[Update 13 Dec] Official images of the Nike ZoomX VaporFly NEXT% 2 “EKIDEN”, the first among the pack, have surfaced. Emerald green serves as the base layer, with black forming the tongue and most of the outsole; red accents the pair along the edges of the upper, the eyestays, the interior, the branding on the heel counter, and the Swoosh underfoot.

Some hallmarks of the design are the gradating Swooshes that runs from the toe box though the medial edges, the “EKIDEN” on the lateral heel, as well as the graphics on the footbed. Lest we forget the sci-fi-esque vectors printed on the heel.

A global release have yet to be disclosed but with these images coming to light, the date seems more imminent.

[Update 29 Nov] A release cycle has been announced. Unfortunately, information points to a Tokyo-exclusive release, for now. A wider general one is reported to be on 8 December but pre-sales are open from the 1st to the 7th at Japanese sports retailer, Alpen Group’s Sports Depot locations.

Nike for a couple of years now has been releasing the “Ekiden” Pack, in celebration of Japan’s long-running love of ekiden, the Japanese term for multi-stage, long-distance running. The pack subsumes some of the Swoosh’s top-of-the-line road runners: the Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT% 2, Nike Zoom X Vaporfly NEXT% 2, Nike Zoom Fly 5, Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39, and the Air Zoom Rival Fly 3.

Unveiled for the first time during a Nike event held for the Japanese media, the 2023 edition will see the 5-pair pack arrive in a predominantly green colorway, diverging from the usual sun-reminiscent color scheme of past releases.

The Swooshes across the pairs were evidently designed in the image of the dragonfly’s wings, integrated with a reflective sheen that gives off an iridescent gleam under light. The ekiden motif is presented via symbols imprinted on the insoles, midsoles, and heel: one of the road, a team of runners, and the dragonfly.

The aforementioned dragonfly serves as the inspiration for the pack for the meaning it embodies in Japan. Known as “kachimushi” or victory insect, its admired not only for its hunting prowess, but also for its nature, never knowing to retreat. It’s able to fly fast, it’s agile, it can hover, but it can never fly backwards. Thus, it was even used as patterns on armor during the period of warring states.

Nike has yet to disclose an official release date but one should be in order before the year comes to a close. With these images surfacing, it does at least ascertain the existence and appearance of the shoes.

In other Nike-related news, check out the Nike Air Force 1 Low Retro “Metallic Silver”.