But Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 is essential viewing. It teaches a lesson that modern, hyper-tactical sports anime sometimes forgets:
This structure served two purposes. For veteran fans, it provided the payoff they had waited a decade for: seeing the Golden Duo (Tsubasa and Misaki) play against European giants. For new viewers, it offered a crash course in the mythology, explaining why a Japanese kid could curve a ball like a boomerang. Captain Tsubasa- Road to 2002
"Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002" was well-received by fans and critics alike, and is considered one of the best soccer anime series of all time. The series helped to popularize soccer in Japan and inspired many young players to take up the sport. But Captain Tsubasa: Road to 2002 is essential viewing