English Dub Review: Aoashi “Crow”

Overview: Running on fumes, Aoi (Ciaran Strange) does not let that stop him as he pushes himself to max, inspiring Otomo (Christopher Llewyn Ramirez) and Soichiro (Clifford Chapin) to do the same and finish strong against the seemingly indomitable Esperion team. 

Our Take: With the revelation that the Esperion Youth team are all playing different positions from their normal ones and still a force to be reckoned with, Aoi getting over the shock of them is a strong pivotal moment. Aoi hypothetically losing and coming back home only to let down his mother and older brother paints a disheartening and compelling motivational kick in the ass for him. 

Fired up, Aoi gives it his all, even with his stamina spent. It is the simple effective way of rallying some of his teammates with his infectious energy with a few exceptions like Kaneda giving up. Aoi’s attitude reaching those who have been disqualified causing them to help him out is a sweet sentiment that shows how inspiring his endurance and dedication is. This allows us a bit more about his other teammates that will no doubt be mainstays based on the focused development trickling from them. One of which being Soichiro and the responsibility he has to his teammates back home cheering him on acting as a nice little catalyst, which is very similar to Aoi’s situation. Aoi and Otomo relating over their innate instincts for the game that take over during a game is a sweet brief bonding moment, harkening back to what Ichijo told him. 

Through an ingenious move and Aoi’s ultra instinct kicking in on the field, we see some more ingenious strategy in using his team’s positioning against the other team and some trust in his teammates, which the episode laid the groundwork for nicely. It makes Aoi scoring a goal a satisfying and exciting end to their game with Esperion. The aftermath in Aoi discussing with Fukada and the other school officials what was going through his mind when he scored the goal with how his strategies came second nature to him and family on his mind motivating him all but secures his placement on the team and his potential as Fukada learns. 

The strife between him and his mom, while initially coming off as a bit cold on her part, comes from a paternal place that drives home her loving role and relationship with him in how much she would miss him if he were to leave for Tokyo. Also, Aoi’s hometown friends help drive home their close knit connection with how much they care about the results of his test as well as their friendly and down-to-earth chemistry. Thankfully, they did not have to wait long for the results with Aoi having been accepted into the program with his mother undoubtedly proud yet hurt, setting up for an emotional departure from his family.