About - Z United

Z United, a 100% French Football Shonen Manga!

Written by Daniel Fernandes and Edmond Tourriol and illustrated by Albert Carreres, this manga immerses us in the world of football through a team passionate about the sport.

Z United: Volume 1

An Indian billionaire has just bought out the biggest football clubs in Bordeaux to merge them. Following the fusion of Atlas Bordeaux FC with other major teams in the metropolitan area, Metropolis FC is now the city’s only major club. After this consolidation, only the best players from each category are kept, leaving many footballers out in the cold.

Adrien, the under-15 coach of Metropolis FC, disapproves of this merger. Encouraged by Shakti, the billionaire’s daughter, he decides to create Team Z. His goal? To assemble and train a squad capable of defeating the best players of Metropolis FC within just three weeks.

In this setting, Hugo, a talented but shy teenager, meets the gifted Majid. Although they are rivals for a spot on Team Z, they learn to set their competition aside and support each other to overcome Coach Adrien’s ruthless trials. Hugo, Majid, and their teammates must rethink their approach to football and prove their human qualities to earn their place in this new squad.

On the first day of tryouts, Hugo and Majid meet Laura, Coach Adrien’s daughter. Despite an exhausting day, nothing is decided yet. After refurbishing the club’s facilities—allowing Johnny, a young homeless boy, to join—another challenge awaits. A grueling race pits Team Z candidates against Geoffrey, the captain of Team A. Hugo and Majid succeed, also managing to protect Iulian, a somewhat mythomaniac Romanian player.

Z United: Volume 2

The second volume of this French football manga focuses on forming Team Z and reveals some backstories. Readers learn more about the players: Charles-Henry is mocked by his brother for his appearance, Sacha is actually a girl, and Germinal has family responsibilities!

The young footballers’ journey continues, full of discoveries and encounters. The selection process becomes even more difficult, with Coach Adrien showing no mercy in his choices for Team Z. This time, the players must decide! They are asked to vote on who they want to eliminate.

Hugo and Majid are at risk. Xavier, a hopeful for Team Z, has sworn to kick them out. The voting challenge begins, and a real strategy game unfolds. Eliminate or be eliminated? Xavier tries to convince his teammates to vote Majid out. However, things don’t go as planned! Those who vote against a teammate are disqualified themselves. After a massive elimination, training resumes.

During a match against a team called the Warriors, Adrien implements his strategy. Contrary to appearances, this isn’t a test of football skills but one of character. As the candidates give their all, Nabil remains withdrawn.

Following an insult from an opposing player, Nabil loses control and vandalizes the club’s locker room. Distracted, he allows goal after goal, much to Team Z’s frustration. He is given one last chance to continue: he must save the next three shots or be eliminated. Against all odds, Nabil succeeds.

As the number of players dwindles, the final selection approaches quickly.
Who will make it onto Team Z? For Coach Adrien, the choice is clear: solidarity comes first!

Z United: Volume 3

Finally, the day of the big match against Team A has arrived. Coach Adrien and Team Z’s players are fighting for their future. Only a victory will allow them to fulfill their dream. However, between Geoffrey’s talent and the cunning tactics of Coach Jean-Claude, defeating Team A seems impossible.

A Universal Shonen Manga

This manga isn’t just about football. It also conveys core values such as solidarity, respect, and friendship. Coming from diverse social backgrounds, the young protagonists strive to represent Team Z with honor and prove themselves worthy of it!

The creators of Z United are no strangers to football-themed manga. They previously wrote and illustrated Banc de Touche, a parody of Raymond Domenech’s French national football team.

A Webtoon Sequel in Development

After adapting the first three manga volumes into webtoon format to create Z United Season 1, a second season is in the works for 2023. The same creative team is working on it, with Talia Tourriol joining as a writer. This new season will be developed specifically for the webtoon format, with the goal of also being adapted into a manhwa-style release.