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Captain Tsubasa Bronze Statue to Be Erected Next Spring

The Japanese city of Katsuhika, Tokyo revealed plans on Tuesday to erect a bronze statue of the Captain Tsubasa soccer manga's protagonist, Tsubasa Ōzora, next spring. The statue will be placed in Katsuhika's Yotsugi neighborhood, the birthplace of Captain Tsubasa creator Youichi Takahashi. This is the third bronze statue based on a pop culture character that Katsuhika has erected, after ones for Ryō (pictured below, far left) from the Kochira Katsushika-ku Kamearikouen-mae Hashutsujo manga and Tora (below left) from the live-action Otoko wa Tsurai yo television and film franchise.

Katsunori Aoki, the head of Katsuhika ward, commented on the statues, “Tora, Ryō, and Tsubasa have grown over the years into characters beloved by many. I hope to make the Tsubasa statue a popular visiting spot as well.”

The original Captain Tsubasa manga ran in Shueisha's Shonen Jump magazine in Japan from 1981 to 1988. The manga has not been released in North America, although it was licensed in a few European countries. Youichi Takahashi returned to Shounen Jump in 2008 for a Captain Tsubasa one-shot.

Source: Yomiuri Online