In japan, sport animes were highly popular in the 70s. Ace Wo Nerae is a sh?jo manga by Sumika Yamamoto and was published from 1972 to 1980. Sh?jo mangas are Japanese comic books usually aimed at a young female audience and are known for featuring female protagonists and pastel colors. The manga was later adapted into a TV animated series and even into a live-action television show in 2004.