Blue Lock
Blue Lock (Japanese: ブルーロック, Hepburn: Burū Rokku) (stylized as BLUELOCK) is a Japanese manga series written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura. It has been serialized in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine since August 2018, with its chapters collected in 22 tankōbon volumes as of December 2022.
| Blue Lock | |
![]() First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Yoichi Isagi | |
| ブルーロック (Burū Rokku) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Muneyuki Kaneshiro |
| Illustrated by | Yusuke Nomura |
| Published by | Kodansha |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | Shōnen Magazine Comics |
| Magazine | Weekly Shōnen Magazine |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Original run | August 1, 2018 – present |
| Volumes | 22 |
| Manga | |
| Blue Lock: Episode Nagi | |
| Written by | Kōta Sannomiya |
| Published by | Kodansha |
| Magazine | Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine |
| Demographic | Shōnen |
| Original run | June 9, 2022 – present |
| Volumes | 1 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by |
|
| Written by | Taku Kishimoto |
| Music by | Jun Murayama |
| Studio | Eight Bit |
| Licensed by | Crunchyroll |
| Original network | TV Asahi |
| English network | |
| Original run | October 9, 2022 – present |
| Episodes | 18 |
An anime television series adaptation produced by Eight Bit premiered in October 2022.
As of February 2023, the manga had over 20 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series. In 2021, Blue Lock won the 45th Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category.
Plot
In 2018, the Japanese national team finished 16th in the FIFA World Cup. As a result, the Japan Football Association hires the football enigma Ego Jinpachi. His master plan to lead Japan to stardom is Blue Lock, a training regimen designed to create the world's greatest egotist striker. Those who fail Blue Lock will never again be permitted to represent any Japanese team. Yoichi Isagi, an unknown high school football player who is conflicted about his playing style, decides to join the program in order to become the best egotistical striker in the world.
Characters
- Yoichi Isagi (潔 世一, Isagi Yoichi)
- Voiced by: Kazuki Ura[2] (Japanese); Ricco Fajardo[3] (English)
- Meguru Bachira (蜂楽 廻, Bachira Meguru)
- Voiced by: Tasuku Kaito[2] (Japanese); Drew Breedlove[3] (English)
- Rensuke Kunigami (國神 錬介, Kunigami Rensuke)
- Voiced by: Yūki Ono[2] (Japanese); Alex Hom[3] (English)
- Hyōma Chigiri (千切 豹馬, Chigiri Hyōma)
- Voiced by: Soma Saito[2] (Japanese); Aaron Dismuke[3] (English)
- Wataru Kuon (久遠 渉, Kuon Wataru)
- Voiced by: Masatomo Nakazawa[4] (Japanese); Mark Allen Jr.[3] (English)
- Jingo Raichi (雷市 陣吾, Raichi Jingo)
- Voiced by: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka[4] (Japanese); Aaron Campbell[3] (English)
- Yūdai Imamura (今村 遊大, Imamura Yūdai)
- Voiced by: Shōya Chiba[4] (Japanese); Jesse Pinnick[3] (English)
- Gin Gagamaru (我牙丸 吟, Gagamaru Gin)
- Voiced by: Shugo Nakamura[4] (Japanese); Lee George[3] (English)
- Asahi Naruhaya (成早 朝日, Naruhaya Asahi)
- Voiced by: Daishi Kajita[4] (Japanese); Spencer Liles[3] (English)
- Okuhito Iemon (伊右衛門 送人, Iemon Okuhito)
- Voiced by: Ryūnosuke Watanuki[4] (Japanese); Anthony DiMascio[3] (English)
- Gurimu Igarashi (五十嵐 栗夢, Igarashi Gurimu)
- Voiced by: Aoi Ichikawa[4] (Japanese); Kyle Igneczi[3] (English)
- Ryōsuke Kira (吉良 涼介, Kira Ryōsuke)
- Voiced by: Kenichi Suzumura[4] (Japanese); Blake Shepard[3] (English)
- Jinpachi Ego (絵心 甚八, Ego Jinpachi)
- Voiced by: Hiroshi Kamiya[4] (Japanese); Derick Snow[3] (English)
- Anri Teieri (帝襟 アンリ, Teieri Anri)
- Voiced by: Eri Yukimura[4] (Japanese); Kasi Hollowell[3] (English)
- Shouei Barou (馬狼 照英, Barō Shōei)
- Voiced by: Junichi Suwabe[5] (Japanese); Matthew David Rudd[3] (English)
- Zantetsu Tsurugi (剣城 斬鉄, Tsurugi Zantetsu)
- Voiced by: Kazuyuki Okitsu[6]
- Seishirō Nagi (凪 誠士郎, Nagi Seishirō)
- Voiced by: Nobunaga Shimazaki[7]
- Reo Mikage (御影 玲王, Mikage Reo)
- Voiced by: Yuma Uchida[7]
- Ikki Niko (二子 一揮, Niko Ikki)
- Voiced by: Natsuki Hanae[8] (Japanese); David Matranga[3] (English)
