Shueisha’s Manga Plus service has scored a major goal for international fans by adding Yōichi Takahashi’s legendary Captain Tsubasa manga in English. Starting April 6th, 2025, all chapters of the original manga series are available to read on the platform. For a limited time, fans can access the entire series for free, offering a perfect opportunity to relive the iconic soccer saga or discover it for the first time.
A Week of Free Kicks: Dive Into Tsubasa’s World
For one week only, Manga Plus is offering all Captain Tsubasa chapters free of charge. This gives both longtime fans and newcomers a chance to experience the electrifying matches, unforgettable rivalries, and the inspiring journey of Tsubasa Ozora. Don’t miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of Captain Tsubasa without spending a dime.
From Free to Deluxe: Continued Access
After the initial free period, which ends on April 12th, 2025, access to Captain Tsubasa will transition to Manga Plus’ Deluxe Subscription plan. This means that fans who want to continue following Tsubasa’s adventures will need to subscribe to the premium service. The Deluxe Subscription offers access to a vast library of manga titles, including many other classic series from Shueisha’s catalog.
A First for Solo English Release
This marks the first time the Captain Tsubasa manga has received a solo English release. While a bilingual edition was previously available for the “eOneBook” reader device in 2020, this is the first time that English-speaking fans can enjoy the manga on a widely accessible platform like Manga Plus.
What is Manga Plus?
Manga Plus by Shueisha is the official manga reading service from Shueisha, providing access to the latest manga chapters for free, simultaneously with their release in Japan. The platform offers a diverse selection of titles, including popular series like One Piece, Chainsaw Man, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, Jujutsu Kaisen, and My Hero Academia.
Free Content
Manga Plus allows readers to enjoy the first three and the three newest chapters of most manga titles for free. For some select titles, all chapters of currently ongoing manga are available to read once for free.
Subscription Plans
For unlimited reading and an ad-free experience, Manga Plus offers subscription plans:
- Standard Plan: Keeps you up to date with current ongoing comics.
- Deluxe Plan: Provides access to current comics as well as completed classics like Dragon Ball, Naruto, Bleach, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Death Note, Tokyo Ghoul, Haikyuu!!, and Bakuman.
Note: Subscription plans and available titles may vary by country/region. Only English titles are available in the subscription plan.
The Enduring Legacy of Captain Tsubasa
Captain Tsubasa is a timeless classic that has left an indelible mark on the world of manga and soccer. The series has inspired countless players and fans with its electrifying matches, unforgettable rivalries, and the unwavering spirit of its protagonist, Tsubasa Ozora.
Synopsis
Tsubasa Ozora is a young boy who lives and breathes soccer. His dream is to lead Japan to victory in the World Cup. After moving to Nankatsu Elementary School, Tsubasa encounters and challenges Genzo Wakabayashi, the prodigious goalkeeper of Shutetsu Elementary. This encounter marks the beginning of Tsubasa’s journey to become the world’s best soccer player.
Impact
Captain Tsubasa sparked a soccer craze in Japan and influenced numerous football players worldwide. The series has sold over 90 million copies in Japan alone.
From Weekly Shonen Jump to Manga Plus
The original Captain Tsubasa manga was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump magazine from 1981 to 1988. The series’ final part, Captain Tsubasa: Rising Sun – The Final, concluded in April 2024.
A Storyboard Continuation
While Yōichi Takahashi has retired from serializing manga, the story of Captain Tsubasa continues in storyboard form on the franchise’s website, Captain Tsubasa World.
The Many Iterations of Captain Tsubasa
The Captain Tsubasa manga series has spawned numerous anime adaptations, films, and OVAs, captivating audiences across generations. These adaptations have further cemented the series’ status as a global phenomenon.
Anime Series
- Captain Tsubasa (1983-1986)
- Captain Tsubasa J (1994-1995)
- Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 (2001-2002)
- Captain Tsubasa (2018-2019)
- Captain Tsubasa: Season 2 – Junior Youth Arc (2023)
Anime Films
- Captain Tsubasa: Europe Daikessen (1985)
- Captain Tsubasa: Ayaushi, Zen Nippon Jr. (1985)
- Captain Tsubasa: Asu ni Mukatte Hashire (1986)
- Captain Tsubasa: Sekai Daikessen!! Jr. World Cup (1986)
Manga Plus: A Global Platform
Manga Plus is available worldwide, excluding Japan, China, and South Korea, which have their own services. The platform offers manga in multiple languages, including Spanish, Thai, Portuguese, Indonesian, Russian, French, and German.
Kick Off Your Captain Tsubasa Journey Today!
Don’t miss this “GOALden” opportunity to experience one of the greatest soccer manga of all time. Head over to Manga Plus and start reading Captain Tsubasa today!
