https://hochi.news/articles/20260630-OHT1T51390.html?page=1

On June 30th, the day the Japanese national soccer team was defeated by Brazil in the first round of the knockout stage of the CONCACAF World Cup, Yoichi Takahashi (65), the author of the popular soccer manga "Captain Tsubasa," gave an interview to Sports Hochi and expressed his hope that "this time, I want them to beat Brazil in the World Cup and win the championship." Sugaya of the comedy duo "Cacarroni," who watched the match live in person, also told this newspaper, "Thank you for letting us dream!" and promised to watch the next match in four years.

Yoichi Takahashi revealed that he uses the Brazil match as inspiration for his creative work.

[Attention] Embracing in the World Cup Stands! Defender Shogo Taniguchi & Rika Izumi's "So Hugging I Almost Collapsed" Two-Shot: "So Wonderful," "They Look So Alike," "A Feast for the Eyes" - Sports Hochi

Takahashi watched the long-awaited late-night match on TV with several staff members. When midfielder Kaishu Sano scored the opening goal to take the lead, he got very excited, saying, "They might be able to do it." Although they ultimately suffered a heartbreaking comeback defeat, he praised the team, comparing it to the 1-4 defeat against Brazil in the 2006 World Cup group stage in Germany, saying, "They came so close."

For Takahashi, the World Cup was the catalyst for him starting to draw manga. Brazil has always been an object of admiration, considered the "world's greatest football kingdom." When the serialization of "Captain Tsubasa" began in 1981, the World Cup was a distant dream for Japan, but he reflected that "Japanese football is developing at a faster pace than I ever imagined." Seeing Japan now advancing through the World Cup group stage as a matter of course, he nodded, saying, "We are getting closer to our goal of winning the championship."

Reflecting on the match against Brazil, which was dubbed "Real Captain Tsubasa" due to its matchups reminiscent of the manga, he regretted, "To secure the win, we should have aimed for a second goal, and perhaps we should have been a little braver in connecting passes..." He also acknowledged that the absence of midfielder Kaoru Mitoma and midfielder Takefusa Kubo due to injury had an impact, saying, "If they had been in top condition, I think the result would have been different." He expressed his hope for Brazil to win, believing that Japan's valiant effort would increase its value.

Takahashi retired from manga in 2024, but he continues to serialize the "Captain Tsubasa" story in storyboard (pencil sketch) format on his website. "I'm currently working on a story about Japan vs. Brazil. I'll use this match against Brazil as a reference to make it even more interesting," he said enthusiastically.

Takahashi hopes that the circle of soccer will expand further through his work, which is also enjoyed by players participating in this tournament, such as Messi (Argentina) and Mbappé (France). "I hope to see Japan's characteristic organized play again next time. I want them to beat Brazil and win the World Cup this time," he said, already looking ahead to four years from now. (Yoshihito Horikita)

◆Yoichi Takahashi: Born July 28, 1960, in Katsushika Ward, Tokyo. Age 65. He debuted in 1980 with a one-shot manga "Captain Tsubasa" in Weekly Shonen Jump, and began serialization in 1981. From 1994 to 1997, he serialized the sequel "World Youth Arc" in the same magazine. Since "Captain Tsubasa -ROAD TO 2002-" which began serialization in Young Jump at the end of 2000, he has continued to draw the "Captain Tsubasa" series. He is the owner and representative of Nankatsu SC, a team in the Kanto Soccer League Division 1. In 2023, he was inducted into the Japan Football Hall of Fame.

https://www.france24.com/en/sport/20260626-world-cup-2026-japan-held-by-sweden-in-dramatic-group-f-finale

Next match, will be ...

Japan vs Brazil

https://net.keizaikai.co.jp/archives/3378

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the serialization of Yoichi Takahashi's flagship work, "Captain Tsubasa." Why does it continue to be supported both domestically and internationally without losing its appeal, and why are various initiatives being undertaken? Yoshihiro Iwamoto, CEO of TSUBASA, established in 2016 and which took over rights management from Shueisha in 2024, discusses the active initiatives being undertaken now and his aspirations for the grand future. (From the July 2026 issue of the magazine "Keizaikai")

Yoshihiro Iwamoto, TSUBASA Profile

Yoshihiro Iwamoto, Representative Director of TSUBASA

Yoshihiro Iwamoto was born on July 24, 1972, in Tokyo. As the Representative Director of TSUBASA, he is in charge of all rights management for "Captain Tsubasa." At Nankatsu SC, he serves as the Representative Director, Senior Managing Director, and General Manager, responsible for business operations and team strengthening. He also works as a soccer commentator and sports journalist, and has interviewed former Japanese national soccer team players, as well as players such as Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish.

Since 2024, we have been managing the rights to "Captain Tsubasa" ourselves.

- First, could you tell us what kind of company TSUBASA is?

Iwamoto: In 2016, I stepped down as representative director of the company that operates the media outlet "Soccer King" and established TSUBASA. This company manages the rights to "Captain Tsubasa," which is loved all over the world. Originally, Shueisha managed the rights, but in 2024, we took over.

