BLUE LOCK and JFA Launch FUTURE CAMP Project as Creator Says, “We Are Waiting for Serious Egoists Aiming to Win the World Cup”

The Japan Football Association, known as JFA, held a press conference in Tokyo on May 11 to announce a new project. Together with SCO Group Co., Ltd., JFA revealed the launch of JFA × SCO GROUP “FUTURE CAMP” inspired by BLUE LOCK. The project will also collaborate with the anime BLUE LOCK.

The project aims to discover talented players based overseas and further strengthen Japanese football. In effect, it is an overseas version of Japan’s national training center program. By expanding the domestic selection system overseas, the initiative will seek out talent who may one day compete in the top categories of Japanese football.

The project also aims to raise awareness and motivate players by collaborating with the popular football anime BLUE LOCK. The project will reflect the work’s themes of individual awakening and the passion to become the best in the world.

At the press conference, JFA President Miyamoto gave the opening remarks.

“We are receiving more inquiries about youth generation players active overseas. Football around the world is becoming borderless, and young Japanese players are no longer in an era where everything ends domestically. I feel encouraged that we can begin this challenge together with BLUE LOCK, a work that has depicted the serious pursuit of becoming the best in the world.”

Next, Yusuke Tamai, Representative Director and Chairman of SCO Group Co., Ltd., took the stage.

“We joined this project with the feeling that if we do not do it, who will? What should we, as adults and as society, propose to children? We want to support initiatives that connect to the future.”

The first FUTURE CAMP will be held from Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 6, at Great Park in Irvine, Orange County, California, United States. It will target U 16 players born between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2011.

Comments from the BLUE LOCK Manga Creators and Anime Producer

■Original Creator: Muneyuki Kaneshiro
A real BLUE LOCK is about to begin. When we seriously drew the manga, it linked with the dreams of serious football people, and a serious plan began. I support this becoming a place for talent discovery that even surpasses BLUE LOCK. We are waiting for serious egoists who aim to win the World Cup.

■Artist: Yusuke Nomura
The egoists we imagined may also exist in this real world. No, I am sure they do! We look forward to applications from all ego driven people who believe, “I am the world’s best striker!”

■BLUE LOCK Anime Producer: Ryoya Arisawa
Ever since the anime adaptation was decided, the entire anime staff has seriously aimed to make it a work that could change the world. To think that such a dreamlike ego, one that even seemed reckless, has finally reached JFA and made this collaboration possible! I am deeply moved. I am eagerly looking forward to the moment when a world class striker who can change the future of football is born.

Source : ORICON NEWS