Eyeshield 21
{{Short description|Japanese manga series}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox animanga/Header
| image = Vol 1 - The Boy With the Golden Legs.jpg
| caption = First {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volume cover, featuring Sena Kobayakawa (front) and the students of the Deimon Private High School
| ja_kanji = アイシールド21
| ja_romaji = Aishīrudo Nijūichi
| genre = {{ubl|Comedy|Drama{{cite web|url=https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/catalog/eyeshield-21|title=Eyeshield 21|publisher=Sentai Filmworks|access-date=May 27, 2020|archive-date=December 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223060313/https://www.sentaifilmworks.com/a/catalog/eyeshield-21|url-status=live}}|Sports{{cite web|url=https://www.viz.com/eyeshield-21|title=The Official Website for Eyeshield 21|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=October 27, 2017|archive-date=December 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221217172446/https://www.viz.com/eyeshield-21|url-status=live}}}}
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Print
| type = manga
| author = Riichiro Inagaki
| illustrator = Yusuke Murata
| publisher = Shueisha
| publisher_en = {{English manga publisher|NA=Viz Media}}
| demographic = {{Transliteration|ja|Shōnen}}
| imprint = Jump Comics
| magazine = Weekly Shōnen Jump
| first = July 23, 2002
| last = June 15, 2009
| volumes = 37
| volume_list = List of Eyeshield 21 chapters
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = OVA
| title = Eyeshield 21: The Phantom Golden Bowl
| director = Tamaki Nakatsu
| producer =
| writer =
| music =
| studio = Production I.G
| released = {{ubl|September 2003 (Jump Festa Anime Tour)|2004 (Jump Festival)}}
| runtime = 30 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = tv series
| director = {{ubl|Masayoshi Nishida (1–103)|Shin Katagai (104–145)}}
| producer =
| writer =
| music = Kō Ōtani
| studio = Gallop
| licensee = {{English anime licensee|NA=Sentai Filmworks (expired)}}
| network = TV Tokyo
| network_en = {{English anime network|NA=Toonami Jetstream}}
| first = April 6, 2005
| last = March 19, 2008
| episodes = 145
| episode_list = List of Eyeshield 21 episodes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Video
| type = OVA
| title = Eyeshield 21: Christmas Bowl e no Michi
| director =
| producer =
| writer =
| music =
| studio = Gallop
| released = 2005
| runtime = 11 minutes
}}
{{Infobox animanga/Footer|portal=yes}}
{{nihongo|Eyeshield 21|アイシールド21|Aishīrudo Nijūichi|lead=yes}} is a Japanese manga series written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Yusuke Murata. The series tells the story of Sena Kobayakawa, an introverted boy who joins an American football club as a secretary, but after being coerced by quarterback Yoichi Hiruma, becomes the team's running back, wearing jersey number 21 and an eyeshield to conceal his identity. Inagaki chose American football as a central subject of Eyeshield 21 after realizing that it fit perfectly with his idea for the series.
The manga was originally serialized in Shueisha's Shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from July 2002 to June 2009. The series consists of 333 chapters collected in 37 {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} volumes. An anime adaptation consisting of 145 television episodes was co-produced by TV Tokyo, NAS, and Gallop. The television series first aired on Japan's TV Tokyo network from April 2005 to March 2008. The Eyeshield 21 franchise has spawned two original video animations (OVAs), audio albums, video games, and other merchandise.
In North America, the manga was released by Viz Media from April 2005 to October 2011. The anime series was later licensed in North America by Toonami Jetstream as a joint effort with Viz Media and aired in December 2007, on its site, but before its completion, the streaming service was shut down. The whole series was streamed in English by Crunchyroll, while Sentai Filmworks licensed the series, with distribution from Section23 Films on DVDs.
In Japan, the Eyeshield 21 manga has sold over 20 million volumes. The manga and anime have been featured at various times in weekly top ten lists of best-selling in their respective media. The anime has been watched by a large number of television viewers in Japan, helping to raise American football's popularity in the country. Publications for manga, anime, and others have commented on Eyeshield 21, which received praise for its artwork and characters, and criticism towards its non-football related plotlines.
Plot
{{See also|List of Eyeshield 21 characters{{!}}List of Eyeshield 21 characters}}
In Tokyo,{{#tag:ref|Inagaki said that Eyeshield 21 is set in Tokyo, "but perhaps not in the center of the city—more in the suburbs." He added that this is "not very significant" and that aspects of the two creators' hometowns are reflected in the setting.{{cite journal|journal=Shonen Jump|title=none|volume=4|issue=2|date=February 2006|publisher=Viz Media|pages=14–15}}|group=note}} a weak, unassertive boy named Sena Kobayakawa enters the Deimon Private Senior High School. Sena's only remarkable physical abilities are his running speed and agility, which are noted by the school's American football team captain and quarterback, the ambitious and intimidating Yoichi Hiruma. Hiruma forces Sena to join the Deimon Devil Bats as its running back. To protect his identity from other teams who want to recruit him, Sena is forced to publicly assume the role of the team secretary and enter the field under the pseudonym of "Eyeshield 21" wearing a helmet with an eyeshield as a disguise. The makeshift team initially takes part in the spring football tournament hoping to win through the strength of their new "secret weapon". However, the extremely weak team is eliminated early by the Ojo White Knights, one of the best high school football teams in Tokyo.
After Deimon's defeat, the spring tournament is revealed as secondary in importance to the fall tournament, a single-elimination tournament where the Tokyo area teams compete for the chance to play in the Christmas Bowl—the high school football league championship between the best teams from the Kantō and Kansai regions, respectively. Hiruma, Sena, and head lineman Ryokan Kurita regroup and slowly build a real team from misfits and students looking to define themselves, such as Tarō "Monta" Raimon—a former baseball player who can only catch— who becomes the team's star wide receiver and three delinquents collectively known as Ha-Ha Brothers, who make up the team's remaining linemen. Other characters slowly join the team, and the series follows the building and growth of the Deimon Devil Bats and its members, and rival teams as they all strive to achieve their goal of playing in the Christmas Bowl. Due to a rule at several high schools, including Deimon, that prohibits students from participating in club activities in their third and final school year, the fall tournament is last chance for second year students Hiruma and Kurita to participate in the Christmas Bowl, raising the stakes for the Devil Bats. The Devil Bats partake in several exhibition games that boost their popularity, including a match against the visiting NASA Aliens from the United States, whose ball boy turned running back Patrick "Panther" Spencer befriends Sena.
After losing to NASA, the Devil Bats spend their summer vacation in Houston, where they meet Hiruma's and Kurita's former mentor Doburoku Sakaki, who reluctantly allows Hiruma's request to put the team through a dangerous training regimen known as the "Death March"—which involves traveling on foot from Houston to Las Vegas through the Mojave Desert. During the Death March, the team works to improve their strength and stamina and strengthen their bonds with each other; Sena reveals his identity to the rest of his teammates. The Devil Bats complete the Death March and return to Japan, stronger than ever.
The Devil Bats enter the Tokyo fall tournament and make a strong impression by winning their first three games. While facing the Kyoshin Poseidon in the quarterfinals, Sena learns that his Eyeshield 21 identity belonged to another footballer of Japanese descent from Notre Dame High School's football team in America. The Devil Bats advance to the semifinals where they lose a close match to the Seibu Wild Gunmen; however the Devil Bats can still qualify for the post-season Kantō tournament if they can win a consolation game against the Bando Spiders. After learning that Bando's team captain Hayato Akaba is supposedly the real Eyeshield 21, Sena publicly reveals his identity before the game between Deimon and Bando. The Devil Bats emerge victorious, allowing them to qualify for the Kantō tournament and Akaba officially names Sena as Eyeshield 21, revealing that Eyeshield 21 is in fact a title traditionally passed down to Notre Dame's best runner.
