The 1949 Kobe sneaker brand that became Asics, later revived as a retro fashion label
QUICK FACTS
Est. 1949 — best known for retro sneakers, the original brand behind Asics.
HISTORY
Onitsuka Tiger began as the brand name used by Onitsuka Co., Ltd., the Kobe sportswear maker founded by Kihachiro Onitsuka in 1949. From around the 1950s–60s its shoes — including the striped 'Mexico 66' running shoe, first made for the 1966 Mexico Olympics — were sold under the Tiger name and gained a following well beyond Japan, including in the United States, where the brand's designs are said to have influenced early Nike (then Blue Ribbon Sports) sneakers.
In 1977, Onitsuka merged with two other companies to form Asics Corporation, and the Tiger name receded as Asics became the parent brand for performance sportswear. In 2002, Asics revived Onitsuka Tiger as a standalone lifestyle and fashion label, reissuing classic silhouettes like the Mexico 66 and Nippon Made in updated colors and materials — the retro counterpart to Asics's performance-focused core business.
PRODUCTS
Striped running shoe originally made for the 1966 Mexico Olympics
Premium line of shoes manufactured in Japan
TIMELINE
This page is compiled from publicly available company history and is provided for general reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the brand's official website.