Aoashi

Pepperoni

I couldn't find a thread for this series. The manga has been around since 2015, but as an anime-only, I have only been following it since the anime started airing over a week ago.

Synopsis:
Ashito Aoi is a young, aspiring football player from a backwater town in Japan. His hopes of getting into a high school with a good football club are dashed when he causes an incident during a critical match for his team, which results in their loss and elimination from the tournament. Nevertheless, he catches the eye of someone important who happened to be visiting from Tokyo. How will things turn out for Ashito?

I love how it seems to be a more grounded sports anime along the lines of 'Haikyu!!' and 'Ace of Diamond'. And it makes sense that they all give off similar vibes in terms of animation, since Production I.G has been involved with all 3.

Pepperoni

Last season it was 'Ranking of Kings', this season 'Ao Ashi' is the most under-watched anime that I have begun shilling for The Reddit episode discussion threads are barely getting any attention from the r/anime community. This first 4 episode mini arc has been really good. If anyone is looking for a new anime to watch this season, these first 4 eps might be a nice snippet of what's to come. From what I've heard from manga readers, things are only going to get better as the series goes on.

kevo_koma

The animation is really really bad
Most of it is just static shots

Pepperoni

@kevo_koma:

The animation is really really bad
Most of it is just static shots

I didn't really notice this much. I thought the last episode had some decent animation.
https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/ea02147d67c4f1af58c3d7ebe0692599.mp4

I understand that some sports anime can be difficult to animate properly, especially football. I can see why sports like boxing and baseball make for a more cinematic experience, whether it's in anime or live action film- it's easier to convey the narrative of a duel between two boxers or a batter and a pitcher than for a team game between 11 vs. 11. Team sports with a smaller number of participants, like basketball and volleyball, are better for it than football, which is why I appreciate what Ao Ashi is trying to do despite the obstacles it has to overcome.

Wintermute

Animation is really ok in my book.

First episode hooked me already. Then I binged the next three and loved it. Episode five was wholesome as fuck and had me in tears. After SpyxFamily and Kaguya, this is definitely Anime ranked three this season.

Pepperoni

@Wintermute:

Episode five was wholesome as fuck and had me in tears.

Yeah I was not expecting to be hit in the feels with the family drama in a football anime

Pepperoni

Trailer for the next arc!

Wintermute

Ok, caught up with the manga chapters within the downtime. What a read, I just couldn't stop. I really dig the artstyle. The calm and supporting Youth trainer looks like an evil villain from some 90s Anime. Eighteen-year-old defenders look older than the main coach.

And I have to revoke my statement that the animation is ok. The last episodes weren't able to transport the excitement when Aoi improves on the field, like the manga did.