Legendary Sports Anime Coming to Surprise End After a Decade

by

As a die-hard sports anime enthusiast with over two decades of passion for the genre under my belt, I must say that the announcement of Ao Ashi coming to an end is bittersweet. Having grown up watching the likes of Hajime no Ippo and Slam Dunk, it’s always heartbreaking to see a beloved series conclude. But as someone who has experienced the highs and lows of following sports anime for years, I can appreciate Yugo Kobayashi’s decision to wrap up the story with the Barcelona match.

Sports anime has gained significant popularity in recent times, featuring hit shows such as Blue Lock, Haikyu, Hajime no Ippo, and Slam Dunk regularly grabbing attention. Despite some series getting overshadowed by the more influential players within the genre, every story that embodies the essence of this burgeoning medium has its place. However, it’s unfortunate that one of the most prominent sports manga series will soon wrap up, following an unexpected declaration from its creator that could leave fans feeling disoriented.

Initially, Ao Ashi made its appearance as a manga from creators Yugo Kobayashi and Naohiko Ueno. Prior to the emergence of Blue Lock, this soccer-themed anime was already in production, focusing on the journey of its main character, Ashito Aoi, as he aimed to lead his middle school team towards success. In contrast to Blue Lock, which showcased soccer players striving to join Japan’s largest team under the threat of losing everything, Ao Ashi had significantly lower goals at stake; however, this didn’t deter it from gaining significant recognition within the sports anime genre. The manga was initially published in 2015, and an anime adaptation followed suit in 2022, produced by Production I.G., coincidentally the same studio renowned for creating the volleyball anime series Haikyu.

Read moreHunt: Showdown Permanently Gets Cheaper, but With a Catch

[RELATED: Crunchyroll Celebrates Sports Anime with Free-to-Watch Trial]

Goodbye Ashito Aoi

In a fresh message to fans of the cherished sports anime and manga, Yugo Kobayashi revealed that the “Barcelona Match” would mark the end of the series’ storyline. Explaining his decision-making process, Kobayashi believed this match was an ideal setting to wrap up the manga’s tale. Here is a snippet of what he expressed about this surprising news:

Dear fans of Ao Ashi, this is Yugo Kobayashi, its creator. I want to express my gratitude for your unwavering support all this time. The final episode of Ao Ashi is approaching as the ongoing Barcelona match reaches its conclusion. When Ashito joined A-Team in Volume 11, the opponents were already determined, including Kashiwa, Tokyo V, Funabashi, Aomori, and Barcelona. I’ve been contemplating whether to include the Ganon-Osaka match or not, but I believe I can bring this story, which has mirrored Ashito’s growth, to a satisfying end, with every important detail depicted.

— 【アオアシ】公式／アニメ好評配信中&単行本38集発売中！ (@aoashiofficial) December 25, 2024

Kobayashi’s Message to The Fans

Yugo’s message to Ao Ashi’s manga audience went on to say, “There are a total of 40 volumes, which is quite convenient. I will pour all my energy into the last two volumes, and I hope you’ll stay with me till the end. Your support is what has helped Ao Ashi grow so much.

Read moreDeadpool & Wolverine Director Reveals What Part of Making Sequel Was Most Fun

Interestingly, even though the manga has been around for over a decade, when Production I.G. brought it to life as an anime in 2022, it managed just one season with twenty-four episodes. With so much source material available, there’s ample opportunity for I.G. to revisit the series and delve deeper into its soccer stories. Here’s hoping that the growing interest in sports anime will provide Ao Ashi with another chance to continue its storyline in the future.

Read More

2024-12-26 18:11