Adidas and The Simpsons have joined forces to deliver a weirdly accurate Ned Flanders shoe collaboration. Right from the start of the highly acclaimed animated series over thirty years ago, the character of Ned Flanders has been a fan favorite. Though the series initially catered to the popularity of Bart, Flanders gradually developed into a lovable, yet ridiculous cast member, the likes of which acted as a perfect counterpoint to the crass antics of Homer.

As the series progressed, viewers were introduced to the Flanders family in greater detail, with sons Rod and Todd providing some classic Simpsons laughs, as well as his wife Maude offering small, but hilarious appearances. After 11 seasons as the program’s happiest Christian family, Maude was killed off, leaving Ned and the boys utterly devastated. Ned eventually remarried local grade school teacher, Edna Krabappel. The union wasn’t to last, though – as Edna was killed off after real-life actor (and voice of the character) Marcia Wallace passed away in 2013. Yet, despite the consistent tragedies that have befallen Flanders over the years, his "never say die" attitude and irritating nature have managed to fully charm audiences, arguably making him one of the most popular inhabitants in all of Springfield.

Related: The Simpsons: Ned Flanders' Real Age Explained (& How It Changes)

The popularity of Ned Flanders can be seen in the frequent use of some of his best catchphrases among fans, particularly the absurd but hilarious way of adding “diddly” and “doodly” to a variety of different words. In addition to this, Flanders has a fashion sense that can be described as Church dad chic, with sweaters and slacks dominating his wardrobe. Few other characters on The Simpsons are as instantly identifiable by their clothing choices as Flanders is, and it is perhaps for this reason why Adidas have chosen the character for its latest Simpsons shoe collaboration. As of this writing, the shoes have yet to be released, but thanks to Hot New Hip Hop, an extensive first look at the collaboration has arrived. Check out the shoes below:

Ned Flanders Shoe 1
Ned Flanders Shoe 3
Ned Flanders Shoe 4
Ned Flanders Shoe 5
Ned Flanders Shoe 6
Ned Flanders Shoe 7

Using Flanders’ allegiance to green and brown, the shoes are both stylish and a perfect nod to the Simpsons character without being too overt. For those sneakerheads out there who love every aspect of a new release, the box that the Adidas McCartens come in is almost as exciting as the shoes themselves. With its direct reference to Flanders’ pride in being a left-hander, the box offers beautiful Simpsons art that depicts the character outside of his Leftorium. The new shoes take their place among past Adidas/Simpsons collaborations that include Flaming Moe’s and the Kwik-E-Mart’s icy Squishy beverage.

In recent years, there has been no shortage of those who feel that The Simpsons has long since peaked and that it’s time for it to say goodbye. However, there doesn’t seem to be any sign of the series ending any time soon, with season 33 set to kick off next month and a 34th season set for 2022. It seems that The Simpsons will continue to be a relevant pop-culture powerhouse for some time yet, and its ongoing collaborations with companies like Adidas is further evidence of this.

Next: The Simpsons Needs Less Cameos (From Celebrities Playing Themselves)

Source: Hot New Hip Hop