AO ASHI : Chasing Dreams, Scoring Intelligent Goals, and Celebrating the Heart of Soccer

1. OVERVIEW 

    

    The story begins with an introduction of the main character of the series Aoi Ashito who is a young teenager aspiring to be a professional soccer player, and whats the best way of introducing such a character other than showing him at his peak, which is through playing soccer. He would be playing as part of his high school team against another high school team which refused to take him because of his very crude playstyle.

    At the same time in the audience we see the to be mentor for Aoi sitting and watching the match without blinking his eyes. The one and only Tatsyua Fukuda who is a veteran of Japan's youth team from Esperion club, the biggest and number one soccer club in town. Fukuda has a goal that he wants to accomplish, which is to build his very own team of only the best of soccer players who are gonna play for the country.

    Fukuda being an amazing mentor would have come to this country side small town called Ehime in order to scout Aoi for the team, he is amazed by Aoi's play style. Even though, Aoi loses in that game due to misconduct, seeing how good he played, Fukuda meets him outside the match and asks him to explain what was going on in his head while he shot that goal. On listening to him Fukuda gets mind blown and decides to call him for trials for the next team of Esperion youth team.

    This is where it all begins, Aoi is being raised by a single mother and his brother who taught him soccer when he was but a child, from there the story entrails him becoming a professional soccer player of the elite kind. Especially him being a countryside boy trying to survive in the urban world all the hate he is gonna receive from other players playing the big leagues.

2. CHARACTERS

 The protagonist in this anime, unlike Blue Lock, portrays a significant level of confidence from the outset. This confidence sets a unique tone for the story, making it stand out in the world of sports anime. His self-assured behavior adds a refreshing dynamic to the narrative, which is both engaging and relatable.

    Him being raised in a rather poor family adds an extra bit of depth into the series, there are times where they show what are the problems he faces just because is poor and from a country side town, and what are the types of bullying he had to face through in order to reach this level. He is a positive person who can push himself as well as others around him to their fullest especially by his motivating thoughts and his never give up attitude.

    Soichiro Tachibana is another team mate of Aoi who also takes part in the try outs, he is well mannered and is polite as he can be. He is extremely cautious of his surrounding and gives somewhat of a leader kind of a vibe since he is also a striker. He is a very bold and upfront kind of a guy who takes blame on himself and assumes responsibility all the time. Although he might look strong he is mentally very prone to pressure.

    Eisaku Otomo is the supposedly cool punk, his hair style says it all, he is a simple minded person who would expect all the girls to fall for him for his hairstyle and especially after his selection in Esperion youth. He is a great mid fielder he reads the field really well and has good overall control over the entire field, he is a reliable team mate and is a great friend of Aoi especially as he calls him his brother in arms.

    Keiji Togashi is the badass typical delinquent who is rude and harsh against everyone except the ones whom he actually respects, he is Aoi's roommate and he was scouted by Fukuda himself and he was so good as the defender of the team that he didn't have to go through the tryouts but had a direct entry. He is logical and has a definite idea of what he wants and how he is going to play. He is very stable minded and is not someone who can be nudged that easily.

Hana Ichijo is the sister of manager Fukuda and  is potentially the heroine of the series, she is a budding nutritionist and wants to work in the sports sector specifically she always admired Fukuda for his soccer skills and she admires Aoi too much, she supports him through out and also aids in getting him from the small town of Ehime to Tokyo, she calls herself the first fan of Aoi and hence she is one of the most important characters to the protagonist. She is joyous and optimistic, just the right kind of support Aoi needs.

3. CINEMATIC APPEAL

    

    The animation is well-executed, contributing to the overall enjoyment of the show. The fluidity of the action sequences and the attention to detail in character design and movement enhance the viewing experience. The animation does look a little similar to Blue lock and if you are looking for a sports anime with a gold standard animation I think this is one of the good ones second only to Blue lock and Haikyu.

    The first episode of the anime does an excellent job of striking the right balance between building excitement and introducing the characters and the plot. It hooks the audience in with the perfect amount of hype, leaving viewers eager to see more. Although this can be said to any sports anime for that matter but this show does an incredibly good job on making the soul of the viewer get attached to the sport as well the characters all in the very first episode itself.

    Speaking of the music, personally I feel its average, the opening and the ending are good songs that hype the show up but they are not that great and there isn't anything to speak about any kind of background music or OST, this does put this anime a bit lower than Haikyu and Blue lock, but the dialogues are well written and they are able to perfectly portray what the protagonist is thinking and make us experience the same emotions as he is feeling. 

