The Knight in the Area (2012)
A heartfelt soccer anime following one boy's relentless pursuit of the World Cup dream, fueled by loss, friendship, and raw determination.
The Knight in the Area - Series Information
- Original Title: エリアの騎士
- First Air Year: 2012
- Last Air Year: 2012
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Comedy
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (25 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 37
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Japanese
- Spoken Languages: Japanese
- First Air Date: January 7, 2012 (Australia - G)
- Networks: tv asahi
- Production Companies: Shin-Ei Animation
- Production Countries: Japan
The Knight in the Area - Plot
Kakeru and Suguru are brothers who both have a flaming passion for soccer. However, while Suguru becomes a rising star in the Japanese youth soccer system, Kakeru decides to take on a managerial role after struggling on the field. But due to a cruel twist of fate, Kakeru ends up reevaluating the role he has chosen. In hopes of one day being able to enter the World Cup by becoming a member of the national team, Kakeru trains harder than anyone else. He isn't alone in this quest for glory, though. Kakeru's childhood friend, Nana, is a soccer prodigy of her own, with the wicked nickname "Little Witch". She is a top-ranked player and is already playing for Nadeshiko Japan, the Japanese women's national team. Nana's success gives Kakeru the extra push he needs to reach for his goals.
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The Knight in the Area - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Shizuka Itoh
- Yuko Sanpei
- Jun Fukuyama
- Akira Ishida
- Takehito Koyasu
- Atsushi Kakehashi
- Noriko Hidaka
- Shin-ichiro Miki
- Hiro Shimono
- Tsubasa Yonaga
Writers
- Tetsuo Hirakawa
The Knight in the Area - FAQs
What is The Knight in the Area about?
The Knight in the Area follows Kakeru Aizawa, a boy who steps back from playing soccer after struggling on the field, only to be thrust back into the game by a life-changing event. Driven by his dream of reaching the World Cup, he trains relentlessly alongside childhood friend and women's national team prodigy Nana Mishima.
Is The Knight in the Area based on a manga?
The anime is adapted from the manga series エリアの騎士 (Area no Kishi) by Hiroaki Igano and Kaya Tsukiyama, serialized in Weekly Shōnen Magazine. The manga ran from 2006 to 2015 and spans over 50 volumes, making it one of the longer-running soccer manga series in Japan.
Where can you stream The Knight in the Area?
You can find streaming and viewing options for The Knight in the Area on JustWatch, which lists current availability across platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so checking JustWatch directly is the best way to find where it's currently accessible.
Who voices the main characters in The Knight in the Area?
Yuko Sanpei voices protagonist Kakeru Aizawa, while Shizuka Itoh brings childhood friend Nana Mishima to life. Jun Fukuyama plays older brother Suguru Aizawa, and the supporting cast includes notable voice actors Akira Ishida, Takehito Koyasu, and Hiro Shimono, lending the series a strong ensemble of talent.
What role does Nana Mishima play in the story?
Nana Mishima is Kakeru's childhood friend and a standout soccer talent nicknamed "Little Witch." Already playing for Nadeshiko Japan, the Japanese women's national team, her success and determination serve as a constant source of inspiration for Kakeru as he pushes himself toward his own World Cup ambitions.
How many episodes does The Knight in the Area have?
The series ran for 37 episodes across a single season, airing on tv asahi in Japan throughout 2012. Produced by Shin-Ei Animation, the show adapted a substantial portion of the source manga, giving the story enough room to develop its characters and soccer drama over a full broadcast run.
What anime are similar to The Knight in the Area?
Fans of The Knight in the Area often enjoy other sports anime like Inazuma Eleven, Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002, and Baby Steps for their shared focus on youth athletic ambition. Kuroko's Basketball and Zatch Bell! also appeal to viewers who appreciate underdog stories packed with competitive spirit and personal growth.
Who composed the music for The Knight in the Area?
The score for The Knight in the Area was composed by Keiji Inai and Yasunori Iwasaki, both well-regarded figures in the anime music industry. Their work on the series helped underscore the emotional highs and lows of Kakeru's soccer journey, from quiet moments of doubt to high-stakes match sequences.
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