Ao Ashi - Vol. 20 Ch. 203 - Last Request

[lisaisa]

"I hate you but I need you in order to succeed" It's fucking hard to ask for help when our pride is that High, even worse is asking for help from those we hate. I hope Ashito finally focuses on his technique in the next arc, and learns more about how to be a complete defender first. I really liked how he misunderstood Kurobayashi or at least was wrongly inspired by him, when Kurobayashi explained his dream of becoming the best player of his era, Ashito really took it at heart and tried to be that too (the complete player). The problem is that he jumped a couple of steps, he went from the basics of defending to I'll defend and attack, surely I can handle both!

I agree with @Petrichormus on the bullying situation, Ashito should have defended himself, while I'm glad he has grown up since the first chapter, and violence it's never a good solution. He should've at least confronted him in a more imposing way. Reading those panels when he just threw the kid around was so unpleasant, beating someone who is already down is disgusting. I'm not too fond of Akutsu neither but I can't imagine any other character teaching him how to defend, the author has shown us over and over again how capable Akutsu is. What I'm trying to say is... if by any chance we see Ashito punching that motherf!"@ker in the face I won't be mad about it. I hope the author treats the interaction between those two with more grace in the future.

@onepunchman I think the seinen genre is not for you buddy, you can give Inazuma Eleven a try though.

 

[Faithbound]

Thanks for the awesome chapter

I just want to point out how awesome it is that Aoi doesn't have a victim mentality. He could've complain about all the injustice he is facing but chooses to humble himself by asking a hated senpai for help.

Author has great mastery of using real emotion

 

[pksomuch]

28 chapters to go

 

[Kerori]

Fuck it’s so good! I’m on the brink of fucking tears

 

[lrregularity]

Thanks for the chapter this one was awesomee

 

[Swanson03]

Toi much intense. Almost cried at the end ! Taira the GOAT ! Put some Respect on Akutsu dammit. He’s going to improve Aoi finally. Akutsu - Sensei

 

[Manoluko]

Masculine Fluids...

Thanks for the chapter...

 

[arashiyamahon]

Don't understand the hate for Akutsu really. First, we still don't know his past backstory yet and it's possible that his personalities are just products of his bad upbringing and Fukuda san still see him as fixable

Second, people like him is a necessary evil in any professional setting and considering that he's still a highschooler there's plenty of room for him to grow and fix his personalities

 

[Rumbar]

Wow... I can't believe this chapter, I'm usually all about thanking you guys for the amazing work... But wow, what a manga.

 

[HCO]

For Akutsu, it might be the first time someone has ever told him that they believe in him.

 

[Petrichormus]

@Duckiedoggo seems like people get heated up really fast huh.

Yes we did read the same manga. And you know what the manga failed to show us? How Akutsu is different from other defense player senior. You said it yourself, Ashito asked Yoshitsune, Kuri, and other first years but then he didn't ask seniors that plays defense? And he really only asked Akutsu?

Akutsu was praised as a very high ego player and praised again again that his kind is needed. But then Akutsu actual technical display or 'strenght' was offscreened during NT. Basically we simply need to believe that he is strong, and Ashito need to learn from him due to their 'irregular' narrative, but we didn't actually get 'what exactly is missing from Ashito that only Akutsu has'. This can be presented by actually comparing Akutsu to other defense player, but this didn't happen. Kobayakawa for example, was described to have a defense that balance the whole team dynamic and that Ashito couldn't be like him, so what kind of description does Ashito,or more importantly the readers, have of Akutsu from a football playing point of view? How does Akutsu differ from Kobayakawa? We don't know the answer to these two question.

Why do I think Ashito need to ask other defense senior first?

First, because he actually valued dignity first and foremost before love for football. This core character of Ashito is shown very early in the story as I just said, headbutting someone for mocking his mom and he actually stood up against Akutsu's foul mouth.

Second, because we need to know what exactly is different from Akutsu from another perspective. We see Akutsu responding really well to Kuri plays twice already, and we know that's why he's good. But how come that only him move like that? Akutsu's teammate that has been playing from the very beginning should know why they are different from Akutsu, and they can at least point it out to Ashito. They don't have to teach Ashito, just tells us the reason why Akutsu is better for Ashito. Not only this flesh out characters more, it doesn't paint Ashito lowly. Ashito asked Akutsu to teach him from scratch as if Akutsu has a whole different formula in defending and as if everything Ashito has learn as invalid. It would be better if Ashito said that 'he's been practicing with everyone and simply need Akutsu for the last piece of the puzzle.' But no. He undermines everyone else's effort which is not Ashito in any way. He's never been that way, but the author tried to paint this chapter in a positive light due to Akutsu finally possibly teaching Ashito.

