Hungry Heart: Wild Striker

Hungry Heart: Wild Striker (ハングリーハート WILD STRIKER) is a Japanese soccer manga and anime series, authored by Captain Tsubasa creator Yōichi Takahashi. The manga series was serialized in Akita Shoten's Weekly Shōnen Champion. The anime series was produced by Nippon Animation and Animax, and premiered in Japan on Animax between September 11, 2002 and September 10, 2003, spanning a total of 52 episodes.

Animax later aired the series across its other networks worldwide, including its English-language networks in Southeast Asia and South Asia, and its other networks, including Hong Kong, Taiwan, Latin America and numerous other regions. The anime series has also been broadcast, translated and dubbed in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and other languages.

German-based sportswear brand Puma were the commercial sponsors for the anime series, with many of the clothing and sportsgear sporting Puma's brand.

Storyline
Hungry Heart: Wild Striker tells the story of Kanō Kyōsuke, a teenage high-school student, who, at the beginning of the series, has just transferred into the Jyoyō Orange high school. Kyōsuke's older brother is the illustrious and extremely famous A.C. Milan soccer player, Kanō Seisuke, who had first taught him how to play and love the game of soccer and whom he has greatly admired since childhood. After Seisuke left Japan to sign with Italian powerhouse A.C. Milan, people started comparing Kyōsuke with his brother, and criticizing him due to his different playing style. Living in his brother's shadow, Kyōsuke's love for the game slowly started to evaporate and lessen, and he eventually lost most of his passion for it.

After his transfer to Jyoyō and a fated meeting with Tsujiwaki Miki, an enthusiastic girl with a lot of passion for soccer and who soon reinvigorates his love for the game with her determination to excel, Kyōsuke's deep love and passion for soccer returns to its fullest and soon joins the Jyoyō soccer team, making several friends, such as his fellow freshmen, Sakai Jefferson, a talented goalkeeper, and Rodrigo, a passionate Brazilian transfer student. Kyōsuke, along with his friends at Jyoyō, invigorated with Miki's care and help, and by his love and determination to excel in soccer, takes on the best, and discovers an immense and determined passion for the game.

Characters

 * Note: Names are given in the original Japanese order, with the family name, or surname, followed by the given name. This is also the format used in the English dub.


 * Kanō Kyōsuke (叶恭介), ( Forward )
 * Called Orangehead jokingly by some of his friends, Kyōsuke learns the tricks and trades of soccer from his illustrious elder brother, A.C. Milan playmaker Kanō Seisuke. After Seisuke's departure, he slowly loses interest in the game, but rediscovers his love for it after a fated meeting with Miki. Initially joining as the coach of Jyoyō's girl's soccer team, the determination exhibited by the girls, especially Miki, invigorates his passion for soccer, and soon he joins Jyoyō's male soccer team, emerging as their ace striker. In the last episode, he becomes a player for AFC Ajax.
 * Called Orangehead jokingly by some of his friends, Kyōsuke learns the tricks and trades of soccer from his illustrious elder brother, A.C. Milan playmaker Kanō Seisuke. After Seisuke's departure, he slowly loses interest in the game, but rediscovers his love for it after a fated meeting with Miki. Initially joining as the coach of Jyoyō's girl's soccer team, the determination exhibited by the girls, especially Miki, invigorates his passion for soccer, and soon he joins Jyoyō's male soccer team, emerging as their ace striker. In the last episode, he becomes a player for AFC Ajax.


 * Tsujiwaki Miki (辻脇美紀)
 * Kyōsuke's closest friend, and the captain of the female soccer team in Jyoyō. He later falls in love with her.
 * Kyōsuke's closest friend, and the captain of the female soccer team in Jyoyō. He later falls in love with her.


 * Rafael Rodrigo del Franco (ロドリゴ), ( Midfielder )
 * A transfer student from Brazil, who wants to become a pro in order to help his family. Rodrigo is Jyoyo's playmaker, who earns the interest of several professional J. League clubs. In the final year, he becomes the captain of Akanegaoka.
 * A transfer student from Brazil, who wants to become a pro in order to help his family. Rodrigo is Jyoyo's playmaker, who earns the interest of several professional J. League clubs. In the final year, he becomes the captain of Akanegaoka.

Sakai Jefferson Kōji (境ジェファーソン公司), (Goalkeeper)
 * A transfer student from Sweden in Finland and are Known for charming all the girls in school, he is Jyoyō's goalkeeper. He is also known for his superior acceleration speed.
 * A transfer student from Sweden in Finland and are Known for charming all the girls in school, he is Jyoyō's goalkeeper. He is also known for his superior acceleration speed.

