour/shades. As with all my work no pens were used – everything is done with a size 0 paint brush (It would be a crime to create Ōkami shoes with anything BUT a paintbrush!) The other shoe depicts a number of Japansese charachters, these came from a number of places I found whilst researching further into Ōkami. I took extra care with these to copy them as closely as possible. A bold strip of Orange and Yellow brings the two ideas together.
On the heels of the shoe is the logo for Okami, usually depicted with black writing on white, here I reversed the colours to make it more eligible.
As always I want these to go to Ōkami fans and are currently up for sale (to check out what else is for sale please click HERE) They are brand new Men’s US 11, UK 10 and were bought brand new for this design. The still have all the tags on and will be sent out in the original Vans packaging. I am more than happy to send these anywhere in the world – I am actually yet to send a single pair to anyone in England!
The asking price for these is £115. (I use XE for currency conversions). Postage costs will vary by country. Offers can be sent to me via email and payment is accepted however you feel most comfortable.
As always I welcome you discussion, criticism, praise and questions in the comments below. Please check back for my next pair based off of the classic : Oddworld : Abe’s Oddysee.
If you guys would like to have a go at creating custom shoes yourself all my paints come from the fine chaps over on Painted Soles. Personally I have not found anywhere cheaper or with better service.
17 Comments
Join the conversation and post a comment.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- Okami Vans will make your jaw drop| XboxSold.com where you find Everything Xbox| XboxSold.com BLOG - [...] I can say about these Okami-themed Vans, which are the latest project from the fine peeps over at Kyozo ...
- Okami Vans will make your jaw drop - [...] I can say about these Okami-themed Vans, which are the latest project from the fine peeps over at Kyozo ...
- Gamestyle:Tenis de Okami | Atomix - [...] Kyozo Kicks Articulos Relacionados:Famitsu revelará Okamiden en su próxima ediciónOkami Legend: The Small [...]
- Tênis Customizado! | NOWLOADING:/> Podcasts sobre Games - [...] Kyozo Kicks volta, depois de sapatos Okami, Zelda e Phoenix Wright, agora chega com o charme de Patapon! Pra ...
- Wolf parade: Kyozo Kicks’ custom Okami sneakers | VENUS PATROL - [...] master of games-related custom shoes Kyozo Kicks returns with his latest Okami-la-den (get it?) sneaks, quite possibly the finest ...
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Those are some beautiful shoes! You did a really nice job showing Ammy in all her awesomeness. The only thing I could want more is a little Issun on the other shoe. ; )
Thanks for your comment HSK,
The beautiful thing about painting shoes is the design can always be changing! Would love for you to get back to me perhaps with some images of issun – Maybe something that could further be incorporated into the design!
Thanks again.
Awesome shoes m8!!!!!! but isnt there a problem with the copyright? or how is this handled?
Hey Jimmy,
Glad you like the shoes! As far as copyright I have had zero problems, all my shoes are sold as one offs so I don’t make any money off of someone else’s IP – I consider it a homage to good games . If anything they have been really cool about it both Capcom (The Phoenix Wright Shoes) and Double Fine (The Grim Fandango Shoes) featured the shoes on their own website.
ah..k just asking cause i am on a Graphic/Design school and we had this week a special subject called MEDIA/DESIGN RIGHTS… and i wanted to know how to handle. so if you would open a shop with a lot of video games shoes it would be a problem? but again: AWSEOME SHOES!!!
If only they’d been size 8s… same with the Grim Fandango shoes.
Yes I would have worn them. Very cute though and can’t wait for the next project.
Hey AM,
Tried my hardest with these shoes, Okami seemed deserving! I try to get an idea of what size is popular before I start but unless its a private commission it’s a bit of a shot it the dark! Working hard on the next pair, it will be a return to the Converse!
$168 U.S.? I think.
Ello Smurf,
I use http://www.xe.com for all my currency conversions. hope that helps.
I said it on Destructoid, but I have to say it again: wonderful work!
Hey Ghil,
Thanks for taking the time to stop by and comment!
Hey are those shoes a type of leather or the standart basic black vans? they look cool ! cant wait for your other projects…
Hey Mike,
Although leather vans are available these are the more popular standard canvas type. More shoes on the way, hope you stick around to check them out!
Hey are these shoes still for sale? I would really like to buy them.
Hey Jenny,
They sure are – if you would like more information than drop me an email. Hope to hear from you soon.
Nick
WOW… seriously.
But they have one flaw, they are so good i would not wear them. Id just sit and stare at them
seriously i want these so bad! im going through and okami craze lately. what did u use to paint them?