Tsubasa Ozora

Lore & Background

Tsubasa first appeared as the main protagonist of the manga Captain Tsubasa, which Takahashi started writing in 1981. At the beginning of the series, Tsubasa is a lonely, soccer-obsessed, unembittered, elementary school pupil who has recently moved to the city of Nankatsu with his mother. Tsubasa's life was saved by his football in a road-traffic accident when he was barely able to walk; Tsubasa held the football in front of him, which cushioned most of the impact.

Immediately upon his arrival, Tsubasa challenges Shutetsu's genius goalkeeper Genzo Wakabayashi to a duel. The duel is observed by Roberto Hongo, a former member of the Brazil national football team and a friend of Tsubasa's father, who becomes his mentor. Joining Nankatsu school's soccer team, Tsubasa meets Taro Misaki with whom he forms a pairing that is later called 'The Golden Duo' (ゴールデンコンビ, Gōruden Konbi), and chief supporter Sanae Nakazawa who soon develops a crush on him.

When Tsubasa is chosen as a member of the city's team for the national championship, he and his friends face opposition from Kojirou Hyuga, who becomes one of his biggest rivals. Tsubasa's team wins the tournament but Roberto breaks the promise of going to Brazil to train with Tsubasa, believing he is still too young. Nevertheless, he leaves Tsubasa a notebook with instructions to guide him. Tsubasa becomes a midfielder for Nakatsu and creates a shot known as Drive Shoot (ドライブシュート, Doraibu shūto) that can change the ball's reach.

In the following years of training, Tsubasa perfects the Drive Shoot but is severely wounded in his left arm and left leg, causing Tsubasa to end his final game against Hyuga's Toho team with a tie. Following his recovery, many of his friends and rivals are selected by his coach as part of a team that wins the FIFA U-16 World Championship for Japan. He leaves Japan to follow his dream of becoming a professional soccer player in Brazil but periodically returns to play for the national team. Before leaving, Tsubasa tells Sanae he fell in love with her.

Reader's Guide

His signature technique is the Drive Shoot (ドライブシュート, Doraibu shūto), a shot that can change the ball's reach, which he created and perfected during his youth. Tsubasa's first team was Nankatsu, based on a team Takahashi took part in as a child. He later played for São Paulo as captain, then joined Barcelona FC after being invited. He also played for Japan's national team, including the FIFA U-16 World Championship-winning squad. Key rivals include Kojirou Hyuga, Carlos Santana, and Natureza. His mentor is Roberto Hongo, a former Brazil national team member. Tsubasa forms the 'Golden Duo' with Taro Misaki. He marries Sanae Nakazawa. Takahashi stated that Tsubasa would never lose a match (though has lost once), because readers like strong characters.

Did You Know?

• Tsubasa's first voice actor was Akari Hibino, who played him in the first anime series and the original video animation sequel Shin Captain Tsubasa.
• Takahashi said rumors claiming Tsubasa was based on Musashi Mizushima were untrue, but Mizushima's move to São Paulo as a ten-year-old boy was partly used in the manga.
• Tsubasa proposed to Sanae and they got married after Japan's victory in the World Youth tournament.