Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002

Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 tells the story of the fictional Japanese national football/soccer team and how they came to represent Japan in the 2002 World Cup held in Japan and Korea. It combines purely ridiculous (in a good way) football with classic anime action.

The series places a strong emphasis on the progression of a few select characters- from talented middle school students to playing for top European football clubs as adults; Tsubasa Oozora, the title character's journey being most prominent.

That said, there are asides about pretty much every minor character's origins as middle school footballers, or their struggles as they try to make ... a pro career and break in to the national team. There is also a love interest which is very much a secondary thing in the story and feels a little trite, though I'm sure anyone who's ever fangirl/fanboy/fanwhatevered over anything: a person in their lives, sporting heroes, a TV or anime character, etc., can relate to her passion.

If you ever played a sport competitively, you should enjoy this series. Even people who don't understand the appeal of the game or sports in general will get a feel for what it's all about (or otherwise further affirm that sports are the new opiate of the masses; I understand both sides of it). Football fans in particular will probably smirk at a few football clubs, players, and managers who are clearly send-ups of the real thing.

This series was created on the occasion of the soccer world championships that took place in Korea and Gaippone in 2002.

As you will have understood by now, this story inevitably binds and intersects with the real life of Japan, but not only.

In fact this series is full of references to real soccer players and real football teams.

It can be divided into two parts of 26 episodes each:

- 'Elementary arc' + 'middle school arc'( personally I think they cut a little too much of the story) + 'shin captain tsubasa arc' (quite good)
- first part of 'CTWY' (Tsubasa in Brazil) and the first part of 'CTRT2002' ... (Tsubasa in Europe): it is as if they had taken these two parts of the manga e. for some strange reason and mixed them together

The perspective is completely new, in fact the story begins with Tsubasa who is playing his last game in Brazil and remembers his football career, from the beginning.

This match continues to be present in the first part of the story, as the episodes continue.

In the second part you can admire a completely new match, Japan vs Holland, with all our beloved heroes lined up on the field.

There's only one special manga, based on this game, and, a movie, which is only found in Japanese with subtitles.

At the end of the 52nd episode it's already possible to see which challenge will await 'Tsubasa & Co.' at the end of their journey, which just seems to never end in the manga ...

The new graphics are very appealing and music is exciting.

We must admit that 'CT' we can also admire the evolution of Japanese animation and find the reflection and magic of past times.

What can I say ... I wanted them to continue where it ended ...

Nothing to say 'CT' is always the same, even if the years pass!

Captain Tsubasa road to 2002 shows the history of the Japanese team's formation to show the world the excellence of their football and technique. In the person of Tsubasa, all the art and greatness of football are shown in a unique and fantastic way. It's an exciting sport that makes everyone who wants to play real football well. Captain Tsubasa road to 2002 is in fact the football anime.

Tradução: Captain Tsubasa road to 2002 mostra a história da formação da equipe japonesa para mostrar ao mundo a excelência do seu futebol e técnica. Na pessoa de Tsubasa, toda a arte e a grandeza do futebol ... são mostradas de modo único e fantástico. É um esporte empolgante que faz todos os que assistem almejar jogarem bem o verdadeiro futebol. Captain Tsubasa road to 2002 é de fato, o anime do futebol.