What I'm trying to say is that Akutsu's unique value has not been laid well across the story. Yoshitsune said that Akutsu always helped the team when it matters, but how? Akutsu was put in FW on one instance early in the story but why? Akutsu extreme ego is important in the NT team but how? Kuribayashi didn't stop Akutsu from bullying Ashito when he witnessed it but why? All these maybe will be answered in the next arc, but they really don't have to be. These can be presented bit by bit across the story instead of cramming it into one arc.

Everyone seems to agree that this is a fine chapter. But god forbid someone having a different perspective. Akutsu actually didn't bother with Ashito after NT, acknowledging his strength, but he regressed again here. Ashito used to go against Akutsu imposingly, but he regressed here. Chalk it up as them having a distress, but they didn't even lose the game. Ashito's problem is his unstable mind state which caused him getting a red card. Ask yourself this, did Ashito lose his way last game because of a faulty technical aspect or a faulty mental aspect?. Clearly, it was his mentality. Ashito would be golden if he's stable.

It's great that everyone has a development, but don't act like Akutsu has the absolute answer. It was implied that Ashito should resolve his mental problems first but we didn't get that as if it's secondary. You can argue that things does not have to be in order, but addressing (not completely resolve mind you) his mental problems first definitely have a much better message imo. In order for this confrontation to be possible, the author made Ashito temporarily has it together, accepting Akutsu's invitation as if he really has no mental problem, even though he's not. That just doesn't sit right with me.

 

[Benoeps]

damn that shit made me cry man... Akustu is a dick. He will help aoi though.

 

[konpak]

im crying

 

[kairc]

THIS FUCKKING CHAPTER

 

[gintamacountry]

@Petrichormus

How Akutsu is different from other defense player senior.

You said it yourself. Akutsu has a cap so he's the best/one of the best defenders of his generation. The only other defender on esperion with a cap is Yamada but he was promoted to the senior team so he likely doesn't even practice with the youth team anymore. I say plenty has been shown of Akutsu's abilities such as being able to tussle with Tripone during his time with the national team and his command of Esperion's backline in the Kashiwa match where he was able to make use of an Ashito who could barely defend yet. There is plenty an intelligent player like Ashito can absorb out of Akutsu's exceptional decision making.

Ashito asked Akutsu to teach him from scratch as if Akutsu has a whole different formula in defending and as if everything Ashito has learn as invalid

It is when it comes to world level attackers like Tripone. This line stems from the scene when he was beat by him. "Everything that I learned since coming here doesn't work against world level physicality."

But no. He undermines everyone else's effort which is not Ashito in any way. He's never been that way, but the author tried to paint this chapter in a positive light due to Akutsu finally possibly teaching Ashito.

Did you miss every hint that shows how it is in Akutsu's best interests to get Ashito to improve? Akutsu said it twice: "Every goal that this team concedes is a goal that I concede." ie they would get in the way of his goal of going pro. The chances of him achieving his dream improve with every clean sheet Esperion maintains. Ashito is at the level that he has to now acknowledge with how he held his own in the first half of the Funabashi match, being able to stop the likes of Futahara.

Yoshitsune said that Akutsu always helped the team when it matters, but how?

Didn't you see it in action in this arc? With that unshakable confidence, he was one of the Esperion players who didn't wilt when most of Esperion were overwhelmed by Funabashi.

Akutsu was put in FW on one instance early in the story but why?

Because Yoshitsune was injured? Did you miss the selection exam/tryouts where Akutsu played striker as well and was a goal scoring menace? How about the scenes where he scores goals when he moves up like the Kashiwa match and this match?

Akutsu extreme ego is important in the NT team but how?

Answered above.

Kuribayashi didn't stop Akutsu from bullying Ashito when he witnessed it but why?

Because he sees Ashito as an equal that doesn't need to be coddled from a little antagonism. Interpret that how you like.

It was implied that Ashito should resolve his mental problems first but we didn't get that as if it's secondary

Did you read this chapter? Wasn't Ashito's strength just shown by how he's already thinking of what to do next after this failure instead of wallowing over in pity?

The answers to all your questions are there if you had paid closer attention. Reread the manga. If that doesn't help, maybe take a class in critical thinking or something.

 

[Petrichormus]

@gintamacountry

 I say plenty has been shown of Akutsu's abilities such as being able to tussle with Tripone during his time with the national team and his command of Esperion's backline in the Kashiwa match where he was able to make use of an Ashito who could barely defend yet.

Physicality is not something Ashito can achieve. And the L tactic is not something only Akutsu can do. The only exceptional instance he displayed was him catching up to Kuri's plan twice, which hasn't been explained at all 'why only him did that in Esperion'.

