Inazuma Eleven Ares no Tenbin marks the return of the famous soccer anime franchise in the form of a parallel universe completely different from the original series. This series tells the story of Asuto Inamori, a boy who loves soccer and faces the disbandment of his rural school's soccer club before moving to Tokyo to start anew at Daimon School. With a fresh concept and diverse characters, this series is both a nostalgic look back and a step forward for old and new fans alike.
Story Summary (No Spoilers)
The story of Ares no Tenbin takes place in a different timeline from the main Inazuma Eleven series. The protagonist Asuto Inamori is a middle school student from rural Inakuni whose soccer club is disbanded because the soccer field is dismantled to build a solar power plant. This forces him to transfer to Daimon School in Tokyo to continue his dream of playing soccer.
At Daimon, Asuto meets new teammates with unique abilities and faces rivals from schools like Seishou Gakuen and Kidokawa Seishuu. The plot progresses through regional and national soccer tournaments, weaving in themes of friendship, sacrifice, and character growth without spoiling the ending. The series retains the fun and spirit of Inazuma Eleven well.
Performance and Characters
Although it's an anime voiced by professional voice actors, the emotional delivery through voice is excellent. Ayumu Murase as Asuto Inamori gives a bright and energetic voice, fitting a determined and optimistic character. Junko Takeuchi returns as Mamoru Endou, still classic and heartwarming, even though Endou is only a supporting character in this series.
New characters like Ryuhei, the quiet captain of Daimon, or Sasano, the manager girl who supports everyone, have clear development and make viewers attached. However, due to the large number of characters, some get too little screen time. Still, interactions between main characters and rivals remain engaging.
Direction, Visuals, and Music
Visually, Ares no Tenbin retains the familiar drawing style of the Inazuma Eleven series but with slight modern improvements. Character designs are still unique and colorful. However, animation in soccer matches sometimes lacks fluidity, especially compared to later main series, but it does well in spectacular special move scenes.
The soundtrack by Yasunari Mizawa still creates an exciting atmosphere suitable for match tempo. Opening and ending songs like “Butai wa Dokoda!” by PENGUIN RESEARCH and “Summer Zombie” by T-Pistonz+KMC add fun and emotional engagement. Overall, technical aspects are good, though not outstanding compared to some earlier seasons.
Editorial Analysis
The editorial team views Ares no Tenbin as a bold reboot of the franchise. Creating a parallel universe allows the team to tell a new story without being tied to the original, making it easier for new fans to access. The series emphasizes teamwork and never giving up, which has always been the heart of Inazuma Eleven.
However, the series is not perfect due to somewhat rushed pacing in some parts, making character development less deep than it could be. Also, the connection to the sequel Orion no Kokuin is not very clear by the end of the first season. Overall, it's a good choice for those seeking warm and energetic soccer anime entertainment.
Verdict
Inazuma Eleven Ares no Tenbin is a series suitable for old fans who want to see a new perspective on the Inazuma universe, and new fans who want to start watching a fun soccer anime. Despite some animation flaws, its heartwarming story and lovable characters make it a worthwhile watch, especially if you like school soccer with friendship power.
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👍 Pros
- +Fresh story in a parallel universe, easy for new viewers to understand
- +Main characters and Daimon team are charming with clear development
- +Fun soundtrack that matches the series' atmosphere
👎 Cons
- −Some match animations lack fluidity
- −Many episodes but some characters get too little screen time
- −Connection to the sequel Orion no Kokuin is not tight
Top Cast
FAQ
No, because it's a parallel universe separate from the main series. You can start watching without prior knowledge.
The series has 2 seasons totaling 75 episodes. The first season is Ares no Tenbin, and the second is Orion no Kokuin.
This series is a parallel universe where characters and events are completely different from the main series. For example, the protagonist is Asuto Inamori, not Mamoru Endou, and the story is unrelated to previous seasons.
