PRESS RELEASE
KODANSHA Ltd., the iconic Japanese publishing house behind globally beloved manga and anime titles, and the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf), are proud to announce a first-of-its-kind collaboration featuring the critically acclaimed manga and anime series BLUE LOCK.
This marks Concacaf’s inaugural partnership with a Japanese Manga (Comic) and Anime (Animated Series), uniting two global passions through a shared spirit of competition, ambition, and teamwork. Through this distinct alliance, fans across the Americas will experience exclusive original content, limited-edition merchandise, and crossover activations that blend the intensity of international football with the storytelling power of Japanese animation. BLUE LOCK, based on the award-winning manga created by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura, follows the intense journey of Japan’s top strikers as they battle in a high-stakes training program to become the ultimate forward. With themes of ambition, competition, and teamwork, BLUE LOCK resonates deeply with global football culture, making it the perfect fit for this groundbreaking collaboration.
“This is a thrilling moment for us” said Yohei Takami, Managing Director, Global Business Development Division of KODANSHA Ltd. “BLUE LOCK has already captured the hearts of anime and sports fans alike, and partnering with CONCACAF allows us to reach an even wider audience in a way that’s never been done before. It’s more than a marketing collaboration; it’s a cultural exchange between the worlds of anime and international football.”
CONCACAF echoed the excitement, “This collaboration with KODANSHA and BLUE LOCK is a unique and innovative way to engage new generations of football fans in our region” said Philippe Moggio, Concacaf General Secretary. “Anime is a powerful storytelling medium, and this project helps us build bridges between communities, cultures, and fans through the shared love of the game.”
Launching in mid-2025 and running through 2026 leading up to the World Cup, the multi-phase collaboration will include:
Special events during key CONCACAF tournaments
Limited edition BLUE LOCK x CONCACAF merchandise
Cross-platform campaigns across anime, manga, and football fan communities
Artworks Entertainment, a key licensing and brand strategy partner, is overseeing implementation of the project across the Americas and other key markets.