- Junichi Wanima (鰐間 淳壱, Wanima Junichi)
- Voiced by: Ryōta Suzuki[8]
- Keisuke Wanima (鰐間 計助, Wanima Keisuke)
- Voiced by: Ryōta Suzuki[8]
- Sae Itoshi (糸師 冴, Itoshi Sae)
- Voiced by: Takahiro Sakurai[8] (Japanese); Alejandro Saab[3] (English)
- Rin Itoshi (糸師 凛, Itoshi Rin)
- Voiced by: Koki Uchiyama[9]
- Jyubei Aryu (蟻生 十兵衛, Aryū Jūbee)
- Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi[9]
- Aoshi Tokimitsu (時光 青志, Tokimitsu Aoshi)
- Voiced by: Shinnosuke Tachibana[9]
Media
Manga
Blue Lock is written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura. The series began in Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine on August 1, 2018.[10] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on November 16, 2018.[11] As of December 16, 2022, twenty-two volumes have been released.[12]
In January 2021, Kodansha USA announced that they have licensed the manga for English digital release in North America, starting on March 16, 2021.[13] In January 2022, Kodansha USA announced that they will release the manga in print.[14]
The manga has also been licensed in France by Pika Édition;[15] in Germany by Kazé;[16] in Taiwan by Tong Li Publishing;[17] in South Korea by Haksan Publishing;[18] in Italy by Panini Comics;[19] in Spain by Planeta DeAgostini;[20] in Thailand by Vibulkij Publishing;[21] in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo;[22] and in Argentina by Editorial Ivrea.[23]
A spin-off manga focusing on Seishiro Nagi, titled Blue Lock: Episode Nagi, began serialization in Kodansha's Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine on June 9, 2022.[24] The spin-off is written and illustrated by Kōta Sannomiya.[25] The spin-off has been collected in a single tankōbon volume as of October 17, 2022.[26]
Volume list
| No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 16, 2018[11] | 978-4-06-513400-9 | March 16, 2021 (digital) June 21, 2022 (print)[27] | 978-1-64-651654-4 | ||
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| 2 | January 17, 2019[28] | 978-4-06-514121-2 | April 20, 2021 (digital) August 30, 2022 (print)[29] | 978-1-64-651655-1 | ||
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| 3 | March 15, 2019[30] | 978-4-06-514447-3 | May 18, 2021 (digital)[31] October 25, 2022 (print) | 978-1-64-651656-8 | ||
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| 4 | June 17, 2019[32] | 978-4-06-515450-2 | June 15, 2021 (digital)[33] December 20, 2022 (print) | 978-1-64-651657-5 | ||
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| 5 | August 16, 2019[34] | 978-4-06-516336-8 | July 20, 2021 (digital)[35] February 21, 2023 (print) | 978-1-64-651662-9 | ||
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| 6 | October 17, 2019[36] | 978-4-06-517167-7 | August 17, 2021 (digital)[37] April 18, 2023 (print) | 978-1-64-651663-6 | ||
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| 7 | January 17, 2020[38] | 978-4-06-517887-4 | September 21, 2021 (digital)[39] June 27, 2023 (print) | 978-1-64-651664-3 | ||
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| 8 | March 17, 2020[40] | 978-4-06-518559-9 | October 19, 2021[41] | 978-1-63-699415-4 | ||
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| 9 | May 15, 2020[42] | 978-4-06-518854-5 | November 16, 2021[43] | 978-1-63-699467-3 | ||
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| 10 | August 17, 2020[44] | 978-4-06-520360-6 | December 21, 2021[45] | 978-1-63-699523-6 | ||
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| 11 | October 16, 2020[46] | 978-4-06-521018-5 | January 18, 2022[47] | 978-1-63-699561-8 | ||
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| 12 | December 17, 2020[48] | 978-4-06-521638-5 | March 15, 2022[49] | 978-1-63-699660-8 | ||
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| 13 | March 17, 2021[50] | 978-4-06-522073-3 | May 17, 2022[51] | 978-1-68-491176-9 | ||
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| 14 | May 17, 2021[52] | 978-4-06-523148-7 | July 19, 2022[53] | 978-1-68-491354-1 | ||
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| 15 | August 17, 2021[54] | 978-4-06-524479-1 | September 20, 2022[55] | — | ||