 It is when it comes to world level attackers like Tripone. This line stems from the scene when he was beat by him. "Everything that I learned since coming here doesn't work against world level physicality."

Then said it like it is then. That's exactly what he need to say but he asked Akutsu from scratch. That's what doesn't sit right with me. Respect for everyone else's effort teaching him seems to go out of the window.

  Did you miss every hint that shows how it is in Akutsu's best interests to get Ashito to improve?

I'm not saying that Akutsu teaching Ashito is bad, I'm saying that Ashito begging for Akutsu as if his previous endeavor with everyone else invalid is not okay. Change the line 'teach me defense from scratch' to 'teach me how to go beyond' and it would be golden. Just a minor criticism of why the author chose such a demeaning choice of words.

  Didn't you see it in action in this arc? With that unshakable confidence, he was one of the Esperion players who didn't wilt when most of Esperion were overwhelmed by Funabashi.

I'll give you that. Yoshitsune gave props to his rock solid mindset.

  Because Yoshitsune was injured? Did you miss the selection exam/tryouts where Akutsu played striker as well and was a goal scoring menace? How about the scenes where he scores goals when he moves up like the Kashiwa match and this match?

And there's no FW at all to replace him, so lets take a defense player to do it. What about growth for FW players, I thought Fukuda is all about that growth?Selection exam hardly matters when the gap of A and B was shown to be so wide during the oshi rondo routine. And like I said, Akutsu is exceptional when he catch up to Kuri's plan to attack, but we don't know why he's the only one capable of doing that, nor has anyone from 2nd and 3rd year acknowledge that as Akutsu's edge. Only his rock solid mentality got acknowledged again and again, but not this technical aspect. Like we get it already about his mentality. How about some exploration to his technicality? It's 200 chapters already. I simply prefered it more if his technical side of football more fleshed out evenly, not crammed into the next arc.

 Answered above

NT and Esperion are different. It's understandable to see Akutsu's ego affect Esperion, but NT should be more than that. There should be a technical aspect that should not be undermined in expense for praising his mentality. You said that Akutsu is great at offense too and I agree 100%, but that got offscreened during NT. I believe NT was the perfect time to display his technical prowess in depth, where top players would be equal to or even stronger than Akutsu but that didn't happen. The Author not doing it that time simply didn't make sense to me. He seems to want to do that when Akutsu train Ashito. Okay then.

  Because he sees Ashito as an equal that doesn't need to be coddled from a little antagonism.

The author believe that bullying is okay if you are the best and everyone tolerate it. That's my interpretation. Verbal bullying is tolerable, but going physical is just nonsense for Akutsu. He risk his career everytime he did it. What if the bullied fight back and injures him? What if he injures the bullied? There's no reason except drama, and verbal trashtalk is enough for it.

 Did you read this chapter? Wasn't Ashito's strength just shown by how he's already thinking of what to do next after this failure instead of wallowing over in pity?

He doesn't need any external support then, exactly what being addressed as his core character problem. You see, it was simply jarring for him to ignore his unstable mentality after we were shown that it was what is lacking in Ashito. And Ashito did vaguely know that, as shown when he suddenly remembers Hana. That he need external support to stabilize his mind. I don't mind him asking Akutsu to teach him, but I really prefered it more if the Author actually address his 'external support problem' first. The way it is now made it seem like Ashito's biggest problem is his technicality, not his mindset.

  The answers to all your questions are there if you had paid closer attention. Reread the manga. If that doesn't help, maybe take a class in critical thinking or something.

I was glad that someone replied for some discussion, but then It always comes down to talking down your opposition huh. Honestly I don't respect such people like that just like I don't respect Akutsu. I'm thankful for your work, that's why I tried to give my opinion here everytime to liven up the discussion. But I guess some criticism is a no go. Inb4 'it's not my fault if you take it as an insult'. You know what you are doing.

I'll enjoy this manga just like always by acknowledging parts that I don't like and parts that I like. Thanks for the comment btw.

 

[gintamacountry]

@Petrichormus

I was glad that someone replied for some discussion, but then It always comes down to talking down your opposition huh

If you don't want to get back handed comments then formulate your questions better. From the way you worded your questions so far, you sound like you don't even know basic things that the manga already established.

And the L tactic is not something only Akutsu can do.

That's your takeaway? Just that part where he tells Ashito what to do and nothing that comes before it? Read chapter 127 again. I'll be more explicit. Notice how Akutsu always times his runs perfectly? He stays back in defense when he needs to and when he moves up, he can always make it back in time to defend during transition. This is one part of Akutsu's game that Ashito can learn. While he may not have Akutsu's quickness, he can use his vision to read the opponent and run back before the transition between defense and attack starts. This is a mindset that Ashito still lacks. What makes an attacking fullback so thrilling is they're playing a balancing act risking counters if they mess up. Ashito gets too intoxicated when attacking that he forgets this balance. This is how Funabashi fucked him up outside of not being able to see that he was lured to the left wing on purpose because of his tunnel vision.

