Anime Review: Ao Ashi

Sports anime may share some underlying similarities, but the writing and execution can vary greatly. Ao Ashi creates a world full of lessons and adversity in football and life. And like most sports anime, you don't have to be a fan of football to enjoy it. Like in any other good anime, the characters, the climax, and the emotions are all present. The primary goal of this anime review is to demonstrate how Ao Ashi differs from other sports anime in specific ways, what those differences are, and how good it is overall.

The main character resides in Ehime, an island-based prefecture in Japan that is not well-known for producing football players. However, the finest player in his school and a young player, Ashito, is exceptionally passionate about football. Therefore, he decides to relocate alone to Tokyo and try his luck with the football superpower Esperion. What I adore about Ao Ashi in this instance is how effectively it captures the struggles the athlete, their family, and friends must face, as well as how the athlete must give everything and leave it all behind to concentrate on a single item - in this case, football. Both the drama and the character writing are intense. In addition, there is the challenge Ashito must overcome as an outsider, as well as bullying, rivalries, and unsportsmanlike behavior on the part of other players. At the same time, he puts in a lot of effort, advances, and meets new people.

The accurate depiction of many behaviors inside the football industry (coaches, players, managers, nutritionists, etc.) and how everyone plays their position in the broader image is another reason why Ao Ashi is such an excellent sports anime. How Ashito, who wants to get better, will have to deal with others who only have their interests in mind. There are lovely instances of team spirit and emotions, albeit sometimes, this is demonstrated brutally. Because we are not alone, we require the support and faith of those who love us; this is another skill that Ao Ashi excels at.

But the level of difficulty that Ao Ashi manages to give is the thing that deserves the most praise. Aside from teamwork and hard work, most sports anime downplay their sports and do not highlight methods or serious means to improve. In Ao Ashi, we know how draining it is on the body and the mind and how it can harm both. How many different skills must be taught, how much practice the athlete must put in on and off the field, how he must care for himself, and how much emotional stamina is required. Additionally, how your teammates could undermine you or not care, and how the trainers could utilize you for their gain without regard for your thoughts.

The most frequent character writing issue that Ao Ashi viewers encounter is Ashito's personality. I agree that his behavior might be bothersome at times, but let's not forget that he is a 15-year-old with ambition who is immature. He is realistic, and I want to see personality growth in the upcoming seasons; I believe it is implied that there will be. The main character gradually matures and develops new perspectives on his friends, his romantic interests, and even football as a sport.

But what about the supporting cast? We learn about all diverse perspectives and behaviors, as I already stated. The supporting cast is well-developed, and each member has a motivational tale to tell and an ambition to pursue. Therefore, it is difficult to become bored while watching Ao Ashi, whether because of the matches or the characters. There is always something intriguing happening, and progress is ongoing.

It is important to note that Ao Ashi's animation is straightforward, and those who value flashy animation and non-stop action frequently criticize it. However, I believe Ao Ashi is artistically and aesthetically attractive even if the animation is not excellent because of the vibrant art and well-designed characters.

Additionally, the music is fantastic and sets the ideal mood. Aside from the OST, the opening and closing songs are always excellent. One of the best sports anime introductions I've ever heard is the one sung by the band Alexandros in the first half because it perfectly captures the program's spirit and exudes a sense of "buzz." Although the second opening song is not as impressive, some people still appreciate it because of the excellent animation; both of the episode's closing tracks are excellent choices.

I want to finish by mentioning the original voice cast. Although it does not include the most well-known personalities in the field, it offers opportunities to young voice actors. However, given that the outcome is favorable and the cast is excellent, I do not believe the decisions were ill-considered. Therefore, future episodes of the most anticipated anime may regularly feature Katou Wataru, Yashiro Taku, and Oosozu Kouki.

What exactly does Ao Ashi lack, then? You can expect some other elements to be absent, given how much it concentrates on a technical and psychological approach. The first anime comparison that springs to my mind is with Haikyuu since in the latter, both the primary team and the opponent team's character dynamics and development feel stronger throughout the matches. This is due to the shounen anime's tendency to emphasize teamwork and traditional "Nakama power."

On the other hand, there are also scenes where a specific occurrence has already happened, or Ashito has been taught a particular technique. Then all of a sudden, everyone starts discussing it in the matches—a kind of plot convenience to help the viewer learn and know more about the sport and see advancement.

In conclusion, I believe that Ao Ashi has more exciting qualities than cons, making it a "top tier" sports anime in its own right. In the ways I've outlined above, it differs significantly from other sports anime, which makes it interesting to watch. Of course, Ao Ashi is ultimately up to the viewer to judge whether or not they find it entertaining; nonetheless, it does a better job of writing than average sports anime and may be considered among the best sports anime to date.

My Rating: 8/10

Total Episodes: 24