Japan's Journey to Giant Killer

[@cemcr5764]

As a Celtic fan we're benefitting massively from the J League. Absolute class players there, can't believe the national team don't pick Hatate or Kyogo

[@joeydiaz7707]

To be selfish, at least we know they won’t get injured on international break

[@JoaoVictor-yb5nl]

Moriyasu says its because everyone knows the impact they would have on the team Still he should've called them, Hatate was literally the best player on the premiership this month

[@azzxy9800]

Their manager hates them. Can't believe he picked maeda over the those two 🤡

[@Maxes931]

@@azzxy9800 I don’t think Moriyasu hate Hatate and Furuhashi on World Cup 2022 qualify in Asia I see Hatate on the team

[@Maxes931]

@@azzxy9800 Maeda also good too I know Furuhashi and Hatate also good but do not disrespect Maeda it’s manager chooses

[@Stonedead1991]

I'd like to think that even tough it probably didn't have much to do with the creation of J-League, the manga/anime Captain Tsubasa surely had some influence for Japanese football players and growing the game in Japan.

[@shadoekim]

I just finished typing something similar then saw ur comment

[@hugoafonso2102]

It did. Hidetoshi Nakata, the Japanese goat, credited his passion for football from watching Tsubasa as a kid. The newer generation grew watching Nakata.

[@Aldiyawak]

Up for better reach. 10/10 manga-anime series just for the impact factor.

[@dewaeryadi7776]

Even some world class player get inspired by tsubasa

[@honestjohn7513]

Great niche reference

[@rucdoc]

You can even watch J.League games live here on KZbin, they have an international broadcast with English commentary

[@CameronMcRae09]

I read that in the 90s Japan started a programme to win the World Cup within 100 years. If they continue this trajectory you’d have to say they’ll comfortably achieve that before the 100 years are up

[@N.E-O]

Blue Lock

[@fpl_djhammer]

comfortably? 🤨

[@dannymccrea9642]

I’d say even with this trajectory, they’re still not gonna be able to comfortably win a World Cup, with nations like Brazil, France, England and Argentina having pretty much their entire population of children dreaming of being the best football player, you can never comfortably beat them.

[@Chengyuan79]

@dean watkins underrated comment. A like for you~! 😅👍

[@Adamdidit]

​@@dannymccrea9642 Japan's population is significantly higher than England, France, or Argentina. Double or more.

[@TaleOfTheToaster]

I remember an interview from Nakata thanking Captain Tsubasa for getting him into football… and now they have Inazuma Eleven and Bluelock to do it all again!

[@walkersikorski]

Inazuma Eleven came out 15 years ago. This one is more so just grabbing onto the traction of other media sources and interest

[@deib3325]

My therapist: Zealand Ten Hag isn´t real, he can´t hurt you Zealand Ten Hag:

[@danwatt5789]

If only the Japanese FA would chill and give us the J-League in FM!

[@hefejp]

It’s because the license is owned by Konami 😭 There’s a mod for the entire Japan pyramid in FM 🙌

[@nihalbhamrah4726]

We have just league events in efootball (pes) already

[@Aaryan1017]

Nice to see Erik Ten Hag after conceding 7 at Zealand

[@Gubo391]

私は日本人です！このような動画を取り上げてくださりありがとうございます😊

[@burdellera675]

I think it's important to talk about Zico part in Japan professionalization

[@NateNakao]

My favorite discovery was finding out that my favorite English club's most famous manager, Arsène Wenger, had most recently managed the club in the city where my dad was born and raised and where my family considers to be where our roots are: Nagoya Grampus

[@someguyontheinternet.]

That bluelock is hitting different

[@mafiousbj]

No joke, the manga/anime of Captain Tsubasa went hand in hand with the rise of football in the country. Was it a consequence or a cause of the rise of the sport in cultural significance? I guess a deeper dive into that would be interesting to watch! (even though the answer is probably something obvious like it being a bit of both)

[@mori5481]

captain tsubasa, my beloved

[@AlexRN]

The reach of Captain Tsubasa goes way beyond the borders of Japan. World class players like Andres Iniesta have cited the manga/anime as a mayor inspiration. THe dude even met with the author of the manga. You can see pictures of the moment easily via quick google search.

