Whistle!
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Whistle! (ホイッスル！) is a manga by . The manga has an anime adaptation.
The football (soccer) associated manga was published in Japan in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump. Whistle! is published in English by VIZ Media under the Shonen Jump label. The manga was written in homage to the 1998 and 2002 World Cup series in France and Japan/South Korea.
The manga is about a boy named Shō Kazamatsuri. He transfers from Musashinomori School to Sakura Josui Junior High School for better hopes to make the soccer team, since he never got a game at his old school due to his small stature. Yūko Katori, his teacher, introduces him as a former star of the famed Musashinomori team, causing his classmates to be wrongly ecstatic. Right after that, one of the players, Tatsuya Mizuno, reveals that he was never a regular. In other words, since he never got the chance to play, Shō is a poor player. Shō struggles to improve his skill so he can make the team at his new school and to ignore the drastic disadvantage he has due to his height.
Contents
Characters
Names are in Western order, with the given name before the surname.Main characters
- Shō Kazamatsuri (風祭 将 Kazamatsuri Shō) - Shō, while not that good at soccer, has a thirst to improve and never gives up. His determination is something that even Mizuno doesn't have. Called "Pup" or "Puppy" by Shigeki. He is a team member of the Josui High soccer varsity team and is one of the members to have the position of Forward next to Shigeki Satō himself. His jersey number is 9.
- Shō has an interesting past with him as he was the son of Kensuke Shiomi, one of Japan's famous soccer players known for scoring goals from a non-existing zero angle. He was adopted by his foster parents, Mamoru and Reiko Kazamatsuri, after his parents died in a car accident.
- Kō Kazamatsuri (風祭 功 Kazamatsuri Kō) - Kō is Shō's older but less mature brother who occasionally offers advice to Shō, though some questions do arise about their differences in appearances. Even though the two are stepbrothers, they still help each other whenever a situation arises.
- Yūko Katori (香取 夕子 Katori Yūko) - Yūko Katori is Shō and Shigeki's teacher in English; she watches after Shō after she has a momentary lapse of judgement. After seeing that Shō wanted to be one of the best soccer varsity players, she tries her best to support him and his comrades by assisting in their retreat. Kō once tried to make advances on her, which may or may have not worked. Shigeki calls her Ane-San (Big Sister)
Sakura Josui Junior High Soccer Varsity
Boys Team
- Daichi Fuwa (不破 大地 Fuwa Daichi) - Daichi 'Crusher' Fuwa is known in Josui as a genius. He meets Shō when the shorter boy thought he was going to commit suicide by jumping into a river and tried to stop him. Shō introduces Fuwa into the world of soccer. He becomes the permanent goalkeeper, replacing Shigeki after Josui's first match of the series. His jersey number is 1.
- Tatsuya Mizuno (水野 竜也 Mizuno Tatsuya) - Tatsuya is the best player at Josui. Tatsuya tutors the novice Shō after being impressed with his determination and hard work. Shigeki calls him Tatsu-bon. He lives with his mom, Mariko Mizuno and his aunts Takako and Yuki in the Mizuno mansion as he was under the custody of his mother after his parents were divorced. His jersey number is 10. Tatsuya's father is the coach of the Musashi no mori soccer team.
- Kaoru Gomi (五味 薫 Gomi Kaoru)- One of the newcomers to the team after Tatsuya revamped it, he had thin nostrils that were easily mistaken for his eyes by most people, which appear to be vertical. A first year student and classmate of Hideomi and Yoshihiko. His jersey number is 8.
- Hideomi Hanazawa (花沢 秀臣 Hanazawa Hideomi)- Tallest player in the soccer team and a first year student. Most of his teammates try to use his height as an advantage over the other medium-height players. He is a classmate of Kaoru and Yoshihiko. His soccer jersey is 2.
- Noro Hideomi (浩美 野呂 Hideomi Noru)- A chubby player and first year student in the soccer team, he was originally a substitute who was threatened by Honma to quit. Inspired by Sho's determination to be one of the best players in the soccer varsity, he gladly joined the team. For a short time, he encountered psychological issues on whether he was playing a part in the soccer team or not before sensing that he was still important. His soccer jersey is 4.
