Sports anime series have been on the rise after the success of series like Haikyu!!, Yuri On Ice, Run With The Wind, and of course, Blue Lock. Over the years, we have seen several new anime and manga series focusing on sports, and occasionally, we get a series that’s good enough to keep us entertained. However, with Haikyu!! anime finally inching towards its ultimate conclusion, sports fans want another great anchor to prevent their interest in the sports genre from getting lost in this endless ocean of content. Fortunately, after a frustratingly long wait, another critically acclaimed sports anime is making a comeback. Yes, we are talking about Ao Ashi, the anime that received immense love from the fandom when it released its first season. The anime series quickly captured the attention of several anime fans with its intriguing story and incredible animation from Production I.G. While Ao Ashi remained underrated at the time, it was still called one of the best anime releases of 2022. Since then, fans who’ve watched the anime have been waiting for any announcement regarding Ao Ashi’s return. Well, that has finally arrived. Recently, it was confirmed on the cover of the upcoming Weekly Big Comic Spirits that Ao Ashi will return with Season 2. Earlier this month, we learned that Ao Ashi would make a big announcement on May 2, 2025, but the cover of the upcoming issue got leaked a few days ahead of the intended date, giving fans the good news a bit early. It has already been almost three years since Season 1 concluded, and fans wish to know how much longer they will have to wait for Season 2. More importantly, we need to know if Production I.G. will take on the responsibility of producing Season 2, or if any other animation studio will take up the mantle. Regardless, the official announcement will still happen on May 2, so hopefully, the community will get all the answers soon. Ao Ashi manga is nearing its conclusion, which is a bit disheartening for fans who love the series. The author, Yugo Kobayashi, announced last year that the story of Ashito Aoi will finish after the ongoing Barcelona match. At the time of the announcement, the manga had released its 38th Volume, and Yugo confirmed that they would release two more volumes. The popular sports manga will conclude after releasing a total of 40 volumes, with the final volume scheduled for release in May 2025. The good news is that the anime adaptation will return with a new season, so fans can still experience Ashito’s incredible journey to change the face of Japanese football.
Key Highlights From The Announcement
- Ao Ashi anime confirmed to return with Season 2
- Production I.G. has yet to confirm whether they will produce Season 2
- Ao Ashi manga to conclude with 40 volumes in May 2025
- Official announcement to be made on May 2
Conclusion
The confirmation of Ao Ashi’s return with Season 2 is a breath of fresh air for sports anime fans. It’s been almost three years since the first season concluded, and fans have been eagerly waiting for any news about the upcoming season. The manga, on the other hand, will conclude with 40 volumes in May 2025, leaving fans with mixed emotions but ultimately, looking forward to the anime’s return.