Japan’s 4-0 victory over Tunisia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup gave fans plenty to celebrate, but one particular goal has sparked an unexpected discussion among anime and manga fans in japan.
Shortly after the match, social media users began comparing Daichi Kamada’s opening goal to one of the most memorable moments from the famous soccer anime and manga, Ao Ashi, with many claiming the Japanese midfielder had unintentionally recreated a famous play from the manga.
The Goal That Started the Comparisons
The moment came during Japan’s opening goal against Tunisia.
After receiving a cross from Keito Nakamura, Kamada managed to get a touch on the ball and guide it into the net. While it was already an impressive finish on its own, fans quickly noticed something familiar about the movement.
Many pointed out similarities between Kamada’s goal and a scene featuring Haruhisa Kuribayashi in Ao Ashi.
The comparison spread rapidly across social media, with fans posting comments such as:
“This is literally Kuribayashi.”
“Ao Ashi became reality.“
“Kamada is the real-life Kuribayashi.“
For many manga readers, the resemblance was difficult to ignore.
The moment fans are referring to comes from Ao Ashi Volume 36, Chapter 366, during the Barcelona Youth match.
In the scene, Kuribayashi scores using a clever touch right in front of the goalkeeper, subtly changing the ball’s trajectory instead of taking a conventional shot.
What made the scene memorable wasn’t just the technique itself, but the confidence behind it. Facing opponents who essentially challenged him to shoot directly, Kuribayashi calmly placed the ball through anyway, turning what looked like a simple chance into one of the manga’s most talked-about goals.
His reaction only added more attention to the growing discussion.
Ao Ashi Creator Celebrates Japan’s Victory
Following Japan’s dominant win, Ao Ashi creator Yugo Kobayashi also joined the celebrations.
After the match, Kobayashi shared an illustration of Ayase Ueda alongside the message:
“Our Ace!!!”
The post celebrated Japan’s victory and was warmly received by fans already discussing Kamada’s goal.
When Fiction Meets Reality
Football manga often depict idealized versions of the sport, with techniques and moments designed to leave a lasting impression on readers.
What made Kamada’s goal stand out is that many fans genuinely felt they were watching one of those manga moments play out on the biggest stage in world football.
Whether the resemblance was intentional or purely coincidental, the comparison has become one of the most talked-about moments among Ao Ashi fans following Japan’s victory over Tunisia.
With Ao Ashi Season 2 scheduled to premiere on October 4, 2026, on NHK E-Tele, the timing couldn’t have been better. As anticipation builds for the upcoming A-Team arc and the series’ next chapter, Kamada’s goal has unexpectedly given fans another reason to revisit one of the manga’s most iconic moments.
Season 2 of Ao Ashi will be animated by TMS Entertainment (Dr. Stone, Detective Conan). Previously, it was Production I.G. Bookmark Otaku Mantra for more updates!
Ao Ashi is a Japanese soccer manga written and illustrated by Yugo Kobayashi and based on a concept by Ueno Naohiko. This manga was serialized in January 2015 in Shogakukan’s seinen manga magazine, Weekly Big Comics Spirits. It is revealed that this manga will have a total of 40 Volumes. This manga also won the 65th Shogakukan Manga Award for the general category in 2020.
This manga also received an anime adaptation by Production I.G and was released in April 2022. This anime series is also receiving a second season by TMS Entertainment, which will be released in October 2026.
Shogakukan Asia licensed this manga in Southeast Asia. Crunchyroll describes the plot of its anime as:
“After a loss in his last junior high school soccer tourney, Ehime Prefecture’s ace player, Ashito Aoi, is devastated but in every loss there’s a victory. Tatsuya Fukuda, manager of an organization that trains students for one of the leading clubs in the J-League, sees Ashito’s raw talent and offers a tryout to his group. Together they’ll bring the youth club and Aoshi’s talents to new heights!“
