The Akatsuki are stepping out of the shadows once again. Esports organization Team Liquid has announced the second iteration of its Naruto Shippuden Akatsuki collection, and the new apparel line is set to launch this Friday (October 23rd).
Team Liquid revealed the collection on its official X account two days ago (October 19th) with a set of promotional photos, writing that "The second iteration of our Team Liquid x Naruto Shippuden Akatsuki collection steps out from the shadows."
A First Look At Akatsuki II
Team Liquid followed the reveal yesterday (October 20th) with a short teaser video, officially naming the line the Team Liquid x Naruto Shippuden Akatsuki II collection. The caption is a nod straight to the series' darkest chapters: "Built to withstand the heavy rain and the flames of hatred."
Fans of the anime will recognize the reference. The heavy rain points to the Hidden Rain Village, the home of Pain and Konan, while the flames of hatred are a big part of what drives the Akatsuki and characters like Sasuke and Itachi throughout Naruto Shippuden.
Team Liquid has not posted a full product list yet, but the promotional photos give a good look at the style of the collection. The standout piece is a black and red racing-style jacket covered in the Akatsuki's iconic red cloud, complete with Team Liquid branding. Other photos show black T-shirts with subtle line-art designs on the back, as well as a white hoodie and black shorts, all shot against bold red, purple, and blue backdrops that match the collection's moody tone.
Team Liquid has not yet revealed pricing or the exact launch time, so fans planning to grab something should keep an eye on the organization's social channels and online store ahead of Friday.
Five Years After The Original Akatsuki Collection
This is not the first time Team Liquid has dressed fans up as members of the Akatsuki. The organization first teamed up with Naruto Shippuden in February 2021 with a collection based on the Hidden Leaf Village, and it followed that up with the original Akatsuki Collection in October 2021.
According to Team Liquid's own store, that first Akatsuki drop featured items that were fully custom cut and sewn and designed entirely in house by the Team Liquid apparel team, all officially licensed as part of the Naruto Shippuden collaboration. It included 20 pieces of streetwear and accessories, with highlights like an Itachi packable tech jacket, an Akatsuki cloud chenille pullover hoodie, and a Zetsu long sleeve shirt.
The original collaborations proved popular with fans, which makes a return to the Akatsuki a natural move. The group remains one of the most popular villain organizations in anime, and its black cloaks with red clouds are still instantly recognizable more than two decades after the series first introduced them.
Team Liquid's Growing Anime Lineup
Team Liquid has built up quite a lineup of pop culture apparel over the years. Alongside its Naruto Shippuden collections, the organization has released collaborations with Demon Slayer, X-Men '97, Deadpool & Wolverine, and Star Wars, mixing esports-style gear with fan-favorite franchises.
For anyone less familiar with the organization, Team Liquid is one of the biggest names in esports, fielding teams across games like League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant, and Counter-Strike 2. Its apparel drops have become a big part of its brand, and anime collaborations like this one are a way to reach fans well beyond its usual esports audience.
With Halloween right around the corner, the timing also works out well for anyone who wants to show off some Akatsuki style this month.
Which Akatsuki member would you most like to see get their own piece in Team Liquid's new collection, Itachi or Pain?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.