Respect for everyone else's effort teaching him seems to go out of the window.

Not really but feel free to hold onto your opinion.

Just a minor criticism of why the author chose such a demeaning choice of words.

No? What Ashito meant by teach me from scratch is he's willing to be thorough/do whatever it takes. He put it in a way that shows his resolve. You're the only one who read that line that way.

And there's no FW at all to replace him, so lets take a defense player to do it. What about growth for FW players, I thought Fukuda is all about that growth?

Who? This was during the early parts of the manga before the first years were of any use even in team b. You make these statements that don't hold up to logic if you spend even dozen seconds thinking about it before sending it.

Akutsu is exceptional when he catch up to Kuri's plan to attack, but we don't know why he's the only one capable of doing that

The answer if obvious if you think about it. Who else can read what kuri wants to do? Ashito. What do all three have in common? All three have the potential to be world class.

How about some exploration to his technicality?

This is a manga whose theme revolves around intelligence. Esperion raises intelligent players. This is why they were able to find Ashito and nurture his growth despite how raw his game was. Ashito's next challenge is taking on world class physicality with equivalent world class intelligence. There's really no need for the manga to dive into technicals when plenty of other manga do. I'd even go as far as to say a focus on technicals would undermine the manga's theme. Feel free to hold onto that wish list though.

NT and Esperion are different.

Not really. Again if you reread what the u-18 coach said, he wants someone like Akutsu on the NT because Japan isn't exactly one of the best footballing nations in the world. They're more likely to face stronger opposition so having a player like Akutsu who's consistent because of his unbending ego is necessary when you're constantly the underdog in international football.

I believe NT was the perfect time to display his technical prowess in depth, where top players would be equal to or even stronger than Akutsu but that didn't happen

Why does he need to? Akutsu's abilities have already been displayed in Esperion. He had that article centered all around him. That media attention means he's already one of the best players in the NT. Feel free to disagree but the manga didn't really need to meander with the NT any longer than that as it's served it's narrative purpose.

The author believe that bullying is okay if you are the best and everyone tolerate it.

This is actually one of the strengths of this manga. Bullying, physical confrontation, antagonism, what have you is present in sports. It's a fact of life. If you've been part of any team, club, group, class, anything, then you've seen/experienced it yourself. Most manga live in this fantasy world where people just get along and no one has malice in their heart when in reality, people fight all the time and respect has to be earned.

What if the bullied fight back and injures him? What if he injures the bullied?

Tough shit. See above. Worse shit can happen to you when playing the sport. Except for the tryouts, all Akutsu's done to Ashito is shove him. He never actually throws a punch. Keep acting like he's actually beat Ashito half to death.

He doesn't need any external support then, exactly what being addressed as his core character problem

Another misreading by you. Did you not read this chapter? The problem is Ashito was so focused on himself that he didn't see the support of people around him. He didn't realize Taira retiring is Taira's way of supporting Ashito's growth. This is how Ashito even comes to bring himself to ask Akutsu for help. He didn't want Taira's support of him to be in vain so he has to get better. Not to mention Taira backing him up in his request for Akutsu to teach him defense. That's another form of support. Another thing is the Hana flashback. What did Ashito say when Hana first said those words that he would later recall during the match? "I have no idea what you've been saying since earlier." Ashito didn't understand Hana's words. Those words would later sink in as he realizes the support that people around him give him. This is what the whole external support shit was all about. It's already been resolved.

If you're eager to discuss the manga, go on our discord channel where there's always people who you can discuss the manga with.

 

[Duckiedoggo]

@Petrichormus aight. Gintamacountry basically answered most of the stuff already, so i'll just add up a few point of my own.

Why Akutsu is the only answer?

Simply because Ashito doesn't see anyone else. Remember when Ashito doesn't see Kobayakawa as someone worthy of his pass? That's the problem with Ashito. His ego is so high that he thinks only the top of the team that could match / worthy for him. He could ask for Kobayakawa, of course. But it doesn't make sense after he choose to discard his senior in the middle of the match.

Even with the practice among the first years, Togashi's the one who collect everyone, not Ashito. Ashito have that "superstar" ego that hindering his development. Not that it's bad, but it might leave a bad taste for his teammate they're realizing it.

I think the rest are answered properly by Gintamacountry already.

 

[pirate2014]

Love this manga more and more. Thank you for translating

 

[Mr_HoHo]

tbh.... giving your sweaty headband is kind of nasty