In the Kantō tournament, the Devil Bats overcome several obstacles—including facing against the Shinryuji Naga in their opening game, who are led by the sociopathic prodigy Agon Kongo; a rematch against the Ojo White Knights in the semifinals, who have gotten stronger since the spring tournament and are more determined than ever to defeat the Devil Bats; and are forced to play against the Hakushu Dinosaurs in the final without Hiruma after the latter is taken out of the game when his throwing arm is temporarily broken—to win the Kantō tournament, achieving their dream of participating in the Christmas Bowl. The Devil Bats face off against the Teikoku Alexanders, the undefeated and reigning Christmas Bowl champions from Osaka, who are led by Takeru Yamato, the real Japanese Eyeshield 21 from Notre Dame. In the game's final moments, Deimon narrowly defeats Teikoku with a record 65-yard game-winning field goal from kicker Gen "Musashi" Takekura, ending Teikoku's winning streak and becoming the first team from Kantō to win the Christmas Bowl. Teikoku graciously accepts their defeat and Yamato acknowledges Sena as the true Eyeshield 21.
Shortly after the Christmas Bowl, Japan's high school football commission begins to gather the nation's best high school football players to form a team to represent the country for the American Football Youth World Championship hosted in New York City, where the MVP will be awarded an NFL contract with the San Antonio Armadillos and $3 million. Team Japan reaches the finals against Team America, whose roster includes Panther; the game ends in a tie, and both teams are declared winners. However, Japan and America are unsatisfied with the outcome and return to the field for their own, improvised overtime. It is unclear which team wins the unofficial extra period, but Panther is named the MVP.
The series concludes with Sena being named the captain of the Devil Bats in his second year after Hiruma, Kurita and Musashi retire in their third year. In his final year of high school, Sena is invited to attend Notre Dame High School in America for the Fall semester. In the final chapter, Sena returns to Japan to enroll at Enma University and joins their football team, reuniting him with his friends, former teammates and rivals, many of whom have either joined Sena at Enma, other rival universities or Musashi's construction company team; all participating teams make a vow to win the Rice Bowl—Japan's national league football championship between the best college team and the best X-League team.
In a bonus chapter set some time later, the Armadillos offer a spot on their roster for one Japanese player through the NFL's International Player Pathway Program, with Sena and Hiruma being chosen as the two candidates. To determine who receives the spot, Sena and Hiruma face off against each other with their respective college teams—the Enma Fires and the Saikyodai Wizards—in the Koshien Bowl, the college football national championship game. Although Enma is implied to win the championship, the chosen candidate for the Program is never revealed.
Production
Before the series was published regularly, Riichiro Inagaki and Yusuke Murata published two one-shots called {{nihongo4|Eyeshield Part 1|前編|Zenpen}} and {{nihongo4|Part 2|後編|Kōhen}} on March 5 and 12, 2002, in Weekly Shōnen Jump.{{cite web|url=http://j-books.shueisha.co.jp/db/gensakulist.html|script-title=ja:作家データベース/原作者リスト|trans-title=Author's Database/Original Work's List|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101001033922/http://j-books.shueisha.co.jp/db/gensakulist.html|archive-date=October 1, 2010|publisher=Jump J-Books|language=ja}}{{cite journal|journal=Weekly Shōnen Jump|publisher=Shueisha|script-title=ja:アイシールド21 前編|trans-title=Eyeshield 21 Part 1|author1=Inagaki, Riichiro|author2=Murata, Yusuke|date=March 5, 2002|issue=14|language=ja|pages=143–178}}{{cite journal|journal=Weekly Shōnen Jump|publisher=Shueisha|script-title=ja:アイシールド21 後編|trans-title=Eyeshield 21 Part 2|author1=Inagaki, Riichiro|author2=Murata, Yusuke|date=March 12, 2002|issue=15|language=ja|pages=113–142}} When it would become a serial, the editorial department asked if Inagaki wanted to both write and draw the series, but Inagaki felt he was "so rookie",{{cite web|url=http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~reach/notelog/200704/note-20070417.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20090408084921/http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~reach/notelog/200704/note-20070417.htm|archive-date=April 8, 2009|script-title=ja:モネ展(下)|date=April 17, 2007|author=Inagaki, Riichiro|publisher=Kome Studio|access-date=June 8, 2013|language=ja}} so he asked Murata to be the illustrator. Before being asked to work on Eyeshield 21, Murata had read some of Inagaki's manga and noted that they "had many cool design concepts of uniforms and equipment". He said, "it could be turned into a great manga story" and he would "be happy to take the challenge"; eventually he was chosen.
During Eyeshield 21{{'}}s original run in the magazine, Inagaki went to the United States to see college football matches,{{cite book|last1=Inagaki|first1=Riichiro|last2=Murata|first2=Yusuke|title=Eyeshield 21, Volume 9|year=2006|publisher=Viz Media|isbn=978-1-4215-0638-8|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/eyeshield21vol9h0000inag}} and National Football League games.{{cite book|last1=Inagaki|first1=Riichiro|last2=Murata|first2=Yusuke|title=Eyeshield 21, Volume 31|year=2010|publisher=Viz Media|isbn=978-1-4215-2927-1}} Despite having never played American football, Inagaki chose this theme after deciding that he wanted to create "a protagonist that was wimpy at the beginning, yet could perform outstandingly in a sports game", and with this premise in mind he decided that American football would be "a very suitable material".{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2009-08-20/interview-riichiro-inagaki-and-yusuke-murata-creators-of-eyeshield-21|title=Interview: Riichiro Inagaki & Yusuke Murata, Creators of Eyeshield 21|author=Chang, Chih-Chieh|date=August 20, 2009|website=Anime News Network|access-date=October 10, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331051858/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interview/2009-08-20/interview-riichiro-inagaki-and-yusuke-murata-creators-of-eyeshield-21|archive-date=March 31, 2014|url-status=live}} When originally creating Eyeshield 21, Inagaki said he was wary because he did not want his manga becoming "a simulator of football".{{cite web|url=http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~reach/notelog/200604/note-20060419.htm|script-title=ja:プレーチャート|trans-title=Play chart|author=Inagaki, Riichiro|date=April 19, 2006|publisher=Kome Studio|language=ja|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080824220610/http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~reach/notelog/200604/note-20060419.htm|archive-date= August 24, 2008}} The fact that football is not a popular sport in Japan also worried Inagaki. As last resort, he thought to turn the series into a "Kamen Rider-style masked hero story" if it could not met the popularity required for the magazine.{{cite web|url=http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/Newsletter/News1/Riichiro_Inagaki_Interview_5429.aspx|title=Riichiro Inagaki Interview|date=January 6, 2014|work=Otaku USA|publisher=Sovereign Media|access-date=January 13, 2014|author1=O'Mara, Sean|author2=Schley, Matt|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114140456/http://www.otakuusamagazine.com/Newsletter/News1/Riichiro_Inagaki_Interview_5429.aspx|archive-date=January 14, 2014|url-status=live}} However, it was such a popular series that online commentators said that, considering the series' final length, the editors may have insisted that Eyeshield 21 be kept going due to business reasons. However, Inagaki declared that the manga was "exactly how [he] wanted to tell the story" and that Murata also seconded it.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2019-11-27/interview-dr-stone-creators-riichiro-inagaki-and-boichi/.153475|title=Interview: Dr. Stone Creators Riichiro Inagaki and Boichi|author=Rattray, Tim|date=November 27, 2019|website=Anime News Network|access-date=November 30, 2019|archive-date=December 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202072509/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/feature/2019-11-27/interview-dr-stone-creators-riichiro-inagaki-and-boichi/.153475|url-status=live}}