[@elliottkinlon]

It’s a lot to do with someone who deeply loves the sport develops a manga or anime that they can showcase their love and it’s usually pretty spot on with rules and stuff and because it’s another form of media a lot of younger kids get really involved. An example of this is the volleyball manga haikyuu, which has spurred Japan to be an international powerhouse in volleyball with a lot of their players having read haikyuu, most notably yuji nishida who is essentially their star player. And now it’s happening with football not just with captain tsubasa but ao-ashi which has a very realistic look into life in the Japanese football pyramid, and is a story about how a country youngster with talent gets scouted, has to move to the big city with the academy, struggles up front and gets moved to left back where he now shines. It’s a really good story. But there is also blue lock, which is a bit more like action with football elements. Think hunger games but instead of dying, you never get to play for your national team, in the search for the perfect striker that Japan has been lacking.

[@mybadsportexplore]

Maybe, there are many sports (not just football) manga alternatives other than tsubasa that are also interesting to read. I think its not direct consequence, more like the potential mindset and culture is already there. Then manga helps to inspire, share ideas, point of view, even criticize, and etc. Here are some sports manga recommendations: - Giant Killing (⚽) tell story about football manager - Ao ashi (⚽) tell story about youth football, not just school - Blue lock (⚽) tell story about determination - Eyeshield 21 (🏈) - Diamond no Ace 1 and 2. The 3 is upcoming (⚾) - Haikyu (🏐) - Hajime no Ippo (🥊) - Yowamushi pedal (🚴) - Baby steps (🎾) I still not read any badminton manga, but you can check that japan badminton is also on the rise. They learn how to build a football league and develop badminton from my country 🇮🇩. But sad that my country is too corrupt haha

[@mafiousbj]

@@mybadsportexplore Slam Dunk (basketball) was fun to watch as an anime in the late 90's. I know there are also Volleyball, Tennis and even a Cycling anime 😂

[@jaymeade_]

I’m a waiter, and at one of my tables this year I met a man from japan. He married an american woman and lives in america now with his kids. I had a very cool conversation with him about Japan’s performance at the world cup in december, how they slayed giants and made it through on grit and ambition. He told me he grew up with soccer, as he was best friends with Kazu Miura’s brother, and that everyone thought soccer would be just another fad back in the day in Japan. He said it was something wonderful to watch it blossom. (He also told me about Kazu being in talks about a move abroad at 56 years old, and the next weekend he was in portugal! Go king Kazu!)

[@shadowrayhaan4051]

Zen Tag content is awesome Love your vids

[@dranzerkai6051]

Giant Killing for me is 1 of the best and most underrated tactical and realistic sports anime. The fact that your title reminded me of that, I worship you Zealand Ten Shannon

[@antoniodono6541]

I love this kind of content, this is really for true sports fans

[@LuTzz]

Without Zico football would never be as big as it is in Japan. His impact in helping professionalize the j league shouldn't be overlooked

[@koya__kim]

2:04 That was our biggest win (Japan's biggest defeat) coz back then we have the FC Barcelona legend Paulino Alcántara. To those who don't know him, he played for FC Barcelona (1912-1927), scoring 395 goals in 399 matches; a club record which was broken by Lionel Messi about a century later in 2014. However, here in the Philippines, Paulino Alcántara had limited recognition until the 2010s, partially caused by a surge of popularity of football in the Philippines with the rise of the Azkals. In 2018, the domestic cup tournament of the Philippines Football League, the Copa Paulino Alcantara was named in his honor. He was also named part of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame in 2021, century later after giving our country its biggest win.

[@diogoreis7946]

you should make a quick video talking about greece winning european cup in 2004, as a portuguese it still hurts my heart :(

[@maviarab]

Portuguese might figure out one day how to break down a defence.

[@diogoreis7946]

@@maviarab we did when we beat france in european cup 2016 and came out winners, even after france made all the preparations to be declared the winners, because "its an easy match" :D

[@JoaoVitor-is4zb]

The Japanese football improved a lot after the brazilian legend and coach at the time called Zico signed for Kashima Antlers and introduce the modern method of football there. They even have a statue for him there and most of the japanese that meet Zico in the world cups asks for photos and autographs. Forgot to mention but Zico also was coach of the national team from Japan and today he is also the director for lifetime at Kashima Antlers

[@davidrichards613]

Great stuff Z and team!

[@luisestrada5519]

Amazing video bro!

[@hugoweichert]

@zealand love the video as always! You should have a look at what's happening in Brazil right now. The 40 teams from div 1 and 2 are trying to figure out a way to create a new league with more equity of payment for all. They are currently split into 2 groups with different ideas but working towards combining them. Very interesting story!

