Retro sneaker brands are having a moment, and none more so than Onitsuka Tiger, the Japanese maker from Kobe, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024. Founded in 1949 by Kihachiro Onitsuka, the brand aimed to inspire Japanese youth through sport, starting with a basketball shoe design inspired by the way octopus tentacles grip surfaces (we kid you not). It wasn’t until the 1960s that Onitsuka Tiger entered the global market, refocusing its attention on the fast-growing running sector. One of its most significant contributions during this time was the ‘Magic Runner’, an early marathon shoe that highlighted the brand’s focus on lightweight and supportive footwear. But it was the Mexico 66 that really put the brand on the map. Originally designed for the 1968 Olympic Games held in Mexico City, this was the first shoe to feature the now-famous tiger stripes. Today, it remains one of the brand’s bestsellers and a beloved style in streetwear culture. The Mexico 66’s influence spread beyond athletes to icons like Bruce Lee, who famously wore it in …