eFootball’s Naruto crossover draws fan backlash

Konami has launched a Naruto crossover in its free-to-play title eFootball, adding stadium decals, collaboration player cards for Neymar Jr. and Takefusa Kubo, new goal celebrations and a “Stunning Shots” visual effect. The event runs through May 14.

The update lets players decorate home fields with Naruto imagery and acquire special collaboration cards for real-life players. Long-range goals can trigger the Stunning Shots visual, which adds effects such as lightning. Konami says the enhanced shot animations are visible only on the scoring player’s client, while celebratory animations appear to both teams.

The free-to-play game uses periodic events and licensed tie-ins to attract new players and keep existing users engaged. The Naruto content is part of that ongoing live-service approach and is available in-game for a limited time.

Player reaction has been mixed. Some described the additions as fun, while others criticized Konami for prioritizing cosmetic collaborations over single-player improvements. A player posted on social media: “Very cool, Konami. You ruined my favorite game.” Critics referenced the recent, time-limited return of Master League, which was released earlier this year in a stripped-back format and remains a requested feature among longtime players.

Other players defended the crossover by pointing to past entries in the series that included quirky unlockables and lighter touches. Supporters noted that licensed events and cosmetic drops can increase visibility for the game.

Konami’s update details state that the event items and collaboration cards can be obtained while the crossover is active through May 14. The company has not announced additional single-player content or further crossover dates at this time.