[@danielsong9041]

Chinese football fan here, and I sort of see my country's football as Japan just before its dramatic rise; hitting rock bottom after a brief stint of success in the early 2000s with a league that is unbelievably bad and commercialized. Furthermore, I think the Japanese economic crisis of the 1990s might have something to do with the rise of football as the economy stops growing rapidly and children stop engaging in extreme competition, many choosing sports instead. Coincidentally, the Chinese economy is also finally cooling down after like three decades of rapid growth, which should open up more child training to football. Our team is already so bad there is no way but up 😍

[@kevineames620]

Tom Byer also deserves some credit in the growth of Japanese football.

[@kastupido]

Loving these kind of videos!

[@Sakrin117]

Best editor addon for fm ever, would want to watch you play a career in it. I have been playing this from fm 12 to this day, and the 2021 and 22 are great experiences. Still waiting for the 2023 version.

[@qwertyuiop123453993]

really good video, its striking how many similarities there are between Japan and the USA in how they became a regular at the world cup

[@lawsonhearne6625]

Love this type of video.

[@Midtable1881]

Brilliantly told Z! Keep up the great content.

[@Derek-qu8qi]

5:14 they do. Thanks to the amazing Ange.

[@jonpeley]

As a Real Sociedad supporter you just need to go to the club's official channel with content mainly in spanish to feel the japanese passion for Kubo and the sport. Sometimes the amount of comments from that country is around %90 of the total. Just amazing.

[@dereckratcliffe6302]

Tip class as always. Next trip get yourself over here to Ireland for a Bohemians game. You wont regret it

[@dhruvgullapalli2210]

Pixelated Japan 3:43 like we wouldn't notice💀💀

[@PioOSullivan]

From the arse end of Cork in Ireland... Love the content Zealand.. keep up the great work up bud👌👍💪

[@ivanrojt1862]

I would add that Tsubasa didnt only get nakata to play football, they we're a Lot of semi pro players i know (i went to highschool with one kid who was at reserve team of team acassuso that was in fourth división argentina and now is in the second one) i remember the kid moving the ball like a monster, he lacked speed, positioning but had a lots of dribbing and finishing (myself who didnt play football ever until 16, but was forced to play because of school) i went from CB to a creative right wing inspired of how he played and i was Bad at everything exept dribbing and passing, it's not suprise that i couldnt pass to get on a team, and the other dude was like at 2 years of becoming semi pro and other 2 friends was in the youth academy of racing and the other of a team i can't remember the name, but the three guys was Tsubasa fans (they watch it now until today) The four of us failed in football, i lacked talent and begin too late, other had some skills but missed in some necessary aspects like being explosive (he could only plays as a slow FW or CDM but being 1,78), other one had potential but was lazy to growth and the last one, the one who was in acassuso was a monster but because of morons in the school they conviced him to took drugs (one Big problem in argentina), and he just killed his carreer without starting. There a Lot of kids that became pro, and who doenst it's because country problems or Maybe people without talent, all thx to Tsubasa, so yeah, legacy of Tsubasa is giant And i want to became manager thx to it, but i don't know how without being a ex player in argentina, Even i invented My own tactic but can't check with someone who knows about football coaching, i search in google but there Isnt any data besides river plate but i can't see how to sign to that manager school

[@chazhartwayne6493]

"Giant Killing" is actually a fucking awesome football anime that is VERY realistic and doesn'T have all these Captain Tsubasa Tiger shots etc.

[@figatellus]

Captain Tsubasa anime and maga had a huge impact on young childs who choosed soccer

[@timolol6268]

Truth.

[@Anthony-sh5jj]

Love the content zeaiand

[@RebMightyMouse]

That last line about throwing away a league system cut deep as an American

[@ahmedialmomani207]

I really love your videos I’d love it if you make a vid about the story of Qatar winning the Asian cup back in 2019 because it had drama politics and everything else we also beat Japan in the final

[@oldgreg506]

Wild to compare MLS to J League, yet many say it’s too early to introduce promotion relegation to MLS…

[@saavedroni]

You didn't talk about the effect of Captain Tsubasa

[@Raptorsified]

I really didn't know Japan's Asian dominance in football was something that really only came about shortly before me. It's something I've taken for granted. Unironically though, anime has had a huge effect on the growth of soccer in Japan. Whether it's captain tsubasa for guys a little older than me or inazuma eleven for the current generation. One last factor to note that might be interesting to MLS fans is that we sort of had our own David Beckham landing that really put the league on the map domestically. It was Iniesta who still plays for Vissel Kobe. He even posts videos on KZbin with Japanese subtitles so it is hard to understate his impact on the growth of the sport domestically.

