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 makea 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.