Air Max 90 “Rice Ball” Honors the Humble Onigiri

While culinary-inspired footwear has been around for a minute, Nike’s latest Air Max pack for March has seen footwear options move from Michelin Stars to mini marts. The (likely) Japan-exclusive series for Air Max Month has already seen a candy wrapper-covered Air Max 95, and an Air Max 97 geared in an energy gel arrangement. Now it’s time for another East Asian convenience store staple to get its own release, with this Nike Air Max 90 “Rice Ball” (Onigiri) on the way.

Here, using the upper as well as the insole and branding, the silhouette celebrates the iconic convenience store onigiri, with rice grains and the distinct wrapping influencing many of the details. To start, the entire exterior construction seems to be coated very lightly in white, mirroring that of the rice ball itself. This is further evidenced by the mudguard whose sublimated print brings the plastic effect further to the foreground. In color, most of the fixtures adjacent are dressed in a seaweed-like black, while the Swoosh, sole, and tongue branding contrast in a much brighter aqua blue. Touches of red also squeeze their way in, highlighting the “AIR MAX” and “Nike Air” emblems at the side and heel, respectively. What’s more, if the references weren’t already clear enough, a full close-up image of rice covers the insole and the laces tout “Pull” just like the product’s packaging.

Grab a close-up look at the official imagery here below, and while Japanese retailers have marked the pair down for a March 19th release, those of us elsewhere around the globe will have to wait for confirmation on its wider release — should there be one. As always, keep your eyes glued to our official Twitter account for further updates.

Nike Air Max 90 “Rice Ball”

Release Date: March 19th, 2021

Style Code: DD5483-010
Color: Black/Chlorine Blue-White-Beach
Retail: $130