Shingo Aoi

Lore & Background

Shingo Aoi first appears in the story when Tsubasa Oozora plays against him in the High School National Championship. After that match, Shingo leaves Japan to pursue his dream of playing for a major Italian professional team. Upon arriving in Italy, he is tricked by a man who promises to get him selected for an Italian team but instead takes him to a badly furnished field, then runs away with all of Shingo's money. Shingo works hard to get his money back by doing jobs such as shoe-shining. His enthusiastic attitude eventually catches the eye of one of the coaches of Inter Milan (Intina in the 1994 anime, Lombardia in the 2001 anime), who signs him to play for their squad as an attacking midfielder. Later, Shingo joins the Japan youth side for the FIFA World Youth Championship, helping the team defeat Thailand 5–4 after being 4–1 down, and contributing to Japan's eventual victory in the tournament. After the World Youth Championship, Shingo is bought by A.S.D. Albese in Italy.

In Their Own Story

Shingo Aoi's journey begins when he faces Tsubasa Oozera in the High School National Championship. Inspired by that encounter, he leaves Japan for Italy, hoping to play for a major professional team. Upon arrival, a man tricks him with false promises of selection, stealing all his money after leading him to a badly furnished field. Undeterred, Shingo takes up shoe-shining to earn money. His enthusiastic attitude impresses a coach from Inter Milan (Intina in the 1994 anime, Lombardia in the 2001 anime), who signs him as an attacking midfielder. Shingo later joins Japan's youth side for the AFC Youth Championship and the FIFA World Youth Championship. In the first phase of the AFC Youth Championship, Japan plays without several key players, but after Tsubasa, Wakabayashi, and Shingo join, the team defeats Thailand 5–4 after being 4–1 down. Japan goes on to win the Asia Youth title, beating South Korea 2–0, and qualifies for the FIFA World Youth Championship. In the group stage, Japan defeats Mexico 2–1, Uruguay 6–5, and Italy 4–0. They beat Sweden 1–0 in the quarterfinals and Netherlands 1–0 in the semifinal. In the final, Japan defeats Brazil 3–2 after extra time. After the tournament, Shingo is bought by A.S.D. Albese in Italy.

Reader's Guide

Shingo Aoi plays as an attacking midfielder for Inter Milan (Intina in the 1994 anime, Lombardia in the 2001 anime) after being signed by a coach who noticed his enthusiastic attitude. He later joins the Japan youth side for the FIFA World Youth Championship, where he contributes to key victories, including a 5–4 comeback win against Thailand after being 4–1 down. After the World Youth Championship, Shingo is bought by A.S.D. Albese in Italy.

Did You Know?

• Shingo Aoi was tricked by a man who stole all his money after promising to get him selected for an Italian team.
• To recover his money, Shingo worked as a shoe-shiner in Italy.
• Shingo's enthusiastic attitude caught the eye of a coach from Inter Milan (Intina in the 1994 anime, Lombardia in the 2001 anime), who signed him as an attacking midfielder.
• Shingo helped Japan defeat Thailand 5–4 after being 4–1 down in the AFC Youth Championship.
• After the FIFA World Youth Championship, Shingo was bought by A.S.D. Albese in Italy.