Titan Manga has officially revealed the English cover and several interior pages for its upcoming release of Yūgo Kobayashi’s critically acclaimed soccer manga, Aoashi. This exclusive preview provides a first look for English-speaking fans eagerly anticipating the series’ debut. The first omnibus volume, which will compile the initial three volumes of the manga, is scheduled to launch on May 12, 2026.
A Long-Awaited English Release
Fans have long awaited an official English release of Aoashi, which has garnered significant popularity in Japan and has an anime adaptation. While a Southeast Asian English edition by Shogakukan Asia has existed, it has not been easily accessible to Western audiences. Titan Manga’s upcoming omnibus edition marks the first widespread English publication for the series in Western markets.
What to Expect from the Omnibus Edition
The first omnibus volume of Aoashi will bring together the content of volumes one, two, and three of the original Japanese manga. This format is designed to allow English readers to catch up with the extensive series more quickly. The manga will be available for pre-order through major retailers such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and Forbidden Planet.
The Story of Ashito Aoi
Aoashi follows the journey of Ashito Aoi, a passionate and somewhat hot-headed young soccer player from Ehime, Japan. Ashito’s dreams of joining a strong high school soccer team are nearly dashed after an incident during a crucial match. However, his raw talent catches the eye of Tatsuya Fukuda, a coach for the Tokyo City Esperion FC’s youth team.
Ashito’s Path to Professional Soccer
After being invited to try out for the prestigious Tokyo City Esperion Youth club, Ashito stakes his future on this opportunity. The series delves into his struggles and growth as he navigates the highly competitive world of J-Youth Soccer, confronts his own shortcomings, and strives to create a better life for his family. The narrative explores themes of ambition, perseverance, and the harsh realities of professional sports.
Critical Acclaim and Anime Adaptation
Yūgo Kobayashi launched the Aoashi manga in Shogakukan’s Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine in January 2015. The series has been a critical success, winning the 65th Shogakukan Manga Award for the general category in 2020. By January 2025, the manga had over 23 million copies in circulation. The manga series recently concluded its serialization in June 2025 with its 40th collected volume.
An anime television series adaptation, produced by Production I.G, premiered in April 2022 and ran for 24 episodes. Crunchyroll streamed the series outside of Asia, and an English dub also premiered in April 2022. A second season of the anime, produced by TMS Entertainment, is scheduled to premiere in 2026, further expanding the franchise’s global reach. The English manga release in 2026 aligns with the anticipated second season of the anime.