- Original Name: Aoashi / アオアシ
- Alternate Name(s): Ao Ashi – Playmaker
- Author(s): Kobayashi Yugo
- Genre(s): School Life – Slice of Life
- Type: Seinen
- Release Date: 2021
- Description: Aoi Ashito lives in Ehime. Although he is a player with great talent for soccer, he suffers from an overly upright and impulsive character. After witnessing Ashito’s skills, Tatsuya Fukuda, director of Ehime’s youth team, recommends him for selection to a team organized in Tokyo! How will the destiny of this boy who will revolutionize soccer evolve?
About
Ao Ashi follows the story of Ashito Aoi, a middle-school soccer fan living in a small town in Japan. Although talented, his game relies mainly on instinct and exceptional vision of the pitch, but he lacks technique and discipline. One day, he is spotted by Tatsuya Fukuda, a former professional player turned coach, who sees enormous potential in him.
Fukuda invited Ashito to take the selection tests for the junior team at Tokyo City Esperion FC, one of the country’s top training centers. A new chapter begins for Ashito, one of challenge, fierce competition, failure and progress. He’ll have to learn to work as part of a team, to understand the game from a more tactical angle, and above all, to push back his own limits.
Why read Ao Ashi?
⚽ A realistic look at professional soccer: intensive training, strategies, ruthless selection…
🧠 An atypical hero: Ashito lacks the classic fundamentals, but possesses a unique vision of the game.
💥 Intense matches: technical, emotional and breathtaking.
💬 Personal development and team spirit: beyond the sport, this is a true tale of maturity and resilience.
