The FIFA World Cup 2026 is in full swing, and the excitement is spilling over into the anime industry. On June 15, Japan’s national team played the Netherlands to a 2-2 draw — a result that left the country buzzing with equal parts joy and frustration, and inspired several anime franchises to join in on the celebration.
Blue Lock Goes Live and Launches a Fan Cheer-Image Site
During the Japan match, both the official Blue Lock manga X account and the TV anime X account live-tweeted the game, giving fans a shared space to experience every moment together. Original creator Nomura Yūsuke also watched the match and posted his reactions — a tense pre-game message followed by a fired-up post-match reflection.
The official Blue Lock X account also unveiled a dedicated website where fans can create personalised Japan-support images by combining newly drawn illustrations by Nomura Yūsuke or Blue Lock character art with their own custom cheer messages.
Aoashi: Kobayashi Yūgo Draws Special Art for Kamada’s Goal
Aoashi joined the festivities in style. Around the time Japan scored, the series’ X account posted images pairing memorable anime scenes with the match’s key moments to amp up the atmosphere. Before kick-off, a video featuring an iconic line from Ichijō Hana was shared as a rallying cry for the national team.
After the final whistle, creator Kobayashi Yūgo released a brand-new, specially drawn illustration featuring protagonist Aoi Ashito alongside Kamada Daichi, the player who scored Japan’s second goal. The pairing is no coincidence — Kamada hails from Ehime Prefecture, the same hometown as Ashito, making the artwork a heartfelt nod to their shared roots.
Other Franchises Also Rally Behind Japan
The support didn’t stop there. Tom and Jerry, the official Japanese Miffy information site, and Heidi, Girl of the Alps were among the other properties that posted messages cheering on the Japanese national team.
With FIFA World Cup 2026 still going strong, there are plenty more chances to cheer Japan on alongside your favourite anime and characters.
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