Double News from the Creator of Aoashi: Spinoff Returns, New Series Postponed!
Yūgo Kobayashi, one of the most beloved names in the world of football manga, has shared a series of updates that are exciting but require some patience from fans. The release date for Kobayashi's highly anticipated new manga series, originally planned for the spring of 2026, has been postponed to the summer months. However, good news to sweeten this wait has not been delayed: the spinoff series Aoashi Brotherfoot, which was published for a short time in 2021, is officially returning to Weekly Big Comic Spirits magazine on April 6.
Aoashi Brotherfoot focuses on the life of Shun Aoi, the older brother of the main series' protagonist Ashito Aoi, and his complex relationship with football. Initially published as a five-chapter story in 2021, it deals with Shun's withdrawal from the sport due to his asthma and his subsequent challenging efforts to return. Described by fans as an "encouraging comeback story," this spinoff sheds light on Shun's character development and the bonds of brotherhood while increasing the depth of the main series.
This news comes at a very busy time for the Aoashi universe. The main series, which began in 2015 and concluded with its 40th volume in June 2025, has sold over 23 million copies worldwide, placing it at the pinnacle of modern sports manga. Additionally, the countdown has begun for the second season of the series' anime adaptation; the new season, produced by TMS Entertainment, is expected to premiere on October 4, 2026. The delay in Kobayashi's new project is interpreted as the author's desire to provide the highest quality for both this spinoff and his new series.
Kobayashi is a name who has proven how versatile a writer he is, not only in the sports genre but also with works themed around food and logic such as Fermat no Ryōri. Although the subject of his new series remains a mystery, expectations are quite high following the massive legacy created by Aoashi. The return of Brotherfoot on April 6 seems to be both a nostalgia trip for old fans and a great warm-up tour before the new adventure that will begin in the summer.