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| 16 | October 15, 2021[56] | 978-4-06-525141-6 | November 15, 2022[57] | 978-1-68-491542-2 | ||
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| 17 | December 17, 2021[58] | 978-4-06-526286-3 | January 17, 2023[59] | 978-1-68-491650-4 | ||
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| 18 | March 17, 2022[60] | 978-4-06-527288-6 | — | — | ||
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| 19 | May 17, 2022[61] | 978-4-06-527913-7 | — | — | ||
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| 20 | July 15, 2022[62] | 978-4-06-528501-5 | — | — | ||
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| 21 | October 17, 2022[63] | 978-4-06-529489-5 | — | — | ||
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| 22 | December 16, 2022[12] | 978-4-06-529987-6 | — | — | ||
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| 23 | March 16, 2023[64] | 978-4-06-530927-8 | — | — | ||
Episode Nagi
| No. | Release date | ISBN |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 17, 2022[26] | 978-4-06-528981-5 |
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced on August 12, 2021. The series is produced by Eight Bit and directed by Tetsuaki Watanabe, with Shunsuke Ishikawa serving as assistant director, Taku Kishimoto overseeing the series' scripts, Masaru Shindō providing the main character designs and serving as chief animation director, Hisashi Tojima serving as chief action director, and Jun Murayama composing the music.[2] It will run for 24 episodes.[65] The series premiered on October 9, 2022, on TV Asahi's NUMAnimation block.[2][4][lower-alpha 2] The first opening theme song is "Chaos ga Kiwamaru" (カオスが極まる, "Chaos Reigns") by Unison Square Garden, while the first ending theme song is "Winner" by Shugo Nakamura.[8] The second opening theme song is "Judgement" by Ash Da Hero, while the second ending theme song is "Numbness like a ginger" by Unison Square Garden.[67][68] Crunchyroll has licensed the series, and have streamed an English dub starting on October 22, 2022.[69][3] Medialink licensed the series in Asia-Pacific;[70] it is streamed on their Ani-One YouTube channel,[71] and on iQIYI,[72] bilibili,[73] Netflix,[74] and Animax Asia.[75]
Episode list
| No. | Title [76] | Directed by [lower-alpha 3] | Written by [lower-alpha 3] | Storyboarded by [lower-alpha 3] | Original air date [77] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Dream" Transcription: "Yume" (Japanese: 夢) | Tetsuaki Watanabe, Masao Kawase, Kazuki Yokoyama | Taku Kishimoto | Tetsuaki Watanabe | October 9, 2022 | |
| In the prefectural tournament finals with his team trailing 1-0, striker Yoichi Isagi, heeding the words from his coach about soccer being a team game, opts to pass the ball to his wide open teammate rather than shooting at the goal himself, and his teammate misses. The opponent takes the ball the other way with their captain Ryosuke Kira kicking the match-clinching goal to advance to the national tournament. Sometime later, Isagi is summoned to the Japan Football Union, and he finds himself being one of 300 strikers confined at a remote soccer training facility called Blue Lock directed by coach Jinpachi Ego, being put through a survival boot camp in order to develop the ultimate striker for the Japan national football team with the winner becoming the team's starting striker and the rest banned from playing for the national team. The first trial is a game of tag in which the person who is struck by a kicked ball is 'it', and whoever is 'it' when time expires is eliminated. The lowest-ranked striker Gurimu Igarashi starts out being 'it', and Isagi ends up being tagged to become 'it'. Rather than choosing to eliminate Igarashi while he is down, Isagi takes the risk to eliminate a stronger player, and just before time expires he tags Kira to eliminate him. | ||||||
| 2 | "Monster" Transcription: "Kaibutsu" (Japanese: かいぶつ) | Shunsuke Ishikawa | Taku Kishimoto | Shunsuke Ishikawa | October 16, 2022 | |