- Yoshihoko Koga - First year student with Hideomi. He is an academically-driven student who has a liking for soccer. His mother scorns him for prioritizing soccer over his studies. He is a classmate of Kaoru and Hideomi. His jersey number is 3.
- Yusuke Morinaga - One of the original soccer players and second year student, he quit with most of the players after they protested Tatsuya's revamping of the team. Coming to his senses, he agreed to be recruited back into the team. His soccer jersey is 7.
- Shigeki Satō (佐藤 茂樹 Satō Shigeki) - Shige is a forward specializing in evasion and dodging techniques. He is number Josui's number 11 and said to be the best player in the school although he isn't serious about soccer. He resigned from the team when he was in second year because the badly-skilled upperclassmen made it dull for him. He is a year older than his classmates and enjoys making-up nicknames for his friends. He has a thick Kansai-ben accent, and it is later revealed he ran away from his home in Kyoto when he was young. He now lives with monks at a shrine.
- Masato Takai (高井 真人 Takai Masato) - One of the substitute players who teamed up with Tatsuya, Shō, Yoshihiko and Hideomi to take on the original varsity players after Tatsuya issued a challenge for a mini-game. He was a Forward for a short time when the initial team was propped up before he was reassigned as a Wingback due to the fact that he had high stamina and his vision wasn't capable of handling the Forward position. He was replaced by Shigeki. A second year student, his jersey number is 12.
- Mamoru Tanaka - Second year student and classmate of Ippei Toyama, he joined his classmate in the soccer team when Tatsuya recruited him to join their ranks. His jersey number is 5.
- Ippei Toyama - A second year student and classmate to fellow soccer player to Mamoru Tanaka, he was one of the new recruits to join the reveamped soccer team. His jersey number is 6.
- Santa Yamaguichi (山口 杉太 Yamaguchi Santa) - A recent recruit and first year student who was placed as a substitute player in the team, who joined in order to impress the girls in Josui High, especially Miyuki Sakurai. Though he scorns Sho for trying to win over Miyuki, he grew to accept Sho as a valuable comrade in the soccer varsity team. He "proved" himself as a worthy member when he scored the second goal against Hiba High, though he did it when Rokusuke Hata accidentally kicked the ball at his back. His jersey number is 15.
Girls Team
- Yuki Kojima (小島 有希 Kojima Yuki)- Third year Yuki Kojima is the founder of the girls team after being club manager for the boy's team and being tired of sitting on the sidelines. Many of the club members think Kojima is scary because of her bluntness and often un-lady-like tendencies. She is a very skilled player, and encourages Shou to never give up on soccer. When the girls team isn't going well, Shou turns that same positive encouragement around.
- Miyuki Sakurai (桜井 みゆき Sakurai Miyuki) - Fan of Shō. She takes pictures of him when given the chance. And like Yūko, she also lends her support in any way she can to encourage Sho to do his best.
Musashi no Mori Junior High Soccer Varsity
- Seiji Fujishiro (藤代 誠二 Fujishiro Seiji) - Musashi no Mori's famous number 9 and Ace Striker. A forward with incredible technique, and passed 5 of Josui's defence during their game. Whenever he sees a game that involves Josui's team playing, he would immediately want to be a part of the action as well.
- Katsurō Shibusawa (渋沢 克朗 Shibusawa Katsurō) - Musashi no Mori's famous Goalkeeper, known as the Guardian Deity of Musashinomori. He is a year older than most of the other Junior high characters except for Shige. He makes incredible saves, and, as some game viewers say, is inhuman at detecting shots and reading moves. He towers over many of the other characters at 183 centimeters tall.
- Shigeru Mamiya (間宮 茂 Mamiya Shigeru) This defense player is notorious for his skill at marking and restricting the movement of players. They often call him 'viper' because once he makes his mark, or his 'bite', he won't ever leave that player's side.
