Using the frustration of the first season back with the blue and red as motivation"I want to show the meaning of my return through results"
MF 18 Kento HASHIMOTO
Introducing all the Blue-Red warriors participating in the Meiji Yasuda J1 Century Vision League 2026 season in 'PLAYERS FILE 2026.' What kind of thoughts do the players hold, and with what determination are they preparing to face the special half-season tournament and the year ahead?
Returning to FC Tokyo for the first time since the 2020 season. However, Kento HASHIMOTO, who came back with determination, faced an unexpectedly tough year in his Blue-Red restart. Everything is for the team. For winning the title. To clear the frustrating feelings experienced in the 2025 season at Ajinomoto, number 18 vows a great comeback.
There is a sense of achievement in what has been built up. I was also able to continue fighting while feeling the joy of playing again wearing the blue and red uniform. However, perhaps because of that, it can be said that it was an unsatisfactory year. Summarizing the first year back, he expressed regret, saying, "It was not the season I had envisioned."
On January 5 last season, the return of Kento HASHIMOTO to FC Tokyo, his first since the summer of the 2020 season, was announced. He grew up in the academy and then went on to Russia's FC Rostov, but due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine in the 2022 season, he was loaned to Vissel Kobe under FIFA's special measures. Although he ended up making a "homecoming" to Ajinomoto Stadium in a different uniform than before during the Tokyo match, the Tokyo supporters warmly welcomed their "family" with a banner saying "Glad you're safe! Do your best, Kento." After that, he went through Spain's SD Huesca and SD Eibar, and finally, Kento HASHIMOTO has returned to his family.
The reason was clear. "I was moved by the passionate offer I received, and I returned with considerable determination. While Tokyo has not been able to join the championship race easily, my desire to demonstrate my abilities and win the title by my own strength has grown," he vowed to contribute to the club he loves.
In the first half of last season, after Rikizo MATSUHASHI was appointed as head coach and adopted a three-back system, Kento HASHIMOTO was initially delayed at the start of the season due to injury, but afterward secured his place as a starting member in the defensive midfield. Playing in combination with Takahiro KO, he became the outlet for build-up play from the back line, maintaining overall balance while playing and showing a remarkable presence as a key player supporting the team.
However, as the team was unable to achieve the desired results, they had to prioritize team stability and balance, which caused his trademark aggressive box-to-box movements to quiet down. In the second half of the season, the team managed a comeback, and gradually his dynamic runs into the penalty area increased, but ultimately he scored zero goals. While emphasizing his desire to contribute to the team's victories, he once admitted in the latter half of the season, "I want to start scoring goals myself soon."
That is precisely why this season I want to make my presence felt both offensively and defensively on the pitch, renewing my desire to contribute to the team winning the title.
"Be aggressive in both offense and defense. I want to take the initiative instead of being passive, and show more and more dynamic play on the pitch. This season, we have excellent attacking players, so I want to support them firmly, and by stepping forward myself, I can add depth to the attack. I believe I can show growth both as an individual and as a team."
What lies ahead, of course, is winning the title in Tokyo. The special half-season tournament feels like it will be over in the blink of an eye, so I want to give my all to win each match. For that, a strong start is crucial, and I have already solidified the image of running through the opening at full speed.
Frustration becomes fuel. It also becomes nourishment.
Kento HASHIMOTO, who says, "I want to properly show the meaning of my return to Tokyo through results and play," aims for the top together with the red and blue family as one.
(Honorifics omitted in the text)
Text by Tomo Aoyama