Media
= Manga =
{{Main|List of Eyeshield 21 chapters{{!}}List of Eyeshield 21 chapters}}
The Eyeshield 21 manga series was written by Riichiro Inagaki, illustrated by Yusuke Murata, and originally serialized by Shueisha in the Shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump from July 23, 2002,{{cite journal|journal=Weekly Shōnen Jump|publisher=Shueisha|script-title=ja:黄金の脚を持つ男|trans-title=The Boy With the Golden Legs|series=Eyeshield 21|author1=Inagaki, Riichiro|author2=Murata, Yusuke|date=July 23, 2002|issue=34|language=ja|pages=9–74}}{{cite web|last=Green|first=Scott|title=Artist Celebrates 12 Years of "Eyeshield 21"|url=https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/07/25/artist-celebrates-12-years-of-eyeshield-21|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=June 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220620202045/https://www.crunchyroll.com/anime-news/2014/07/25/artist-celebrates-12-years-of-eyeshield-21|archive-date=June 20, 2022|date=July 25, 2014|url-status=live}} to June 15, 2009.{{cite web|url=http://natalie.mu/comic/news/17592|script-title=ja:アイシールド21完結＆ジャガーの題字をアッキーナ書く|date=June 15, 2009|website=Comic Natalie|access-date=February 23, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140303211034/http://natalie.mu/comic/news/17592|archive-date=March 3, 2014|url-status=live}} The manga consists of 333 chapters spanning 37 {{Transliteration|ja|tankōbon}} (collected volumes), released from December 20, 2002,{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-873370-3|script-title=ja:アイシールド21 1|trans-title=Eyeshield 21 1|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120924032522/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-873370-3|archive-date=September 24, 2012|url-status=live}} to October 2, 2010.{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874735-4&mode=1|script-title=ja:アイシールド21 37|trans-title=Eyeshield 21 37|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|access-date=September 8, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926235950/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=978-4-08-874735-4&mode=1|archive-date=September 26, 2012|url-status=live}} Eyeshield 21 has also been published as part of the Shueisha Jump Remix series of magazine-style books. Fourteen volumes were released between June 28, 2010,{{cite book|title=アイシールド21 1 (Shueisha Jump Remix)|trans-title=Eyeshield 21 1 (Shueisha Jump Remix)|language=ja|id={{ASIN|4081130434|country=jp}}}} and February 14, 2011.{{cite book|title=アイシールド21 14 (Shueisha Jump Remix)|trans-title=Eyeshield 21 14 (Shueisha Jump Remix)|language=ja|id={{ASIN|4081131074|country=jp}}}} A special 55-page one-shot chapter, to celebrate the series' 21st anniversary, was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump on January 29, 2024.{{cite web|script-title=ja:稲垣理一郎＆村田雄介「アイシールド21」特別読切が1月29日発売のジャンプに掲載|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/554629|website=Comic Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=December 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224150124/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/554629|archive-date=December 24, 2023|language=ja|date=December 25, 2023|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Hodgkins|first=Crystalyn|title=Riichirou Inagaki, Yusuke Murata's Eyeshield 21 Manga Gets New Chapter for 21st Anniversary|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-12-24/riichirou-inagaki-yusuke-murata-eyeshield-21-manga-gets-new-chapter-for-21st-anniversary/.205853|website=Anime News Network|access-date=December 24, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231224175937/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-12-24/riichirou-inagaki-yusuke-murata-eyeshield-21-manga-gets-new-chapter-for-21st-anniversary/.205853|archive-date=December 24, 2023|date=December 24, 2023}}{{cite web|script-title=ja:「アイシールド21」セナたちが大学アメフトで戦う読切、連載21周年でジャンプに掲載|url=https://natalie.mu/comic/news/558851|website=Comic Natalie|publisher=Natasha, Inc.|access-date=January 28, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128162714/https://natalie.mu/comic/news/558851|archive-date=January 28, 2024|language=ja|date=January 29, 2024|url-status=live}}
An English translation of the manga was published in North America by Viz Media under the Shonen Jump Advanced label between April 5, 2005, and October 4, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-12-20/new-shonen-jump-graphic-novel-line|title=New Shonen Jump Graphic Novel Line|date=December 20, 2004|author=Macdonald, Christopher|website=Anime News Network|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329012722/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2004-12-20/new-shonen-jump-graphic-novel-line|archive-date=March 29, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://store.viz.com/Eyeshield-21-Vol.-1/A/1591167523.htm|title=Eyeshield 21, Vol. 1|publisher=Viz Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915013533/http://store.viz.com/Eyeshield-21-Vol.-1/A/1591167523.htm|archive-date=September 15, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://www.viz.com/manga/print/eyeshield-21-volume-37/9500|title=Eyeshield 21, Volume 37|publisher=Viz Media|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111050057/http://www.viz.com/manga/print/eyeshield-21-volume-37/9500|archive-date=November 11, 2013|url-status=live}}
The manga has also been licensed in some countries such as in France by Glénat,{{cite web|url=http://www.glenatmanga.com/eye-shield-21-tome-37-9782723478892.htm|title=Eyeshield 21 - Tome 37|publisher=Glénat|access-date=February 18, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221214314/http://www.glenatmanga.com/eye-shield-21-tome-37-9782723478892.htm|archive-date=February 21, 2014|url-status=live}} in Hong Kong by Culturecom,{{cite web|url=http://www.hkcaf.hk/copyright/culturecom-jp-booklist-sep2012.pdf|script-title=zh:文化傳信 日本漫畫香港中文版書目(20/9/2012更新)|publisher=Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation|page=1|language=zh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222150358/http://www.hkcaf.hk/copyright/culturecom-jp-booklist-sep2012.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 22, 2014}} in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo,{{cite web|url=http://www.elexmedia.co.id/buku/detail/9789792773422|title=Buku Eyeshield 21 37|publisher=Elex Media Komputindo|access-date=February 18, 2014|language=id|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150117063046/http://www.elexmedia.co.id/buku/detail/9789792773422|url-status=live|archive-date=January 17, 2015}} in Italy by Panini Comics,{{cite web|url=http://www.paninicomics.it/web/guest/productDetail?viewItem=660231|title=Eyeshield 21 37|publisher=Panini Comics|access-date=February 18, 2014|language=it|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104212737/http://www.paninicomics.it/web/guest/productDetail?viewItem=660231|archive-date=January 4, 2014}} in South Korea by Daewon Media,{{cite web|url=http://www.dwci.co.kr/comic/comic/comics_view.asp?new_gubun=champ&seq=&book_seq=17359|title=아이실드21 36 - Sena vs Panther|publisher=Daewon Media|access-date=February 18, 2014|language=ko|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222230013/http://www.dwci.co.kr/comic/comic/comics_view.asp?new_gubun=champ&seq=&book_seq=17359|archive-date=February 22, 2014}} and in Taiwan by Tong Li Publishing.{{cite web|url=http://www.tongli.com.tw/BookDetail.aspx?Bd=JC13537|script-title=zh:光速蒙面俠 (第37集)|publisher=Tong Li Publishing|access-date=February 18, 2014|language=zh|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222215711/http://www.tongli.com.tw/BookDetail.aspx?Bd=JC13537|archive-date=February 22, 2014}}
= Original video animations =
{{Main|List of Eyeshield 21 episodes#OVAs{{!}}List of Eyeshield 21 episodes § OVAs}}
