Unlike many popular sports anime, Ao Ashi opts for realism in matches instead of overpowered high schoolers accomplishing feats that would make professionals look out of place. Kuroko no Basket and Captain Tsubasa are beloved sports anime showcasing how far animation can take human form in almost superhero-style ways, flying about the place to kick a ball mid-air with lightning power to break a net.

The realism extends to how the characters are presented in their struggles to get better at soccer. Aoi begins the anime playing as a striker for his junior high school team, scoring most of their goals and hoping to continue playing the same way when he reaches the Esperion team trials. However, after struggling to gel with some teammates, sound advice from those around him, and a stern wake-up call from his coach Fukuda, Aoi changes his position to full-back in the defensive line.

Over the last eight years, soccer has seen a shift in how full-backs play, instead of being static defenders that prevent attacks down the flanks, many have become advanced playmakers on the outside of the pitch, as explained by Fukuda, which suites Aoi’s playstyle. This means that Aoi is no longer the focal point of attacks on the pitch, unlike most other sports anime that often see the main character leading the scoring, such as Hinata in Haikyuu!!!.

Aoi plays a great underdog character but showcases incredible talent that will develop throughout the series. However, with so many elite players around him already at the start, the opposition and teammates will likely scale with his abilities to create even more obstacles.