If you like soccer and anime, then you probably know Captain Tsubasa already. If you do, get ready for some exciting news! Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions, a video game based on this hit manga and anime series, is set to be launched this year for the PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and the PC. There’s no exact date for the release as of right now, though.
This is particularly exciting for fans, since this is the first Captain Tsubasa console game in a decade. Captain Tsubasa: Gekito no Kiseki was released back in 2010 for the Nintendo DS. While there have been games in the franchise released since then, they were mainly mobile games like Captain Tsubasa Dream Team, which released in 2017, and 2018's Captain Tsubasa ZERO: Miracle Shot. Both games were released for Android and iOS devices. A mobile AR version titled Tsubasa Plus is also arriving this year.
Captain Tsubasa: Rise of New Champions brings a rather refreshing approach to the football genre, especially since it moves away from more realistic FIFA-type experiences with exhilarating action along with what are clearly over the top shots. The game offers anime-like graphics along with multiple game modes that are sure to keep any soccer fan off the bench and on the pitch.
In a statement, Bandai NAMCO Entertainment Europe Senior VP for Marketing, Digital & Content Hervé Hoerdt said that it was a dream come true getting the Captain Tsubasa license and to be able to bring it to the US. He added that the game wasn't made "just for the fans of the manga, but will be enjoyed by football [soccer] fans all over the world!”
The game is based on the Captain Tsubasa manga series, which was first released back in 1981. According to series creator Yoichi Takahashi, he was inspired after watching the 1978 FIFA World Cup and saw the love the players and fans had for the sport.
The series follows football star Tsubasa Oozora. In the story, Tsubasa's goal is to be a professional soccer player and become a champion, particularly winning the FIFA World Cup for Japan. Like with many manga titles, it was eventually adapated to an anime series. Both manga and anime became well known around the world, particularly in Japan, due to its association with soccer. According to stories, there have been many real-life players inspired to be soccer stars after watching the anime series.
