The manga has showcased how much Spain is passionate for their team. It isn’t until we get to the stadium where that is on display. The amount of support that Barcelona has for their team is jaw-dropping. So much so you can barely have room for the opposing team. Though what’s scary is that there are safety measures for the opposing fans. More than likely the point is that Barcelona fans are way overly passionate.
Fukuda no doubt was the pride of Japan because all of Fukuda’s former teammates made sure to check in. Even characters who would go on to have him as a coach. In so many ways he became a legend and the sky was the limit for Fukuda with the impact that he made. It was a statement that the Japanese can make it big overseas.
The sad part for Fukuda is that as he was taking off his career ended so fast. Well that’s the thing with sports if you aren’t careful it could end. It’s sad how Fukuda’s career ended. No doubt Hana being there meant a lot for Fukuda before the injury. But to feel powerless and think what if I could help him and that’s put her on the path of being a doctor. It’s understandable that part of her just wanted to be a fan and just for Ashito. But it’s better this way.
Fukuda’s point is that Europe’s method has its own dark areas. The overly passionate fans and how much they want to support. It feels like them being a part of youth development might be too much. One example is them recruiting foreign kids like Daiman and Kuribayashi.
What Fukuda has wanted is to be an icon for Japan much like Kuribayashi. The difference is that Kuribayashi’s heart is in Barcelona and more then likely they knew he might not come back. While for Ashito he truly loves his home. Ashito being a case of what if Fukuda didn’t get hurt and could return home. Also seeing Fukuda becoming Esperion’s Manager. This feels like the intended path for him. It’s very interesting in the flashback we can see the coach Fukuda as a natural even when he was a player.
As the shift turns to their match with Barcelona it’s funny to consider that Esperion is not an underdog. They constantly were the top dog in Japan, but now they are the ones being challenged. Ashito and the first years have been underdogs so it isn’t entirely new to them. It’s nice how it points out the issue of Japan being so far away playing a factor where Europe isn’t aware of their players. Also to add how meal nutiraiont plays an effect as you travel.
At the end of the volume we see Ashito running into Daiman. It’s creepy to think that Daiman could copy the very moves of both Kuribayashi & Fukuda like robots. As such he can copy the merits of a very technical sound player. This makes for an interesting contrast to Ashito.