Two original video animations (OVA) based on the Eyeshield 21 manga series were developed. The first one, named {{nihongo foot|The Phantom Golden Bowl|幻のゴールデンボウル|Maboroshi no Gōruden Bouru|group=Jp}}, was developed by Production I.G and shown as part of the Jump Festa Anime Tour in September 2003 and in Jump Festa 2004.{{cite web|url=http://www.productionig.com/contents/works/07_/000016.html|title=Eyeshield 21: The Phantom Golden Bowl|publisher=Production I.G|access-date=October 5, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314030646/http://www.productionig.com/contents/works/07_/000016.html|archive-date=March 14, 2014|url-status=live}} The second OVA, titled {{nihongo foot|Eyeshield 21: Christmas Bowl e no Michi – Minami no Shima de Tokkun da! YA-HA!! –|アイシールド21 クリスマスボウルへの道 〜南の島で特訓だ! YA-HA-!!〜|Aishīrudo Nijūichi Kurisumasu Bouru e no michi 〜 Minami no Shima de Tokkunda! YA-HA-!!〜|group=Jp}}, was shown at Jump Festa 2005.{{cite web|url=http://product.bandaivisual.co.jp/web_service/shop_product_info.asp?item_no=BCBA-2288|title=Eyeshield 21 Vol. 6|publisher=Bandai Visual|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701111607/http://product.bandaivisual.co.jp/web_service/shop_product_info.asp?item_no=BCBA-2288|archive-date=July 1, 2013}} The two OVAs were later released on DVD; the first was released with the second OVA of Naruto in a compilation called Jump Festa 2004 Super DVD.{{cite web|url=http://www.comshop.ne.jp/items/item-56217.html|title=ジャンプフェスタ2004スーパーDVD Naruto+アイシールド21|publisher=ComShop|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314030953/http://www.comshop.ne.jp/items/item-56217.html|url-status=live|archive-date=March 14, 2014}} The other was released by Bandai Visual as an extra track on the sixth DVD of the Eyeshield 21 anime series.
= Television series =
{{Main|List of Eyeshield 21 episodes{{!}}List of Eyeshield 21 episodes}}
The Eyeshield 21 anime adaptation was co-produced by TV Tokyo, NAS, and Gallop,{{cite web|url=http://mv.avex.jp/ai21/staff.html|title=Cast & Staff|publisher=Avex Movie|access-date=October 22, 2012|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221233520/http://mv.avex.jp/ai21/staff.html|archive-date=February 21, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|title=Staff & Cast|publisher=TV Tokyo|access-date=October 22, 2012|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019235721/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-date=October 19, 2015|url-status=live}} and was directed by Masayoshi Nishida until episode 103, and by Shin Katagai from 104 to 145.Opening credits from the episodes:
- {{cite episode|title=鉄壁のダブルストッパー|series=Eyeshield 21|station=TV Tokyo|airdate=April 25, 2007|number=103|language=ja}}
- {{cite episode|title=一つ欠けたライン|series=Eyeshield 21|station=TV Tokyo|airdate=May 2, 2007|number=104|language=ja}}
- {{cite episode|title=みんなアメフトやろうぜ!|series=Eyeshield 21|station=TV Tokyo|airdate=March 19, 2008|number=145|language=ja}} The series of 145 television episodes aired in Japan from April 6, 2005, to March 19, 2008, on TV Tokyo.{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/backno.html|title=List of Eyeshield 21 episode titles (1–13)|publisher=TV Tokyo|access-date=October 22, 2012|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026035850/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/backno.html|archive-date=October 26, 2012|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/contents/eyeshield21/episodes/episodes12/index.html|title=List of Eyeshield 21 episode titles (134–145)|publisher=TV Tokyo|access-date=October 22, 2012|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026035850/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/backno.html|archive-date=October 26, 2012|url-status=live}} In Japan, Bandai Visual distributed the anime in DVD format; thirty-six volumes were released between July 26, 2006, and June 26, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://product.bandaivisual.co.jp/web_service/shop_product_info.asp?item_no=BCBA-2283|script-title=ja:アイシールド21 1|trans-title=Eyeshield Vol. 1|publisher=Bandai Visual|access-date=October 5, 2012|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701104127/http://product.bandaivisual.co.jp/web_service/shop_product_info.asp?item_no=BCBA-2283|archive-date=July 1, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://product.bandaivisual.co.jp/web_service/shop_product_info.asp?item_no=BCBA-3064|script-title=ja:アイシールド21 36＜最終巻＞|trans-title=Eyeshield Vol. 36 (final volume)|publisher=Bandai Visual|access-date=October 5, 2012|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130701125822/http://product.bandaivisual.co.jp/web_service/shop_product_info.asp?item_no=BCBA-3064|archive-date=July 1, 2013}} Some changes were done in comparison to the manga; for example, swearings and guns or gambling references were reduced.{{cite web|url=http://www.fandompost.com/2015/04/07/ten-years-later-eyeshield-21-anime-series/|title=Ten Years Later: Eyeshield 21 Anime Series|author=Homer, Chris|date=April 7, 2015|website=The Fandom Post|access-date=October 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031062902/http://www.fandompost.com/2015/04/07/ten-years-later-eyeshield-21-anime-series/|archive-date=October 31, 2016|url-status=live}}
Initially, Viz Media and Cartoon Network planned to air a dubbed version of Eyeshield 21 on the internet video streaming service Toonami Jetstream, and on NFL Rush site as a joint effort with National Football League (NFL).{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-06-19/japan's-top-anime-series-eyeshield-21-debut-on-toonami-jetstream|title=Japan's Top Anime Series Eyeshield 21 Debut on Toonami Jetstream|date=June 19, 2007|website=Anime News Network|access-date=April 28, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070621092910/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2007-06-19/japan%27s-top-anime-series-eyeshield-21-debut-on-toonami-jetstream|archive-date=June 21, 2007|url-status=live}} The anime was eventually posted only on Toonami Jetstream,{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-30/crunchyroll-adds-eyeshield-21-football-anime|title=Crunchyroll Adds Eyeshield 21 Football Anime|website=Anime News Network|author=Loo, Egan|access-date=April 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402133955/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2008-12-30/crunchyroll-adds-eyeshield-21-football-anime|archive-date=April 2, 2014|url-status=live}} with the first episode, which condensed three episodes, being available on December 17, 2007.{{cite web|url=http://manga.about.com/b/2007/12/17/eyeshield-21-anime-debuts-on-toonami-jetstream.htm|title=Eyeshield 21 Anime Debuts on Toonami Jetstream|author=Aoki, Deb|website=About.com|publisher=IAC|access-date=April 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507001451/http://manga.about.com/b/2007/12/17/eyeshield-21-anime-debuts-on-toonami-jetstream.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 7, 2014}} However, it was not completed due to Toonami Jetstream's cancellation and shutdown.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-17/eyeshield-21-football-manga-ends-in-japan-after-7-years|title=Eyeshield 21 Football Manga Ends in Japan After 7 Years|date=June 17, 2009|author=Loo, Egan|website=Anime News Network|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140402051253/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2009-06-17/eyeshield-21-football-manga-ends-in-japan-after-7-years|archive-date=April 2, 2014|url-status=live}} In December 2008, the video streaming service Crunchyroll announced that it would begin to stream Eyeshield 21 subtitled on its site on January 2, 2009. The last episode was available on November 1, 2009, for premium users, and on March 7, 2010, for free users.{{cite web|url=http://www.crunchyroll.com/eyeshield-21/episode-145-everyone-lets-play-football-ya-ha-510690|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130601062713/http://www.crunchyroll.com/eyeshield-21/episode-145-everyone-lets-play-football-ya-ha-510690|archive-date=June 1, 2013|url-status=dead|title=Eyeshield 21 Episode 145 – Everyone, Let's Play Football! Ya-Ha!|website=Crunchyroll|access-date=June 15, 2013}} On February 26, 2010, Section23 Films announced that Sentai Filmworks received the license to the anime.{{cite web|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-26/sentai-adds-asu-no-yoichi-eyeshield-21-anime|title=Sentai Adds Asu no Yoichi, Eyeshield 21, Hell Girl 2 (Update 2)|author=Loo, Egan|date=February 26, 2010|website=Anime News Network|access-date=April 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140331140310/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2010-02-26/sentai-adds-asu-no-yoichi-eyeshield-21-anime|archive-date=March 31, 2014|url-status=live}} The first fifty-two episodes were released on four subtitled-only DVDs between May 18, 2010, and February 8, 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-09/north-american-anime-manga-releases/february-6-12|title=North American Anime, Manga Releases: February 6–12|author=Manry, Gia|date=February 9, 2011|website=Anime News Network|access-date=June 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140329121122/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2011-02-09/north-american-anime-manga-releases/february-6-12|archive-date=March 29, 2014|url-status=live}}