In parallel with TSUBASA, we established the Captain Tsubasa Foundation in 2020. This organization was certified as a public interest incorporated foundation by the Cabinet Office on January 1, 2025, and is responsible for the preservation and utilization of the original artwork created by Yoichi Takahashi, the original author of Captain Tsubasa, throughout his long career as a manga artist. Mr. Takahashi donated all of his original artwork to the foundation, and we are managing it with strict care while also promoting digitalization. Furthermore, we plan to actively engage in activities such as holding exhibitions of the original artwork around the world. In addition, we also conduct soccer classes for children and lectures for adults.

── I imagine negotiating the rights transfer for such a massive IP (intellectual property) as Captain Tsubasa must have been very difficult.

Iwamoto: It took some time, but there weren't any major problems, and we still have a good partnership with Shueisha. We had in-depth discussions with Mr. Takahashi about how to protect and further develop the Captain Tsubasa IP, and he agreed with our business vision. That was our starting point for further discussions with Shueisha.

Captain Tsubasa is a special work for Shueisha as well. During the discussions, both sides shared the "soccer first" spirit and respect for the work, and after discussing what was best, they understood our decision to manage it. I myself have had a nearly 25-year relationship with Shueisha, and I think that strong relationship of trust also played a role.

Previously, Mr. Takahashi's personal office held the rights, Shueisha managed them, and TSUBASA was mainly entrusted with overseas expansion as a subcontractor. However, with this rights transfer, the business flow has changed, and TSUBASA now manages the rights, with Shueisha cooperating on some projects. However, strictly speaking, we don't manage all the rights. For example, the anime broadcast in 2018 and 2023 were produced under a production committee system, and Shueisha continues to manage the rights.

── Is increasing sales also a goal in your future vision?

Iwamoto: Yes, we've included it, and that was one of the factors that led to Mr. Takahashi's decision. Mr. Takahashi is the owner of a football club called Nankatsu SC, and I serve as its representative and general manager. We aim to get the club promoted to the J.League, and to do that, we need further funding to strengthen the team.

Mr. Takahashi is not the type to live extravagantly, and he lives a very disciplined life, and he has already invested a lot of money in the club. However, to aim even higher, a large amount of funding will be required on a continuous basis. To supplement that, we are thinking of expanding our IP business and increasing sales.

Nearly 100 projects are underway due to the impact of the World Cup.

- What are the strengths of managing rights through TSUBASA?

Iwamoto: The biggest advantage is speed. Shueisha is a large company, so everything requires a step-by-step process. If it's a large-scale project with a global organization or major corporation, it takes even more time. But with the current system, Mr. Takahashi and we can make decisions quickly, and thanks to the original manga's global popularity, we've been able to start new projects one after another.

──What specific initiatives are you pursuing?

Iwamoto: With the FIFA World Cup being held this year, we've received a lot of inquiries, and we currently have nearly 100 projects underway simultaneously. The biggest of these is games, and we're planning to release two titles soon. One will be for home consoles, and the other for smartphones. Regarding games, we're adopting a "non-exclusive" policy and flexibly accepting proposals from various manufacturers.

In terms of collaborations with companies and organizations, this year, the J.League's Centennial Vision League adopted Captain Tsubasa illustrations for their official ball, and they also used them in promotions for collaborations with other companies' works such as "Ao Ashi" and "Blue Lock." I think these collaborations would have been much more difficult to realize quickly under our previous rights management system.

-- Mr. Takahashi, Mr. Iwamoto, could you tell us about your future goals?

Iwamoto: I have three main goals. First, to support Mr. Takahashi in fulfilling his long-held dream of the protagonist, Tsubasa Ozora, winning the World Cup in the Captain Tsubasa story.

Second, as Mr. Takahashi has also stated, to make Nankatsu SC a leading club in the J.League. On March 31st, Mr. Takahashi and I officially submitted a "Request Regarding Stadium Development Plan, etc." to Katsushika Ward. It will still take some time, but we want to build a stadium in Katsushika Ward and make it a reality to play there as a J.League club.

Thirdly, I want to deliver everything about Captain Tsubasa—the manga, anime, merchandise, etc.—to the world in the right way. Soccer players all over the world already know about it, but there are still regions where it's not readily available, and even where it is known, it's not always being conveyed correctly. So, I want to make sure that it's delivered in the right way, even if it takes 10 or 20 years.

https://www.fashionsnap.com/article/2026-05-26/beams-mangart-captain-tsubasa/

BEAMS MANGART is releasing a collaboration collection with the soccer manga "Captain Tsubasa" to commemorate BEAMS' 50th anniversary. The collection, titled "Captain Tsubasa × BEAMS MANGART ~Catch the Japan Dream!~," will be available at select BEAMS stores and the official online store from June 5th to 14th.

