In Japan, the manga series Captain Tsubasa was a veritable bible for young aspiring soccer players now active today. Practically every J. League player on the pitch today was reading the series or watching the anime during the ’80s.
This wasn’t just limited to Japan though; the popularity of the soccer-themed comic had spread around the world touching the hearts of young athletes everywhere. Professional soccer player Lionel Messi professed his love for the story, as did Andres Iniesta, Francesco Totti… The list goes on and on.
Among these many pros, German forward Lukas Podolski recently found himself in the loving cyber-embrace of Japan after posting a picture of his new shin guards complete with image of Captain Tsubasa‘s Kojiro Hyuga.
Kyoto Whopper divides customers at Burger King Japan
Starbucks Japan unveils second Holiday Frappuccino for 2024
Hello Kitty isn’t a cat!? We called Sanrio to find out!
Yakuza vending machines coming to real-world Tokyo neighborhood that inspired Like a Dragon games
Japanese burger chain no longer serves onion rings, but offers intriguing replacement【Taste test】
Children’s slippers stolen in night at Japanese preschool, police identify weasel who did it【Vid】
Taking the Kyoto overnight bus for the first time
New card game makes Japan’s saunas even steamier
Krispy Kreme releases new zodiac doughnuts for the Year of the Snake in Japan
Sazae-san breaks own Guinness World Records again for 55 years on television
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke teams up with Foxfire for outdoor apparel collaboration【Photos】
Berserk T-shirts coming to Uniqlo for launch of new Manga Curation line【Photos】
Mario Kart Happy Meal toys arrive at McDonald’s Japan, and SoraNews24 has the whole set!【Photos】
After cancelling Halloween, Tokyo’s Shibuya neighborhood cancels New Year’s Eve too
Tokyo park’s sea of clouds, nighttime illumination, and cosplay days make now perfect time to visit
Samurai ritual suicide contest cancelled by organizer in west Japan
Japanese job-quitting service contacted by other job-quitting service because employee wants to quit
Flying dango: Unique tourist site where Japanese sweets are flown to you over a gorge
American jackass tourist arrested after carving name into gate at Tokyo’s Meiji Shrine【Video】
Nintendo’s controller capsule toys are so cool, even the machine you buy them from is awesome【Pics】
Tokyo Disneyland loses top-attendance crown for Japanese theme parks for second year in a row
Ghibli Park debuts first winter illumination display with Howl’s Moving Castle theme
Pringles releases a limited-edition sweet flavour in Japan
Sanrio and magical girl anime PreCure join forces for new merch line【Photos】
What’s the deal with akebi, the perfectly purple, alien-like fruit that’s in season now in Japan?
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan
Life-size vibrating Legend of Zelda Master Sword for sale from Nintendo【Photos】
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese
Children’s slippers stolen in night at Japanese preschool, police identify weasel who did it【Vid】
Taking the Kyoto overnight bus for the first time
New card game makes Japan’s saunas even steamier
Krispy Kreme releases new zodiac doughnuts for the Year of the Snake in Japan
Sazae-san breaks own Guinness World Records again for 55 years on television
Domino’s erupts with a 1kg Cheese Volcano in Japan
Line of foreign tourists leads us to Akihabara’s meatiest fatty ramen【Taste test】
How to make epic pancakes with your Japanese rice cooker
Nakagin Capsule Tower’s last residents: group meals, floods, weird noises, and more
Starbucks Japan reveals new holiday goods for the 2024 festive season
100 years of Japanese women’s hair and makeup trends in less than a minute and a half【Video】
The Ultimate Battle for Ham Sandwich Supremacy – we rank Japan’s convenience store sandwiches
Draw like a Studio Ghibli anime artist with exclusive watercolour set approved by Hayao Miyazaki
Low price, free booze and curry, late check-out, and great location — Akihabara capsule hotel has it all