[@clubeyxander5132]

We all love and adore Iniesta in Japan! However, he has nothing to do with the growth of J League. Iniesta came well after Japan's rise. The big names that rocket launched J League were like Zico, Lineker, Littbarski, Schillaci and some others. This was in the initial years of the league, but such a trend soon faded and the league started to invest more on growing their own talents. It has been so ever since. So, when Iniesta arrived we were genuinely shock struck in surprise that such a player of his calibre would come to Japan. The whole soccer nation of Japan just instantly fell in love with Iniesta and the love still lasts, but it cannot be said that Iniesta has influenced Japanese soccer to grow. The single largest impact a player has made on the growth of Japanese soccer was that of Zico. His influence was enormous.

[@christianjade5145]

To be fair to Japan, the side which lost to my country (Philippines) was led by Paulino Alcantara, Barcelona legend.

[@shadoekim]

Captain tsubasa is one of the most legendary sports manga by the way

[@nanoonano2622]

Good vid

[@sezginilgin1644]

We all know that only reason Japan became good in football is Captain Tsubasa

[@kuroazrem5376]

The teams that used to participate in the Olympics were amateur up until very recently, so, even if there was a professional league, none of their players could participate in the Olympic team. But still, the fact that their amateur team reached that far is stounding by itself.

[@Murtini2023]

I love the J-League and am very thankful here in the UK we can now watch on KZbin. Their supporters are amazing and the football is enjoyable to watch. It's a shame the clubs sell their players for peanuts but I suppose they can't stand in their way.

[@Bulsreder]

You could go down to Ajax training grounds looking like that and tell them you're Davy Klaasen

[@Santhiish9]

I hope Malaysia learn from this

[@alexnv44]

nice video Davy Klassen

[@robbiebalboa]

As an Australian and seeing A-League teams get their arses handed to by J-League teams in the Asian Champions League. I know all too well how far good this league is.

[@MrGerrard94]

and how the on earth Melbourne City draw with Ventforet Kofu, a J2 League side in the recent ACL game demonstrated how far Japanese football has developed, they even beat Buriram United, one of the best club in South East Asia.

[@robbiebalboa]

@@MrGerrard94 I know, absolute levels!!!

[@ThePandaKen]

America could learn from this. A healthy pyramid with pro/rel is crucial to gain grassroots support and incentivize investment in developing young talent. A closed rich league has zero incentive to aggressively search for the wonderkids here at home.

[@cummerchant542]

Our owners will literally leave the league

[@fabioluislourenco]

Do the same with Portugal 😃🇵🇹❤️

[@Pikachu0071000CS]

Meanwhile us in Hong Kong only just made the Asian Cup again for the first time since 1968... Imagine if we can evolve half as decently lol

[@cpenguin06]

Zea looking like Erik Ten Hag during his Ajax days with that kit

[@wilzuxor]

just wanted to see the bald

[@jonssonftw]

Really interesting. Could you do a video on what the hell it is that Uruguay do to be and stay so good? A country with half the population of Sweden shouldn't be that good.

[@Derek-qu8qi]

Japan must have the best midfield on the planet when you consider reo hatate can’t get a call up

[@cemcr5764]

An absolute baller 🍀💚

[@PolecanePC]

Captain Tsubasa for previous generations. Ao Ashi will be the one for current young ones, if you haven't seen it guys give it a shot, it's great because it's also about tactics, and it doesn't have that 'easy' always win/draw route.

[@samuelschonenberger]

0:15 Bizzarly enough both of my nationalities are represented in that exclusive group of 5 and I am not French, Brazilian or Argentine

[@Roxas1711]

Very cool to see Alfred Schreuder pursuing KZbin as a career post-sacking. Interesting choice to wear his former employer's kit too

[@gluestix17]

for about 10 seconds the other day I convinced one of my friends that Kaoru Mitoma won Blue Lock...

[@centurionprodigy5157]

so basically they did what every other country did, just more recently, and i think the results sound better because it's a nationality that we were not used to seeing playing in europe, like when you see an albanian in the premier league is more surprising than a croatian.