Kamata Gohzo (釜田豪三), (Defender)
 * He's known as Sergeant Chin. He played forward in junior high. Kyousuke makes fun of him but respects him more than anyone on the team

Sako Toshiya (佐古俊也), (Midfielder)
 * Jyoyo's team captain in the first year.

Ichikawa Hiroshi (一河ヒロシ), (Midfielder)
 * Known for his hot-headed attitude. In the first year, he has troubles with Rodrigo's individualist attitude, as he believes teamwork is the key for victory. In the second year, he's chosen to be the sub-captain, and has to deal with Yūya and his group.
 * Known for his hot-headed attitude. In the first year, he has troubles with Rodrigo's individualist attitude, as he believes teamwork is the key for victory. In the second year, he's chosen to be the sub-captain, and has to deal with Yūya and his group.

Esaka Masashi (江坂マサシ), (Midfielder)
 * He's called Ōsaka by Kyōsuke. He's the series' comic relief for his bald look. In second year he is chosen by Sako as the new captain.

Kiba Yūya (木場優也), (Forward)
 * Anime-only character. Called Nesthead by Kyōsuke. Kyōsuke's rival in 2nd year for the forward position. He also falls in love with Miki and battles with Kyōsuke in order to win her heart. He is known for his speed.
 * Anime-only character. Called Nesthead by Kyōsuke. Kyōsuke's rival in 2nd year for the forward position. He also falls in love with Miki and battles with Kyōsuke in order to win her heart. He is known for his speed.

Shinkawa Masahiko (新川マサヒコ), (Midfielder)
 * Anime-only character. The fastest in the team. Yūya's buddy. He and Muroi joined soccer to help Yūya make it into the J-League, as a way to thank him for getting them out of their lives as outcasts. He is known for his incredible speed.

Muroi Kazuya (室井和也), (Defender)
 * Anime-only character. Replaces Kamata in 2nd year as defender. Known for his Mohawk look. Like Shinkawa, he started playing soccer to help Yūya make it into the J-League.


 * Murakami Kazuo (村上監督)
 * Coach of Jyōyo men's soccer club. He was formerly a powerful forward for the Japanese National Team.
 * Coach of Jyōyo men's soccer club. He was formerly a powerful forward for the Japanese National Team.


 * Mori Kazuto (森一人)
 * Jyōyo's team manager. He used to play soccer in middle school, but due to an injury he cannot play anymore.
 * Jyōyo's team manager. He used to play soccer in middle school, but due to an injury he cannot play anymore.


 * Ōmori Fukuko (大森福子)
 * Jyōyo dormitory's cook.
 * Jyōyo dormitory's cook.


 * Dōmoto Kaori (堂本香織)
 * Jyōyo's nutritionist and cook. Seisuke, asked her to watch over his brother in his absence.
 * Jyōyo's nutritionist and cook. Seisuke, asked her to watch over his brother in his absence.


 * Kanō Seisuke (叶成介)
 * Kyōsuke's brother. When he was young, he led both his Middle and High School's soccer teams to the nationals and won, and was in the top three in High School. A world renowned player before 17, he also had a J. League contract before 21, and later became the A.C. Milan star and captain. He also had excellent academic grades.
 * Kyōsuke's brother. When he was young, he led both his Middle and High School's soccer teams to the nationals and won, and was in the top three in High School. A world renowned player before 17, he also had a J. League contract before 21, and later became the A.C. Milan star and captain. He also had excellent academic grades.


 * Furuki
 * Ryosei's team captain. He plays ID (Important Data) soccer. he plays on the same college team as Sako


 * Makoto Iguchi
 * Kokuryō's ace goalkeeper. He also plays with the Japan youth team.


 * Kamiyama Yuujirou
 * Kokuryō's ace striker. Kyōsuke's rival as the best striker in the region. JYT member.

Fujimori Minoru (藤森稔) and Fujimori Kaoru (藤森薫), (midfielders)
 * Kokuryō's dynamic duo. They are members of the JYT.

Yuki Kagami (加賀美勇樹), (midfielder)
 * Known as Kanō Seisuke Jr. Tenryū's captain. He's Kyōsuke's rival as the best player in high school soccer in Japan.
 * Known as Kanō Seisuke Jr. Tenryū's captain. He's Kyōsuke's rival as the best player in high school soccer in Japan.


