Manga (1981) and anime (1983) by Yōichi Takahashi, widely popular globally (known as Captain Tsubasa, Olive et Tom, or Oliver y Benji). The author was born and raised in Katsushika, Tokyo. The neighborhood has 9 bronze statues of the characters, and Yotsugi Station is fully decorated with the series.
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Yotsugi Station — The Captain Tsubasa Stationthemed station
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The entire station is decorated from floor to ceiling with character illustrations. Arrival announcements play the anime theme tune voiced by Tsubasa and Hyuga. On the platforms, there are shirts and balls signed by Takahashi, Andrés Iniesta, and other footballers who grew up with the series. Recommended starting point for the statue tour.
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Bronze Statue of Ryō Ishizaki (Bruce Harper)statue
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First statue of the tour, located under the elevated tracks 90 meters from Yotsugi Station. Ryō Ishizaki (Bruce Harper), Tsubasa's clumsy but tenacious friend. He is the captain of the Nankatsu team in the first stage of the series.
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Bronze Statue of Kojirō Hyūga (Mark Lenders)statue
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Located inside the small Yotsugi Park, 200 meters from the station. Hyūga, Tsubasa's ultimate rival and the only one to have defeated him. Famous for his fierce Tiger Shot and physical play.
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Life-sized Statue of Tsubasa Ōzora (Oliver Atom)statue
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The first statue inaugurated (2013) and one of two life-sized ones. Located in the playground renamed "Yotsugi Tsubasa Park", 250 meters from the station. The absolute protagonist of the series. Here you can pose alongside him with the ball.
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Bronze Statue of Sanae Nakazawastatue
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On the sidewalk in front of the Katsushika Post Office, 600 meters from Yotsugi Station. Sanae, Tsubasa's biggest fan and later wife, is shown waving a flag just as she does in every match.
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Life-sized Statue of Tarō Misaki (Tom Becker)statue
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In Shibue Park, halfway between Yotsugi and Tateishi stations. The second life-sized statue. Misaki, Tsubasa's technical midfield partner and best friend, shown running with the ball.
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Bronze Statue of Genzō Wakabayashi (Benji Price)statue
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In Tateishi Michihiroba Square, near Tateishi Station. Wakabayashi (Benji Price), the legendary goalkeeper who became a star for Hamburg SV in Germany after his youth rivalry with Tsubasa.
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Bronze Statue of Roberto Hongostatue
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On the Medakanoko-michi pedestrian trail, 7 minutes walk from Yotsugi Station. Roberto Hongo, the former Brazilian No. 10 player who becomes Tsubasa's mentor.
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Minami-Katsushika High School + Twin Shot Statueorigin of Nankatsu
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The high school where Yoichi Takahashi studied. Its Japanese name, Minami-Katsushika High School, is the source for 'Nankatsu', the fictional town and team in the series. In front of the main entrance is the Twin Shot statue: Tsubasa and Misaki shooting together, with a space to pose alongside them. Most photographed by fans.
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Okudo Sogo Sports Center — Color Statue & Dioramasstatue & dioramas
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Municipal sports center featuring a full-color statue of Tsubasa Ōzora and dioramas of iconic manga scenes — including the scene where Tsubasa kicks the ball under a moving bus and Wakabayashi catches it. Free entry to the diorama area.
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Trattoria Avere — Restaurant Decorated by Takahashithe author's restaurant
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A small Italian restaurant, the personal favorite of author Yōichi Takahashi. The walls are hand-drawn by the author with original sketches of Tsubasa, Hyuga, Misaki, and Wakabayashi. Shirts and autographed objects are also on display. Closed on Tuesdays.
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Camp Nou, Barcelona — Fictional Club of TsubasaTsubasa's club
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In "Road to 2002" and its sequels, Tsubasa plays for FC Barcelona ("FC Catalunya" in some translations), whose stadium is Camp Nou. The club invited Yōichi Takahashi to a match at the stadium and displayed his illustrations of Barça players.
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Running Tsubasa statue — Tateishi 1 children's parkstatue
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In a small children's park among the shopping streets of Keisei-Tateishi, Tsubasa runs flicking the ball up with his heel, one of his trademark tricks. It completes the neighbourhood's nine statues.
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