== Audio ==
The music for the Eyeshield 21 anime adaptation was composed by Kō Ōtani. The series use twelve pieces of theme music, five opening and seven ending themes. The opening themes are "Breakthrough"{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050406032303/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-date=April 6, 2005|title=スタッフ＆キャスト|trans-title=Staff & Cast|publisher=TV Tokyo}} and "Innocence" by V6,{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060703051132/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-date=July 3, 2006|title=スタッフ＆キャスト|trans-title=Staff & Cast|publisher=TV Tokyo}} "Dang Dang" by ZZ,{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061109174803/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-date=November 9, 2006|title=スタッフ＆キャスト|trans-title=Staff & Cast|publisher=TV Tokyo}} "Blaze Line" by Back-On,{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070527032839/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-date=May 27, 2007|title=スタッフ＆キャスト|trans-title=Staff & Cast|publisher=TV Tokyo}} and {{nihongo foot|"Honō no Running Back"|炎のランニングバック||{{lit|Flaming Running Back}}|group=Jp}} by Short Leg Summer. The ending themes are "Be Free" by Ricken's, "Blaze Away" by The Trax,{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050726235755/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-date=July 26, 2005|title=スタッフ＆キャスト|trans-title=Staff & Cast|publisher=TV Tokyo}} "Goal" by Beni Arashiro, "Run to Win" by Aya Hirano, Miyu Irino, Koichi Nagano and Kappei Yamaguchi, "A day dreaming..." by Back-On, "Flower" by Back-On,{{cite web|url=http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012043302/http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21/staff.html|archive-date=October 12, 2007|title=スタッフ＆キャスト|trans-title=Staff & Cast|publisher=TV Tokyo}} and "Song of Power" by Short Leg Summer.
A number of audio CDs linked to the anime series have been released in Japan. The original soundtrack was released on two discs by Avex Mode on March 5, 2008, under the title Eyeshield 21 Complete Best Album.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard-japan.com/goods/detail/326241|title=アイシールド21 Complete Best Album|publisher=Hanshin Contents Link Corporation|magazine=Billboard Japan|access-date=May 6, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012905/http://www.billboard-japan.com/goods/detail/326241|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}} Three compilation albums, Eyeshield 21 Original Soundtrack Sound Field 1, Eyeshield 21 Sound Field Especial, and Eyeshield 21 Song Best, featuring opening and ending themes, insertion songs, and character and team songs were released on August 31, 2005, December 21, 2005, and March 23, 2006, respectively.{{cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/AVCA-22340|title=Eyeshield21 - Original Soundtrack Sound Field 1|publisher=Neowing|work=CDJapan|access-date=May 6, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012434/http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/AVCA-22340|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105100610|title=「アイシールド21」Sound Field Special|work=CDJournal|publisher=Ongaku Shuppansha|access-date=May 6, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507011627/http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105100610|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/AVCA-22651|title=TV Animation Eyeshield21- Song Best|publisher=Neowing|work=CDJapan|access-date=May 6, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012506/http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/AVCA-22651|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}} Six maxi singles containing character songs have also been published. The first three, for Sena Kobayakawa, Mamori Anezaki, and Monta, were released on October 26, 2005.{{cite web|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105080447|title=「アイシールド21」キャラクターソング Song Field 1～Go!!|work=CDJournal|publisher=Ongaku Shuppansha|access-date=May 6, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012140/http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105080447|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105080448|title=「アイシールド21」キャラクターソング Song Field 2～二人の意味|work=CDJournal|publisher=Ongaku Shuppansha|access-date=May 6, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012302/http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105080448|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105080449|title=「アイシールド21」キャラクターソング Song Field 3～Max Wind|work=CDJournal|publisher=Ongaku Shuppansha|access-date=May 6, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012732/http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105080449|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}} The other three, with the songs of Haruto Sakuraba, Seijurou Shin, and Suzuna Taki, were released on January 25, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105110688|title=「アイシールド21」キャラクターソング Song Field 4～Make my way|publisher=Ongaku Shuppansha|work=CDJournal|access-date=May 6, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012446/http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105110688|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105110689|title=「アイシールド21」キャラクターソング Song Field 5～新しい疾風(かぜ)|publisher=Ongaku Shuppansha|work=CDJournal|access-date=May 6, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012555/http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105110689|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105110690|title=「アイシールド21」キャラクターソング Song Field 6～GO for it!!|publisher=Ongaku Shuppansha|work=CDJournal|access-date=May 6, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012226/http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105110690|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}} In addition to the musical CDs, Eyeshield 21 Drama Field 1, an audio drama CD, was released by Avex on September 21, 2005.{{cite web|url=http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105070549|title=「アイシールド21」 Drama Field 1|publisher=Ongaku Shuppansha|work=CDJournal|access-date=May 6, 2014|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140507012306/http://artist.cdjournal.com/d/-/4105070549|archive-date=May 7, 2014|url-status=live}}
= Video games =
