We had the chance to conduct an electronic mail interview with legendary manga artist Yoichi Takahashi, the artistic power behind the iconic soccer manga and anime sequence “Captain Tsubasa.” As Konami unveils the second quantity of their eFootball × Captain Tsubasa collaboration, Takahashi shares his ideas on bringing his beloved characters to the digital soccer pitch and the enduring legacy of his work.
The Collaboration Journey – From Manga to eFootball
When requested about how the collaboration with eFootball took place, Takahashi revealed that Konami approached him with the proposal. “We’re comfortable that folks can take pleasure in Captain Tsubasa in a method apart from by way of manga,” he shared, expressing enthusiasm for this new medium by way of which followers can expertise his creation. For Takahashi, an important facet of bringing Captain Tsubasa characters into eFootball was preserving “the world view of the work.” He hopes that by way of this collaboration, gamers will embrace the core message of his manga: “serving to one another and by no means giving up in your goals.”
This isn’t Takahashi’s first foray into the gaming world—he talked about a earlier collaboration with Energy Soccer. When requested about potential future collaborations or integrating his characters into different Konami video games, he remained open and optimistic, stating “I might be comfortable if I obtain such a proposal.” Takahashi views the eFootball collaboration as “a great factor to have extra methods to entry the piece of labor,” suggesting that digital platforms can function gateways for brand spanking new generations to find Captain Tsubasa.
The collaboration has introduced particular version playing cards illustrated by Takahashi himself, that includes soccer stars like Neymar Jr. and Lionel Messi. When requested which participant he’d like to attract subsequent for eFootball, Takahashi talked about Luis Suárez, who seems within the eFootball trailer. “He additionally seems within the eFootball trailer, so the participant I’d like to attract is Suarez,” he defined.
The Inventive Course of and Soccer Past Borders
Reflecting on the longevity of his sequence, Takahashi attributed its continued success to the characters themselves: “The characters appear to be saying ‘draw us extra, allow us to play an lively function,’ and they’re vigorous within the works.”
When questioned about what makes the sequence resonate with folks of all ages, Takahashi supplied a easy but profound reply: “I believe it’s as a result of the characters love soccer and work laborious at it.” This genuine ardour for the game shines by way of in his favourite scenes to attract—”vigorous play scenes” that seize the power and pleasure of soccer.
Takahashi’s artistic selections have been deliberate and considerate. He selected a cheerful protagonist in Tsubasa as a result of he “wished to emphasise that they have been having fun with themselves, fairly than being compelled to do issues.” The choice to make Tsubasa a midfielder was strategic: “As for the positions, I modified them in order that they may work laborious in each offence and defence.”As a eager observer of worldwide soccer, Takahashi expressed delight at seeing extra Asian gamers succeeding in European leagues: “The variety of Asian gamers lively in Europe has elevated significantly, and I’m delighted to see the extent of soccer enhancing.”
When requested about his favourite soccer league and membership, Takahashi named La Liga and FC Barcelona, although he talked about there’s no specific participant he’s at the moment following carefully. His ardour for the game extends past nationwide boundaries, as evidenced by his message to followers throughout Asia: “I hope you’ll proceed to like Captain Tsubasa.”
Cultural Impression and Legacy
Curiously, Takahashi stays humble about his creation’s large affect, stating: “I’m simply persevering with to do what I like, so I don’t actually give it some thought.” This understated strategy belies the big impression Captain Tsubasa has had on each soccer tradition and generations of followers.
His observations about cultural variations in manga appreciation are notably insightful: “Japan tends to worth custom, and I typically really feel that the manga style just isn’t but being correctly evaluated, however within the West, I really feel that issues which can be merely attention-grabbing are being correctly evaluated.” When requested about his legacy and the way forward for Captain Tsubasa throughout totally different mediums, Takahashi expressed a easy however heartfelt want: “I hope that a lot of folks world wide take pleasure in it.” This sentiment displays his broader imaginative and prescient for the sequence, emphasizing accessibility and pleasure over industrial success.
His collaboration with eFootball demonstrates this dedication to reaching new audiences. By distinctive Epic cross-over playing cards that pair iconic Captain Tsubasa characters with legendary soccer attackers, Takahashi’s creation continues to bridge the hole between manga and real-world soccer, introducing new generations to his timeless story of willpower, friendship, and the attractive recreation.
“I hope a lot of folks will take pleasure in it,” Takahashi stated about seeing his characters in eFootball, a press release that encapsulates his strategy to sharing Captain Tsubasa with the world—whether or not by way of manga, anime, or digital platforms.
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