The second episode resumes immediately after the intense stand-off between Tsubasa Ozora and Genzo Wakabayashi that marks the beginning of their rivalry, which will span throughout the first arc, commonly referred to as the Kids' Dream or Elementary School Arc.
Wakabayashi is astonished by Tsubasa's skill, accuracy and shot power. He appears to be dazed until the players from Shutetsu B team show up. He then challenges Tsubasa to prove himself by facing the entire team and attempting to score, as this will be the only way to determine whether he is a true football player or not. Tsubasa agrees, and what follows is another testament to the quality of this anime series. In a riveting sequence showcasing the dynamic animation style it has become known for, Tsubasa makes easy work of his opponents. In a mixture of skill and speed, he dribbles, evades, and nutmegs the whole squad before shooting on target.
The face-off against Shutetsu B Team is the highlight of this episode, filled with captivating moments that culminate in another showdown between Tsubasa and Wakabayashi, where their rivalry escalates into a bloody affair. This scene is particularly noteworthy for two reasons: it reveals the identity of the mysterious stranger as Roberto Hondo, the famous center-forward of the Brazilian national team, and showcases Tsubasa Ozora's resourcefulness while establishing him as a complete football player. As a result, Nankatsu's Elementary School's football team regains access to the Junior Football Ground , so that it can be used as their training facility until the upcoming tournament.
Regretfully, the pacing becomes uneven as the episode loses its momentum, dialling down on the action considerably until the final scene. Even though we are shown a defining moment in Tsubasa's past, the plot point that ends up sparking our curiosity the most is the undisclosed nature of Roberto Hondo's connection with Kodai Ozora, Tsubasa's father. Still, these fail to either captivate or reach the intensity of previous standout moments.
The episode draws to a close with a promising setup for future contests, as Tsubasa ultimately decides to face Wakabayashi as the newest member of the Nankatsu Elementary School's football team, who proudly accept Roberto Hondo as their new coach. The anticipation for their rivalry remains, although one could have hoped for a stronger conclusion, as Roberto's acrobatic overhead kick, while impressive, doesn't reach the same level of excitement as the previous episode's intense stand-off.
Wakabayashi is astonished by Tsubasa's skill, accuracy and shot power. He appears to be dazed until the players from Shutetsu B team show up. He then challenges Tsubasa to prove himself by facing the entire team and attempting to score, as this will be the only way to determine whether he is a true football player or not. Tsubasa agrees, and what follows is another testament to the quality of this anime series. In a riveting sequence showcasing the dynamic animation style it has become known for, Tsubasa makes easy work of his opponents. In a mixture of skill and speed, he dribbles, evades, and nutmegs the whole squad before shooting on target.
The face-off against Shutetsu B Team is the highlight of this episode, filled with captivating moments that culminate in another showdown between Tsubasa and Wakabayashi, where their rivalry escalates into a bloody affair. This scene is particularly noteworthy for two reasons: it reveals the identity of the mysterious stranger as Roberto Hondo, the famous center-forward of the Brazilian national team, and showcases Tsubasa Ozora's resourcefulness while establishing him as a complete football player. As a result, Nankatsu's Elementary School's football team regains access to the Junior Football Ground , so that it can be used as their training facility until the upcoming tournament.
Regretfully, the pacing becomes uneven as the episode loses its momentum, dialling down on the action considerably until the final scene. Even though we are shown a defining moment in Tsubasa's past, the plot point that ends up sparking our curiosity the most is the undisclosed nature of Roberto Hondo's connection with Kodai Ozora, Tsubasa's father. Still, these fail to either captivate or reach the intensity of previous standout moments.
The episode draws to a close with a promising setup for future contests, as Tsubasa ultimately decides to face Wakabayashi as the newest member of the Nankatsu Elementary School's football team, who proudly accept Roberto Hondo as their new coach. The anticipation for their rivalry remains, although one could have hoped for a stronger conclusion, as Roberto's acrobatic overhead kick, while impressive, doesn't reach the same level of excitement as the previous episode's intense stand-off.
