For the culturally unaware, (count me in) animal prints are extremely popular in “The Land of The Rising Sun.” To celebrate this phenomenon, Vans Japan recently released two new “Animal” themed pairs of the SK8-Hi. Both variations feature a black toebox that’s sandwiched atop a vulcanized white midsole. A zebra pattern and leopard print mark up the SK8′s middle panel and provide visual contrast. The Vans SK8-Hi “Animal” Pack is available now in Japan, and we’ll update here if they catch retail recognition here in the United States.

Via ABC-Mart.

Skate company Vans loves nature–after all, boarding and its interrelated subculture directly correlate with gettin’ out there and bustin’ a kickflip outdoors, right? It comes to no suprise then that the brand recently reworked their iconic SK8-Hi and Slip-On models to encompass the ecological world. Leopard print and an intriguing zebra pattern were creatively applied to the upper of each shoe. Celebrate your PETA pride today! The Vans “Animal” Series (or the Leopard SK8-Hi, Zebra SK8-Hi, Leopard Slip-On, and Zebra Slip-On for those keeping score at home) is available now at Japanese retailer ABC-Mart.