Konami produced Eyeshield 21 games for Sony video game systems; it released {{nihongo foot|Eyeshield 21: Let's Play American Football! Ya! Ha!!|アイシールド21 アメフトやろうぜ! YA-! HA-!!|Aishīrudo Nijūichi Amefuto Yarouze|group=Jp}} for the PlayStation 2 on December 22, 2005, and {{nihongo foot|Eyeshield 21: Portable Edition|アイシールド21 ポータブル エディション|Aishīrudo Nijūichi Pōtaburu Edition||group=Jp}} for the PlayStation Portable on March 2, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.konami.jp/products/eyeshield21_ps2/|title=アイシールド21～アメフトやろうぜ!Ya-!Ha-!～|trans-title=Eyeshield 21: Let's Play American Football! Ya! Ha!!|publisher=Konami|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606172300/http://www.konami.jp/products/eyeshield21_ps2/|archive-date=June 6, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.konami.jp/products/eyeshield21_psp/|title=アイシールド21 -Portable Edition-|trans-title=Eyeshield 21: Portable Edition|publisher=Konami|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140424025640/http://www.konami.jp/products/eyeshield21_psp/|archive-date=April 24, 2014|url-status=live}} Nintendo secured the rights to the Eyeshield 21 video game license for its systems in December 2004,{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/23/eye-shield-21-bound-for-gamecube-and-ds|title=Eye Shield 21 Bound for GameCube and DS|date=December 23, 2004|publisher=Ziff Davis|work=IGN|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223053854/http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/12/23/eye-shield-21-bound-for-gamecube-and-ds|archive-date=February 23, 2014|url-status=live}} releasing Eyeshield 21: Max Devil Power for the Nintendo DS on February 2, 2006, and Eyeshield 21: Devilbats Devildays for the Game Boy Advance on April 6, 2006.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ae4j/|title=アイシールド21マックスデビルパワー!|trans-title=Eyeshield 21: Max Devil Power!|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606153753/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ae4j/|archive-date=June 6, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/be4j/|title=アイシールド21 Devilbats Devildays|trans-title=Eyeshield 21: Devilbatas Devildays|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=September 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817025852/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/n08/be4j/|archive-date=August 17, 2014|url-status=live}} Another game was scheduled for release on the GameCube, but it was later canceled. Nintendo published an Eyeshield 21 game for the Wii, entitled {{nihongo foot|Eyeshield 21: The Field's Greatest Warriors|アイシールド21 フィールド最強の戦士たち|Aishīrudo Nijūichi: Fīrudo Saikyō no Senshi Tachi|group=Jp}}, which was released in Japan on March 8, 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rs7j/|title=アイシールド21 フィールド最強の戦士たち|trans-title=Eyeshield 21 The Field's Greatest Warriors|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=September 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140816233028/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/wii/rs7j/|archive-date=August 16, 2014|url-status=live}} Two non-football games, Jump Super Stars and Jump Ultimate Stars, released for the Nintendo DS, have featured characters from the series. Various Devil Bats, Shin and Sakuraba from the White Knights appear in support cameos.{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ajsj/char01.html|script-title=ja:アイシールド 21 - キャラクター紹介|publisher=Nintendo|access-date=September 12, 2012|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817103917/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ds/ajsj/char01.html|archive-date=August 17, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite book|title=ジャンプアルティメットスターズファーストアルティガイド|publisher=Shueisha|year=2006|pages=167–169|isbn=4-08-779392-3}}
= Print media =
Two art books based on Eyeshield 21 were released. The first, {{nihongo foot|Eyeshield 21 Illustration Collection: Field of Colors|アイシールド21 イラスト集 Field of Colors|Nijūichi Irasuto Shū Fīrudo obu Karāzu|group=Jp}}, was published on November 2, 2006.{{cite web|url=http://www.s-manga.net/comics/cm_20061102_wj_jpc_4088740971_eyeshield21-field-of-colors.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070812101741/http://www.s-manga.net/comics/cm_20061102_wj_jpc_4088740971_eyeshield21-field-of-colors.html|archive-date=August 12, 2007|title=アイシールド21イラスト集 Field of Colors|trans-title=Eyeshield 21 Illustration Collection: Field of Colors|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja}} The second, entitled Paint Jump: Art of Eyeshield 21, was released on December 19, 2008.{{cite web|url=http://www.s-manga.net/comics/cm_20081219_wj_azc_9784087821956_paint-jump-eyeshield21.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081222061549/http://www.s-manga.net/comics/cm_20081219_wj_azc_9784087821956_paint-jump-eyeshield21.html|archive-date=December 22, 2008|title=Paint Jump Art of アイシールド21|trans-title=Paint Jump: Art of Eyeshield 21|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja}} {{nihongo foot|Eyeshield 21 Official Databook: Chou Senshu Retsuden Ballers High|アイシールド21公式データブック超選手列伝Ballers High|Aishīrudo Nijūichi Kōshiki Dētabukku: Chō Senshu Retsuden Bōrāzu Hai|group=Jp}}, a databook, was published on October 4, 2005.{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-873758-X|title=アイシールド21公式データブック超選手列伝Ballers High|trans-title=Eyeshield 21 Official Databook: Chou Senshu Retsuden Ballers High|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108174937/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-873758-X|url-status=live|archive-date=January 8, 2018}} A pair of light novels were launched; the first, written by Katsumi Hasegawa, based on and named for the first OVA, was published on March 24, 2004. The second, {{nihongo foot|Eyeshield 21: Netto no Hundred Game!|アイシールド21 ～熱闘のハンドレッドゲーム！～|Aishīrudo Nijūichi: Nettō no Handoreddo Gēmu!|group=Jp}}, written by Eijima Jun, was published on May 26, 2006. The only original creator of the series who worked on these light novels was Murata, who illustrated them.{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-703138-1|script-title=ja:アイシールド21 幻のゴールデンボウル|trans-title=Eyeshield 21: The Phantom Golden Bowl|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206013903/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-703138-1&mode=1|url-status=live|archive-date=December 6, 2010}}{{cite web|url=http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-703157-8|script-title=ja:アイシールド21 ～熱闘のハンドレッドゲーム!～|trans-title=Eyeshield 21: Netto no Hundred Game!|publisher=Shueisha|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080504113957/http://books.shueisha.co.jp/CGI/search/syousai_put.cgi?isbn_cd=4-08-703157-8|archive-date=May 4, 2008}}
= Other =
In Japan, jigsaw puzzles,{{cite web|title=108ピース アイシールド21 セナ&ヒル魔 108-L105|trans-title=108 Pieces Eyeshield 21: Sena and Hiruma 108-L105|language=ja|publisher=Amazon.co.jp|url=https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B000E1KR62|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140406063031/http://www.amazon.co.jp/108%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9-%E3%82%A2%E3%82%A4%E3%82%B7%E3%83%BC%E3%83%AB%E3%83%8921-%E3%82%BB%E3%83%8A-%E3%83%92%E3%83%AB%E9%AD%94-108-L105/dp/B000E1KR62|archive-date=April 6, 2014|url-status=live}} action figures,{{cite web|url=http://hellosugah.livejournal.com/69792.html|title=Eyeshield 21 - Weekly Jump Ceramic|author=Sugah, Hello|date=September 17, 2009|publisher=LiveJournal|access-date=January 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226020000/https://hellosugah.livejournal.com/69792.html|archive-date=February 26, 2021|url-status=live}} plush dolls,{{cite web|url=http://www.eyeonasia.co.uk/dolls-plush-toys-c19/licence-2-eyeshield-21-devil-bat-plush-toy-p132|title=Licence 2 Eyeshield 21 Devil Bat Plush Toy|publisher=Eye on Asia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314030327/http://www.eyeonasia.co.uk/dolls-plush-toys-c19/licence-2-eyeshield-21-devil-bat-plush-toy-p132|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 14, 2014}} calendars,{{cite book|title=Calendrier 2010/2011 Eyeshield 21|trans-title=Calendar 2010/2011 Eyeshield 21|id={{ASIN|2849659231|country=fr}}}} key chains,{{cite web|url=http://www.captainhook.be/eyeshield-21-keychain-white-knights-6-cm|title=Eyeshield 21 Keychain White Knights 6 cm|publisher=CaptainHook|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508062241/http://www.captainhook.be/eyeshield-21-keychain-white-knights-6-cm|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 8, 2014}} and a medal game machine were sold as merchandise for the series.{{cite web|url=http://www.am-j.co.jp/newmachine/200610/011.html|title=アイシールド21 狙え!逆転タッチダウン!!|publisher=Amusement Journal|access-date=January 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606013538/http://www.am-j.co.jp/newmachine/200610/011.html|archive-date=June 6, 2013|url-status=live}} Konami also released a collectible card game series.{{cite web|url=http://www.konami.jp/products/eye21_trading_1/|title=アイシールド21 トレーディングカード Vol.1|publisher=Konami|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606173001/http://www.konami.jp/products/eye21_trading_1/|url-status=live|archive-date=June 6, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.konami.jp/products/eye21_card_bs1/|title=アイシールド21 Trading Card Game ブースター第1弾 「黄金の脚を持つ男」|publisher=Konami|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606171244/http://www.konami.jp/products/eye21_card_bs1/|url-status=live|archive-date=June 6, 2014}}
