Popular football manga Aoashi (アオアシ) by Yugo Kobayashi has announced an official collaboration with Belgian professional football club Sint-Truiden VV. A newly drawn illustration of protagonist Aoi Ashito wearing the club’s uniform, along with a comment from Kobayashi, was published in Weekly Big Comic Spirits Issue No. 50 (Shogakukan), which went on sale on November 9.

Sint-Truiden VV: A Gateway to Europe for Japanese Players

Sint-Truiden VV has been under DMM’s management since 2017, and has since established itself as a springboard for Japanese players to break into European football. The club has previously helped launch the careers of Wataru Endo, Takehiro Tomiyasu, and Daichi Kamada at major European clubs.

A Shared Philosophy of Player Development

The collaboration was born from the shared theme of nurturing and developing players — a core concept in both Aoashi and Sint-Truiden VV’s philosophy. Original illustrations of three current club players — Shogo Taniguchi, Nelson Ishiwatari, and Albunorl Muja — are currently in production. A full collaboration visual featuring Ashito alongside all three players will be revealed at a later date.

A conversation between Kobayashi and Sint-Truiden VV CEO Takayuki Tateishi is also planned, with the interview set to be published in Weekly Big Comic Spirits. A dedicated collaboration page is already live on the club’s official Japanese website, and a social media giveaway campaign for collaboration merchandise will be held in the near future.

Comment from Yugo Kobayashi

“I’ve always been thinking about what I could do for Sint-Truiden. I’ve also wondered why more people don’t recognize the importance of this club, which is becoming a launchpad for Japanese players into Europe. What this club has achieved over the past ten years is truly remarkable for the history of Japanese football, and I feel it’s something we must continue to protect. But I’m sure there are still many Japanese people who have never heard of it. If Aoashi can help raise awareness, nothing would make me happier. Why not start by watching and cheering for Sint-Truiden in just one match?”