 * Masashi "Gon" Nakayama (中山雅史)
 * Like Murakami Kazuo, he was a former Japanese football player. He was the first man to ever score a goal in a World cup for Japan, since this was their first time to play the tournament. He plays for Júbilo Iwata
 * Like Murakami Kazuo, he was a former Japanese football player. He was the first man to ever score a goal in a World cup for Japan, since this was their first time to play the tournament. He plays for Júbilo Iwata


 * Narumi Keisuke
 * Biological father of Kyosuke. He holds a mark in Japanese football. Lost his life in a car accident shortly before being called to the Japanese football team. Kyosuke was in the car, but managed to survive the accident. He has a record of goalscoring in the region before Kyosuke broke it.


 * Narumi Mitsuko
 * Biological mother of Kyosuke. She lost her life in the car accident along with her husband.


 * Coach Numakawa
 * Head coach of Tenryu High and Japan Under 22 delegate.


 * Toda and Ueno
 * Both are side backs for Jyoyō's Soccer Club. Kamata "Sergeant Chin" teaches them some defensive techniques in the first year. Sakai also tells them what to do in some trainings and matches.

Teams

 * Jyōyo Akanegaoka High School (Jyōyo Orange Hill) - Kyōsuke Kanō's high school team. Members: Sakai Jeferson Kouji, Toda, Ueno, Kamata (graduated), Muroi, Ichikawa, Shinkawa, Esaka, Sako (graduated), Tanaka, Rodrigo, Kanou Kyosuke, Kiba Yuya, Sasao, Shimizu (graduated), Omura (graduated).
 * Ryōsei High School - Known for their ID soccer, based on data collected by their captain, Furuki.
 * Yamanomori High School - A school in the mountains known for their teamwork.
 * Kokuryō high school - The regional champions and Tenryū's rival school. Members: Kamiyama, Iguchi, Fujimori Twins
 * Tenryū High School - The national champions. Seisuke Kanō's former high school. Members: Seisuke Kanō (graduated), Kagami, Sawamura, Suzuki, Mishima, Aida
 * Japan Under 22 delegate - Chosen by coach Numakawa to represent Japan in the Amsterdam Preliminaries. Members: Kanou Kyosuke, Kagami, Kamiyama, Iguchi, Fujimori Twins
 * Jyoyo Asahigaoka High School - Sister school to Jyōyo Akanegaoka High School.

Staff

 * Executive Producer: Kōichi Motohashi
 * Planning: Shōji Satō, Masao Takiyama, Yōko Matsuzaki
 * Production Manager: Shigeo Endō
 * Director: Satoshi Saga
 * Series Composition: Yoshiyuki Suga
 * Character Design: Ken'ichi Imaizumi
 * Chief Animation Directors: Tetsurō Aoki, Masahiro Kase
 * Background Artist: Kazue Itoh
 * Art Director: Ken'ichi Ishibashi
 * Color Design: Takashi Ōhira
 * Music: Noboyuki Nakamura
 * Sound Director: Hideo Takahashi
 * Producers: Katsunori Naruke, Shunichi Kosao
 * Production: Fuji Television, Animax Broadcast Japan, Nippon Animation

Anime theme songs

 * Opening theme songs
 * 1) Kids Alive - "2nd Stage" (ep. 1-42)
 * Lyrics: Keiji, Yoshiyasu Ichikawa. Music: Keiji. Arrangement: Kids Alive, Junichi "Igao" Igarashi
 * 1) Natsuki Katō as Miki Tsujiawaki featuring Athens Generation - "Hungry Heart (Kiseki no Tsubasa)" (ハングリーハート～奇跡の翼～) (ep. 43-52)
 * Lyrics: Mami Takubo. Music: Hiroaki Ōno. Arrangement: Jun Asahi


 * Ending theme songs
 * 1) Utaibito Hane - "Mi Title" (未タイトル) (ep. 1-12)
 * Lyrics: Shinichi Yasuoka. Music: Tetsuro Honda. Arrangement: Junjiro Seki.
 * 1) Kokia - "Tell Tell Bōzu" (tell tell 坊主) (ep. 13-39)
 * Lyrics: Kokia. Music: Kokia. Arrangement: Taisuke Sawashika.
 * 1) Kokia - "Watashi no Taiyō" (私の太陽) (ep. 40-51)
 * Lyrics: Kokia. Music: Kokia. Arrangement: Taisuke Sawashika.
 * 1) Kids Alive - "2nd Stage" (ep. 52)