English Dub Review: Aoashi “First touch”

Overview: Ashito (Ciaran Strange) meets seasoned/retired player and now coach, Tatsuya (Eric Vale), who gives him the opportunity of a lifetime. 

Our Take: Aoashi anime debut does nothing to necessarily break the mold of sports anime with how much of a cliché beginning it is and is about as business-as-usual as they get. Does that detract from the experience greatly?: No, not at all but it makes it an uninspired one that has an uphill battle in setting itself apart from other inspiring stories like Ahiru no Sora.

Everything from the main character, Ashito and his headstrong personality to his humble upbringing, will remind you in every witch way of various relatable main characters you have seen before. But like mentioned earlier, it’s a proven formula for a reason, because he is likable for his kind, headstrong and passionate nature. It makes his camaraderie with his small town soccer team, as well as the one with his mother, a joy in how personable and comfortable they are with each other. Besides that, his overall upstanding attitude makes him heartfelt and admirable. 

Ashito’s big break takes shape in the form of legendary player and coach, Tatsuya, who is intrigued by him and invites him to join his team. It opens up his world nicely and teases that of an international scope of the series that not many do not offer. Their chemistry is enjoyable in Tatsuya mentoring Ashito as a player as well as also learning that there is more to him than meets the eye in his team’s ingenious unassuming simple plays. Hopefully, Ashito’s horizons broadening will allow the originality and complexity to grow in quality along with the scope.