Captain Tsubasa: Ending the 43-year series
・NHK conducted an exclusive interview with Mr. Takahashi
・90 million copies published, a monumental soccer manga
We will provide you with a summary of articles published on NHK.
Globally popular Captain Tsubasa:
The 43-year series ended with a magazine released on April 4th.
Yoichi Takahashi began serializing it in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1981.
The main character is a soccer genius boy:
The story depicts Tsubasa Ozora growing up while fostering friendships with his teammates and rivals.
Many famous scenes were created during the dramatic development of the match.
Announcement of end of series:
In January of this year, Yoichi Takahashi announced the end of the series due to declining physical strength.
On April 4th, the last magazine in the series was released.
A special sales section was set up at a bookstore in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and fans were also seen.
90 million copies published domestically and internationally:
1. Captain Tsubasa has been published in over 50 countries and regions.
2. More than 90 million copies of the comic have been published domestically and internationally.
The series, which spanned over 40 years, was successfully brought to a close.
Although he was hesitant, he has no regrets about his decision.
Fernando Torres:
Former Spain international and striker Fernando Torres.
1. On his official website, he says that he has loved soccer the most since he was 6 years old.
2. Thanks to watching Captain Tsubasa on TV.
Torres transfers to Japan:
Torres transferred to J1 side Sagan Tosu in 2018.
1. Yoichi Takahashi presents ‘Torres’ own illustration’.
2. Torres posted his gratitude on social media.
Lionel Messi is also a fan of Tsubasa:
Argentina’s Lionel Messi is also a big fan.
Argentine media:
The main character, Tsubasa Ozora, also played for FC Barcelona in Spain.
Tsubasa Ozora reported, ”It gives you the courage to stand on the field.”
Andres Iniesta player
Spain representative Andres Iniesta is also a fan of Captain Tsubasa.
In 2019, at my own request, I toured an anime production workplace.
Background to the end of the series:
Currently, he is maintaining good health.
However, due to age, the speed of drawing manga has slowed down.
1. When young, a ‘monthly/80-page weekly series’ is fine.
2. Nowadays, even a bimonthly 50-page series is tiring.
Development of vertigo:
Also, changing the angle of his head causes dizziness.
He was diagnosed with “benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.”
NHK exclusive interview:
How much more can I draw when I reach 60 years old?
Captain Tsubasa’s future activities:
At the beginning of the series, Captain Tsubasa was 11 years old. Tsubasa is now 22 years old.
He will participate in the Olympics and compete fiercely. The story has reached a turning point.
Author Takahashi’s concept:
In the future, there are plans to depict Tsubasa’s success in the Olympic and World Cup editions.
We will launch a new site after this summer.
The continuation of the story is revealed through pencil sketches and “name format.”
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20240404/k10014412191000.html