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Tsubasa Ozora (大空 翼, Ōzora Tsubasa) is the main protagonist of the Captain Tsubasa series.

Description

Tsubasa Ozora is a prodigious association football player who dreams of winning the FIFA World Cup for Japan one day. The series follows Tsubasa's growth from primary school life in Japan, to other teams in other countries as well as Japan's national team.

History

Prior to Ozora Family Moving Out and Kids' Dream

As a one-year-old boy who was barely able to walk, Tsubasa had always been happy to play with a football. One day, he was miraculously saved by his ball in a truck accident. The ball, which Tsubasa held in front of him, acted as a cushion for the impact on the car and then on the ground, helping him leave this accident without a scratch.

Ozora Family Moving Out

When Tsubasa was around 8 years ago, the Ozora family was living in the backstreets of Tokyo. In school, even though he was considered a cheerful, energetic and very good child by his homeroom teacher, he was very different from the other children, since he liked football, but lived in an area where baseball was more popular. Because of this, he was all alone in school, which worried his grandmother - Hana Ozora - a lot. As a result, Hana kind of forced him to try baseball by buying him a baseball bat and glove. However, despite being included in a group, Tsubasa quickly stopped. While he felt sorry for his grandmother who went to the trouble of buying him some things, he still preferred playing football, even if that meant he would be alone. His tears when saying this convinced Hana, who then believed he would make friends who liked football eventually.

Two years later, Hana's health worsen and she became bedridden. One day, a girl named Yayoi Aoba suddenly started talking to Tsubasa. According to Yayoi, her brother Hideto - who was in his 3rd year of middle school and had just recently became captain of the football club of Shumei Gakkan - had asked her to invite Tsubasa to watch their practice after hearing about him. Tsubasa then came to Shumei Gakkan on foot, dribbling with the ball rather than by bicycle. As Tsubasa arrived, Hideto told him that just watching must be boring, and asked Tsubasa to train with him instead. Hideto and his teammates soon became amazed with Tsubasa's skills, recognizing him as a football genius. The whole team then allowed Tsubasa to play with them during internal practice matches as a guest player, marking Tsubasa's first time playing for a football club. Yayoi also became his first friend. After learning about that, Hana asked Kodai to take her to Tsubasa's practice, as she knew she did not have much time left. Seeing Tsubasa playing with friends, Hana passed away happily.

Later, Kodai had a talk with the coach of Shumei Gakkan, and decided to have the family move to Shizuoka, so that Tsubasa would have a chance to play in regular games with other kids his age, rather than just practice games. As Tsubasa and Natsuko agreed, the Ozora family left Tokyo for Shizuoka, with Tsubasa aiming to join Shutetsu, a private school with a prestigious football team.

Kids' Dream & Endless Dream

Following the events in Ozora Family Moving Out, an 11-year-old Tsubasa arrived in Nankatsu City, Shizuoka. He immediately set out to explore the new city, and arrived at the local football field, where Ryo Ishizaki and Genzo Wakabayashi were quarreling about the right to use the field. There, Tsubasa witnessed Wakabayashi winning against every single senior that Ishizaki brought along with his goalkeeping. Impressed with Shutetsu's genius keeper, Tsubasa resolved to challenge him to a duel. He then kicked a ball with a written challenge on it all the way from a hill to Wakabayashi's house. After that, the two had a short confrontation on the street where Tsubasa repelled Wakabayashi's shot by making the ball go under the bus and into the keeper's arms. They then have a duel, with Shutetsu's B-Team joining Wakabayashi's side. Tsubasa dribbled past the whole B-Team before making a header, which was punched away by Wakabayashi. But then, Roberto Hongo, a former member of Brazil national team, who witnessed Tsubasa's kick from the hill, return the ball to Tsubasa with a pass. This time, Tsubasa's Diving Header put the ball into the goal. Wakabayashi became angry and did not accept it since it wasn't a real match, and said they will continue their duel in the interschool event. These events made Tsubasa decide to go against his initial plan of joining Shutetsu, and enrolled at Nankatsu Elementary School where Ishizaki went to instead. Roberto then offered to be Nankatsu's coach, which Ishizaki accepted after seeing the former's Off-the-Bar Overhead Kick. Tsubasa immediately got interested in said technique, and tried to copy it. He eventually succeeded after several attempts.

Later, with the addition of Taro Misaki, who managed to form such a perfect combination with Tsubasa that the two of them ended up being called the Golden Combi, the Nankatsu - Shutetsu match ended in a draw. After this, Wakabayashi and Misaki became eternal friends for Tsubasa, as they aimed to win the World Cup for Japan.

Eventually, Tsubasa was selected as a member of Nankatsu SC, the city's team for the national championship, with Wakabayashi being the initial captain. At this point, Tsubasa was an unknown player nationwide, whereas Wakabayashi was already well known. Therefore, Kojiro Hyuga, who came to observe Wakabayashi, had no knowledge about Tsubasa beforehand, and also did not learn anything about him since Misaki prevented Tsubasa from showing his abilities. Later on, Wakabayashi had to temporarily leave the team due to a leg injury, and Tsubasa took over as captain. Roberto also promised Tsubasa that if he won the national championship, he would take him to Brazil and teach him football.

