Original subtitles

Togashi.

Huh?

Would you like this lunch?

Huh?

I woke up at five this morning to make it.

I've never cooked a meal before.

Hold on a minute here.

That ain't somethin' ya made for me.

Why don't ya go give it to the guy ya made it for—

Oh.

Fine! I'll eat it! I'll eat it all!

Togashi.

Like I said, we need to talk.

What We Lack

Let me out!

Why do I have to go to Musashino now?!

C'mon, dude, chill.

Hey, Tachibana. Were you serious about that?

Did you really ask to be left out of the next match?

You didn't forget, did you? What Kaneda said to us, I mean.

Plus, Musashino's your old team.

Don't lots of your pals from your junior youth days still play there?

It's a chance to show 'em how much you've grown.

How can you not be excited about that?

If I had grown, then sure.

I don't get it.

I have friends who supported me back in Ehime.

If I get to play soccer in front of 'em someday, I want to do it with my head held high.

And if we found ourselves on the same field... Well, I couldn't ask for more.

Speaking of Musashino Youth...

Their current manager's supposed to be top-notch.

Musashino isn't a J-Youth team.It's just a regular youth team.

So you guys at Esperion should be way ahead in terms of potential

and the environment you're in.

But under Manager Satake, who got promoted from the junior youth setup,

the players there are bloomingin spite of these disadvantages.

Isn't that exciting?

So that means Tachibana used to play under that manager.

We've worked our asses off for a year since that day.

Everyone at Musashino did, under Manager Satake's guidance.

So different from a manager who forces players to change positions.

Ashito.

You were thinking something bad about my bro just now, weren't you?

Hana, why are you tagging along with us, anyway?

I'm chaperoning!

Man, I hope I make it back for my English lesson.

I know what's going on here.

Huh?

You're waiting for the perfect time to give that to him, right? I'm rooting for you.

Ashito and I...

...aren't like that.

Tachibana!

Manager Satake.

You've come to watch our game?

"M-Manager"?

So this guy is...

Are you playing in the game next week?

No.

I asked them not to play me, so I won't be playing.

Sounds like you're struggling.

That's good.

You chose your path knowing what lay ahead.

If you're struggling, it means you've chosen the right path.

I'm glad you're working hard.

See you.

Tachibana. My heart just started pounding.

We need to go see for ourselves how he's managed to make his team so strong.

Musashino

Kanto Sogo

Remember what Nakano said?

According to him, Musashino's made up of guyswho wanted to be in J-Youth, but didn't make it.

And a team like that is undefeated in Tokyo's top league, and on a six-game winning streak.

That manager's got some serious know-how.

Double pressing right off the bat?

Oh. That was a bit desperate.

Their press is fast.

And it's always two players pressuring the ball carrier.

They rely on numbers to win the ball to make up for what they lack individually.

Mitsuya!

Three players now?! I understand pressing high, but isn't this a bit too aggressive?

I mean, there's already a huge space right there.

He reacted so fast.

No.

Even before the pass was hit, that defensive midfielder...

...was heading straight for that space.

That space wasn't there by accident. It was a setup.

In order to win the ball with their press, they steered the pass that way on purpose.

They got the ball!

This super high press soccer is this team's signature play.

They descend on the ball carrier like a swarm of bees to win possession.

A high press in itself isn't rare, but when you say "super" high press...

There was a phrase Manager Satake would always say to us...

"Take risks."

You all know your skills aren't the best.

Which means you don't have anything to lose.

It's okay to leave a space.

Just go for it and keep up the high press.

If the other team is better than you man-to-man, they'll have more possession.

This makes you nervous, so you retreat to your own half to defend your goal.

But think about that for a moment. Will doing that make the other team nervous?

Of course not.

So take risks.

When you take risks, the other team finally feels threatened.

To make that happen, we shouldn't be afraid of taking risks.

They don't hesitate.

Everyone understands their role in the press and moves accordingly.

But y'know, with such a desperate high press,

if just one thing goes wrong, it'll lead to a goal.

I don't think it's the high press itself that makes this team strong.

Yes, I see!

This team...

Kaneda!

They face their weaknesses head-on.

They hit on this playstyle by fully grasping what each of them lacks individually.

Their mental strength makes it possible.

This year's team is nearly perfect.

Ten of the players completely understand their roles on the field.

And then, we have one irregularity.

He stayed on his feet?

Compared to this team, we're full of hesitation and weaknesses.

What we lack is the strength they gain from playing as a single unit.

But...

What about him?

Is Kaneda part of this "single unit"?

Musashino

Kanto Sogo

Wh-What's the big idea, Hana? Don't go touching my butt!

Oh, uh, it's just... If the game's over, I think I'll head back now.

Huh? You're leaving?

What is it, Ashito? Do you still need me for something?

Do you really have to go?

Why?

I haven't seen you in a while. And we don't know when we'll see each other again next.

