Kodansha Joins Forces with Concacaf for BLUE LOCK Collaboration

Posted by By japannihon June 27, 2025No Comments

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Kodansha and Concacaf have officially revealed a unique collaboration with the acclaimed soccer manga and anime series BLUE LOCK. The first-ever partnership between Kodansha and Concacaf (the full name being the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football) aims to offer fans throughout the Americas “exclusive original content, limited-edition merchandise, and crossover activations” that intertwine the excitement of international football with the captivating storytelling of Japanese animation.”

• • Special events during significant CONCACAF tournaments
• • Limited edition BLUE LOCK x CONCACAF merchandise
• • Cross-platform campaigns spanning anime, manga, and football fan communities

Artworks Entertainment, a principal licensing and brand strategy partner, will manage the execution of the project across the Americas and other essential markets.
Kodansha will share more updates and exclusive announcements for the collaboration in the future.
Kodansha USA publishes the BLUE LOCK manga in English and describes the central storyline as:
After a disastrous defeat at the 2018 World Cup, Japan’s team faces difficulties in regrouping. But what’s lacking? An absolute Ace Striker to lead them to victory. The Japan Football Union is determined to create a striker who craves goals and yearns for triumph, capable of being the pivotal force in reversing a losing game…and to achieve that, they’ve gathered 300 of Japan’s most talented youth players. Who will rise to guide the team, and will they manage to outmatch and outshine everyone who stands in their path?

Source: press release