Forza! Hidemaru
Japanese title: フォルツァ！ひでまる
Alternative titles: Go for It! Hidemaru, Go for It! Mario, Forza! Hidemaru, Forza! Mario, Forutsa! Mario, Forutsa! Hidemaru
Type: TV
Source: Manga
Episodes: 26
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Apr 6, 2002 to Sep 28, 2002
Broadcast: Unknown
Duration: 25 min per ep
Rating: G - All Ages
Studios: Gallop
Producers: Nihon Ad Systems
Genres: Sports
Themes: Team Sports

A soccer anime with a cast of wacky animals in sports getup seems far out of its time in the early 21st century, but it was the year of the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, and the very young audience sees these tropes with fresh eyes. Hidemaru is a feisty fox; his friends include bunnies, dogs, horses, and a couple of hefty hippo girls. 

Based on a manga Hidemaru the Soccer Boy by Makoto Mizobuchi, serialized in CoroCoro Comics. 

(Source: AnimeVice)