| In a meeting at the JFU, new recruit and creator of Blue Lock Anri Teieri criticizes the board for their way of thinking. Back at Blue Lock, Ego explains to Kira that his lack of egoism made him unfit to be the ultimate striker as he leaves Blue Lock. Ego then explains that the 11 players remaining will form Team Z and live together with the message that at times the players will work together and at other times betray each other. Afterwards, the players train and eat together. At night, Isagi practices with teammate Meguru Bachira, and Bachira explains that he has some monster inside of him that tells him the best course of action. Afterwards, Ego explains that as teams are assigned based on player rank and Team Z has all the lowest-rated players. He then explains the next trial that will be a group play tournament against the other four teams in their building, one of five in the facility, with the top two teams advancing. With all players being forwards that Ego has tasked the players to play soccer from zero. Team Z prepares to play their first match against Team X. | ||||||
| 3 | "Soccer's "Zero"" Transcription: "Sakkā no Zero" (Japanese: サッカーの0) | Kazuki Yokoyama | Taku Kishimoto | Tetsuaki Watanabe, Takaaki Ishiyama | October 23, 2022 | |
| Before the match, Ego explains that in addition to the two winning teams, the leading scorers from the eliminated teams will also advance. The match begins with fighting amongst teammates to advance by being the top scorer, but Team X starts to play as a team with Shohei Barou scoring the first goal as the trigger while the in-fighting continues with Team Z, allowing Team X to take a 5-0 lead. The zero on the scoreboard leads Isagi to believing that what Ego meant by playing soccer from zero means scoring the first goal. Team Z avoids the shutout with a goal by Rensuke Kunigami before time expires to make the final score 5-1. After the match, Jingo Raichi confronts Isagi demanding to know why he passed the ball to Kunigami despite Raichi being more wide open, while Barou advises Isagi to not be nervous in front of the goal. Back in the locker room, Isagi explains what he concluded when Ego said to play soccer from zero pointing to Barou's goal as the catalyst. Ego then explains that while Isagi is partially correct, his message relates to the open-ended nature of a striker pointing out that Japanese athletes are successful when they have defined roles, but struggle in sports that rely heavily on open-ended roles like in soccer. | ||||||
| 4 | "Premonition and Intuition" Transcription: "Yokan to Chokkan" (Japanese: 予感と直感) | Takahiro Enokida | Taku Kishimoto | Shunsuke Ishikawa | October 30, 2022 | |
| With Isagi struggling mentally, he asks Kumigami why he plays soccer, responding that he idolizes strikers as real-life superheroes and wants to become on. Kumigami also explains that goal scorers get bonus points to spend for stuff to improve quality of life at Blue Lock, and Kumigami uses his for a steak he shares with Isagi as gratitude for the assist. Kumigami also tells Isagi that he has a special talent for sensing where to go with the ball to score goals. The next day, Team Z and Team Y play a match that amounts to an elimination game with both teams losing badly in their first match. Team Z puts their position rotation strategy into motion with Bachira starting out as the striker, but Bachira struggles as his shots get blocked. Team Y then puts their plan into motion to focus on defense, then steal the ball and following a long pass to the team's best player Hibiki Ohkawa, he scores on a breakaway to give Team Y a 1-0 lead. Having taken the lead, Team Y deploys stall tactics by passing the ball around to run out the clock, but Team Z steals possession and ties the match with a goal from Gin Gagamaru, all while Isagi notices that Ohkawa's teammate Ikki Niko is the team's true leader who is calling the shots. | ||||||
| 5 | "To Be Reborn" Transcription: "Umarekawaru no Wa" (Japanese: 生まれ変わるのは) | Chihiro Kumano | Taku Kishimoto | Tetsuaki Watanabe, Takaaki Ishiyama | November 6, 2022 | |