Yeah, I guess that's true.

Then, why don't we talk or something?

Talk about what?

We can talk about if you've been eating right...

Or we can talk about soccer instead!

Anri's more knowledgeable about that, right?

Anyway, we should be getting back, too. I'd rather not stick around here too long.

Soichiro.

M-Miyako?

Not here.

Let's talk somewhere off the field.

Why haven't you kept in touch?

Well, uh...

Tachibana, I didn't know you had a girlfriend.

She's my sister.

This is Tachibana Miyako, my twin sister.

She plays for the Tokyo Musashino Ladies.

You've never mentioned her before!

I haven't?

I don't mind you not contacting me, but you need to answer when Mom and Dad call.

But like I said, I don't want to be spoiled.

So until I become a starter for Esperion...

You idiot! You're confusing being serious with something else.

Like you've always done.

Not calling your parents? What are we going to do with you?

I'll give him a good talking-to, miss.

Shut up, Esperion!

Soichiro, you know about Musashino's current standing, right?

I do. They're pretty strong.

Kaneda, the forward who replaced you,

is a real piece of work who is giving everyone a headache.

Hold it, Kaneda!

Kaneda-kun!

Hide!

Oh, uh, wait up!

You're just a first-year! That's no way to speak to Muto! He's your captain!

I'm just stating the facts.

You're sluggish to get to the ball, Muto-san.

With the captain behaving like that, it takes longer for the ball to be fed to me.

Don't you want to be strong?

Kaneda! You're all the way up front and never help out with the defending!

I'm the one who scores the goals.

I'm the one responsible for the team winning.

My pinpoint counterattacks are what makes our super high press soccer possible.

I have the right to say it.

But I guess I'm asking too much.

Unlike in J-Youth, no one's trying to go pro in this team.

Though I'll never understand...

how you can carry on playing soccer when you've given up on going pro.

Unlike all of you, I have what it takes.

Well, at least go tell the players who have no guts to stop dragging me down.

Oh, yeah. The next match is against Esperion.

The guy who passed those phony tryouts, Tachibana, will be there.

Yup, I'm sure you know him well, so let's crush him, okay?

Kaneda!

H-Hey, Ashito!

You failed the tryouts because you weren't good enough.

I know now that you're the weakest player on this team.

Why the hell are you all here?!

T-Tachibana?

It is you, Tachibana!

Muto-san, Mikami-san, it's been a while.

Have you come to spy on us?

And you have the nerve to call me the weakest player on this team?!

Are you from Esperion?

We don't want any trouble.

Please leave.

Hey, what's gotten into you?Why'd you jump out like that?

That jerk Kaneda belittled Tachibana again!

S-Stop, Ashito! Let's go home!

Aoi! I'm surprised you still have the guts to trash-talk me!

Say what?!

As of today, I've scored nine goals.

I'm the league's top scorer, way ahead of everyone else.

And what about you?

You got moved to a positionwhere you can't even score!

Or are you telling me you've made up your mind to go pro as a defender?

I can see it written on your face!

How can you bear to stand on the field with a half-baked resolution like that? Well?!

Why didn't I shoot then?

Why?!

I hate you the most.

The country bumpkin who joined a J-Youth team in Tokyo.

Why are you getting all up in my face, Tachibana?!

You should be grateful.

After you left this team, they got better and stronger, thanks to me.

I don't care what you say about me, but I won't let you insult my friends!

Take it back! Right now!

What's gotten into you? You're usually so composed.

This is what I hate about you. Your stupid camaraderie.

Stop getting so cozy. I won't be fooled again.

I'll move up on my own, without depending on anyone.

I'll show you who's the better player in the next match.

ImmuneSystem

ImmuneSystem

ImmuneSystem

Earache

Immune

System

Earache

How the heck is that guy a starter?

You can't play soccer with a jerk like him!

I don't know why, but it seems Manager Satake is giving him free rein.

Welcome back. You took your time.

You can't be serious.

But his teammates accept him.

And they're getting stronger.

Did something happen?

How can you bear to stand on the field with a half-baked resolution like that?

I wanted to say something back, but I couldn't.

What happened?

I can't stop Kaneda if I stay the way I am now.

Kaneda has zero doubts right now. As a forward, he's like a ball of raging fire.

I can't stop him as I am. Not by myself or with my team.

What the heck was that for, Hana?!

I'm asking you what happened!

Y-You still didn't have to kick me!

And anyway, you wouldn't understand if I told you!

I was waiting for you like I was supposed to!

And I remembered what I wanted to tell you.

I'm making meal plans for Kuribayashi-kun.

Kuribayashi?

He'll follow them to the letter,

and report back on how they affect his physical movement and muscle mass.

For me, as an aspiring sports doctor, it's an amazing opportunity.

But I thought I should inform you before I went ahead with it. So...

Why?

Why do you have to inform me?

