Interest
Twitter Celebrates Japan Soccer Team's World Cup Journey
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
Japan and Belgium faced off in a breathtaking FIFA World Cup game on Monday. Japan led Belgium 2-0, but the Belgians pulled together late in the game to score three goals and snatch victory away from Japan. Despite the loss, Japan's Samurai Blue team can be very proud of their performance.
Naturally, Japan's soccer super fans flew out to Russia to show their support. Japan fans performed an impressive tifo, holding up a giant banner with messages and an image of the Captain Tsubasa soccer manga's title character.
#JPN with the best tifo at the #WorldCup!
— Cristian Nyari (@Cnyari) July 2, 2018
Captain Tsubasa!!! pic.twitter.com/XsDpWoTgmQ
Meanwhile, many Japanese fans supported their team from afar and posted messages on Twitter. For example, the official Captain Tsubasa Portal Twitter account posted, "Thank you, Japan representatives!!!! It was a wonderful game...!!! Next time for sure... you will not lose!"
日本代表ありがとう!!!!素晴らしい試合でした…!!!
— キャプテン翼ポータル公式@TVアニメ放送中! (@tsubasa_news) July 2, 2018
次こそは…負けないよ!#キャプテン翼 #ワールドカップ #WorldCup #W杯 #SAMURAIBLUE pic.twitter.com/6mWOPxkayc
Animator Daisuke Ishibashi, who has worked on the Captain Tsubasa anime, also tweeted, "Thank you, Japan representatives! Good work."
ありがとう日本代表!おつかれさま pic.twitter.com/HorCjBZ6BJ
— 石橋大輔 (@d_ishisep) July 3, 2018
Staff of Japan's most famous soccer series were not the only members of the anime industry to cheer on Samurai Blue. Other official anime and voice actor Twitter accounts got in on the action.
The My Hero Academia account called on Japan's team and fans to look to the future.
この悔しさを糧に、
— 僕のヒーローアカデミア_アニメ公式 (@heroaca_anime) July 2, 2018
更に向こうへ。
Plus Ultra<プルスウルトラ>。#W杯 #ワールドカップロシア2018 #Worldcup2018Russia#ヒロアカ #heroaca_a pic.twitter.com/esGjpTW5tO
Both the DAYS soccer anime and Mr. Tonegawa anime accounts offered congratulatory messages for Japan's previous accomplishments during the World Cup.
サッカー日本代表決勝トーナメント進出っ‥‥!
— アニメ『中間管理録トネガワ』 (@Tonegawa_Anime) June 28, 2018
Congratulations!Congratulations!
#daihyo #日本代表 #トネガワ pic.twitter.com/f2xJ9tvTy7
Jouji Nakata couldn't contain his glee about Japan making it into the final 16. He said, "My heart is skipping!!" and added, "Congratulations on the best 16. Thanks for the good game!!"
心がぴょんぴょんするんじゃー!! pic.twitter.com/clSdHwA7w8
— 中田譲治 (@joujinakata123) July 2, 2018
ベスト16おめでとう
— 中田譲治 (@joujinakata123) July 2, 2018
いい試合をありがとう!!
Other voiced actors who chimed in were Yūki Kaji, Hiroki Yasumoto, Junichi Suwabe, Yusuke Shirai, Kenshō Ono, Kappei Yamaguchi, Ryōtarō Okiayu, Kishō Taniyama, Yoshitaka Yamaya, Natsuki Hanae, Showtaro Morikubo, and Nobunaga Shimazaki. Suwabe felt the Japan players' disappointment but offered words of encouragement, saying, "Experience becomes tomorrow's nourishment. Thank you for the good fight in this tournament!"
選手の皆さんはきっともっと悔しいはず。新たな扉に手が届いた気がした瞬間は確かにありました。経験を明日の糧に。今大会の健闘に、ありがとう! pic.twitter.com/tvrvWrbUkI
— 諏訪部順一 Junichi Suwabe (@MY_MURMUR) July 2, 2018
The Blue Samurai team made to sure leave a lasting positive impression as they exited the World Cup. A picture was shared of the team's locker room after the match. The room was spotless with a message card that read "Спасибо" (Spasibo/Thank You). Fifa General Director Priscilla Janssens tweeted the image with the comment "This is the Japanese dressingroom after losing to Belgium in the 94' minute. Thanked their fans in the stadium, cleaned up everything (bench and dressingroom) and spoke to media. Even left note with ‘thank you’ in Russian. What an example for all teams!! Privilege to work with!" but the tweet was later deleted.
Japan team fans were previously acknowledged for the clean up efforts in Mordovia Arena after the team's victory against Colombia.
Before Japan even headed to the World Cup, team member Yūto Nagatomo decided to become a Super Saiyan to boost team morale. He colored his hair blond in the lead-up to the competition as a way to diffuse tension among his teammates.
Thanks to tintor2 for the news tip
[Via Nijimen, Huffington Post Japan via Yara-on!]