Nankatsu lost to Meiwa FC in the qualifying round, but still made it to the final tournament after the decisive victory against Hanawa SS.

Tsubasa and Nankatsu had to face Naniwa FC in the round of 16. Taichi Nakanishi, their goalkeeper, aimed to take no goals in the tournament just like Wakabayashi in the previous year. However, Tsubasa and the rest of Nankatsu thoroughly crushed Naniwa, with the former even went so far as scoring from outside of the penalty area to prove that Nakanishi was not as good as Wakabayashi. They then proceeded to defeat Shinjo FC in the quarterfinals.

In the semifinal match against Musashi FC led by Jun Misugi, Tsubasa learned about Misugi's heart disease from Yayoi, his friend during the days living in Tokyo, who then proceeded to ask him to lose on purpose. Initially, Tsubasa refused for the sake of both his dream and Misugi. Still, overly conscious of Misugi's condition, Tsubasa started to make mistake after mistake and fell into a slump. He only managed to escape from that after hearing Wakabayashi, Roberto, Sanae and Misaki's words, as well as Misugi's own thoughts, and eventually achieved a come-from-behind victory.

The final was a rematch against Meiwa, this time with Wakabayashi being able to play. After a fierce battle, Tsubasa managed to lead Nankatsu to the championship. As for his own records, he was the top scorer and MVP. However, Roberto broke his promise and went back to Brazil alone, depriving Tsubasa of the thing he realy wanted behind the victory.

After the tournament, Toho Academy would like to recruit Tsubasa to be their game maker. However, he chose to join Nankatsu Middle School.

Boys' Fight

Two years later, Tsubasa, along with his old companions, already won the national middle school tournament twice. He was seeking to get a third consecutive championship (V3) in the next tournament. However, many of his old rivals were on his way to the title this time, especially Kojiro Hyuga, who was eager to win after two defeats against Tsubasa. In addition, there are also new talented players such as Shun Nitta, Makoto Soda, Hiroshi Jito and Mitsuru Sano. Their goal was to destroy Nankatsu's dream of getting a V3 and win the title for themselves. During the tournament, Tsubasa was seriously injured on his shoulder and leg. He dislocated his left shoulder after thwarting Tachibana Twins' Skylab Hurricane and wrapped Masao up, so he won't land on his head, forcing him to take a medical leave. He managed to win against Jito's Hirado with his newly learned technique, the Drive Shot, managing to tie the match 3-3 before winning with the help of Kisugi and Taki.

In the match against Furano, he was able to keep up with all these injuries and manage to win against Matsuyama with a Miracle Drive Shot, thanks to his determination, he managed to lead his team to the finals, where Nankatsu and Toho faced each other for the title for the third time in a row. After extra time, none of the rivals was able to emerge as the winner, and the game ended with a 4-4 draw, with both teams declared as the winner.

J Boys' Challenge

As Tsubasa was injured during the national middle school tournament, he was unable to participate in Japan Jr.'s training camp. He was only able to join while Japan was having a practice match against Hamburg, however Hyuga and Matsuyama didn't allow him to play, saying that it would be unfair for all the players that joined the training camp but weren't selected. Without Tsubasa, Japan lost against Hamburger SV Jr. and Bremen Jr.

After that, Japan was supposed to have another match against Italy. However, upon seeing All Japan's match against Bremen, Italy decided that Japan wasn't a worthy opponent to play against and boycotted the match. Angered by that, Tsubasa challenged Italy, got past all of them, and then scored. Tsubasa was acknowledged after that and was allowed to play.

Japan won the three remaining practice matches, and Matsuyama decided to give the captain mark to Tsubasa, saying that Tsubasa is the one best suited for it. Against all odds, Tsubasa and All Japan defeated Italy and Argentina to advance to the knockout stage, and then France Jr. and West Germany to become champion. Later, Tsubasa went to Brazil for his dream.

Battle of World Youth

Tsubasa, along with Pepe, a boy he meets during the selection test of Sao Paulo FC, got chosen into São Paulo's Youth team. Sometime later, Tsubasa advanced to the top team. Tsubasa returned to Japan once after leaving for 3 years to play against Netherlands Youth. He went back to Brazil again soon after that, in order to compete against Santana and CR Flamengo. Even though Santana used superior techniques to Tsubasa during the match, his emotionless soccer was not able to defeat Tsubasa's playstyle. Tsubasa returned to Japan for a second time right before the beginning of the World Youth's Asian preliminaries. However upon arriving at the training camp, Tsubasa learned a shocking truth that Japan's new coach, Minato Gamo, forced seven top players - Hyuga, Misaki, Soda, Jito, Nitta, and the Tachibanas - to leave the team, Wakashimazu also left after a quarrel with the former coach Mikami about the regular goalkeeper position, and the remaining players were exhausted after Gamo's severe training. On the other hand, Misugi had fully recovered to strengthen the defense (and able to do Tsubasa's Drive Shot) and even while Wakabayashi was heavily injured; he was substituted by Morisaki in the event that All Japan Youth was in serious trouble. Katagiri said that Tsubasa was the only one able to play a match then, however Tsubasa asked the ones who hadn't given up on their dreams to get up, which all of the players did right after that.

