Plot and Storyline
Aoashi tells the story of a young aspiring soccer player from a backwater town in Japan. His immense talent is his biggest strength, but his overly straightforward personality was the biggest setback to his strength. Ashito could well change the face of Japanese football.
This catches the attention of Fukuda Tatsuya, who is in the midst of recruiting players for the youth soccer team associated with Esperion FC, a fictional club that’s part of the real-life J.League, the predominant soccer league in Japan. From then on, the series follows the tribulations of the Esperion FC Youth Team’s journey toward young soccer stardom. Hopefully, his dream will not be lost, and Ashito will make his way to the big city to continue his path toward becoming a pro.
Animation and Art Style
Animation is okay, bad, good, great at different times. All of the still shots and less movement shots are great. But a lot of the motion shots are a miss. The animation is simply not as fluid as.. let’s say Haikyuu. Not sure why this is the case since both have the same studio.
The art style is good, but nothing special. However, the characters’ designs adapt well to the anime’s atmosphere. but even then it still keeps the viewers heart by it’s glamorous stories.
Characters
Young Ashito Aoi is in his third year at Ehime City Middle School, and his meeting with football coach Tatsuya Fukuda. Ashito, although talented, is a difficult boy, but Fukuda believes in him and invites him to join his own team. Hana is also rather strict with Ashito and constantly tries to encourage him to eat well and do his best. Throughout the progression of the story, it is implied that Hana has romantic feelings for Ashito, which is later confirmed when she confesses she loves him to Noriko, with whom she has a good relationship.
Themes
Just as he believes all hope is lost, Ashito is approached by a youth team coach named Tatsuya Fukuda who senses potential in him, and Fukuda invites him for tryouts in Tokyo. In an unfamiliar setting surrounded by talent, Ashito must bring out the best of his ability to prove himself and secure what could be a life-changing career.
Ashito must face challenges and obstacles to achieve his dream of becoming a great player. Along his journey, he interacts with various interesting characters, from rivals to teammates. The anime beautifully portrays Ashito’s passion for football and his journey to grow as both a person and a player.
Overall Impression
Ao Ashi is one of the most underrated gems of this year. It’s been a while since we have a sports anime that focuses on personal development as well as character progression.
Aoashi is a captivating soccer Anime that brilliantly captures the essence of the beautiful game. With its engaging characters, intense matches, and dynamic storytelling, it provides an exhilarating experience for both soccer enthusiasts and manga lovers alike.
Aoashi is a must-watch Anime for soccer fans and enthusiasts of thrilling storytelling. With its well-rounded characters, intense matches, and skillful artwork, it successfully captures the spirit and excitement of the sport. While it may have a few pacing issues and unresolved character arcs, these minor drawbacks do not detract from the overall enjoyment and immersion of the series. So grab a copy of Aoashi and prepare for an adrenaline-fueled journey into the world of soccer!