English Dub Review: Aoashi: “Do Your Best. Don’t Lose. Fight to Your Limits”

Overview: Togashi (Marcus D. Stimac) and Takeshima (Austin Tindle) hash out their issues, while Fukuda (Eric Vale) gives Aoi (Ciaran Strange) some advice on how to progress further. 

Our Take: Esperion was in desperate need of breather last we saw them. Thankfully, they use the regrouping during half time making the most of every minute. The team dynamic continues to evolve and grow ever stronger and this episode is no exception with Togashi and Takeshima hashing out their differences. It is also gratifying to see how Aoi played a key role in their reconciliation from his own experiences in his previous friction with Kuroda and Asari, making for exceptional team dynamics. 

Also seeing how Nozomi understood Togashi’s true character as a player, who was often misunderstood by others, makes for a compelling backstory of how the delinquent defender came to respect him in his own way, separate from Fukuda. Fukuda also continues to play a strong supporting role in showing Nozomi how to balance being a teacher and coach and applying that expertise in how he trains Aoi. There’s a wonderful balancing act in Fukuda giving him advice in strategies but also wanting him to be judicious about how he takes in his advice by pushing him to pave his own way and be better than he could imagine. There are some warm albeit brief words from Hana and Anri that are sweet and encouraging.  

How Esperion turns the tables is one of the best aspects in how something as simple as Togashi and Takeshima newfound trust and in-sync playing completely changes the game in their stronger defense, even holding back Kaneda. How the boys recognize each other’s strengths, including Kuroda, who had his own gripes with Togashi, on the field is an effective way of detailing how they are extending an olive branch while also showing true compassion towards one another. Togashi and Takeshima’s playful bickering is also a welcome addition, making for an endearing new layer to their chemistry. More effective defenders along with a tighter formation and pushback of Kaneda is a smart and effective way of detailing their comeback. So much so that it allows them to put mental pressure on Kaneda and the gang and eventually break through to tie up the game, shifting the power dynamic and cranking up the intensity leading into the final episode.