Japan’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign came to an abrupt end in Houston on Monday. The Asian giants lost 2-1 to five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 32, courtesy of an injury time winner by Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli.
The result snapped Japan’s streak of back-to-back Round of 16 appearances at the World Cup.
Despite the early knockout, the team still caught the fancy of those watching the tournament with their disciplined brand of high intensity football. The playstyle was orchestrated by long-time manager Hajime Moriyasu, whose cult status continues to grow in the football world for reasons beyond the field.
Moriyasu himself was capped by the nation 35 times during his playing days. The workhorse was known for his ability to hustle and anchor the midfield. The stoic tough-as-nails personality has translated to Moriyasu’s coaching too.
Moriyasu took charge of Japan after they exited the 2018 World Cup in the group stages. He led the Samurai Blue to the AFC Asian Cup Final the following year, immediately demonstrating his abilities.
Always neatly dressed in a pantsuit complete with a tie, the veteran is a picture of professionalism.
Moriyasu barely shows any signs of emotions on the touchline regardless of the ongoings on the field. Instead, he carries a pocket diary around and is frequently seen furiously scribbling notes, even during the most dire moments of a game.
The lack of expressions, combined with the notebook, has led to comparisons between Moriyasu and the popular Japanese manga ‘Death Note’.
In the fictional work, Shinigami Ryuk drops a notebook into the mortal world that allows whoever possesses it to kill anyone they know.
These comparisons first took flight at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Placed in the group of death, Japan defeated both Spain and Germany to end up topping the charts. In both games, the Asian contingent conceded an early goal, but two second-half strikes helped them script 2-1 triumphs.
The dramatic nature of those victories and Moriyasu’s success thus birthed an iconic meme.
Posts on social media began doing the rounds featuring Ryuk watching over Moriyasu’s shoulder, as he compelled the universe into following his footsteps by writing in his notebook.
Germany’s early elimination from the tournament further fueled the trend. In traditional Japanese culture, Shinigami serve as guides who help the deceased peacefully transition into the afterlife. Not much different from what Moriyasu had inflicted on Die Mannschaft.
However, as time has passed, the comparisons have grown darker.
The memes were revived right at the start of the 2026 edition, when Japan took on another European giant Netherlands. The Dutch took the lead twice in the encounter, only for the blue army to rally back each time.
In fact, the second equalizer came in the 89th minute, immediately after Moriyasu was pictured going to work on his notebook. Edited videos soon appeared online of the manager having conversations with grim reaper Ryuk, receiving counsel and taking advantage of his sorcerous powers.
Japan’s latest encounter against Brazil has taken the meme to a whole new level. Moriyasu is now playfully being accused of using the dark arts to incite violence and chaos in opposition ranks, akin to some modern renditions of Shinigamis.
For instance, in the first half, enigmatic Selecao midfielder Lucas Paqueta took a nasty blow to the face from a powerful Bruno Guimaraes strike. If that was not enough, the Flamengo man had to be substituted at half-time after sustaining a groin injury.
Moriyasu, of course, was attributed as the mastermind behind the whole sequence. Unfortunately, the winner in the game arrived with way too little time left for Moriyasu’s secret powers to have a say.
Moriyasu may have exited the World Cup in North America earlier than he would have liked. However, he can rest assured his memories will live in the footballing subconscious for a long time to come, for better or worse.
