Captain Tsubasa (Tecmo game series) (2024)

The Tecmo game series is a game series consisting of five individual games made by Tecmo.

Description[]

For this series, Yoichi Takahashi worked closely with Tecmo in the plot department area. Many of the plotlines and characters from the games are recycled later in the manga with different names and places.

The first game almost faithfully follows the original manga, but starting from the second game, the series develops its own storyline. Therefore, Tecmo's original story starts from Captain Tsubasa II: Super Striker, which takes place 3 years after the 16th National Middle School Soccer Tournament, when Tsubasa is already playing for Sao Paulo Youth.

History[]

Captain Tsubasa (FC)[]

The first game almost faithfully follows the original manga, but starting from the second game, the series develops its own storyline, effectively creating an alternate continuity from the manga and the 1983 TV series.

Captain Tsubasa II: Super Striker[]

The second game depicts Tecmo's own version of the Battle of World Youth arc. The game begins with Tsubasa's story in Brazil, where he aims to defeat Carlos Santana and win the Rio Cup. Meanwhile, in Japan, the Japanese high school soccer tournament takes place.

After the Japan Cup, a tournament to strengthen All Japan Youth, Tsubasa rejoins his teammates in Japan to participate in the World Youth. Here, Tsubasa has to face old opponents that he fought 3 years ago in the International Jr. Youth tournament, and also Roberto Hongo's Brazil Youth.

Captain Tsubasa III: Kotei no Chosen[]

At the beginning of the game, Tsubasa aims for a second consecutive win in the Brazilian Rio Cup. At the same time, other oversea Japanese players compete against German players in their respective league.

Players remaining in Japan will play oversea tour matches to prepare for the Universal Youth hosted by Germany. After every player is gathered, Japan challenges the Universal Youth.

Captain Tsubasa IV: Pro no Rival-tachi[]

In the fourth instalment, Japanese players beside Wakabayashi step into the professional world one after another.

Unlike previous games, there are 4 possible endings, depending on the result of certain matches.

Captain Tsubasa V: Hasha no Shogo Campione[]

Tsubasa goes to Italy to play for Lecce as a transfer from Brazil. Meanwhile, in Brazil, Shun Nitta becomes the key player of Sao Paulo in Tsubasa's place, under the guidance of Joao Aragones.

Later, Japan participates in the World Tournament, where they will eventually have to face Joao.

Recycled ideas[]

There are many elements in the series which were later recycled by Yoichi Takahashi to put in the manga.

Recycled characters[]

• Arthur Antines Coimbra's role as the true number 10 of Brazil served as an inspiration for Natureza.
• Carlos Santana's game version, inspired from the 1986 film version, was later recycled as manga Carlos Santana.
• Mihael (whose name can also be translated as Michael, with a German pronunciation) and his story in Captain Tsubasa V served as a basis for the creation of Michael from Olympic Spain.
• Povlsen, a player who doesn't enjoy football and has a murderous shot, was recycled as Stefan Levin.
• Stratto was not a fully recycled character, but some elements in his story were later used to create Radunga, Tsubasa's former captain in Sao Paulo FC.

Recycled story elements[]

• Roberto Hongo being Brazil's coach, making Tsubasa a bit shaken, is an element that was taken directly from Captain Tsubasa II: Super Striker to the Battle of World Youth arc.
• Coimbra appearing as the true number 10 of Brazil in the second half of the World Youth finals inspired Natureza's introduction in the Manga.
• The story of Germany Youth in Captain Tsubasa III was later reused to create Sweden Youth. Hermann Kaltz, Franz Schester and Theodor Kapellomann going to England, France and Mexico to absorb those countries' football was recycled as Sweden's Viking Project, with the only difference being Larson going to Spain instead of Mexico.
• Hyuga having a contract with Juventus at the end of Captain Tsubasa IV was later put in Road to 2002 manga.

Unrealistic tournaments[]

The last two games feature very odd variations to the regular tournament rules normally used in the manga, anime and even real life.

• Captain Tsubasa IV features the Latin America Cup, where Tsubasa, Stratto and Ishizaki play for Brazilian league selection; Hyuga and Wakashimazu play for Mexican league selection, even though none of them are naturalized.
• Captain Tsubasa V features the World Tournament, where both national teams and club teams can participate in.

Videos[]

Core characters in Captain Tsubasa 3 & Captain Tsubasa 4

Notes[]