As you may know I am a huge anime fan and now due to this anime and manga called “Ao Ashi” I am now a new soccer fan.

I played soccer when I was 13 years old and I had no clue what I was doing. I just played because a neighbor needed kids for their team and as you may have guessed, I sucked at it.

Ao Ashi is an anime that follows a young boy named Ashito Aoi from a small rural town in Japan who gets discovered by a junior league youth club manager and moves to join a soccer powerhouse academy in Tokyo.

Season 1 ended 4 years ago and finally on October 4, 2026 Ao Ashi returned and the world was instantly a better place because of it.

When I watched this show I was surprised at how grounded it was and how much I learned from it. I was obsessed with it and after the first season I picked up the manga and started reading it. It’s one of the best sports stories I’ve ever read.

Here are 5 life lessons we all can learn from our favorite hot headed mop head Ashito Aoi!

TALENT IS NOT ENOUGH

Talent gets you to the race and keeps you in the race but talent does not ensure that you finish the race. The choices you make will determine that you either maximize your talent or waste your talent. Talent cannot be a solo act. Your talent needs to be a part of a team that includes discipline, good habits, and a good attitude to help you achieve your goals.

Ashito had raw talent as a soccer player with an amazing eye for the entirety of the soccer field. Ashito could remember where every teammate was positioned at any given time. He also had good scoring ability.

Ashito's biggest problem is that he could not describe the game. He would make a spectacular play but he could not explain how he was able to make the play. Ashito did not care for tactics. When it came to the subject of tactics in soccer he said and I quote “I am the tactic” dismissing the idea of tactics in soccer completely.

Ashito was allowed free reign on his middle school team which means he had no one to tell him no. He was a major ball hog and had no concept of teamwork. A mindset like this handicaps his talent and gives his talent a very low ceiling. He wouldn’t be able to grow.

Ashito needed guidance, a system, and an environment where he is not the best player. Ashito's target was to be the best but left to his talent alone his aim would be severely off. Gaining coaches like Nozomi and Fukuda who are former pro players gives him the proper aim for his target.

They placed him in an environment where he has to think outside of what he’s used to with players who are better than him or just as good as him. It feeds Ashito’s talent and gives him tools to not just have talent lead his play as a soccer player.

Talent is not enough. Talent is just a puzzle piece. Don’t forget the other puzzle pieces such as discipline, a good attitude, good habits, perseverance, focus, and belief. Don’t just focus on one puzzle piece. Complete the whole picture.

YOUR EYES AREN’T MEANT TO STAY IN A TUNNEL

We are usually taught that you have to have tunnel vision to achieve great things in our lives but the truth is that our eyes aren’t meant to stay in the tunnel forever. Tunnel vision is extreme focus and you do need extreme focus for work but you have to know when to be in the tunnel and when to look up and observe everything around you.

Ashito would only look down at the ball at his feet and only look up when he was near the goal to score. Ashito would not pass the ball and with eyes always in a tunnel it limited his abilities as a player.

When his coaches put him in a position where he had to look up and always watch his surroundings he started to understand the game of soccer on a deeper level. He was able to learn the importance of scanning the field and spacing. He started to understand how his actions on the field affected all of his teammates on the field because everything is connected.

Having a tunnel vision mentality 24 hours a day and 7 days a week can lead to poor decision making and helpful advice. You only focus on the now and never focus on the long term. So many creative ideas come from looking up and observing everything around you.

HUMBLENESS TAKES YOU FURTHER THAN PRIDE

We all get humbled by life in some way or fashion. Sometimes we feel our egos too much and we believe we’re the best thing to ever happen to the world and without us what would this world be?

Humbleness is the key to learning. You’re not always going to be the best. You’re not always going to know it all. Humbleness allows you to accept feedback and learn. This is how the most creative ideas are born. Through humbleness.

Ashito was the most confident, egotistical player before he arrived at his soccer academy in Tokyo. He compared himself to soccer legends. After practices and scrimmages at his new academy he learned quickly he’s a step behind everyone. He’s not THE GUY.

He was served humble pie and instead of quitting he added ice cream to his humble pie. He had to come face to face with his shortcomings as a soccer player. He had to re-evaluate his approach to the game of soccer, reduce self inflicting behavior, and make preparation a top priority.

Ashito accepting humbleness not only boosts his self respect but it earned the respect of his teammates. It strengthened their bond because they now have trust in one another.

TRUST THE PIVOT

A change in direction does not mean failure. It means it’s time for evolution. When plans and direction change you have the ability to adapt and figure it out.

Ashito was met with a soccer life changing pivot that he did not see coming. He thought he failed at life and that it was over.

He accepted the change and worked at it and what he thought was a life altering setback was a life altering blessing.

Everything is not going to go according to plan. Some things you may not see coming. The best thing you can do is take a deep breath and adapt. The biggest setback is an opportunity for the biggest comeback.

MAKE YOUR SUPPORT SYSTEM PROUD

Having a support system uplift you is a blessing that should never be taken for granted. People in your corner for emotional support through the good times and the bad times helps you deal with anything that may come your way.

Ashito’s goal is not only tied to soccer but it’s tied to uplifting the people who uplifted him and his soccer journey. Ashito’s mother sacrificed everything to give him and his brother Shun the best life she could. Shun gave Ashito the funds to go for his dream.

Ashito knows he has a responsibility to his support system to not only pay them back but to make them proud. It’s the main fuel of his soccer journey.

When people invest in you, pay them back by going further than even you thought you could.

Love, Benny