- Akira Mikami (三上 亮 Mikami Akira) This player is Musashi no Mori's number 10 and midfielder. Because Mizuno would have gotten his position instead of Mikami had he joined Musashi no Mori, there is tension between the two of them when rumor gets out Mizuno might be transfering.
Hiba Junior High Soccer Varsity
- Tsubasa Shiina (椎名 翼 Shiina Tsubasa)- Transfer student from Asahiro Junior High and a honor student. At first glance, people may look at him as a girl, due to his appearance. His looks, unfortunately, also made some enemies (and some really big fans) along with it as well. Among them where 3rd year Naoki Inoue (childhood friend to Shigeki Satō of Josui) and 3rd year Gösuke Hata (Rokusuke's brother). Later on, he was made the leader of the Hiba Soccer Varsity team. His uniform number is 4.
- Naoki Inoue (井上 直樹 Inoue Naoki)- Due to his temper, he would tend to pick fights and generally cause trouble at Hiba. Among them was Tsubasa Shiina when Inoue requested a mini-game with Tsubasa of trying to pass him playing soccer. Later on, he goes to spy on Shigeki at his new home. Due to some circumstances, Shigeki immediately doesn't recognize him even though they knew each other in Kyoto when they were children. Like Shige, he has a thick Kansai-ben accent so they're both easy to single-out. Shige calls him 'monkey' as a sort of endeering term even though he does eventually remember his name. Later on when Shige comes to a crossroads, Naoki helps his friend face life head-on.
- Masaki Kurokawa (黒川 柾輝 Kurokawa Masaki)- The other midfielder wing along with Naoki. He has a defensive style of playing.
- Rokusuke Hata (畑 六助 Hata Rokusuke)- Rokusuke plays defense and his uniform number is 2. He's the brother of Gosuke (五助), who is also a defender with uniform number 3. Their names as brothers are funny because 'Go' means 'five' and 'Roku' means 'six'. Along with Shiina, these three form Hiba Junior High's famous defense team using the 'Flat Three' strategy. Rokusuke later goes on to qualify for the Junior Senbatsu Camp.
Supporting Characters
- Honma - Former captain of Sakura Josui's soccer varsity team. When Sho came to the school, he requested a match with him after seeing Sho practice his lifting skills. Later on, he and a few others gang up on the substitute team (including Shō, Mizuno, Takai, and Yoshihiko), since he wanted to target Mizuno. Later on, he also spots Shō practicing after leaving the team and they both have a friendly mini 1-on-1 soccer game. Thus, during this game. Shō inspires him to start over again, but after he gets into high school.
- Ryoichi Tenjo (天城 燎一 Tenjo Ryoichi)- His style of playing soccer was being a cold hearted. He believed that he could be the best, which Amamiya questions or comments on his mind, if this was the proper action that he took. Fortunately, things seemed to be more brighter for him due to him confronting Sho after Josui defeated them in a really difficult game. Though, things for him seem to heat up when he confronts Hiba's leader; Tsubasa Shiina, when he trash talks him to leave. Later on, he leave's Sho's party and travels to his home country; Germany, to try out for soccer.
- Oyasan - Manages a small oden stand under the Inochi River Bridge. Had a rocky interaction with Sho, but later supports him in his dream to be a good soccer player. He, in fact, comes to their tournaments and cheer them with Ko.
- Soju Matsushita- A frequent at Oyassan's Oden stand, and former professional soccer player, Matsushita-sensei is intrigued by Sakura Jyosui after watching their match against Musashi no Mori. He quit soccer altogether after a chilling experience with his teammate Amamia, but Sakura Jyosui's advisor Katori-sensei works hard to try and convince him to be the team's new coach.
- Taki Sugihara (杉原 多紀 Sugihara Taki)- Taki is a midfielder chosen to qualify for the Junior Senbatsu Camp. He doesn't have much stamina, but he has excellent ball control. His pinpoint passes are made to draw-out the potential of the receiver. He looks to Kaku as his rival, having been on a team with him years ago.