During the first round of the Asian preliminaries, because all players except Tsubasa were covered in bruises as a result of the severe training, Japan faced some difficulties in the first two matches, even though they managed to win in the end. In the third match, however, they had to face a strong opponent, Thailand Youth. Japan managed to score the first goal thanks to Misaki's video, but Thailand quickly dominated the match after that and scored four goals in return. Tsubasa even had to leave the field on a stretcher because of the play of Thailand's captain, Bunnag. However, thanks to Wakabayashi and the arrival of the new top player Shingo Aoi, and Tsubasa returning to the field, Japan reversed the score and advanced to the second round.

During the World Youth tournament, he faced several fierce teams, such as Uruguay Youth in the classification stage, Sweden Youth in the quarterfinals, Netherlands Youth in the semifinals, and finally Brazil Youth in the finals, where he had to face his rival Carlos Santana who was led by his coach Roberto. At the end of the arc, Tsubasa asked Sanae to marry him and everyone from All Japan Youth, and also former comrades and friends attended the ceremony.

Road to 2002

In this arc, Tsubasa was seeking for a contract in Spain, as a recommendation by his mentor Roberto, and he finally chose FC Barcelona, to which he successfully entered after completing a soccer exam with Barcelona defenders trio. Later on, we see him attempting to become a regular midfielder with the superstar Rivaul. In this arc, we see still fighting in the finals of "La Liga" in Spain against Real Madrid CF and Natureza his eternal rival.

Golden-23

Tsubasa does not appear in this saga as the main character, since while U-22 Japan is playing in the qualifier phase, Tsubasa was playing for FC Barcelona in order to obtain the cup for "La Liga" in Spain.

Overseas Fierce Fights

Kaigai Gekito Hen en La Liga

In this arc, Tsubasa is still playing the final matches to obtain the cup for "La Liga" in Spain. He faced Real Madrid and his rival Natureza. Also, there was an epilogue before the end of the tournament where he faced Deportivo de La Coruna and his former superior Radunga.

Rising Sun

This is a major arc for Tsubasa, where he remembered his promise to Misaki to both obtain the gold medal for Japan. In this arc, Sanae is expecting Tsubasa's babies by the end of the tournament. This competing is held in Spain, and Olympic Japan was able to pass his classification stage.

To be updated as series progresses.

Techniques

Main article: Tsubasa Ozora/Techniques

Gallery

Main article: Tsubasa Ozora/Gallery

Etymology

  • The name Tsubasa means "wing" (翼).
  • Tsubasa's surname Ozora means "sky, firmament, heaven" (大空).
  • When combined, his full name can mean "Big Sky Wings". In a way, the last technique Roberto Hongo taught him - Skywing Shot - is inspired by his name meaning.

Trivia

  • His name, like most of the characters, was altered in Latin American and Brazilian dub. He's called Oliver Atom (Atton)/Tsubasa in the Latin American/Brazilian version of Captain Tsubasa J and Oliver Tsubasa Ozora (a mix of his original and adapted name) in Road to 2002's Brazilian dub. He's known as Oliver "Holly" Hutton/Atom in some European dubs, and Majed in the Arabic dub. In the Cantonese dub, he is known as Andy Dai Zhiwei (戴志偉), named after former Hong Kong actor.
  • He's the only person to be called by his first name by everyone, because "Tsubasa" sounds better than "Ozora", according to the author.
  • In an interview, Yoichi Takahashi claimed that, while there was no clear model for Tsubasa, he used Musashi Mizushima - who played as a forward, then midfielder, played in the Shizuoka prefecture, then played in Brazil, in the younger sections of Sao Paulo when he was only 10 - as one of the references.
  • So far, Tsubasa had lost only one game in his life, the opening game of the 6th Yomiuri Land tournament against Meiwa FC. Meiwa won 7:6 in a last-second decisive shot from Takeshi.
  • Tsubasa officially joined the real-life FC Barcelona at the end of 2003. An official press conference about him joining the club was held in 2004.
  • In 2013, Tsubasa became the J-League Asian Ambassador for a term of one year.
  • Tsubasa's jersey number for FC Barcelona, 28, can be interpreted both as the numbers which summed are equal to 10 (which is his usual number for teams such as Japan and Nankatsu), as well as a part of a goroawase (Japanese number wordplay) pun, in which 28 can be read as "tsu-ba", the first two syllables of his name.
    • In addition, in real life, La Liga's rules state that the players of the A-teams (which have a maximum of 25 players, with three goalkeepers) must be numbered from 1-25. However, in Tsubasa's case, he is allowed to wear the 28 jersey, due to him previously having played for FC Barcelona B, as the rules of the Spanish league state that when players from a reserve team get to play for the first team, they are given squad numbers between 26 and 50.

External links

Notes

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