| Having figured out that Niko possesses the same ability he has, Isagi sees his former self inside of Niko. With the match tied at 1-1, Team Y continues to play defense until the last minute. Having drawn Team Z into the offensive zone, Team Y rushes towards the goal with Niko passing the ball to Ohkawa for a wide-open shot to score the game-winning goal. However, Isagi manages to run back just in time to block Ohkawa's shot and take possession of the ball. Isagi completes a long pass to Kumigami, who passes the ball to Bachira, and then passing it to Isagi to score and give Team Z the win by the final score of 2-1. Afterwards, the team celebrates their win with a potluck. That night, Hyoma Chigiri tells Isagi that he tore his ACL a year ago and that he is afraid that he might tear it again that would end his playing career, and Isagi lets Chigiri know that he needs to be prepared to give up everything in order to make it in the sport. The next day, Ego releases new rankings and Isagi is now Team Z's top player, while explaining that each player has a different talent that they need to figure out how to utilize. | ||||||
| 6 | "I'm Sorry" Transcription: "Gomen" (Japanese: ごめん) | Tatsuya Ishiguro | Taku Kishimoto | Satoshi Shimizu | November 13, 2022[lower-alpha 4] | |
| The current standings are revealed with Team V on top having won both of their matches while the other four teams have one win each. Team Z enters their match against Team W with a great sense of urgency knowing that their final match is against Team V, who has dominated the block. Team Z takes a 3-0 lead into halftime over Team W with a hat trick scored by Wataru Kuon. However, that lead is quickly erased at the start of the second half. With Isagi noticing that Team W is in perfect position to counter Team Z's strategy, as well as Kuon intentionally making mistakes that allowed the Wanima twins to score easy goals for Team W, Isagi correctly deduces that Kuon is betraying the team. Kuon explains that he made a deal with the Wanima twins to allow Team W to win in exchange for allowing Kuon to advance for being Team Z's leading goal scorer, and as such they allowed Kuon to score three goals in the first half, and then Kuon would give away Team Z's strategy. Now aware that the match is 10 against 12 that Isagi scrambles to figure out a new strategy. | ||||||
| 7 | "Rush" Transcription: "Tagiri" (Japanese: 滾り) | Yoshito Mikamo, Akira Toba | Taku Kishimoto | Tetsuaki Watanabe, Shunsuke Ishikawa, Takaaki Ishiyama | November 20, 2022[lower-alpha 4] | |
| Down 4-3 with Kuon leaking Team Z's strategy to Team W, Chigiri recalls his soccer career as he was called the genius and played for the same high school as the Wanima twins. He was a star player known for his speed, but tore his ACL that put his career on hold and has been holding back fearing that he might reinjure his knee that would end his career. Needing a new strategy that can't be countered by Kuon, Team Z places their hopes on Chigiri since Kuon does not know about Chigiri's injury. With the match entering stoppage time, Isagi passes the ball to the other side of the pitch. Using his speed having heeded Isagi's advice about being prepared to lose everything, Chigiri takes the ball and scores the equalizer in the final minute to end the match in a 4-4 draw. After the match, Kuon is beaten up by Team W for not telling them about Chigiri. Sometime later, Kuon attempts to negotiate a similar deal with Zantetsu Tsurugi, Seishiro Nagi, and Reo Mikage of Team V, but they are uninterested. Overhearing the conversation and bothered by their view of the game, Isagi confronts Team V to criticize them about their commitment to soccer. | ||||||
| 8 | "The Formula of a Goal" Transcription: "Gōru no Hōteishiki" (Japanese: 成功の方程式) | Kentarō Sugimoto | Taku Kishimoto | Tomohiro Furukawa | November 27, 2022 | |