The collaboration incorporates the worldview and memorable motifs of "Captain Tsubasa" into its designs. The lineup includes eight items in total, such as T-shirts featuring illustrations, keychains and gym bags modeled after the soccer balls that appear in the series, and a figure of Tsubasa Ozora wearing an original uniform design commemorating BEAMS' 50th anniversary. Prices range from 1,650 to 15,400 yen.

The figure will be available for purchase only through a lottery entry period from 11:00 AM on May 26th to 11:59 PM on May 31st. It will only be sold at participating stores and will not be available on the BEAMS official online store.

◾️Available at: BEAMS Musashi-Kosugi / BEAMS Shizuoka / BEAMS Hiroshima / BEAMS HART Cocoon City / BEAMS HART Lalaport EXPOCITY / BEAMS Official Online Store

https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/000002322.000046210.html

FamilyMart Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Takeo Kotani) will celebrate its 45th anniversary in September 2026. Based on the five keywords that it has continuously worked on, it will continue its activities under the slogan "The Most Challenging." As part of the "Most Exciting and Fun" initiative, FamilyMart will begin accepting pre-orders on a first-come, first-served basis for a limited quantity of whiskey in original packaging inspired by Roberto Hongo, a character from the popular soccer manga "Captain Tsubasa," starting at 10:00 AM on Monday, May 25, 2026, at "FamilyMart Online."

■A Collaboration Whiskey with "Roberto Hongo" is Here! Two Package Designs, Limited to 300 Bottles Each!

FamilyMart is pleased to announce the release of a limited-edition whiskey, inspired by Roberto Hongo, the former soccer player and most respected mentor of the protagonist Tsubasa Ozora in the manga series *Captain Tsubasa*. This whiskey will be available for pre-order on a first-come, first-served basis through FamilyMart Online.

This single malt whiskey embodies the character of Roberto Hongo and the world of the story. It features a deep sherry cask-derived flavor, aromas of cassis, blackberry, plum, and raisin, and a perfect balance of sweetness, smokiness, and the astringency of black tea. As a FamilyMart exclusive, two different designs and concepts are available, with 300 bottles of each, exclusively through FamilyMart Online.

Special page: https://famima-online.family.co.jp/feature/260526tsubasa?utm_source=newsrelease&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=260526tsubasa

[Product Details]

【Product Name】A BOLA É AMIGA

【Price】20,000 yen (22,000 yen including tax)

【Reservation Period】May 25, 2026 (Mon) 10:00 AM - June 25, 2026 (Thu) 11:59 PM

【Estimated Delivery Date】Mid-July 2026

【Contents】The design is inspired by Roberto Hongo during his playing days. The product name, "A bola é amiga," expresses the phrase "The ball is my friend," a core concept of "Captain Tsubasa," in Portuguese, Roberto Hongo's native language.

[Volume] 500ml

[Quantity] 300 bottles

Purchase here: https://famima-online.family.co.jp/item?itemCode=900009427062026504&utm_source=newsrelease&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=260526tsubasa

*This product is alcoholic and cannot be purchased by anyone under 20 years of age.

*Please select a store that handles alcoholic beverages on Famima Online before purchasing.

*This product comes in two different package designs, but the contents (whiskey) are the same.

*Image is for illustrative purposes only.

*Sales will end once the planned sales quantity is sold out.

*Please check here for details on how to order.

(https://famima-online.family.co.jp/guidance)

FamilyMart, under the slogan "FamilyMart, your convenient partner," aims to be an indispensable place that goes beyond mere convenience, by staying close to the community and connecting with each customer like family.

<Copyright Notice>

ⓒYoichi Takahashi

<Reference Information>

■What is "Captain Tsubasa"?

This soccer manga by Yoichi Takahashi, which began serialization in 1981, will celebrate its 45th anniversary in 2026. Centered around the protagonist, Tsubasa Ozora, it depicts his friendships, growth, and challenges on a global stage, and has garnered support from many fans both domestically and internationally. With its iconic phrase, "The ball is my friend," the work has widely conveyed the appeal of soccer.

Roberto Hongo is a former soccer player from Brazil and the coach who discovered the talent of the protagonist, Tsubasa Ozora. He entrusted Tsubasa with his own dreams, guided him, and played a key role in the beginning of the story, creating the foundation for Tsubasa's subsequent soccer career.

■ The Meaning Behind the "Number One Challenge"

FamilyMart will celebrate its 45th anniversary in September 2026.

In line with changing times, and to continue being the number one choice for our customers, beyond the boundaries of a typical convenience store, we have adopted the new slogan, "Creating Many of Your Number Ones: The Number One Challenge."

Under this motto, we will continue our biggest challenge in FamilyMart history, based on eight areas: "Delicious," "A Little Bit of a Bargain," "Exciting and Fun," "Discovering Wonderful Things," "Innovative and Cutting-Edge," "Environmentally Friendly," "A Desirable Place to Work," and "Loved by the Community."

45th Anniversary Special Website: https://www.family.co.jp/campaign/spot/2026_45th.html

https://captain-tsubasa.world/en/series/

https://ynjn.jp/viewer/13810/305102

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