The Best Soccer Manga to Get You Ready for the World Cup

The World Cup is a celebration of the world's best international soccer teams, and the 2022 tournament won't be any different. But while the official group draws happen in early April, the tournament matches won't begin until November, meaning soccer fans worldwide will have to wait a while to get their fix.

For those looking for a way to pass the time and build their excitement for the World Cup, here are five excellent soccer-based manga to keep you busy until the big tournament kicks off in earnest later this year.

Giant Killing: Focusing on Soccer's Events Off the Field

Soccer isn't just what happens on the pitch, and behind every great player is months of intense training and a massive team of support. Giant Killing, written by Masaya Tsunamoto and illustrated by Tsujitomo, focuses on this element and presents a unique take on the sport. The story follows Tatsumi Takeshi, a former prodigy who left East Tokyo United to go to England and become a manager. In the years since he left, he's established himself as a great, if slightly eccentric, coach.

East Tokyo United, struggling to avoid relegation and hold onto their fan base, hires Tatsumi as their coach. However, despite other teams having better facilities and bigger budgets, Tatsumi soon proves he's an expert at giant-killing. This series' focus on the backstage elements of the sport and the nature of coaching makes it stand out from the crowd. Giant Killing is available via Kodansha.

Whistle!: Proving the Shorter Guys Can Make the Biggest Impact

Written and illustrated by Daisuke Higuchi, Whistle! started in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1998. The story follows middle schooler Shō Kazamatsuri, a young boy who wants to join the soccer team at his middle school, Musashinomori. However, Kazamatsuri is short and falls under the school team's minimum height requirement.

Not letting this stop him, Kazamatsuri transfers to a new school and pretends he used to be a member of Musashinomori's legendary team. However, when he is found out, he knuckles down and plans to train extra hard to prove himself and live out his dream, despite his tiny stature. A fantastic story of teenage desire and capturing your dreams, Whistle! is a gripping read from start to end. It is available in the USA via Viz Media.

Blue Lock: A Very Different Take on the Classic Soccer Story

One of the most unique soccer manga on the market. Blue Lock adds an almost dystopian twist to the usual format. Written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, the series follows Yoichi Isagi, a young boy selected for the mysterious new Blue Lock program, which was created after Japan crashed out of the 2018 World Cup. The Japanese government hires eccentric coach Ego Jinpachi in a desperate attempt to improve the team.

Ego decides that Japan lacks a cocky goal-hungry striker, so he gathers 300 of the nation's best young players and locks them in the Blue Lock compound to undergo intense training. To force the players to compete, any player who drops out of Blue Lock will be banned from the national team for life, forcing them to give it everything for the sake of their dreams. Leading to a unique, almost death-game twist on the genre, Blue Lock is available to read and purchase via Kodansha.

Sayonara, Football Is a Fascinating Tale of Women's Soccer

A rare series focused on women's soccer, Sayonara, Football is written and illustrated by Naoshi Arakawa. The story follows Nozomi Onda, a 14-year-old girl who loves soccer and practices constantly. However, she struggles to best the bigger boys around her and sees them regularly move up the ranks faster than she does.

But after meeting an old teammate, Nozomi decides she can't wait any longer and knuckles down to make herself the best she can be and finally beat the boys who have surpassed her. An interesting take on the "follow your dreams" narrative made all the more fascinating by its focus on gender issues, Sayonara, Football is a gripping read that will hook readers from the first page to the last. It is available in North America via Kodansha.

Farewell, My Dear Cramer Blends Soccer Action With Earnest Drama

Like Sayonara, Football, Farewell, My Dear Cramer was also written by Naoshi Arakawa. While the latter is technically a sequel, it also puts a unique twist on the soccer format, making it standout as a title in its own right. Two young women, Sumire Suō and Midori Soshizaki, are the stars of their respective middle school soccer teams. They're also fierce rivals. However, when they graduate and go to high school, Midori offers to team up with Sumire.

Together, the girls join the failing Warabi Seinan High School team and aim to turn it around. Along the way, they'll have to fight other squads and even their own school's administration while also navigating their own relationship. Farewell, My Dear Cramer presents a unique take on a sports drama and is packed full of intriguing characters, all of whom have memorable interactions. It is available to read in English via Kodansha.

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