Captain Tsubasa: Junior Youth Arc

The deciding match of the All Japan Junior Youth Soccer Tournament ends in an unprecedented twist. Now, with Tsubasa Ozora out, it’s Kojiro Hyuga’s turn! An intimidating match of formidable high school students awaits. Will they step up to the challenge?

The team to travel to Europe has been announced! Hyuga is captain, but Tsubasa is determined to play in the French tournament in two weeks. In Germany, a practice match reunites the team with Wakabayashi, who shocks the team with his unusual comment.

Team Japan and Hamburg have a practice match, and Wakabayashi shows off his iron defense. Schneider initiates a fierce attack and makes scoring impossible. Hyuga meanwhile is furious. Then there’s Tsubasa…

While the practice match against Hamburg has proven disastrous for Japan, they vow to start afresh. Captain Matsuyama desires his teammates’ trust, while Hyuga focuses on overcoming Schneider. Meanwhile, Wakabayashi makes a surprising announcement.

Taro Misaki, now in France, has received a request to join Japan Junior Youth. The three years he’s spent away hasn’t helped his confidence, but playing with Tsubasa again appeals. Now Misaki challenges Team France to prove he’s still got it!

Tsubasa returns to the field in style! Early in the match against Munich, he makes a decisive move. With Tsubasa back in action, his teammates play like completely different athletes. Then Hyuga and Tsubasa decide to make things even more interesting.

The team lands in France, with games starting soon. Coach orders a rest day, but Tsubasa can’t sit still. As he dribbles around Paris, he passes someone practicing just like him. The boy, it turns out, is a familiar face with amazing skills.

It’s the opening ceremony of the International Junior Youth Tournament, and Misaki is thinking back about his time in Japan and how far he’s come. But the memories aren’t all happy. His father’s career as an artist hasn’t been easy on either of them.

It’s Japan versus Italy in the opening game of the tournament, and tensions are running high. Team Japan’s tempers are flared over Italy’s previous comments mentioned back before the practice match that never was. Still, Tsubasa rises to the occasion.

Italy's goalkeeper, Zino Hernandez, makes incredible saves. So much so that his perfect record has earned him the reputation as Europe’s best goalie. His skill puts Japan on the offensive, but Misaki is watching. Then coach makes a surprising move.

Thanks to Tsubasa and Misaki, Japan ties with Italy, leaving the Europeans to tighten their defenses in the hope achieving a draw. Meanwhile, with only one minute to go, the crowd roars for Team Japan. Tsubasa then makes one final gamble…

Host country France has its first match against England, and the stadium is buzzing. Elle Sid Pierre, France’s captain, wows with his elegant dribbling. Meanwhile, while Tsubasa and his friends are impressed, Team France is feeling the pressure.

Brazilian soccer player Roberto Hongo speaks to Katagiri in the outskirts of Paris and makes himself clear; he does not want Tsubasa to know he is only miles away. As Tsubasa's former coach, Roberto still regrets breaking the promise he made to Tsubasa.

It’s Japan versus Argentina, and the winner progresses to the finals. Tsubasa, however, is preoccupied. While on the pitch he learns that his former coach Roberto, who has since remained incognito, is now in the stands somewhere watching.

While Japan reels from Diaz’s latest soccer feat, Tsubasa and Hyuga join forces for a special attack. Tsubasa has got his groove back. Taking the opportunity, the Tachibana Twins and Jito dash toward the goal. The time to strike back is now!

Misaki makes a miracle shot, tying the score for Japan. But a tie isn’t good enough if they want to make it to the semifinals. With both teams unwilling to give an inch, it’s anyone’s guess who will walk away the victor.

It's the second half, 4 to 4. To break the impasse, Japan puts in Jun Misugi, an amazingly skilled player who also has a heart condition. It’s been three years, but finally, Jun can stand on the same field as Tsubasa. Argentina is in for a fight!

Thanks to Misugi’s overhead, Team Japan manages to take the lead, a first for this match. But the self-declared genius is ready and launches his infamous Banana Shot over everyone’s heads, etching a giant arc in the sky. Who will make it to the top four?

It's the first match of the final tournament. Uruguay begins with some lightning-fast attacks, which achieves a goal in just the first fifty seconds. But Germany’s Schneider manages to even the score. Which ace striker will dominate is anyone’s guess…

In the second match of the finals Japan faces host France in a stadium filled with fans for the home team. Still Japan pulls off a three-way attack, stealing the ball back from a furious French captain, Pierre, who now seems to be planning something…

Ten minutes into the first half, Soda is given his second yellow card, forcing Japan to play on with only ten players. Then, Pierre gets a penalty kick, upping the score 2 to 1. Hyuga doesn’t give up, but luck just doesn’t seem be on Japan’s side…

In the second half rain is pelting the players and the pitch. France turns on a furious attack, but Japan ends up saved. But Izawa is now badly injured. In his place steps Misugi, who’s confidant the tables can turn. Let the clash of captains begin!

Behold, France’s enigmatic Eiffel Attack! Team Japan stands at the ready, reflexes primed, but it’s Pierre and Napoleon all the way. Perfect pass work epitomizes the French forces as they make their way to the goal. Can Tsubasa resuscitate the team?

Thanks to Misaki, the score is tied, initiating the first overtime of the tournament. But Coach Mikami is out of substitutions, and everyone is more than fatigued. Now Japan’s worst fears have become a reality. Things are not looking good…