"A (Part 3)" (A(3) TBA) is Chapter 42 of the Ao Ashi series, written and illustrated by Yūgo Kobayashi and based on a concept by Naohiko Ueno. This chapter was published in the 4th and 5th merger issue of Big Comic Spirits' 2016 series.
Summary[]
The chapter begins with Esperion FC’s Public Relations Head, Toshimune Mibu, escorting reporters Sekiya and Aoi Kaneko to observe an unusual 11v21 practice scrimmage. Sekiya shares his admiration for Esperion's philosophy of instilling club values in players from a young age. Despite the B Team's numerical advantage, the A Team scores effortlessly, leading 4-0. Ashito, struggling to understand his role in the chaotic setup, realizes that the B Team lacks coordination. Asari agrees, acknowledging that they must strategize rather than rely on their numbers alone. Despite initial improvement, the B Team remains outclassed, and another swift counterattack by the A Team pushes the score to 5-0. After the scrimmage, Ashito faces criticism from teammates Kuroda and Asari for not understanding their intentions, while Coach Date advises him to reflect on why only they were upset.
Synopsis[]
Esperion PR head, Toshimune Mibu, welcomes Reporters Sekiya and Aoi Kaneko to showcase one of Esperion's Youth practices.
The Chapter begins with Esperion FC's Public Relations Head, Toshimune Mibu, welcoming Reporters Sekiya and Aoi Kaneko. Mibu says that he has noticed that their magazine "Football Every" has been convering the Esperion Youth Team a lot lately and wanted to show them an official Esperion practice. Sekiya and Kaneko are surprised to hear its an 11 v 21 and Mibu laughs it off saying its a game to ease tensions. As the 3 walk towards the field, Kaneko asks Sekiya why he has been so interested in Esperion as of late. He says that ever since he attended the Selection Tryouts earlier that year, he realized the amazing skill of Esperion. He also says that the strength of Youth Football, especially of Esperion, is the ability "To hammer the philosophy of the club into the players ar a young age." As the 3 make their way on the field, the A team is running circles around the B team even though the B Team has 21 players on the field. Yūma Motoki has the ball and then passes to Kenta Yoshitsune who scores making it 4-0. (SCORE 4-0 A TEAM)
Ashito Aoi is panicked and cannot understand what just happened. Sōichirō Tachibana has a similar reaction and is perplexed as the B Team members have a ten player advantage. Meanwhile, Kanpei Kuroda stands dismayed as he starts to understand the gap in skill between the A and B teams. To his surprise, Ashito suddenly says that he has never played with 20 other teammates at once, and he has no idea what role he has to play. He goes on to say that if they play without a plan, there is no way they can play football. Jun Marchs Asari arrives at the same conclusion and says that since they have the numbers advantage, it would be obvious they would score more but they aren't. He agrees with Ashito that they have to play proper Football. The A Team watch the B Team and realize that Ashito and Asari are starting to figure out the strategy to the game. Kenta Yoshitsune walks up to Itsuki Nagano and Taira Nakamura and asks them if they want to help the first years, but they say that the B Team members should be fine as they are starting to figure out the strategy.
Asari just realizes the sheer difference in skill between the A and B Teams.
The match restarts and Kuroda has the ball, he realizes that the A Team has to play a zonal defense instead of man-to-man defense since they are at a numerical disadvantage. Asari comes to the same conclusion that they are killing any space that the B Team could have used. Kuroda then passes to Ashito as Asari repeats that they have to play football. However, Asari comes to the same conclusion as Kuroda earlier that the A Team is unbelievable even though he has barely seen them play. Asari also notes that the gap between the A and B Teams are like a giant crack in the ground. Ashito notices Asari's wavering concentration and repeats what Asari just yelled to him a few seconds ago, to just play football and to do so in the obvious way. Ashito approaches Nagisa Akutsu with the ball but Kuroda calls for him to pass the ball back. Ashito confusedly does so and Kuroda tells him to watch him and Asari and rebuild the attack. Ashito receives the ball again and thinks about a possible attack utilizing the space behind Akutsu with Tachibana and Roan Mino. Suddenly, Kyō Shimura appears behind Ashito and the space behind Akutsu is gone, Kuroda calls for Ashito's attention as Akutsu pressures Ashito. Ashito passes the ball to Kuroda.
Kuroda is pissed off at Ashito for passing him the ball as Masanori Baba intercepts the pass and the A Team has a quick counterattack with Yōichi Kiriki crossing the ball to Yūma who scores. (SCORE 5-0 A TEAM) As Akutsu laughs at Ashito dismayed expression, Coach Tatsuya Fukuda calls an end to the scrimmage. Asari kicks the ground in anger and Kuroda confronts Ashito for not understanding the obvious intention from him and Asari. Coach Nozomi Date then approaches Ashito saying that his next goal should be figuring why out of all 21 players, only Asari and Kuroda are mad at him.
Highlights[]
- Toshimune Mibu introduces reporters to an 11v21 scrimmage, hoping to showcase Esperion's youth development.
- The B Team struggles to match the A Team despite a ten-player advantage.
- Ashito and Asari recognize the need for organized play, yet the A Team's cohesion continues to dominate.
- Frustration builds as the B Team’s lack of communication leads to another goal, ending the scrimmage at 5-0.
- Coach Date challenges Ashito to understand why only Asari and Kuroda are displeased with his performance.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Toshimune Mibu
- Reporter Sekiya (Debut) (Last Name Reveal)
- Aoi Kaneko (Debut) (Name Reveal)
- Kenta Yoshitsune (Background)
- Eita Takasugi (Background)
- Kunitaka Matsunaga (Background)
- Yōichi Kiriki (Background)
- Yutaka Yamada (Background)
- Enshin Akiyama (Background)
- Nagisa Akutsu (Background)
- Ashito Aoi
- Yūma Motoki (Background)
- Sōichirō Tachibana (Background)
- Kanpei Kuroda
- Itsuki Nagano (Background)
- Eisaku Ōtomo (Background)
- Tōji Kobayakawa (Background)
- Taira Nakamura (Background)
- Keiji Togashi (Background)
- Masanori Baba (Background)
- Roan Mino (Background)
- Kyō Shimura (Background)
- Daigo Benzen (Background)
- Tatsuya Fukuda (Background)
- Aki Tsukishima (Background)
- Wataru Kameyama (Background)
- Nozomi Date
Chapter Notes[]
Trivia[]
TBA
References[]
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| Chapters | 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 • 31 • 32 • 33 • 34 • 35 • 36 • 37 • 38 • 39 • 40 • 41 • 42 • 43 • 44 • 45 • 46 | Volumes | 3 • 4 • 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episodes | 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 | Seasons | 1 |
| Chapters | 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 | Volumes | 2 |
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