- Ao Ashi Season 2 scheduled for 2026
- TMS Entertainment will animate Season 2 of Aoashi (Previously it was Production IG)
The highly anticipated second season of Aoashi (also known as Ao Ashi), the critically acclaimed soccer anime, has officially been confirmed for a 2026 premiere. After a three-year wait since its stellar debut in 2022, fans are buzzing with excitement over the return of Ashito Aoi’s journey in the world of competitive youth football. The announcement, accompanied by a teaser visual, also revealed a significant change in production, with TMS Entertainment taking over from Production I.G. Here’s everything you need to know about Aoashi Season 2, including its release window, plot expectations, and where to watch.
Official Announcement and Release Window
On April 29, 2025, the official Aoashi anime website and X account announced the second season, confirming its premiere in 2026. The news was initially teased on the cover of Shogakukan’s Weekly Big Comic Spirits Issue 23, leaked ahead of its official release on May 2, 2025. A commemorative visual featuring protagonist Ashito Aoi tying his cleats, drawn by Yostar Pictures’ Manabu Nakatake, was shared to mark the occasion. While an exact release date within 2026 has not been specified, speculation suggests a potential Spring or Summer premiere, aligning with the anime’s sports anime contemporaries.
Studio Change: TMS Entertainment Takes the Helm
In a surprising shift, Aoashi Season 2 will be animated by TMS Entertainment, known for hits like Dr. STONE and Sakamoto Days, replacing Production I.G, which produced the first season. Production I.G’s work in 2022 was praised for its fluid animation and dynamic soccer sequences, earning comparisons to Haikyuu!! for its balance of sports action and character development.
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While the reason for the studio change remains undisclosed, TMS Entertainment’s track record suggests fans can expect high-quality visuals and faithful adaptation. The staff for Season 2, including the director and character designers, has not yet been announced, leaving fans eager for further details.
Plot Expectations for Season 2
Aoashi Season 2 will continue adapting Yugo Kobayashi’s manga, serialized in Weekly Big Comic Spirits since January 2015. The first season, which aired from April to September 2022 for 24 episodes, covered up to Chapter 117 (roughly Volume 12) of the manga, concluding with Ashito Aoi’s growth as a player for Tokyo City Esperion’s youth team. Season 2 is expected to pick up from Chapter 118, diving into the A-Team X Premier League Saga and starting with the A-Team Beginnings Arc. This arc will see Ashito navigating new challenges as he integrates into Esperion’s A-Team, facing tougher opponents and refining his skills under coach Tatsuya Fukuda’s guidance.
With the manga set to conclude in May 2025 with its 40th volume and 410th chapter, Season 2 may cover significant portions of the remaining story, potentially up to Volume 24. Fans can anticipate intense soccer matches, deeper exploration of Ashito’s development as a playmaker, and emotional moments as he overcomes self-doubt. The introduction of new characters and rival teams is also likely, adding fresh dynamics to the narrative.
Cast and Returning Characters
While no official cast announcements have been made for Season 2, it’s expected that the core voice actors will reprise their roles, given the continuity of the story. The first season featured:
- Kōki Ohsuzu (Japanese) and Ciarán Strange (English) as Ashito Aoi
- Seiichirō Yamashita (Japanese) and Clifford Chapin (English) as Sōichirō Tachibana
- Tatsumaru Tachibana (Japanese) and Christopher Llewyn Ramirez (English) as Eisaku Ohtomo
- Eric Vale (English) as Tatsuya Fukuda
New characters may be introduced, reflecting the manga’s progression, with casting details likely to be revealed closer to the premiere.
Where to Watch Aoashi Season 2
Aoashi Season 2 will be available on Crunchyroll for international audiences outside Asia, continuing its partnership from the first season. Crunchyroll is expected to offer both subtitled and dubbed versions, with the English dub potentially releasing shortly after the Japanese premiere, as seen with Season 1’s dub on April 23, 2022.
In Southeast Asia, Disney+ will likely stream the series, while other platforms like Animax Mongolia, Google Play, and Apple TV may offer digital episodes or Blu-ray options. Fans should monitor Crunchyroll’s official announcements for the Spring 2026 lineup for precise streaming details.
Ao Ashi Manga Series Legacy
The Aoashi manga, based on a concept by Naohiko Ueno, has sold over 23 million copies by January 2025, earning the 65th Shogakukan Manga Award in 2020 and a nomination for the 10th Manga Taisho Awards in 2017. Its realistic portrayal of soccer, coupled with Ashito’s compelling journey from a brash, talented youth to a strategic team player, has resonated globally. With the manga concluding in 2025, Season 2 arrives at a pivotal moment, potentially adapting some of the story’s climactic moments as Ashito faces his final challenges in the Barcelona match arc.
The long wait since Season 1’s conclusion in September 2022 had led to speculation and even a Change.org petition for a second season, underscoring the series’ dedicated following. As Aoashi prepares to fill the void left by concluding sports anime like Haikyuu!!, its return is poised to rekindle interest in the genre.
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What’s Next?
Aoashi Season 2 is shaping up to be a major highlight of 2026, promising more heart-pounding soccer action and emotional depth. Fans should stay tuned for updates on the official Aoashi website (aoashi-pr.com), X account (@aoashi_pr), or Crunchyroll’s announcements for details on the exact release date, staff, and trailer. In the meantime, rewatching Season 1 on Crunchyroll or catching up on the manga’s final volumes is a great way to prepare for Ashito’s next chapter.
Get ready to lace up for Aoashi Season 2 in 2026, as Ashito Aoi takes the field to chase his dreams and redefine Japanese soccer!
