Captain Tsubasa 2018
Synopsis
Captain Tsubasa 2018 follows soccer prodigy Tsubasa Ozora as he grows as a player.
Background & Other Media
The original manga by Yoichi Takahashi ran for 37 volumes in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from 1981 to 1988. A second manga series titled, Captain Tsubasa: World Youth, ran for 18 volumes from 1994 to 1997. Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 (2001-2004, 15 volumes), Golden-23 (2005-2008, 12 volumes), and Kaigai Gekito Hen (2009-2012, eight volumes) were serialized in Weekly Young Jump. The ongoing series, subtitled Rising Sun, started serialization in Grand Jump in December 2013 and currently has seven tankobon volumes published.
A three-volume light novel adaptation by the same title by Yoichi Takahashi and Hitomi Wada was published from 2013 to 2014 under Shueisha’s Shueisha Mirai Bunko. Captain Tsubasa also has a multitude of games, and it was even adapted into a stage play in 2017.
Anime Adaptations
The series received an anime adaptation that aired between 1983 and 1986 for 128 episodes telling the story of the first 25 volumes, which was continued in the 4 anime films that came out between 1985 and 1986. A 13-episode OVA series titled Shin Captain Tsubasa (1989-1990) expands the story until vol. 36. The series took a brief hiatus until the OVA Holland Youth (1994) and Captain Tsubasa J (1994-1995, 47 episodes), and another one before Road to 2002, which aired for 52 episodes from 2001 to 2002.
The anime series is coming back after 16 long years, premiering in April 2018 on Tokyo MX in honor of the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia from June 14, 2018. Produced by David Production, the new series is directed by Toshiyuki Kato and written by Atsuhiro Tomioka with music from Hayato Matsuo.
Theme Songs
The series will feature “Start Dash!” by Johnny’s West as its opening theme.
Characters
Tsubasa Ozora (CV: Yuko Sanpei)
A natural soccer player who has lived with the ball ever since he was born, Tsubasa’s motto is, “The ball is your friend.” Tsubasa moved to Nankatsu, a city well-known for its elementary school football teams, with his mother as his previous school didn’t have a soccer club.
Genzo Wakabayashi (CV: Kenichi Suzumura)
The genius goalkeeper of Shutetsu FC. His motto is, “I’ll stop all shoots from outside the penalty area.” He accepts Tsubasa’s challenge and the two become rivals.
Taro Misaki (CV: Ayaka Fukuhara)
Following his painter father all around Japan, Taro transferred to Nankatsu Elementary. His abilities rival those of Tsubasa’s, and the two of them form the “Golden Combi.”
Ryo Ishizaki (CV: Mutsumi Tamura)
The first boy Tsubasa meets upon moving to Nankatsu. Ryo is a hard worker with guts and a fighting spirit to match.
Kojiro Hyuga (CV: Takuya Sato)
The ace striker of Meiwa FC. His motto is “I don’t lose in soccer,” and he doesn’t shy away from offensive playing every now and then if it’s to win.
Roberto Hongo (CV: Katsuyuki Konishi)
Formerly a player of the Brazilian national team, Roberto is Tsubasa’s mentor and the supervisor of Nankatsu Elementary’s Soccer Club. When he visited Japan, he was captivated by Tsubasa’s talents and decided to train him into a first-class pro player. He lives with the Ozora family during his stay in Japan.
Sanae Nakazawa (CV: Sayuri Hara)
Usually called “Anego” for her bossy big sister personality, Sanae is the head of the all-male cheerleading team. She fell in love with Tsubasa the first time she saw him play and has been his biggest fan ever since.
Mamoru Izawa (CV: Mutsuki Iwanaka)
One of the “Shutetsu Quartet,” Izawa is a good strategist and jumper who specializes in mid-air fights.
Teppei Kisugi (CV: Kodai Sakai)
A forward and one of the “Shutetsu Quartet” who is also called the “scorekeeper.” He has a keen nose for goals.
Hajime Taki (CV: Hiroyuki Yoshino)
One of the “Shutetsu Quartet,” Taki is a fast runner who specializes in passing to the center from the side. He is also called the “assist king.”
Shingo Takasugi (CV: Taro Kiuchi)
One of the “Shutetsu Quartet,” Shingo makes use of his impressive stature with powerful defense. He is also exceptionally good at throwing and can make a long throw as far as before the goal line.
Staff
Original Work: Yoichi Takahashi
Director: Toshiyuki Kato
Series Composition: Atsuhiro Tomioka
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Hajime Watanabe
Music: Hayato Matsuo
Sound Director: Yoshikazu Iwanami
Animation Production: David Production
Theme Songs
Opening Theme: “Start Dash!” by Johnny’s West
Cast
Yuko Sanpei: Tsubasa Ozora
Kenichi Suzumura: Genzo Wakabayashi
Ayaka Fukuhara: Taro Misaki
Mutsumi Tamura: Ryo Ishizaki
Takuya Sato: Kojiro Hyuga
Katsuyuki Konishi: Roberto Hongo
Sayuri Hara: Sanae Nakazawa
Mutsuki Iwanaka: Mamoru Izawa
Kodai Sakai: Teppei Kisugi
Hiroyuki Yoshino: Hajime Taki
Taro Kiuchi: Shingo Takasugi
Broadcast Information
Premieres in April 2018 on TV Tokyo
Details TBA