Reception
= Popularity =
The manga has sold more than 20 million copies in Japan;{{cite web|url=http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/news/20090615mog00m200057000c.html|script-title=ja:アイシールド21：ついに"タッチダウン" 2000万部のアメフットマンガが完結|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618091839/http://mainichi.jp/enta/mantan/news/20090615mog00m200057000c.html|archive-date=June 18, 2009|date=June 15, 2009|work=Mainichi Shimbun|language=ja}} individual volumes frequently appeared on top ten lists of best-selling manga there (see table). Individual volumes have appeared in Diamond Comic Distributors's lists of 300 best-selling graphic novels in North America several times.{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/14519.html|title=Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--February 2009|date=March 17, 2009|website=ICv2|access-date=September 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812212338/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/14519.html|archive-date=August 12, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/16619.html|title=Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--December 2009|date=December 1, 2010|website=ICv2|access-date=September 16, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811195432/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/16619.html|archive-date=August 11, 2014|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/17021.html|title=Top 300 Graphic Novels Actual--February 2010|date=March 11, 2010|website=ICv2|access-date=February 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301070056/http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/17021.html|archive-date=March 1, 2014|url-status=live}} The anime adaptation was also featured several times in Japanese television rankings,{{cite web|url=http://www.videor.co.jp/data/ratedata/backnum/2005/vol37.htm#comic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210182756/http://www.videor.co.jp/data/ratedata/backnum/2005/vol37.htm|archive-date=December 10, 2007|title=Vol.37 2005年 9月5日(月) 〜 9月11日(日)|publisher=Video Research|language=ja}}{{cite web|url=http://www.videor.co.jp/data/ratedata/backnum/2005/vol44.htm#comic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110112814/http://www.videor.co.jp/data/ratedata/backnum/2005/vol44.htm|archive-date=January 10, 2008|title=Vol.44 2005年 10月24日(月) 〜 10月30日(日)|publisher=Video Research|language=ja}} with the first episode having a 7.5 percent television viewership rating.{{cite web|url=http://www.videor.co.jp/data/ratedata/backnum/2005/vol15.htm#comic|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080110112934/http://www.videor.co.jp/data/ratedata/backnum/2005/vol15.htm|archive-date=January 10, 2008|title=Vol.15 2005年 4月4日(月) 〜 4月10日(日)|publisher=Video Research|language=ja}} In 2006, Japanese television network TV Asahi conducted a poll for the top hundred anime, and Eyeshield 21 was placed 47th.{{cite web|title=Japan's Favorite TV Anime|author=Macdonald, Christopher|date=October 13, 2006|website=Anime News Network|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-13/japan's-favorite-tv-anime|access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724155143/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2006-10-13/japan%27s-favorite-tv-anime|archive-date=July 24, 2014|url-status=live}} Moreover, Eyeshield 21{{'}}s series is credited with increasing the number of Japanese teenagers playing American football.{{cite web|url=http://manga.about.com/od/mangatitlesaz/p/Eyeshield21.htm|title=Eyeshield 21 Manga Profile|publisher=IAC|work=About.com|last=Aoki|first=Deb|access-date=September 15, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140411205917/http://manga.about.com/od/mangatitlesaz/p/Eyeshield21.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2006/08/02/more-sports/festival-raises-interest-in-american-football-ahead-of-2007-world-cup/#.UiUU5DaUSqI|title=Festival raises interest in American football ahead of 2007 World Cup|author=Nagatsuka, Kaz|date=August 2, 2006|work=The Japan Times|access-date=September 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203105502/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2006/08/02/more-sports/festival-raises-interest-in-american-football-ahead-of-2007-world-cup/|archive-date=December 3, 2013|url-status=live}} However, commenting on its genre's lack of popularity in the United States, Jason Thompson wrote in Anime News Network that "Even Eyeshield 21, a sports manga which is practically made for Americans, wasn't a big hit here".{{cite web|author=Thompson, Jason|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2012-02-02|title=Jason Thompson's House of 1000 Manga - Harlem Beat|work=Anime News Network|date=February 2, 2012|access-date=April 14, 2020|archive-date=January 26, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126133806/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/house-of-1000-manga/2012-02-02|url-status=live}}
= Reviews =
Critics have generally given the Eyeshield 21 manga positive reviews. Deb Aoki from About.com wrote that tying with Bleach, Eyeshield 21 was the best continuing {{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} manga of 2007, because it "has well-written characters, dynamic artwork, nail-biting cliffhangers, plus a winning mix of comedy, action and drama".{{cite web|url=http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2007BestManga.htm|title=2007 Best Continuing Manga List{{mdash}}Top 10 Current Manga Series of 2007|publisher=IAC|work=About.com|last=Aoki|first=Deb|year=2007|access-date=December 13, 2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080103235450/http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2007BestManga.htm|archive-date=January 3, 2008}} On the 2008 list, Aoki listed Eyeshield 21 as the best continuing {{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}}, as it was able to "[come] into its own" from other {{Transliteration|ja|shōnen}} series.{{cite web|url=http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2008BestManga.htm|title=2008 Best Manga List{{mdash}}Continuing Series|publisher=IAC|work=About.com|last=Aoki|first=Deb|year=2008|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130904235234/http://manga.about.com/od/recommendedreading/tp/2008BestManga.htm|archive-date=September 4, 2013}} In that same year, Pop Culture Shock{{'}}s Sam Kusek elected it the best continuing manga series.{{cite web|url=http://www.popcultureshock.com/manga/index.php/features/our-favorite-manga-of-2008/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110112211548/http://www.popcultureshock.com/manga/index.php/features/our-favorite-manga-of-2008/|archive-date=January 12, 2011|url-status=usurped|title=Our Favorite Manga of 2008|date=December 15, 2008|website=Pop Culture Shock}} Chris Zimmerman of Comic Book Bin was positive on his review of the volumes 30–33; he affirmed it is "one of the best shonen titles out there" and described it as "a superb series, with well developed characters, intense action, and touching humor".{{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookbin.com/Eyeshield030.html|title=Eyeshield 21 volume 30|author=Zimmerman, Chris|date=March 31, 2010|website=Comic Book Bin|access-date=April 26, 2017|archive-date=May 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519181825/http://www.comicbookbin.com/Eyeshield030.html|url-status=live}} {{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookbin.com/Eyeshield_21_volume_313.html|title=Eyeshield 21 volume 31|author=Zimmerman, Chris|date=April 29, 2010|website=Comic Book Bin|access-date=April 26, 2017|archive-date=May 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100505042707/http://www.comicbookbin.com/Eyeshield_21_volume_313.html|url-status=live}} {{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookbin.com/Eyeshield_21_Volume_326.html|title=Eyeshield 21 volume 32|author=Zimmerman, Chris|date=November 1, 2010|website=Comic Book Bin|access-date=April 26, 2017|archive-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427103401/http://www.comicbookbin.com/Eyeshield_21_Volume_326.html|url-status=live}} {{cite web|url=http://www.comicbookbin.com/Eyeshield_21_Volume_333.html|title=Eyeshield 21 volume 33|author=Zimmerman, Chris|date=November 8, 2010|website=Comic Book Bin|access-date=April 26, 2017|archive-date=April 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427100837/http://www.comicbookbin.com/Eyeshield_21_Volume_333.html|url-status=live}}
