Week:9 Culture

     An American football is very popular in United States, so this sport appears many categories in its country.

Initially, I will show you American football video games, "Madden NFL" developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon.This game was supervised by John Madden, who is Pro football Hall of Famer, and well known as former the coach of the Oakland raiders, and a commentator.

John Earl Madden

(April 10, 1936-)

"Madden NFL" series have been sold from 1993. (Before this time, this game was known as "Madden Football", from 1988) . "Madden NFL"series are as follows:

John Madden Football (1988)
(On the cover - John Madden)

John Madden Football (1990)
(John Madden)

John Madden Football 2 (1991)
(John Madden)

John Madden Football '92 (1991)
(John Madden)

John Madden Football '93 (1992)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL '94 (1993)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL '95 (1994)
John Madden, Erik Williams of the Dallas Cowboys, Karl Wilson of the San Francisco 49ers)

Madden NFL '96 (1995)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL '97 (1996)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL '98 (1997)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL 64 (1997)
(John Madden)

Madden NFL '99 (1998)
(John Madden, Garrison Hearst of the San Francisco 49ers)

Madden NFL 2000 (1999)
(John Madden, Barry sanders of the Detroit Lions, Dorsey Levens of the Green Bay Packers)

Madden NFL 2001 (2000)
(Eddie George of the Tennessee Titans)

Madden NFL 2002 (2001)
(Daunte Culpepper of the Minnesota Vikings)

Madden NFL 2003 (2002)
(Marshall Faulk of the St. Louis Rams)

Madden NFL 2004 (2003)
(Michael Vick of the Atranta Falcons)

Madden NFL 2005 (2004)
(Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens)

Madden NFL 06 (2005)
(Donovan McNabb of the Philadelphia Eagles)

Madden NFL 07 (2006)
(Shaun Alexander of the Seattle Seahawks)

Madden NFL 08 (2007)
(Vince Young of the Tennessee Titans, Luis Castillo of the San Diego Chargers)

Madden NFL 09 (2008)
(Brett Favre of the Green Bay Packers, Brett Favre of the New York Jets, Roberto Garza of the Chicago Bears)

Madden NFL 10 (2009)
(Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Larry Fitzgerald of the Arisona Cardinals)

Madden NFL 11 (2010)
(Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints)

Madden NFL Football (2011)

Madden NFL 12 (2011)

Madden NFL 13 (2012)
(Calvin Johnson of the Detroit Lions)

Madden NFL 2010






Next, I introduce American football culture in Japan.
In Japan, there is popular manga, "Eyeshield 21". This is manga series written by Riichiro Inagaki and illustrated by Yusuke Murata.
The manga was serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump from July 2002 to June 2009.
In this story, tacticses and formations that actually exist appeared. Moreover, characters explain the rules of American football for beginners, so not only reader who already know about American football but also reader don't know it can enjoy this stories. Actually, I also knew about American football by reading this manga when I was junior high scool student. the reason why I play an American football is maybe here.

Thanks to this manga, popularity of American football is increasing in Japan, and population of American football player in Japan is increasing.