This time, we'll be introducing the popular manga Aoashi, its author Yugo Kobayashi, and original creator Naohiko Ueno, and their past serialized works, experiences, and soccer.
Who is Yugo Kobayashi?
Kobayashi is originally from Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, and the hometown of Aoashi's protagonist, Asito, is also in Ehime Prefecture. He is also a fan of Ehime FC, and is such an avid supporter that he even created a large "Aoashi" banner at the team's home stadium as a sponsor. He often talks about his passionate love for soccer on his blog, and it's clear that this passion is strongly reflected in his work.
About Previous Serialized Works
Kobayashi made his debut as a manga artist at the age of 24, initially serializing "Mizu no Mori" and "Tenman A La Carte" in "Monthly Shonen Magazine." While "Aoashi" marks his first weekly serialization, the structure and story development are so well-crafted that it's hard to believe it. It's truly impressive. While serializing "Aoashi," he also writes "Short Piece," "Fermat's Cooking," and, most recently, the spin-off "Aoashi: Brotherhood." It's amazing how his busy schedule never shows through his work.
About his blog
Many people may have gotten to know Kobayashi through this work. For those of you who have, we'd like to introduce you to his blog, "Kobayashi Yugo Official Blog 1846." Here, he openly discusses his soccer career, his manga work, and his early years. It's packed with fascinating content, including the story of how he met Isayama, the creator of "Attack on Titan," during his time as a manga artist in Magazine Magazine. If you're interested, be sure to give it a read.
What kind of person is Naohiko Ueno, who conducted the interviews and collaborated on the original story?
Naohiko Ueno is a sports writer and has experience writing for the soccer newspaper "El Golazo." He also has experience writing manga originals and ideas before "Aoashi," including "Nadeshiko no Kiseki Kawasumi Nahomi Monogatari," a manga focusing on Japan national team player Nahomi Kawasumi. "Aoashi" is a work that combines his own experience with Kobayashi-sensei's powerful illustrations.
The Behind-the-Scenes Story of "Aoashi" ①
Also, in an interview with Ueno, he shares behind-the-scenes details about the production of "Aoashi." The concept for the series was conceived by the then-deputy editor-in-chief in 2013, two years before "Aoashi" began serialization in 2015. Since the story focused on J.League youth teams, the project progressed with Ueno's approval and the casting of Kobayashi-sensei, who was a self-proclaimed soccer fan and whose work was being serialized in "Monthly! Spirits" at the time. While there are certainly many soccer manga, there aren't many that focus on the world of youth soccer like "Aoashi."
"Aoashi" Production Behind the Scenes Part 2
The content of the work is said to depict the real situation of youth soccer players, based on Ueno's own research, almost faithfully. This explains why it has received such high praise from coaches and those involved in soccer. While this work lacks killer shots and extraordinary abilities, perhaps the reason it has become so popular is because it offers a more realistic experience of the youth soccer world.
Summary
What do you think? This article focused on the creators and original authors of "Aoashi." With the anime series starting to air, we're likely to see more and more of "Aoashi" in various media. Why not explore "Aoashi" from the creators' perspectives, along with the manga itself?
