It’s rare that we have a season where one show reigns this clearly over everything else. But – with all due respect to Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, which is very good and a clear second – that’s the case this fall. Ao Ashi is king, and most of the court (pitch?) besides. As it turns out there were some leaks that this season was going to be two cours (one even specifies 24 episodes). That’s unconfirmed of course, but the same thing happened the first time so I’m at least hopeful. No mention of split or not but frankly, I don’t mind either way – I just don’t want another long hiatus after only 12 or 13 eps. This story has so much room to grow, like its protagonist.

It should definitely be remembered that Ashito is carrying an extra heavy load here. Not only is he trying to survive a humongous level up that most youngsters can’t cope with, he’s playing what’s effectively a new position. And not, like, moving from winger to number 10 – he was a striker, now he’s a defender. A left back, yes, a position where attacking is part of the charter too. But in essence, you could hardly find two more opposite positions among field players. Worse yet, he’s an attacker learning to defend, where the opposite would be less traumatic. As a defender the Hippocratic Oath has to apply, but that’s the part of the game he’s most bewildered by.

“I don’t get it”. Indeed, that’s what it feels like for a kid in his situation watching guys on a level he’s never experienced before. But he still has the vision and instincts that fascinate Fukuda-san. He sees that Kuribayashi is holding back, dealing with the opposite problem – he’s already too good for this level. If you’re in Ashito’s cleats, trying to figure out where the sharpest player on the pitch wants you to be is actually a very smart strategy. Try and think like Kuribayashi, the guy who’s already played in the J-League – he knows where everyone should be.

That line of thinking immediately generates positive results. Kashiwa takes (admirably) the kitchen sink approach, throwing everything into attack to try and salvage a goal for pride. Kuribayashi would like to produce another goal, but he knows his teammates can’t keep up with him and resigns himself to protecting the clean sheet. That is, until Ashito spots the hole in Esperion’s defensive shape and fills it, allowing Kuribayashi to counterattack. And not only that, calls for the ball and launches a killer long pass to Kuribayashi, eventually leading to a hockey assist. The only galling part is that it’s Akutsu who scores the goal.

This spells out a stark truth for Ashito. When it comes to attack, he knows what to do – it’s second nature. He doesn’t need a buzz-cut sociopath shouting orders at him. But he’s a left back – even for a side as used to dominating possession as Esperion, his first responsibility is to defend. And he knows he’s still in swaddling clothes where that part of the game is concerned. When Fukuda calls for him to meet after the match (which is extremely flattering, though Ashito isn’t thinking that clearly in the moment) he figures that’s what the topic of conversation is going to be.

Observing this will be Hana – who snuck into the crown and watched from the last row, hiding under her jacket. She’s with Miyako, who quickly deduces there’s some player Hana must be hiding from and then, which one it is. Hana bemoans that she lacks the soccer nous to truly empathize with Ashito but Miyako is right – just hearing from Hana would do Ashito a world of good. And he could use it. Despite pleading “Use me!” (which Benzen-san loves) Fukuda tells Ashito he can’t use him defending as he is now, and to cool his jets and observe for a while. Fukuda is consistent – it’s 100% tough love with him, 100% of the time.

Naturally Ashito is intensely frustrated by this. He’s tasted the sweet fruit of the apple and yearns to savor it again. But it’s Anri who comforts him in the aftermath, not Hana – because she shows more courage in the moment. She needed it to confront Togashi-kun too, for looking down on Ashito. She even shares the notes she took during the game, which Ashito sincerely appreciates. But even talking to Anri, he’s thinking “I want to see that face” – and it’s not Anri’s face he’s thinking of. It’s sad for Anri but this side of the story is pretty much a fait accompli, even if it figures to move at a snail’s pace.