| Reo explains that he got interested in soccer when watching the World Cup, but with his father wanting him to succeed him as the CEO of his family's company that he did not approve of his soccer dream. One day, Reo encountered Nagi and they have since become teammates. As Team Z prepares for their final match against Team V, which they must win to advance, Ego explains to Team Z that the goals they scored are not reproduceable and that reproducibility is a critical skill for a striker. With that message, Isagi asks Barou for advice on reproducibility, and after seeing him score twice on him in practice, he figures out his mechanics that leads him to mastering the art of reproducing goals. The next day, Team Z has their match with Team V having come up with a strategy that does not involve Kuon, and the plan initially works. However, the shot misses. Off the missed shot, Reo completes a long and risky no-look pass to Nagi on the opposite side of the pitch, and Nagi scores the first goal of the match for Team V. | ||||||
| 9 | "Awakening" Transcription: "Kakusei" (Japanese: 覚醒) | Takayuki Tanaka | Taku Kishimoto | Kiyoshi Okuyama, Nitta Chishima, Yūji Haibara | December 4, 2022[lower-alpha 4] | |
| Team V goes up 3-0 after Nagi scores another goal using the same pass, and Tsurugi uses his speed while taking advantage of Team Z's attention on Nagi to score from long-range. Realizing that their tactics are not working, Bachira awakens his monstrous self in the thrill of battle to send a message to Team Z to awaken their hidden potential to become super special. Bachira dribbles past Reo, fakes Tsurugi out, and lobs the ball over Team V's goalkeeper to cut Team V's lead to 3-1, prompting Team Z to follow Bachira's lead to evolve and awaken their hidden abilities. Kunigami scores with a mid-range shot that fools the goalkeeper due to the lack of spin to make the score 3-2 going into halftime. The second half begins with Gagamaru's shot blocked by Tsurugi with Isagi taking the rebound, but his hesitation allows Nagi to take the ball away. Raichi psyches Reo out leading Reo to a yellow card for elbowing Raichi. Chigiri takes the free kick, and taking advantage of his superior top speed despite Tsurugi's superior acceleration, he passes the ball to a distant spot on the pitch where only he can get to the ball and ties the score at 3-3 with 30 minutes left in the match. | ||||||
| 10 | "Just the Way It Is" Transcription: "Kono Mama de" (Japanese: このままで) | Kazuki Yokoyama | Taku Kishimoto | Kazuki Yokoyama | December 11, 2022[lower-alpha 4] | |
| Faced with the prospect of defeat after dominating all previous matches, Team V responds to Team Z's awakening by evolving their game. Team V takes the lead with a goal by Nagi kicked from an impossibly tight angle. With that goal, Nagi suddenly finds soccer fun after viewing the game as boring. In response, Chigiri makes another long pass to himself with assistance from Isagi, who blocks out Nagi from getting to the ball, and shoots at the goal that is saved. Gagamaru gets the rebound and makes a shot that is blocked by Reo, and on the rebound Kunigami shoots and scores to tie the score at 4-4. In seeing the way his teammates are playing, Kuon recalls that he used to be enthusiastic about soccer, but his overbearing demeanor alienated his teammates. With the match entering stoppage time, Nagi breaks away for an easy goal, but Kuon tackles Nagi that gets him a red card. On the ensuing free kick outside the penalty box, Nagi's shot is blocked by Gagamaru just before it enters the net. Isagi gets the ball on the rebound as he leads the charge to make one last attempt to score the match-winning goal that gets Team Z into the next round. | ||||||
| 11 | "The Final Piece" Transcription: "Saigo no Kakera" (Japanese: 最後の欠片) | Norio Kashima | Taku Kishimoto | Shigeru Morikawa | December 18, 2022[lower-alpha 4] | |
| Isagi leads Team Z down the pitch, and using his foresight, he finds a spot to the left of Chigiri and Kunigami in front of the net correctly anticipating that Team V would send their defenders to mark them. However, he failed to notice Nagi marking him. After going through his thought process, Isagi decides to risk it all with a direct shot, and scores the match-winning goal. With the first selection completed, everybody on Team V and Team Z advances for finishing first and second, while Junichi Wanima, Niko, and Barou advance for being the leading scorers on the eliminated teams. In preparation for the second selection, Ego has the remaining strikers undergo physical conditioning. Sometime later, the remaining strikers gather, and Ego reveals that Building 5 is the only one at Blue Lock and the other four buildings were made up in order to get everybody to experience inferiority. He then explains that the first selection was about understanding what being a striker is about, and the second selection will be a series of individual challenges in five stages in which only teams of five strikers will make it through to the end. | ||||||