[@Pokephosgene]

Japanese people are studious. Last winter, they were knocked out on penalties, but already had a deadly recipe for knocking down giants. They will drill penalties like crazy, and in North America, they will go at least one step further. Hopefully, with a few players that will have played a part of their career at Celtic. Right now, I'm in a wonderland- my preferred club and my second preferred national team (South Korea with Hyeon-gyu Oh is 3rd) bound in friendship. My home country Croatia better not run into Japan again...

[@Argenswiss]

There is nothing inherently negative about a corporate owned league. The Japanese rugby union league works that way and they now attract some of the best talent in the world, while their national team went from the world cup punching bag of the tier 1 nations, to beating 3 top teams in their last 2 world cups. Making it out of a group with Ireland and Scotland

[@pablotamarit6683]

Why does Klassen appear on Zealends video? Where is Zealend?

[@danderson8463]

Polo shirt away from becoming a barista

[@gogomobile6978]

Tutoriallllsss? Thats why i sub this chanel...!

[@seanc5462]

It's shocking that Kyoko and Hatate haven't made the current squad. Manager has no clue

[@Maxes931]

They have finally been cal up in friendly national team in June which mean 2 mouths ago

[@JesseShortss]

I didn’t Know Megamind could be so entertaining fr

[@AlexRN]

You're my favorite American soccer content creator. I'd love to hear your story about how a white dude form the US got this much into soccer against all odds. Either that or your thoughts on current day MLS and what they're doing right and wrong. Or, both!

[@thegrumpyraccoon]

Yes football😉😄

[@AlexRN]

@@thegrumpyraccoon believe me, I know. I’m not American. But he is so I called it soccer.

[@andrewsutherland7913]

As a Brit, the only thing I know about the J-League is Arsene Wenger and Gary Lineker.

[@jpducey]

Mitoma in and of himself is an interesting case since he started in the j-league system decided not to go pro went to college then went pro, then moved to Europe

[@ぶ乙]

He played in Kawasaki for a season before going to Europe

[@jpducey]

@@ぶ乙 I said that

[@tremoxo]

I just bought a wonder kid which has a Mercenary personality. What crazy shit should i expect from him in the future?

[@nonenone2622]

japanese is humble humble is the key

[@paradiso_oce]

am i... am i first? i just wanted a video to watch while i played FM 🤣

[@PioOSullivan]

Working in the bloody rain today.. wish I was at home winning the league with Liverpool 😭😭🤣🤣

[@lewisarnold6746]

Literally what I'm doing

[@queenzoroark]

Zico also helped the Japanese Football to rise.

[@nox5555]

They dont have big stars but the whole team is made up from imortant role players in decent or good clubs in europe with a couple of players in elite clubs.

[@evanpwell]

How many times is the title gonna be changed🤣

[@HCMCDrives]

Hey... You stole my interesting footy travia!! Which 2 national teams share both their largest victory and defeat with one and other.

[@domedwards6996]

This should be an example for these Middle Eastern nations and states who want to increase their league profile and national team quality. Can't improve your own lads if you keep exporting big names. If there will ever be a WC winner from outside Europe or South America, it will be either Japan or USA

[@jaden_shah]

also the women are incredible, won a wwc

[@cooper3561]

ngl i dig the Heisenberg look for ya , ur just missing the hat

[@slips.]

amazing video zealand but saying japan is in their anime training arc is a bit silly

[@cranjismcbasketball1638]

... could Japan actually be the next team to become a new world cup winner? Like at the rate they're rising up the ranks... why not them?

[@nemomukerji]

Our miget Davies klassen we love you

[@Zeerse_Chef]

The UK approves of the pronunciation of semi.

[@maviarab]

Pity the MLS won't learn from them.

[@darcyskinner6020]

I love Zealand but he looks like someone cosplaying Erick ten harg a year ago

[@andrew71017]

I thought Ten Hag left Ajax?

[@mortiphago]

let's not forget the massive effect of the Blue Lock program in producing egotists perfect forwards

[@Teleshima]

what is davy klaasen doing here

[@davidborkwood2368]

As I recently shaved head man, I respect the rizz of Z

[@sportsandchill1234]

Let's now start giant killing east Tokyo united does any1 remember that anime

[@kieronparr3403]

Every time I see the egg I lol

[@jlbermon]

AJAX AMSTERDAM! ❤