- Teppei Koiwa (小岩 鉄平 Koiwa Teppei)- Teppei is a second year forward and only candidate from Edogawai Junior High School. His friends worked together to help pay his travel ticket. He was chosen to qualify for the Junior Senbatsu camp because of his incredible speed.
- Kazuma Sanada (真田 一馬 Sanada Kazuma)- A forward who is a member of the elite Under-14 trio along with midfielders Eishi and Yuuto. He is seems arrogant, but actually easily loses confidence in his ability. This weak-mindedness directly affects his performace on the field. He attends Nogamioka Junior High.
- Eishi Kaku (郭英士 Kaku Eishi)- Although he was raised in Japan, Kaku’s mother is Korean. His Korean name is Yeoung-sa. The rival he looks to for recognition is his cousin, I Yun-gyong, midfielder and number 10 on the Seoul Senbatsu team. He is part of the Under Fourteen (U-14) trio of elites along with Yuuto and Kazuma. He attends Zoushigaya Junior High.
- Yuto Wakana (若菜 結人 Wakana Yuto)- part of the U-14 trio along with Eishi and Kazuma. He is very conceited because of his place among the three elite at first, but is humbled as he realizes the others who are chosen to attend Tokyo Senbatsu have their own unique talents. He attends Setodaisen Junior High.
- Reiko/Mamoru Kazamatsuri (Kazamatsuri Reiko/Mamoru) - Sho's new parents since the tragic accident of his former parents (Shiomi/Kaori Kensuke). They both took him as their own son when he was two years old. Which by circumstances that Sho's deceased parents (Shiomi/Kaori Kensuke) are actually the brother and sister of his new parents.
Other (Manga) Specific Characters/Teams
- Kazu Kunugi (Kunugi Kazu)
- Shōei Takayama (Takayama Shoei)
Manga Volumes
- Volume 1 - Break Through
Shō Kazamatsuri has just transferred from the famous Musashinomori, which is well-known for its amazing soccer program, to a lesser recognized school; Josui Jr. High. We come to find out that Shō transferred because he was only on the third team in the soccer program. When he first arrives, Ms. Yūko Katori (Shō's English teacher) mistakes him for a regular.
After school, Shō comes to watch practice. He is later invited to participate in a mini-game. Shō is not very skilled at soccer, so he does not meet the expectations given to him as a transfer student from Musashinomori. He runs away from practice in embarrassment, thinking he will quit soccer. He stumbles across a playground by a near by river, where he realizes soccer is his one true love and his only dream is to play in the world cup.
Shō practices day and night at the river, skipping school just to become a better soccer player.
- Volume 2 - On Your Mark
Now having 11 players with Team Josui. They're now ready to play soccer. Unfortunately though. Their first real game match is with Sho's former school; Musashinomori. The school that wouldn't accept Sho due to his height.
On the other hand, things may not go too well due to Mizuno's father being coach of the soccer club. As things start to heat up, both sides have familial complications on the soccerfield.
Franchise
Anime
- Due to the success of Whistle! in Japan and its rising popularity among soccer fans in North America, Daisuke Higuchi took the helm of producing a 39-episode series based from the manga. Currently, it is only seen in Japan through Animax.
Music Themes
Opening
- DOUBLE WIND by Minako Komukai
Ending
- Sweet Days by Minako Komukai
Manga
- In Japan, all 24 manga volumes were published.
VIZ Manga Cover Art
Trivia
- According to Daisuke Higuichi's notes in Whistle!, some of the characters were inspired or modeled from real-life people with the following.
- Masato Takai - Jackie Chan and Bruce Lee
- Oyaasan - Tommy Lee Jones
- Katsuro Shibusawa - Tadanobu Asano
- Before the manga (and anime's conception), Whistle! was originally supposed to be a professional soccer or a high school manga/anime before Daisuke Higuichi decided to use a Junior High School soccer theme.
External links
- [Shonen Jump's Whistle! Site]
- [Marvelous Entertainment's Official Whistle! site] (Japanese)
- [Windswept] Fan site dedicated to Whistle! Profiles, episode summaries, gallery, etc.
- [Whistle! TV Info]
- [Whistle! Manga Info]
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