The 1983 soccer series that is “Captain Tsubasa” is officiallly making its return. At a press conference held at TV Tokyo today, it was officially announced that Yoichi Takahashi’s long-running soccer-themed manga series will be receiving an anime adaptation and is set to debut in April 2018.
Directing the adaptation is Toshiyuki Kato, the series director of “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Diamond Is Unbreakable.” With him as the series composer for the production is Atsuhiro Tomioka, recognized for his work as the scriptwriter of the popular “Pokemon” series. As for the character designer/chief animation director of the anime, that role belongs to Hajime Watanabe, the chief animation director “Kaleido Star.” Last but not least, taking charge of the anime production is studio David Production.
For the renewed cast of the adaptation, there is Yuko Sanpei, who is currenlty playing as Boruto Uzumaki in “Boruto: Naruto Next Generation” as the protagonist Tsubasa Ozoro. Then there is Kenichi Suzumura, the voice behind Atsushi Murasakibara in “Kuroko’s Basketball” will be playing the role of goalie Genzou Wakabayashi. Taking on the role of Taro Misaki is Ayaka Fukuhara, who previously played a role in “Kakegurui” as Sayaka Igarashi.
Mutsumi Tamura, known for having played as Kobayashi in “Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid” will be taking on the role of Ryo Ishizaki for the upcoming anime. Playing the role of Kojito Hyuga is Takuya Sato, the man behind character Gakuto Sasajima in “Fastest Finger First.” Finally, voicing the role of Roberto Hongo is Katsuyuki Konishi, recognized for his role in “Hetalia: Axis Powers” as the boistorous America.
“Captain Tsubasa” originally started as a soccer manga series that was created by Yōichi Takahashi in 1981. Serialized by Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump the series had a compilation of 37 tankobon volumes before ending in 1988. Over time the series reached a variety of manga sequels, anime adaptations and continues to run today. The first anime adaptation of the franchise came out in October 1983 and ran until March 1986 with a total of 128 episodes.
The series tells of Tsubasa Oozora and begins with him as an 11-year-old elementary school student who is deeply in love with football and dreams of one day winning the FIFA World Cup for Japan. For the rest of the series it tells of his relationship with his friends, rivalry with his opponents, training, competition and the action and outcome of each football match.
Source: Crunchyroll News