Tokyo City Esperion

## Chapter Information

### Anime Episode(s)

Episode 1
Episode 2

### Novel Chapter(s)

Chapter 2

**"Tokyo City Esperion"** (東 (とう) 京 (きょう) シティ・エスペリオン, *Tōkyō Shiti Esuperion*) is Chapter 2 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 7th issue of *Big Comic Spirits*' 2015 series.

## Synopsis

After arriving in Tokyo for the tryouts, Ashito asks a bus driver to drive him to Tokyo Esperion's grounds. We then get a little insight into Japan's youth system and the difference between club and high school football.

In the story, we rewind three days and see Ashito practicing football in Ehime. He gets a flashback of his mother berating him after he went missing. After telling him to eat, Ashito tells his mother about Fukuda inviting him to the Tokyo Esperion tryouts, which surprises his mother. We go back to him practicing football, and some girls notice him. They ask him questions about the incident during the match and the recommendation he lost. However, Ashito seems to be more interested in the girls than the questions they ask. His teammates invite him to join a football game; this time, others notice he's significantly better. While Ashito plays, he remembers his mom not allowing him to go due to their financial issues.

After Ashito's teammates thank him for being able to stay and attend Futami High, Shun picks Ashito from training and hands him an envelope. On the way home, Shun explains who Fukuda is to Ashito, explaining that Fukuda succeeded well in Japan, represented the national team, and went on to help Sabadell FC survive relegation in Spain. Fukuda then suffered an injury, which led to his retirement. Lastly, Ashito opens the envelope containing money Shun saved up for Ashito to go to the tryouts.

We cut back to Ashito arriving at Esperion's grounds. At first, he is impressed by the facilities but becomes nervous once he thinks of the challenges he might face during the tryouts. Hana Ichijo then accidentally bumps into Ashito, dropping a few stacks of cups. Hana recognizes Ashito as "The guy that looks like Valderrama". When Ashito asks who she is, Hana offers to lead him to the tryouts. Once they approach the ground, Hana names a few notable players in the tryouts, including Tachibana Sōichirō, Kaneda Akinori, Yuudai Hasegawa, Ueda Hiroshi, and Mamoru Izumi. She asks Ashito whether he has any notable achievements, which Ashito ignores. After telling him the registration fees, Hana notices Ashito is astonished at the quality of the football pitch.

Date Nozomi and Tatsuya Fukuda start giving speeches to those involved in the tryouts. They voice their aim and goals of Tokyo Esperion's youth program. They say they want to limit having to "steal" players from other teams and start raising a generation for the future of Japan. Fukuda ends with a bombshell, saying, "There is a high chance that no one will pass", which surprises Ashito.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

* Ashito Aoi
* Noriko Aoi
* Shun Aoi
* Futami Middle School Coach *(Cameo)*
* Futami Middle School Assistant Coach *(Cameo)*
* Tatsuya Fukuda
* Hana Ichijo
* Sōichirō Tachibana *(Cameo)*
* Akinori Kaneda *(Cameo)*
* Hasegawa Yuudai *(Cameo)*
* Hiroshi Ueda *(Cameo)*
* Izumi Mamoru *(Cameo)*
* Nozomi Date
* Daigo Benzen *(Cameo)*
* Aki Tsukishima *(Cameo)*

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 *Big Comic Spirits No. 7, 2015* – Comic Vine