Sanae Nakazawa, later Sanae Ozora after marriage, is a central female character in the *Captain Tsubasa* series. Residing in Nankatsu city, her family runs an ice cream parlor with living quarters above the shop. Introduced in elementary school during the Kids' Dream arc, she witnesses Tsubasa Ozora's football passion and skill, sparking feelings that lead her to form and lead the Nankatsu boys' cheerleading club to support him and his team. She wrestles briefly with conflicting emotions about his potential departure from Japan but remains his steadfast supporter. During the Boys' Fight arc in middle school, Sanae serves as assistant manager for the Nankatsu Middle School football club alongside her friend Yukari Nishimoto. Her romantic feelings for Tsubasa deepen, though she struggles to confess them despite widespread awareness among peers. She faces rivalry for his affection from junior Kumi Sugimoto. After Tsubasa graduates and prepares to move to Brazil, Sanae finally receives his confession of love following a confrontation with another suitor, Koshi Kanda. In the J Boys' Challenge arc, Sanae becomes the only person to see Tsubasa off when he departs for Brazil, gifting him a new set of football studs for his debut there. During the Battle of World Youth arc, she experiences depression due to their three-year separation while working in the family ice cream parlor to save money for a trip to Brazil. After a difficult search in São Paulo, she reunites with Tsubasa and later spearheads the Japan Youth supporters club with renewed cheerfulness. At the tournament's conclusion, Tsubasa proposes with an engagement ring, and they share their first kiss. They subsequently marry in a Western-style ceremony attended by friends. In the Road to 2002 and Golden-23 arcs, Sanae moves with Tsubasa to Barcelona, Spain, settling there as he pursues his professional career. She provides emotional support during challenges, including his temporary demotion to Barcelona's B team. During this period, she reveals her pregnancy, and Tsubasa dedicates a goal in a La Liga match to her and their unborn child. In the Rising Sun arc, Sanae, heavily pregnant with twins, returns to Japan to give birth near family. Her due date coincides with the Madrid Olympics football finals, which she views as fateful timing. She expresses determination to have Tsubasa present. During her pregnancy in Spain, she encounters Michael, who gives her a cross and mentions seeing "two angels" by her side, symbolically referencing the twins. Sanae evolves from a tomboyish elementary school figure—often called "Anego" (big sister) due to her bossy demeanor—to a more feminine presence later, though she retains occasional mood swings. Her appearance varies: brown hair and eyes in the 1983 anime, dark brown hair and almond eyes in 2001, and burgundy hair and eyes in 2018. In the original manga, her hair transitions from shoulder-length and fluffy to a straighter bob. Her core traits encompass unwavering support for dream pursuers, loyalty to Tsubasa, and resilience during long separations. In non-manga continuities like the Tecmo game series, Sanae features as Tsubasa's love interest supporting his career in Brazil and Italy. The 2001 anime *Road to 2002* depicts their relationship as ongoing but not yet marital, with Tsubasa's parents treating her as a daughter-in-law.