The World Cup is a bittersweet event for Chinese soccer fans.
On one hand, it ignites immense excitement. The adrenaline rush of seeing your favorite players maneuver past opponents to take a shot at goal feels just as exhilarating as watching a climactic battle in an action anime. The anticipation as the ball approaches the net can make anyone's heart race.
But on the other hand, it's a source of constant disappointment. Despite having a population of over a billion people, China has yet to assemble a team capable of competing at the highest level.
It's not entirely the players' fault—many point to the structural issues within the domestic soccer system. For example, the governing bodies are often run by people who don't understand the sport, and personal connections frequently influence decisions.
Moreover, societal attitudes don't help. How many parents in China would willingly encourage their children to pursue soccer? For many families, playing soccer is seen as a distraction, a waste of time that won't lead to a stable career. And with the odds of making it to the professional level so slim, most parents would rather their children focus on academics or other, more "secure" career paths.
All these factors make it clear why soccer struggles to thrive in China.
Despite this, Chinese fans remain dedicated. Even though their national team consistently underperforms—rarely making it past the group stage—they still tune in faithfully every year for both the World Cup and the Asian Cup.
"Another World Cup season..." Daniel muttered as he sipped his beer at home. A wry smile played across his face.
"It'll probably end the same way as always—eliminated in the group stage."
In this world, China's team wasn't as bad as in our reality; at least they made it to the World Cup. But advancing to the Round of 16 had always been an insurmountable challenge, leaving fans disappointed year after year.
"Ah well, maybe I'll just watch Ultraman instead. That'll cheer me up," Daniel sighed, shaking his head.
He knew the team wasn't likely to improve anytime soon. Even with world-class coaches, the results never seemed to change.
Switching the channel to the network broadcasting Ultraman Gaia, Daniel relaxed. Tonight's episode was titled "The Other Giant"—a title that immediately piqued his interest.
"Does this mean Agul will show up again? Maybe this time, he'll have a bigger role!"
Although Agul had made a brief appearance in a previous episode, his screen time had been minimal, leaving fans hungry for more.
The episode began with a man working out in a room filled with gym equipment. The walls were plastered with posters, news clippings, and photos of Gaia.
"Is this Agul's human host?" Daniel wondered.
The man looked rugged and intense, exuding the kind of presence that could rival Gaia's host, Gamu Takayama. "Still... not as handsome as me," Daniel thought smugly.
The scene shifted to Gamu returning to his hometown to share the news that he had joined the Lightning Team. But before he could settle in, a monster appeared.
The monster, composed mostly of seawater and boasting an extremely low body temperature, was undetectable by radar or sensors. Even the Lightning Team's missiles were ineffective against it due to its unique structure.
As Gamu prepared to transform into Gaia, the mysterious man from earlier appeared.
"Called it!" Daniel exclaimed.
The man was indeed Agul's host.
When Agul transformed and descended from the sky, Daniel couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Show-off..."
Agul's entrance was just as dramatic as Gaia's usual landings, complete with a shockwave that sent debris flying.
Despite his flashy debut, Agul quickly found himself outmatched. The monster, with its terrifying regenerative abilities, gained the upper hand. Agul was caught in the monster's scissor-like pincers, which began draining his energy.
Just as it seemed like Agul would be defeated, Gaia arrived to save the day.
"Guess this guy's the One Punch Man version of Genos," Daniel muttered, noting Agul's tendency to look cool before promptly losing fights.
The battle continued as the monster showcased its remarkable abilities. Whether Agul slashed it with his energy sword or Gaia delivered a powerful kick, the creature regenerated instantly, even growing more dangerous as it learned to emit electrical shocks.
Both Gaia and Agul struggled against the relentless beast.
But then something shocking happened.
As Gaia found himself caught in the monster's pincers, Agul began charging an energy attack.
"Wait, what?! He's aiming at Gaia, too!"
The monster had cleverly positioned Gaia as a shield, blocking Agul's direct line of fire. Daniel watched in disbelief as Agul continued to charge his attack, seemingly unbothered by the risk of hitting Gaia.
Thankfully, the energy blast narrowly missed Gaia, striking only the monster.
Even so, the moment left Daniel unsettled.
"This Agul guy... doesn't seem like the cooperative type," he thought.
Agul's actions reminded Daniel of a joke about Alpha Team, a Russian special forces unit:
Mission Brief: "Your task is to rescue the hostages."
Minutes Later: "Report: Ten hostiles eliminated. No hostages found."
Agul's approach felt eerily similar—he didn't seem too concerned about collateral damage.
Despite their strained teamwork, Gaia and Agul eventually managed to drive off the monster.
As the episode ended, Daniel couldn't help but feel that there was more to Agul than met the eye. Was he truly an ally? Or did his motives differ from Gaia's?
The mystery surrounding Agul only added to the excitement, leaving fans eager for the next episode.
Online discussions exploded with speculation:
"Is Agul really on Gaia's side? He seems more like an anti-hero."
"I love his design, but his methods are... questionable."
"Agul is so much cooler than Gaia! That entrance alone was top-tier."
"Gaia literally causes earthquakes every time he lands. How is Agul cooler?"
"By the way, what's Agul's deal with nearly hitting Gaia? Was it intentional?"
Fans were divided, but one thing was certain—Agul had made a lasting impression.
Meanwhile, elsewhere on the internet, Akame ga Kill! fans were still reeling from Sheele's tragic death. But in the background, another conversation was brewing about Food Wars!.
Both anime and manga fans had plenty to discuss this week, whether it was the emergence of a second Ultraman or the twists and turns in their favorite stories.