Football Comics. Source: Negativa Zone
10 Best Football Comics of All Time
Comics or manga have many types or genres that are covered, such as sports, romance, adventure, and many more.
Within the sports genre, there are also categories divided based on the sport covered.
Football as the most popular sport in the world is also not spared from being made into comics. Even so, the following manga or football comics are not entirely realistic, because some use tricks.
If you are interested in reading comics with a soccer theme, here are some recommendations. Let's take a look!
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Tsubasa Ozora is a talented child who dreams of becoming the best football player in the world, starting his journey from the small Nankatsu club.
Together with his rival and best friend, Genzo Wakabayashi (a genius goalkeeper), they lead their elementary school team to the national championship.
Tsubasa is known for his determination “Football is my best friend” and his extraordinary ability to control the ball.
In the next arc, Tsubasa moves to Brazil to join São Paulo FC, while Wakabayashi plays in Germany.
The two eventually meet again at the Youth World Cup, where Tsubasa (now in Barcelona) must face new rivals such as Natureza from Brazil and Michael from Italy.
After Japan was eliminated from the World Cup, the Japan Football Association launched a controversial project “Blue Lock“, an extreme training facility where 300 young strikers are locked up and forced to compete.
Isagi Yoichi, an ordinary high school player, is selected to join this program which aims to create the most selfish and powerful striker in the world.
Inside the Blue Lock, the participants undergo brutal training and elimination matches. Isagi must adapt to the philosophy of “being the center of the world” while competing with geniuses such as Bachira (dribbling player), Chigiri (sprinter), and Rin Itoshi (perfect striker).
The unique concept is the depiction of a “zone” where players enter a flow state with psychedelic visuals.
Takeshi Tatsumi, a former Japanese national player who successfully coached a small club in England, returns to his homeland to save East Tokyo United (ETU) – a club that is currently languishing at the bottom of the standings.
With an unconventional approach, Tatsumi builds a team from scratch by utilizing underdog players.
The story focuses on the dynamics of club management, including conflicts with management, media pressure, and strategies against strong teams like Tokyo Victory.
What's interesting is the realistic depiction of football tactics such as the 4-3-3 formation and intense pressing, as well as the development of players such as Murakoshi (captain) and Tsubaki (talented winger).
Ashito Aoi, a muscular left-footed player from rural Shizuoka, was recruited by the Tokyo City Esperion academy despite having basic technical weaknesses.
Coach Fukuda sees potential in him as a modern full-back who can read the entire pitch. Ashito must adapt to a higher level of competition while facing prejudice as a “country boy”.
Ashito's development is depicted very realistically – from a selfish player to a defensive playmaker who understands the role of his position.
The manga also explores Japan's football academy system and Guardiola's "pattern of play" philosophy, including high pressing and building up from the back.
Ryuu Ichijou, a former soccer prodigy who lost his motivation after his father's death, rediscovers his passion when he joins Matsukura High School's team.
Together with his childhood rival Daigo Shiga, they try to lead a regular school team to become national champions.
What sets Be Blues! apart is its psychological depth of character. Ryuu struggles with childhood trauma while trying to live up to expectations as the “successor to the club legend.”
The manga also features intense matches with in-depth tactical analysis of the classic 4-4-2 formation.
Kakeru Aizawa has always lived in the shadow of his older brother, Keisuke – the genius striker of the U-19 national team.
After an accident destroys Keisuke's leg, Kakeru, who has always been a reserve player, must take over his brother's role as the team's playmaker.
The dynamics of this sibling relationship are at the heart of the story, as Kakeru tries to find his own playing style while carrying the burden of his family's expectations.
This manga is unique in that it focuses on the attacking midfielder position and visualizes a playmaker's “field view.”
The unpopular Kakegawa High School soccer team is determined to become national champions under the leadership of Toshihiko Tanaka.
With the spirit of “total football”, they developed an offensive style of play that relied on the movement of all players.
What's interesting about Shoot! is its depiction of the 90s when Japanese football was still developing.
Characters like Yoshiharu Kubo (eccentric goalkeeper) and Kenji Shiraishi (silent striker) form a unique team chemistry. This manga pioneered the sports shounen genre before Captain Tsubasa became popular.
Tsukushi Tsukamoto, an ordinary high school student with no football experience, is accidentally recruited by the elite club Seiseki High after meeting Jin Kazama – a lonely star striker.
Although initially considered trash, Tsukushi's tireless hard work begins to pay off.
The uniqueness of Days lies in Tsukushi's realistic development from an absolute beginner to a useful player.
The matches are depicted in great detail, including small moments such as pressing and overlapping runs that other manga often overlook.
Nozomi Onda maintains the Warabi Seinan High School girls soccer club which is on the verge of being disbanded, with only 7 players left.
Alongside new recruits like Sumire Suou, they fight to survive in the underappreciated world of women's football.
This manga raises the issue of gender discrimination in sports through the struggles of the Warabi team.
The matches are depicted with realistic tactics and complex characters such as Midori Soshizaki who must choose between football and helping the family business.
Aoi and Akari, two childhood friends, promise to become the best players in the world – Aoi as a striker, Akari as a goalkeeper.
However, their paths diverged when Akari moved to Italy to join Juventus' academy, while Aoi remained in Japan.
Red Blue's unique concept is a depiction of the duality of football through two perspectives: the striker and the goalkeeper.
The comic also explores the strict European football academy system compared to the Japanese system.
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Well, those are 10 recommendations for comics about football that you can read. Which manga are you going to read? Let's comment below!
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