In this volume everything is coming together for Ashito. The first is Akutsu advice regarding vectors. It’s an interesting way for Ashito to use his vision when he is on defense. Essentially move in a way where the opponents can’t see him in their vision it can lead them off guard. Which we see Ashito do a fantastic job in this match. He saw how Kitano was manipulating Esperion and now we see Ashito is doing the same with Aomori Seiran.
Since Ashito been moved to the A team the dynamic between him and Akutsu has been something exceptional. One example is the advice that Akutsu gives Ashito of studying his teammates. As Ashito has learned when watching his teammates, their playstyles are great, but they are very human. Understanding that aspect is what helped out Ashito a ton. As we see Akutsu has been someone who has tried to keep people at a distance since coming to Esperion. After all he very much looked at the place as more work than play, and it is for Ashito who we can see has had his fun even in these struggles.
We finally learn Fukuda’s logic in making Ashito a fullback and why not a defensive midfielder. After all with his potential you think that is the position that will utilize it the best. Fukuda’s example with Uchida Atsuto really narrows down his reasoning. After all playing DF while offering the greatest usage of Ashito’s skill it is also a tougher position to play than fullback.
Ashito needed to learn the fundamentals when coming to Esperion even just learning forward. Regardless he needed to learn defense and fullback gives him fewer things to prioritize. For instance defenders will only be from one side and in front most of the time. This helps him learn and understand defense despite the lack of technical skill he has. This is the greatest example of how great Fukuda is as a coach for developing his players for the longterm while putting them in the best position where they can get experience.
It’s a cool moment when we see the black and white eagles showcasing that Ashito reaches the same level as Kitano. It would be astonishing if Ashito made it to the professional level if he and Kitano were teammates.
The series takes the conflict Akutsu has with his mom in an outstanding direction. Akutsu has every reason and more to hate his mom. The letter she sends him and the only thing she can say to him that she was lonely. After all the suffering that he went through he has every right to not give his mom the time of day. But he takes the high ground for once. Even when entering Esperion it’s been shown he carried so much anger regarding his mom. The reality is that he wanted his mom to look at him and show him love. It’s grown up for Akutsu to realize this because he knows his teammates have noticed his behavior on the field lately. He knows he needs to face his mom and being with her is what he needed to do.
What Akutsu hasn’t realized is the support that both Kase and Fukuda have for him. Kase is his foster father. You have to love how much Kase was willing to support Akutsu when he visited his mother. Truly acting like a father who loves his son seeing the path Akutsu went. His words ring true for Akutsu that he has a home to return to. It does feel for the first time that Akutsu finally realizing that Esperion isn’t where he has to make it as a pro, but a home and a family he can come back to.
When Akutsu notices Ashito new cleats and his remark regarding him shows the maturity he went through with his mom’s stuff. Before he would mock about how Ashito’s mom is wasting her money sending him to school. It’s clear that triggered him back then because he had to work so hard for the opportunity to make it at Esperion and Ashito in comparison felt like he was being babied. At the end of the day Akutsu was jealous of the love that Ashito received from his mom. His remark about commenting on his cleats shows that he has moved past the anger towards his mom.
The match ends in such an ideal way to capitalize on the arc for both Ashito and Akutsu. With Ashito elevating his play to the next level and with Akutsu moving forward from the issues with his mother. Seeing Ashito provide the assist to Akutsu really puts the exclamation point on the Esperion victory.
No doubt that Ashito made an impact in the match against Aomori Seiran, but he was able to get the attention of Guaruji as well. He is face to face with the Tokyo City Esperion’s manager. We also see him trying to push for Fukuda to go from the youth team to the senior. Is he trying to poach both Fukuda and Ashito? No doubt Fukuda is on the money for thinking there is no way in hell Ashito is ready to even think of moving up when he is finally getting his feet wet with Esperion Youth’s A team.
