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Not Only Tsubasa, Here Are the Best and Most Exciting Manga about Football

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Not Only Tsubasa, Here Are the Best and Most Exciting Manga about Football (Source: Tsubasa Oozora from Captain Tsubasa)

Kapanlagi.com - Manga Captain Tsubasa is phenomenal because it inspires children in Japan to have high ambitions in the world of football. Its main character, Tsubasa, also has a great dream of becoming a top football player. The manga story follows Tsubasa's journey from elementary school, middle school, to Europe where he meets great players.

Although Captain Tsubasa is always the most famous manga in the football genre, it doesn't mean that there are no other football manga from Japan that are worth enjoying. There are many anime with football themes loved by fans all over the world.

1. Fantasista (1999-2004)

Fantasista by Michiteru Kusaba deserves to be at the top of the list of the best football manga recommendations. This story tells the tale of Sakamoto Teppei, a talented young man who must face various obstacles to realize his dream playing style in football.

Teppei is not only faced with various opponents from different countries and backgrounds, but also has to adapt to his team's playing style.

Because football, as we know, is a team sport. This manga, consisting of 25 volumes, also addresses various adult themes that are sometimes forgotten in the sports manga genre.

Starting from adjusting to a foreign country, dealing with individualistic teammates, to overcoming performance decline when becoming a professional.

To achieve victory, sometimes Teppei not only relies on his individual skills and his team, but also exploits the tactical and mental weaknesses of his opponents.

This aspect is greatly appreciated by football fans. Although the story begins in Japan, the majority of the "Fantasista" story is set in Italy, particularly in the youth team of one of the biggest Serie-A clubs, AC Milan.

2. Hungry Heart Wild Striker

The rising young striker from Manchester City, Erling Haaland, did not participate in the Hungry Heart: Wild Striker Cup. This popular manga was published from 2002 to 2005 and was adapted into a TV anime series in 2002 with a total of 52 episodes.

The manga tells the story of Kano Kyosuke, a high school student from Jyoyo Orange. Kyosuke's older brother is a soccer star who plays for A.C. Milan.

Kyosuke's brother plays a crucial role in his life, as he teaches him everything about soccer.

However, due to the constant pressure and comparison from people around him with his brother, Kyosuke starts to distance himself from soccer.

But an event at his new school reignites his love for the sport.

3. Ao Ashi (2015- Ongoing)

Ao Ashi follows the journey of a young boy named Ashito Aoi, who is a key player in his middle school soccer team. One day, due to uncontrollable emotional chaos, Ashito is fired from his team.

Ashito's departure causes his team to experience a great setback. This incident raises questions within him about the meaning of soccer in his life.

However, Ashito's life changes when he meets a coach who sees great potential in him and invites him to Tokyo. This manga is highly popular, as evidenced by its success of reaching 29 volumes and still ongoing.

4. Area No Kishi (2006-2017)

Area No Kishi, or The Knight in the Area, is a manga by Hiroaki Igano published from 2006 to 2017. This manga was also adapted into an anime series in 2012.

The story follows Kakeru Aizawa's struggle to become the best striker. Kakeru and his older brother, Suguru, both have a great passion for soccer.

However, when Suguru quickly rises to stardom in the Japanese youth national team, Kakeru gets stuck in team management due to a traumatic incident where he accidentally injured his teammate.

However, fate has other plans. Kakeru must overcome his role and fulfill his brother's dream of playing in the World Cup. He is not alone in the journey to the top.

Nana, Kakeru's childhood friend, also provides a great boost in her love for soccer. Nana is a talented female soccer player who has become an integral part of the Japanese women's soccer team, Nadeshiko.

The twists and turns of life as a young player and how Kakeru overcomes the expectations as the younger brother of a talented player make this manga worthy of being included in the list of recommended best soccer manga.

5. Blue Lock (2018-Ongoing)

Blue Lock is a unique soccer manga that combines sports with thriller and psychology elements. Created by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, it was also adapted into an anime at the end of 2022.

After a tragic failure in the 2018 World Cup, the Japan Football Association decided to make a major overhaul. For this purpose, they recruited Jinpachi Ego, a meritocratic and manipulative coach.

Ego's methods in improving Japanese soccer are considered extreme. He is determined to create the best striker in Japan, who not only excels at scoring goals but also has great ambition and ego.

The selection is conducted in a closed facility called Blue Lock, gathering young Japanese strikers. The winner will get closer to their dreams, while the losers will lose the chance to become a striker.

Yoichi Isagi, the main character, participates in the competition. During a school match, he chooses to give his teammate a chance to score a goal instead of scoring himself. The defeat of his team and the haunting question since then change Yoichi's perspective.

6. Giant Killing (2007- Ongoing)

Giant Killing tells the story of a Japanese football club, East Tokyo United, which has long struggled to achieve the best results in the league. After repeatedly avoiding relegation, the club's leadership finally decides to try something new by bringing in a new coach.

Their new coach, Takeshi Tatsumi, is a former player who successfully led an amateur team in England to success in the FA Cup.

Takeshi faces various challenges in bringing East Tokyo back to the path of victory, including making tough decisions as a coach.

His decisions, such as benching the favorite players of the fans, certainly make him unpopular among the club's supporters.

Giant Killing explores various aspects of the football manga genre, with a deeper focus on its managerial side. This makes it one of the best recommendations in the ongoing football manga genre.

7. Captain Tsubasa (1981-2019)

Captain Tsubasa is the most famous football manga. Written by Yoichi Takahashi, Tsubasa has been on its journey since 1981 and has produced various spin-offs, with the latest one published in 2019.

This manga tells the story of Tsubasa Ozora, a boy who dreams of winning the World Cup with Japan.

Tsubasa's journey from his childhood in Japan to becoming a professional player abroad has successfully attracted many people. Currently, Captain Tsubasa manga has been printed in more than 80 million copies worldwide.

8. Netizens Also Search For:

Who is Tsubasa in Real Life?
Tsubasa in real life is Kazuyoshi Miura.

Who is Tsubasa's Wife?
Tsubasa and Misaki are a very harmonious couple in the anime Captain Tsubasa since they were in Nankatsu Elementary School.

Who is the Strongest in Tsubasa?
Genzo Wakabayashi is the strongest goalkeeper character in Captain Tsubasa, not only physically strong but also has an amazing ability to read the game.

What is Captain Tsubasa About?
The anime Captain Tsubasa tells the story of football players' struggle to win the national tournament in Japan with perseverance.

(kpl/fta)

Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.
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