Captain Tsubasa

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Alternative Titles

Synonyms: Flash Kicker

Japanese: キャプテン翼

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Information

Type: TV

Episodes: 128

Status: Finished Airing

Aired: Oct 13, 1983 to Mar 27, 1986

Premiered: Fall 1983

Broadcast: Unknown

Producers: TV Tokyo, Studio Jack, CBS

Licensors: None found, add some

Studios: Tsuchida Productions

Source: Manga

Genre: Sports

Theme: Team Sports

Demographic: Shounen

Duration: 24 min. per ep.

Rating: G - All Ages

Statistics

Score: 7.34¹ (scored by 50,305 users)

¹ indicates a weighted score.

Ranked: #2332²

² based on the top anime page. Please note that 'Not yet aired' and 'R18+' titles are excluded.

Popularity: #2163

Members: 83,067

Favorites: 552

Resources

AniDB

ANN

Streaming Platforms

Crunchyroll

May be unavailable in your region.

7.34

Ranked #2332Popularity #2163Members 83,067

Fall 1983TVTsuchida Productions

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Episodes: /128

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Synopsis

Captain Tsubasa is the passionate story of an elementary school student whose thoughts and dreams revolve almost entirely around the love of soccer. 11-year-old Tsubasa Oozora started playing soccer at a very young age, and while it was mostly just a recreational sport for his friends, for him, it developed into something of an obsession.

In order to pursue his dream to the best of his elementary school abilities, Tsubasa moves with his mother to Nankatsu city, which is well-known for its excellent elementary school soccer teams. But although he was easily the best in his old town, Nankatsu has a lot more competition, and he will need all of his skill and talent in order to stand out from this new crowd.

He encounters not only rivals, but also new friends like the pretty girl Sanae Nakazawa and the talented goalkeeper, Genzo Wakabayashi, who shares the same passion as Tsubasa, and will prove to be a treasured friend in helping him push towards his dreams. Representing Japan in the FIFA World Cup is Tsubasa’s ultimate dream, but it will take a lot more than talent to reach it.

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Background

Captain Tsubasa has inspired real footballers such as Hidetoshi Nakata, Fernando Torres and Lionel Messi in their own football dreams. A bronze statue of Tsubasa Oozora was erected in Katsushika, Tokyo in 2013, which is the neighbourhood where the original manga creator lived.

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Related Anime

Adaptation:	Captain Tsubasa
Sequel:	Shin Captain Tsubasa
Side story:	Captain Tsubasa: Europe Daikessen, Captain Tsubasa: Ayaushi! Zen Nihon Jr., Captain Tsubasa: Asu ni Mukatte Hashire!, Captain Tsubasa: Sekai Daikessen!! Jr. World Cup, Captain Tsubasa: Saikyou no Teki! Holland Youth
Alternative version:	Captain Tsubasa (2018)
Other:	Captain Tsubasa Special

Nanba, Keiichi
Japanese

More staff

Staff

Fukutomi, Hiroshi

Director

Kuriyama, Yoshihide

Episode Director

Minoguchi, Katsumi

Episode Director, Storyboard

Hirano, Yasushi

Script

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Opening Theme

	1: "Moete Hero (燃えてヒーロー)" by Hiroyuki Okita (eps 1-87)
	2: "Moete Hero (燃えてヒーロー)" by Takayuki Takemoto (eps 88-128)

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Ending Theme

	1: "Fuyu no Lion (冬のライオン; Lion of Winter)" by Hiroyuki Okita (eps 1-49)
	2: "Tsubasa yo Hashire! (翼よ走れ!)" by Captain Tsubasa Ouendan (eps 50-110)
	3: "Asu ni Mukatte Shoot (明日に向かってシュート)" by Youko Ogai (eps 111-128)

More reviews

Reviews

Oct 27, 2007

Xalengurth

Recommended

I watched this anime when I was in elementary school, and including me all my friends were really into it. This got us all into soccer too lol, I would imagine myself being Tsubasa, or Misaki and try harder at soccer.

I recently watched the first three episodes but couldn't find anymore with english subs, or dubs. If anyone knows anyplace I can find them in please let me know.

