Since 1981, talking about football in manga and anime terms is practically referring to Captain Tsubasa. His endless matches, his amazing spin shots and his acrobatic techniques are part of the childhood and youth of entire generations, and the name of Oliver Atom and Benji Price has transcended paper and screens across half the planet. Unfortunately, all matches have an ending, and Yoichi Takahashi has indicated that his work as a manga artist has entered injury time.
The announcement was made by Takahashi himself through volume 19 of Captain Tsubasa Magazineanticipating to his readers that they were facing the penultimate issue of his work: the series Captain Tsubasa – Rising Sun y Captain Tsubasa – Memories They will conclude in volume 20, which will be published next April. The reason for this decision? Age and current state of health.
According to the statement of the Captain Tsubasa Magazinetranslated into English by @CTsubasaShots) his eyesight has worsened considerably, it is difficult for him to concentrate, he can barely draw lines and he has begun to suffer from vertigo due to his working posture. And at 63 years old, these kinds of indicators They should be taken very seriously.
Yoichi Takahashi does not feel prepared to draw and deliver the number of monthly pages that his own work requires, and he also recognizes that he did not adapt quickly enough to changing analog techniques (paper and pencil) for digital ones. Now, reaching the minimum number of pages drawn is taking enormous effort and health.
Evaluating the situation, he understood that he would not be able to last until he was 70 years old drawing in these conditions. His withdrawal will take place before concluding as he desired the current ongoing story arc of his work. Although, on the other hand, he imagines that he would have continued shaping the story for 15 or 30 more years. Now, in the same statement Takahashi leaves the door open for his work to be continued in the future.
Yoichi Takahashi’s great work was Captain Tsubasa (Oliver and Benji, or Supercampeones), but not the only one that bears his signature. Throughout his 43-year career as a manga artist he has also shaped other works such as Hungry Heart: Wild Strikersome One Shots and projects like Ace! o Chibi published in one of the best stages of Weekly Shonen Jump, sharing a volume with Dragon Ball, JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure or Knights of the Zodiac.
In any case, and despite the fact that Yoichi Takahashi is retiring earlier than he himself planned, he will say goodbye in April, leaving a legacy of more than 40 years dedicated to bringing the passion for football from paper to the entire planet. Taking their characters to the best teams in the real world, and leaving an indelible mark for countless fans of the beautiful sport, manganime and video games.
Of course, before enjoying that well-deserved rest, he still has a volume to give to his fans. ¡The last game of the Superchampionsnothing less!
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