Jarred Pine from Mania.com praised the humor and how the creators "bring out the energy and excitement of the game for the readers".{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/eyeshield-21-vol-04_article_82299.html|title=Eyeshield 21 Vol. #04|author=Pine, Jarred|date=October 23, 2005|publisher=Demand Media|work=Mania.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227091824/http://www.mania.com/eyeshield-21-vol-04_article_82299.html|archive-date=February 27, 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/eyeshield-21-vol-05_article_82365.html|title=Eyeshield 21 Vol. #05|author=Pine, Jarred|date=December 18, 2005|publisher=Demand Media|work=Mania.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227082522/http://www.mania.com/eyeshield-21-vol-05_article_82365.html|archive-date=February 27, 2014}} June Shimonishi, reviewing for School Library Journal, wrote that it "delivers a fresh and entertaining take on all the standard sports clichés". She also said that its art is "superb ... with every inch filled with details and no gag left unseen".{{cite web|url=http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6504464.html|title=Xpress Reviews-First Look at New Books - Week of November 27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110313070528/http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6504464.html|archive-date=March 13, 2011|date=November 27, 2007|work=School Library Journal}} Zac Bertschy from Anime News Network (ANN) declared Eyeshield 21 "defies convention" by turning what most might consider "a really ridiculously bad idea" into "something most everyone would be able to enjoy".{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/eyeshield-21-gn-3|title=Eyeshield 21 G.novel 3|author=Bertschy, Zac|date=September 28, 2005|website=Anime News Network|access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140405045749/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/eyeshield-21-gn-3|archive-date=April 5, 2014|url-status=live}} Carlo Santos from ANN called it a "typical sports story", writing that what make it an above average series are its characters and artwork. He also wrote that people who think American football is boring "may change their minds after seeing the action sequences in Eyeshield 21."{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/eyeshield-21-gn-1|title=Eyeshield 21 G.novel 1|author=Santos, Carlo|date=May 23, 2005|website=Anime News Network|access-date=September 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410004524/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/eyeshield-21-gn-1|archive-date=April 10, 2014|url-status=live}} Later, Santos said, "[a] lot of familiar clichés show themselves" in Eyeshield 21, and that "[t]he storyline also does a sloppy job of keeping track of the game ... making it even less believable than it already is".{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/right-turn-only/2011-09-27|title=Right Turn Only!! New Moon Rising|author=Santos, Carlo|date=September 27, 2011|website=Anime News Network|access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407152237/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/right-turn-only/2011-09-27|archive-date=April 7, 2014|url-status=live}} However, overall, he considered the story has good art, action and pace, featuring "pure sports storytelling at its finest".
The anime adaptation of Eyeshield 21 received positive and mixed responses. Bobby Cooper from DVD Talk praised how the rules of American football are "explained to a foreign audience that has no clue what it's all about", adding that instructions at the commercial breaks "were informative and similar to the Go lessons of Hikaru No Go." He also said the explanations were "hilarious", but that "Eyeshield 21 is an excellent introduction to football".{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/42964/eyeshield-21-collection-1/|title=Eyeshield 21: Collection 1|date=May 11, 2010|author=Cooper, Bobby|publisher=Internet Brands|work=DVD Talk|access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814213203/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/42964/eyeshield-21-collection-1/|url-status=live}} The on-field action was also praised, with he saying the sports action is "where Eyeshield 21 truly shines", although he criticized the scenes away from the football field, "the pacing slows to a crawl and the storyline gets a little boring".{{cite web|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/43635/eyeshield-21-collection-2-2pc/|title=Eyeshield 21: Collection 2|date=July 6, 2010|author=Cooper, Bobby|publisher=Internet Brands|work=DVD Talk|access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814233909/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/43635/eyeshield-21-collection-2-2pc/|url-status=live}} In her review, Erin Finnegan from Anime News Network stated, "[t]he pace of Eyeshield 21 is its saving grace. It's way less boring than all the time outs and commercial breaks in a regular NFL game. Football is hard to understand, but Eyeshield 21 explains the Byzantine rules ... in an entertaining way. We're never left waiting for the ref's decision for long minutes like in real life. A lot of dramatic tension carries the action between plays".{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/shelf-life/2010-09-06#eye|title=Shelf Life Monday Night Lights|author=Finnegan, Erin|date=September 6, 2010|website=Anime News Network|access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524014955/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/shelf-life/2010-09-06|archive-date=May 24, 2014|url-status=live}} Finnegan also criticized the artwork, saying, "any episode [of the show] without a game is clearly farmed out to an inferior animation studio".{{cite web|url=http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/shelf-life/2010-10-18#eye|title=Shelf Life Corpse Bride|author=Finnegan, Erin|date=October 18, 2010|website=Anime News Network|access-date=September 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524015010/http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/shelf-life/2010-10-18|archive-date=May 24, 2014|url-status=live}} Chris Beveridge from Mania Entertainment wrote that Eyeshield 21 "has a good solid story idea, showing a young man finding his way through sports by finding friends and realizing he has potential, but it is so sidelined so often that it's frustrating to see it deal with situations as it does".{{cite web|url=http://www.mania.com/eyeshield-21-collection-3_article_125291.html|title=Eyeshield 21 Collection 3|date=December 21, 2010|author=Beveridge, Chris|publisher=Demand Media|website=Mania.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227080417/http://www.mania.com/eyeshield-21-collection-3_article_125291.html|archive-date=February 27, 2014}}
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Notes
{{reflist|group=note}}
;Japanese
{{reflist|group=Jp}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|http://www.eyeshield21.com}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{official website|http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/eyeshield21|name=Official site on TV Tokyo}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{anime News Network|manga|2869}}
{{Eyeshield 21}}
{{Weekly Shōnen Jump - 2000–2009}}
{{Gallop (studio)}}
{{Production I.G OVAs}}
{{Collegiate American Football in Japan navbox}}
Category:2005 anime television series debuts
Category:American football animation
Category:American football in Japan
Category:American football mass media
Category:Anime series based on manga
Category:Ball games in anime and manga
Category:Comedy-drama anime and manga
Category:Coming-of-age anime and manga
Category:Anime and manga set in schools
Category:Shows on Toonami Jetstream
Category:TV Tokyo original programming