    The selection process in this anime differs from Blue Lock in that it isn't solely focused on strikers. Instead, it's a more comprehensive selection, emphasizing the importance of all positions on the soccer field. This approach heightens the tension as characters strive to prove their worth in various roles. This is one of the biggest unique selling point of this show which brings in a more wider viewpoint and entrails a wider range of people and catches the attention of a wider ranges of viewers as well. A lot of focus has been put into midfielders, the full backs and also the wing players. The anime places a significant emphasis on the importance of defenders and other positions, not just the strikers. This more balanced approach highlights the collective nature of soccer and the need for a cohesive team to succeed.

    Unlike some other sports anime that highlight flashy techniques and extraordinary skills, this anime emphasizes the importance of mastering the fundamentals of soccer. It's a story about a character learning the intricacies of the game and how to play effectively with their teammates. This show is perfect for any players in real life who are really looking for some kind of a motivation to pursue soccer and get better at it, the author has explained every detail of what the protagonist is thinking when he is trying out some insane moves and since the character development in this show occurs in a way where Aoi is actually learning the ways of soccer, it acts as a great show for players who are looking for just the right anime to watch.

4. PERSONAL OPINION

    The fact that the protagonist is portrayed as poor adds another layer of sympathy and relatability to his character. His financial struggles create a strong emotional connection with the audience, making his journey all the more compelling. The anime has specified the fact that he is from a poor background and he is off to do something great despite his problems and issues. The author has made sure to tell that whether you have money or not if you the passion and the will to take something forward then thats totally possible. This aspect of the show makes a lot of the viewers feel like its extremely relatable.

    Unlike many sports anime where characters often pursue the sport as a career, the protagonist in this series is genuinely passionate about playing soccer. He finds joy in the game itself, making his enthusiasm infectious and encouraging viewers to share in his excitement. There are a lot of scenes in the series when he sees other players in his team he realizes that all of the people there are thinking the same thing that they gonna take this forward and become a professional player one day, whereas he reminds himself that he just wants to play soccer and win that match that day and that is gonna make him satisfied.

    The theme of repaying loved ones who have supported the protagonist adds a powerful layer of value to the story. It fosters gratitude and highlights the importance of acknowledging the support we receive from those around us. His mom and brother put in a lot of effort to take him to where he is now and his main intention would be to make them feel proud and make their efforts seem worthwhile whilst he gets to do what he loves. Not only that even his friends like his team mates as well as Hana have done a lot for him and he tries his best to live up to their expectations and does not makes their efforts go in vain.

    A central message of the anime is the idea of believing in one's strengths, even if they might seem unconventional. It encourages viewers to be professional in their chosen paths, regardless of societal expectations or opinions from others. Pursuing sports in a professional extent is very rare since there is so much competition in that sector and it is really difficult to make a name for yourself in that particular sector, but this show shows that there is no boundary to what you wish to become all you have to do is believe in yourself and have trust yourself in what you do.

    Another aspect that I really loved in this show is that , there are scenes in this show where the coach himself makes errors and learns from it and this pretty much shows that no one is actually perfect even though they have a lot of experience. This underscores the complexity and depth of the sport, showing that even experienced individuals continually seek to improve their understanding of the game. Unlike a lot of other shows where the coach is portrayed is the most experienced know it all.

5. CONCLUSION

    

    In summary, I would rate this anime a 4 out of 5 rating, this anime offers a refreshing take on the sports genre with its confident protagonist, engaging storytelling, high-quality animation, relatable financial struggles, and a strong focus on the love of the game. It promotes important values, celebrates individual strengths, and highlights the significance of teamwork and the broader aspects of soccer beyond scoring goals.

    "Ao Ashi" stands out as a compelling and refreshing addition to the sports anime genre. Its storyline, which begins with a passionate and confident protagonist, Aoi Ashito, sets a unique tone that engages viewers from the start. The series delves into Aoi's financial struggles, highlighting the challenges he faces as a young soccer player from a modest background. This relatable aspect of his character resonates with the audience, fostering a strong emotional connection. The show not only emphasizes the love of the game but also stresses the importance of gratitude, self-belief, and the value of unconventional strengths. 

    It breaks away from the stereotype of pursuing sports as a career and instead focuses on the pure joy of playing soccer. The series also excels in character development, portraying the growth and learning experiences of the characters, including Aoi, his teammates, and even the coach. Overall, it is a must-watch for both soccer enthusiasts and those seeking an inspiring and heartfelt sports anime.