It's an opportunity, right? You should just go for it.

You're right. I will.

Seriously, why the hell do I feel so weird about this?

Kuribayashi... Why Kuribayashi?

But I'm a bit relieved.

You used to watch games without that spark in your eye,

but now there are things that can make you angry.

Regardless of whether your team beats us or not, you seem to have good teammates.

Smile

Smile

Smile

Yeah.

But I asked the coaches not to play me in the next match...

What?

Aoi-kun, where's Hana-chan?

Did she give you anything?

Nope.

That's strange.

A text from Masuko?

What?!

What's up?

Masuko

Masuko

Masuko

Just Now

We're doomed in the next match!

They just announced the players switching between the A and B teams!

Yoshitsune-san -> A

Shimizu-san -> A

Isshiki-san -> Rehabilitation

To fill the gaps, Kuroda and Asari are moving down from the A team.

More at the evening meeting!

Masuko

Masuko

Masuko

Just Now

We're doomed in the next match!

They just announced the players switching between the A and B teams!

Yoshitsune-san -> A

Shimizu-san -> A

Isshiki-san -> Rehabilitation

To fill the gaps, Kuroda and Asari are moving down from the A team.

More at the evening meeting!

Masuko

Masuko

Masuko

Just Now

We're doomed in the next match!

They just announced the players switching between the A and B teams!

Yoshitsune-san -> A

Shimizu-san -> A

Isshiki-san -> Rehabilitation

To fill the gaps, Kuroda and Asari are moving down from the A team.

More at the evening meeting!

Yoshitsune-san's returning to the A team.

Masuko

Masuko

Just Now

We're doomed in the next match!

They just announced the players switching between the A and B teams!

Yoshitsune-san -> A

Shimizu-san -> A

Isshiki-san -> Rehabilitation

To fill the gaps, Kuroda and Asari are moving down from the A team.

More at the evening meeting!

That's a huge loss on its own.

Masuko

Just Now

We're doomed in the next match!

They just announced the players switching between the A and B teams!

Yoshitsune-san -> A

Shimizu-san -> A

Isshiki-san -> Rehabilitation

To fill the gaps, Kuroda and Asari are moving down from the A team.

More at the evening meeting!

Masuko

We're doomed in the next match!

They just announced the players switching between the A and B teams!

Yoshitsune-san -> A

Shimizu-san -> A

Isshiki-san -> Rehabilitation

To fill the gaps, Kuroda and Asari are moving down from the A team.

More at the evening meeting!

More at the evening meeting!

Masuko

We're doomed in the next match!

They just announced the players switching between the A and B teams!

Yoshitsune-san -> A

Shimizu-san -> A

Isshiki-san -> Rehabilitation

To fill the gaps, Kuroda and Asari are moving down from the A team.

More at the evening meeting!

Masuko

We're doomed in the next match!

They just announced the players switching between the A and B teams!

Yoshitsune-san -> A

Shimizu-san -> A

Isshiki-san -> Rehabilitation

To fill the gaps, Kuroda and Asari are moving down from the A team.

Togashi hates Kuroda's and Takeshima's guts, right?

Togashi and Takeshima already have issues, and now Kuroda's being added to the mix?

What?!

Oh, and Takeshima and Togashiapparently had a huge fight, though no one saw it...Takeshima hasn't told me any morethan that, so I don't know the details.

Did you hear anything about it?

Oh, and Takeshima and Togashiapparently had a huge fight, though no one saw it...Takeshima hasn't told me any morethan that, so I don't know the details.

Did you hear anything about it?

Oh, and Takeshima and Togashiapparently had a huge fight, though no one saw it...Takeshima hasn't told me any morethan that, so I don't know the details.

Did you hear anything about it?

Are we gonna be okay?

Can we really play like this?

Tachibana-kun.

Huh? Um, yes?

I interviewed some of Musashino's players today.

Every single one of them asked about you.

You really were the ace on that team. Ever since junior youth, it sounded like.

Even though you went off to Esperion, everyone said how grateful they were to you.

Grateful?

Maybe unlike the two forwards I saw today, Yoshitsune and Kaneda,

your strength lies somewhere very different.

A different strength from Yoshitsune-san and Kaneda?

Comparing yourself to them is pointless.

Oh, and all of them also said they couldn't wait to play against you next week.

What are you doing? Can't you see this is a serious moment we're having here?

Something's poking me in the back.

Tachibana. I'm grateful to you, too.

And I trust you.

So...

I know.

If I'm honest, I want to play alongside you two.

Ashito.

Ohtomo.

With both of you.

We're facing Musashino next, who are undefeated so far this season.

Taking that into account, these are the starters for next week's game.

There are two positions I haven't decided on yet, but this is how we'll line up.

Why...

Why this lineup?

At this moment in time,

this is our best team.

Let's win it.

You guys...

We have to win.

The next episode of Aoashi is: "The Truly Weak One."