But as to the anime it is very enjoyable, it combines both reality and super powers such as Tsubasa's super kick (which, while playing the Japanese only Atari game with my friends and not knowing a ...

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Aug 5, 2016

Paulo_Goncalves

Recommended

I know that 8+8+8+8+10=Overall 10. But that's how I feel.
This is not the best drawn anime. It's not the best character driven or have the best plot or even sound. But this anime has something that most animes nowadays will never had. This anime made people around the world enjoy football (soccer to you americans).

Fernando Torres; Iniesta and plenty other european players were fan of it. Some even say they went to play because of it. I am not even talking about Japanese players (https://www.tofugu.com/japan/soccer-in-japan/)

This show is very good about a boy who will do everything to become a world cup winner and every ...

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Oct 30, 2016

VoDKa

Recommended

Whether "Captain Tsubasa" will appeal to you largely depends on the generation you grew up in. For those of you who grew up in the early 90s, it is conceivable that Japanese Anime (JA) such as "Dragon Ball Z" were instrumental in 'setting the bar' for how an Anime should be like. However, if you grew up in Europe during the 80s, it is hard to imagine that Captain Tsubasa wasn't within your weekly radar of TV shows. After all, how could a JA series about football not appeal to kids who probably spent their summer break doing the same (i.e. playing football)? At least ... for me, this was one of those 'trend setting' Anime that made football a lot more fun to play; even if it meant grazing my back against the concrete floor after attempting to perform a bicycle kick. Having watched this show several years later, from start to end, I can't help but agree that Tom Robbins has it right when he says "It's never too late to have a happy childhood".

The story behind Captain Tsubasa is a simple one, but one that keeps you thoroughly entertained. The heart of the story revolves around an 11-year-old kid known as Tsubasa Oozora, who simply can’t live without football (sorry folks, but I refuse to refer to this sport as “soccer”). However, unlike kids of his age who perceive the sport as a recreational one, the strong bond between Tsubasa and the football was forged when as a toddler, Tsubasa was hit by a car but was miraculously left unscathed because he was holding his football (which absorbed the shock of the impact). Since then, Tsubasa became “friends” with the football. The series begins with Tsubasa and his mother moving to Nankatsu city, where Tsubasa aspires to become part of the famous Shuutetsu School football team. Known for their outstanding talent and led by their genius goalkeeper, “Wakabayashi”, Shuutetsu is a dream for any kid wanting to become pro one day. Nevertheless, shortly after moving to Nankatsu city, Tsubasa becomes friends with members of a rival football club from Nankatsu Public School (NPS). Unlike Shuutetsu, NPS is a disaster waiting to happen. Lacking a single player with a single shred of talent, NPS has a reputation for losing against Shuutetsu without scoring a single goal against them. Through a series of unexpected turn of events, Tsubasa decides to join Nankatsu to play against Wakabayashi. The chemistry between these two rivals is so intense that it makes you want to continue watching the show. Perhaps what adds to the charm is the fact that Wakabayashi is arrogant while Tsubasa is as humble as they come, yet both display incredible talent at the sport. At the risk of mentioning any spoilers, I will stop with the story and let you enjoy it for yourselves.
Even if you grew up in the 90s, I can’t think of a reason why you will be put-off by the artwork. Granted, the artwork is not impeccable by any means, but it most definitely suits the theme of the Anime well. The characters have been drawn in such a way that each has its own distinct and recognizable characteristics. Furthermore, with respect to the matches, they are not simply a repeat of previous ones. Each match has its own dynamics, turn of events and level of difficulty, which will keep you from getting bored too quickly.

In conclusion, regardless of what generation you are from or where you grew up, I recommend you to give this Anime a chance. If you watch it for the right reasons, I’m sure that it will not disappoint you. I give this Anime a 7 out of 10.

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Captain Tsubasa

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Captain Tsubasa

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Information

Statistics

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Streaming Platforms

Synopsis

Background

Visit MALxJapan MALxJapan -More than just anime-

Related Anime

Characters & Voice Actors

Staff

Opening Theme

Ending Theme

Reviews

Interest Stacks

Recommendations

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MoreTop Airing Anime

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