Football is a team sport, so what better way to celebrate a score than with an anime technique to combine two heroes?
Fans of the National Football League’s Cleveland Browns haven’t had much to smile about over the past few years. The team had an abysmal 1-15 record during the 2016 season, then lost every single one of its games in 2017.
But things are looking just a little bit brighter this year. On September 20, the Browns got their first win since December of 2016, and in their next game, versus the Oakland Raiders, rookie quarterback Baker Mayfield hit tight end Darren Fells for the first touchdown pass of his professional career, as well as Fells’ first of the season.
.@BakerMayfield's first career TD pass goes 49 yards to @DarrenFells! #Browns #CLEvsOAK
— NFL (@NFL) September 30, 2018
📺: FOX https://t.co/UedVjY62Yo
But while the big scoring play itself was enough to excite football fans, those who also enjoy anime were electrified when Fells’ teammate and fellow tight end David Njoku (number 85) joined him in the endzone for a two-man celebration.
Or maybe we should call that a one-man celebration, since they’re doing the Fusion Dance from martial arts anime Dragon Ball Z, which the series’ heroes use to combine their bodies and consciousnesses, like Goten and Trunks do in the comparison clip below.
Fells and Njoku did the fusion dance to become Fjoku 🔮 @DarrenFells @David_Njoku80 https://t.co/zxSqEHZB5Q
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) September 30, 2018
Sadly, despite Mayfield’s 49-yard strike giving the Browns a 17-7 lead, Cleveland’s defense would give up 21 points in the fourth quarter, including a tying score with just 30 seconds left, which sent the game into overtime, where the Raiders would pull out a 45-42 victory. The Browns’ record now stands at one win, two losses, and one tie, which suggests it’s likely going to be another tough season for the team and fans, but at least they can always look back to the play where their players seemed superhuman, even if just for a moment.
Source: Instagram/clevelandbrowns, Twitter/@thecheckdown via Anime News Network/Lynzee Loveridge
[ Read in Japanese ]
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’d like to remind everyone who hasn’t watched Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure recently that it’s totally true that San Dimas High School football rules.
[ Read in Japanese ]

Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Japanese comedian apologizes for his many “multipurpose toilet affairs”
Massive manga collaboration bringing 100 years of Shueisha manga to Uniqlo T-shirts【Photos】
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Mister Donut and Godiva continue their sweet sweets relationship with new treats on sale now in Japan
Japanese comedian apologizes for his many “multipurpose toilet affairs”
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Which Japanese beef bowl chain’s near-identical demon grater onioroshi ponzu gyudon is the best?
Majority of Japanese women in survey regret marrying their husband, but that’s only half the story
New adults go wild at Seijinshiki Coming-of-Age ceremony in Kitakyushu, Japan 【Photos】
Visiting Japan’s Gyarados Pokémon park in the city with a special connection to Magikarp【Photos】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japan’s kid-friendly ski program is now selling Pikachu snowboards for a limited time only
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Akutai Matsuri: Japan’s Verbal Abuse Festival, where insults and bad behaviour are encouraged
Studio Ghibli releases anime heroine cosplay dresses that are super comfy to wear
A sad Oden Day in Japan as stores seem to be steadily stopping self-service pots
Super-detailed cherry blossom forecast maps show early arrival for Japan’s 2024 sakura season
This budget hotel near Tokyo Dome has one of the best breakfast buffets in the city
Two beautiful Totoro Catbus interior piece figures scamper back to the Studio Ghibli store【Pics】
McDonald’s Japan’s Gurakoro burgers, like a cup of hot soup in sandwich form, return this month!
Leave a Reply