A few years ago, football was not as popular among the japonês. But currently it has become the 3rd most popular sport in the country. Much is due to the 2002 World Cup, the first held in Asia, hosted by Japan and South Korea. In japonês, “football” is sakkā, being a word derived from the English “soccer.”
But much of the popularity of this sport is also due to numerous works, both of mangas and anime, that depict football. This in a way boosted a sport that had been little practiced in the country.
While perhaps the sport is sometimes portrayed in a fanciful way, it also shows the reality of football. Many of these manga and anime came to Brazil and were very successful, from the classic Captain Tsubasa (Super Champions) to the most recent Super Eleven (Inazuma Eleven). See now a list of soccer anime:
Table of Contents
Captain Tsubasa (Super Champions) (1983)
The anime tells the story of Oliver Tsubasa, a football-obsessed boy. After moving to a new city, he meets new friends and a world of competitions in the sport.
With the main dream of defending the 日本代表サッカー team in the FIFA World Cup, he trains hard and overcomes many challenges on his journey. Always striving to improve his strength and skills.
The series is kind of fanciful with football/soccer moves. But it also deals with relationships between friends, rivals, training, competitions and the progress of games.
- The main character even comes to play in a Brazilian team
- It was announced that for 2018 we will have a remake of the anime;
Giant Killing (2010)
This anime tells the story of Tatsumi Takeshi, a former famous player, who now becomes a coach of soccer. His goal is to take his old team out of the gutter, now as a coach.
The story doesn't just focus on Tatsumi, but also on the players, fans, management and management of a team. Really showing how everything works in a football/soccer club.
Inazuma Eleven (Super Eleven) (2008)
In this anime, we meet Mamoru Endou (in Brazil Satoru Endou), a young and talented goalkeeper for a school team. Even with so much talent, his school does not have a competitive soccer team. But everything changes when a new and skillful student moves to Endou's school.
So the goalkeeper goes in search of new players to boost the team. Very fantastical matches, players full of poderes and various abilities, a lot of action, and stadiums that become true arenas de combate.
Area no Kishi (2012)
Kakeru Aizawa is the younger brother of the number 10 of the Japan U-15 national team. Kakeru is somewhat doubtful about becoming a player, to the point that he is only an assistant for his brother's school team. But everything changes when an old childhood friend who used to play soccer with them returns.
She doesn't understand how Kakeru lost his confidence in playing football. A terrible event marks their lives, and from that point on, young Kakeru decides to pursue his dream of participating in a National championship.
Days (2016)
The series shows the development of Tsukushi Tsukamoto, a shy and awkward teenager who is not very skilled at soccer. But one day, after some events, he proves to be very hardworking and dedicated, despite his little ability with the sport.
Your friend Jin, considered a genius in soccer, seeing Tsukushi's dedication, invites him to the team. Tsukushi, despite being fragile, weak, and clumsy, shows great willingness, which helps the team work together, even if it seems difficult.
Other football/soccer anime
- Whistle! (2002)
- Ginga e Kickoff!! (2012)
- Aoki Densetsu Shoot! (1993)
- Hungry Heart: Wild Striker (2002)
- Ganbare, Kickers! (1997)
- Keppeki Danshi! Aoyama-kun (2017)
- Eyeshield 21 (2004)
And have you watched any of these football/soccer anime? Do you like this anime style? Leave your comments and share with your friends. We also recommend reading:
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