The manga series "Captain Tsubasa," created by Yōichi Takahashi, age 63, has concluded its serialization with the release of "Captain Tsubasa Magazine vol.20" on the 4th, bringing an end to the series that began in 1981 and spanned over 43 years. Although the manga serialization has ended, the story will continue this summer on the web platform "Captain Tsubasa WORLD," where it will be serialized weekly in a sketch format known as "names," and a portion of these sketches has already been shared.

The new chapter serialized on "Captain Tsubasa WORLD," drawn in pencil sketch "name format," is titled "Captain Tsubasa Rising Sun FINALS." Ahead of the site's official launch, a teaser site has opened, releasing the first episode (27 pages) of "Captain Tsubasa Rising Sun FINALS."

Takahashi explains that the decision to continue the story in the name format, without inking or toning, is due to the extensive time it would take to fully illustrate the remaining story ideas—over 40 years. This approach will speed up the writing process, allowing the continuation of the story to be delivered to fans more quickly. When announcing the end of the manga serialization in January, Takahashi shared his considerations regarding his age and physical health, including presbyopia and dizziness, which have made it challenging to maintain the pace of weekly serialization as in his younger days.

Takahashi's debut work, "Captain Tsubasa," revolves around the soccer prodigy Tsubasa Ōzora and follows his growth alongside teammates and rivals. The series became hugely popular for its refreshing story, unique characters, and dynamic moves, inspiring many professional soccer players worldwide and leaving a significant impact on the real world."names," and a portion of these sketches has already been shared.

"Captain Tsubasa" began as a one-shot in "Weekly Shōnen Jump" in April 1980 and started serialization in March 1981, covering Tsubasa's elementary and junior youth stages. After the original series ended in 1988, the story's setting evolved along with Tsubasa's growth, leading to several series over the years, including "Captain Tsubasa World Youth," "Road to 2002," "Golden-23," and the latest series "Rising Sun," which was serialized in "Grand Jump" from the end of 2013 to 2019 before moving to "Captain Tsubasa Magazine" in 2020. The series has sold over 90 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into TV anime and games.

Yōichi Takahashi, born on July 28, 1960, in Katsushika, Tokyo, made his debut with the one-shot "Captain Tsubasa" in "Weekly Shōnen Jump," following his recognition in the 10th Monthly Fresh Jump Award. He began the series the following year, creating a milestone in soccer manga.

Takahashi's Full Statement

Thank you for always supporting "Captain Tsubasa." Now that I've completed the final chapter of the series, I feel a sense of relief and liberation, knowing that I no longer have to live by deadlines. Although I'm retiring from being a manga artist, I still love drawing and coming up with stories, so I plan to continue doing so. The future of "Captain Tsubasa" will be shared on a new website called "Captain Tsubasa WORLD" in a sketch format known as "names." This approach, without ink or tonal shading, will allow me to share the story more quickly with you.

The absence of magazine publication deadlines, set page counts, and predetermined manuscript sizes means I can now deliver entertainment in a freer form of expression. I started drawing manga in elementary school, sharing my creations with friends and family. Now, I'm beginning again with pencil-drawn manga serialization. Whether I succeed or fail, I'm ready to try. "Captain Tsubasa" is far from over, and I look forward to your continued support.