With the 2026 World Cup officially underway, the excitement around soccer is stronger than ever. Even if you’re new to the sport, it’s hard not to get caught up in this once-every-four-years global celebration.
For anime fans, the unforgettable performance of Japan’s national team during the last World Cup in a tough group stage sparked a massive surge in popularity for the anime Blue Lock worldwide.
Four years later, despite missing key players like Kaoru Mitoma and Wataru Endo, the Blue Samurai managed an impressive 1-1 draw against powerhouse Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup. This remarkable progress has fans joking that the real-life “selfish striker training” from Blue Lock has been a huge success.
A historic collaboration: Music star Ado sweeps into the soccer world
Riding the wave of the national team’s momentum, the hit series Blue Lock recently announced a live-action film adaptation set to release this year. Adding to the buzz, Japan’s digital music sensation Ado will perform the theme song titled “Monstro.” The blockbuster movie is scheduled to hit theaters on August 12.
Ado didn’t stop there. She also became a creative partner for the launch of Japan’s 2026 national team jersey by Adidas. Alongside co-designing the special “Ado x Japan National Team” kit, she composed an original cheer song called “Kira” for the Blue Samurai warriors.
If you happen to visit Japan now and stop by the famous MIYASHITA PARK in Shibuya, gamers and fans can see a large-scale wax statue of Ado sporting this stylish jersey.
Fan art “Ado in Blue Lock” hits 17 million views, sparks unique cosplay craze
Alongside official projects, a fan art recently went viral on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Foreign artist eSMILE (@eSM1LE_) illustrated Ado in the style of a Blue Lock character. What made this image stand out was a daring close-up angle focusing on Ado’s foot wearing toe socks resting on a soccer ball.
This provocative perspective instantly struck a chord with foot enthusiasts, racking up over 17 million views on X. Riding the wave, the artist released an enhanced version emphasizing the foot’s details, gaining an additional 5 million views.
This viral spread has turned the image into a new cultural phenomenon. Across forums, countless cosplayers and fans are jumping on the trend, donning blue jerseys, wearing toe socks, and striking the iconic pose. This playful yet striking cosplay wave is flooding the internet during this World Cup season!