| 12 | "The Second Selection" Transcription: "Sekandoserekushon" (Japanese: セカンドセレクション) | Yūsuke Onoda | Taku Kishimoto | Masashi Kojima | December 25, 2022[lower-alpha 4] | |
| In the 1st stage, Isagi enters a small soccer ground where he sees a holographic Blue Lock Man appear with a holographic gate and goal zone. Given 90 minutes to score 100 goals, Isagi clears the round and improves his shooting. When he enters the second stage, he sees Nagi and Reo among other players. A message appears, telling them to form a team of three to proceed to the next stage. Moments later, Bachira appears and immediately forms his team with Isagi. Initially planning to take Kunigami or Chigiri as their third member, Nagi offers Isagi to join his team. He declines, as he has already made his team with Bachira. Nagi opts to join them, leaving Reo. Moving to the third stage, they find a team consisting of Rin Itoshi, Jyubei Aryu, and Aoshi Tokimitsu, the highest-ranked players. Ego explains they are free to choose their opponents. The team who scores five goals first will win. The winning team can choose any member from the losing team. Isagi and his team decide to play against Rin's team. | ||||||
| 13 | "Top 3" | Yasushi Muroya | Taku Kishimoto | Kazuki Yokoyama | January 8, 2023 | |
| The match starts between Isagi's team, in white, and Rin's team, in red. Team White scores a goal working together but is tied when Rin lands a shot from kick-off. In the next round, a pass to Isagi from Bachira is intercepted by Aryu, using his height and long limbs to steal the ball and score. When Bachira attempts to out-maneuver Tokimitsu next round, his normally skittish and self-deprecating demeanor gives way to monstrous speed and strength, overwhelming Bachira and Isagi and scoring. Nagi attempts a formation between the three of them to block their opponents' individual strengths, allowing them to score. Itoshi attempts another shot at kick-off but is blocked by Isagi, putting the ball out of bounds. Believing they have him locked down, Rin's ability to curve shots allows him to score from the corner with ease. With one goal left for Team Red, Team White uses the formation again. Bachira gives the ball to Isagi and Rin moves behind him. Despite Isagi believing the space was open to score, Rin steals the ball and scores the winning goal for Team Red. They select Bachira to join them and proceed to the next stage. | ||||||
| 14 | "The Geniuses and the Average Joes" Transcription: "Tensai to Bonsai" (Japanese: 天才と凡才) | Hiroshi Kimura, Fukutarō Hattori | Taku Kishimoto | Kiyoshi Okuyama, Chihiro Nitta | January 15, 2023 | |
| Returning to the 2nd stage, Isagi and Nagi realize they are being tested on their individual strengths. To Isagi's surprise, Barou and former Team Z teammate Asahi Naruhaya are among the unselected; Barou, despite his excellent shooting, was not chosen for his selfish attitude. While training, Isagi is approached by Naruhaya; knowing that their lesser skill compared to Barou and Nagi will lead to their disqualification from Blue Lock should they lose, the two agree to play against each other. At the start of the match, Barou takes the ball from Nagi, showcasing his increased range and scoring. In the next round, Isagi passes to Nagi, who uses his fine control to bypass Barou, allowing him to score. Later, Barou takes the ball but refuses to pass it to Naruhaya; Isagi steals it and passes it to Nagi for another goal. Angered, Barou tries a shot from kick-off next round but misses the net. Isagi runs for the ball but is beaten by Naruhaya, who passes it to Barou for a goal. He reveals the true reason they challenged them is that they know of Isagi's inability to score alone. When Barou passes to Naruhaya, he makes his way past Isagi and shoots. | ||||||
| 15 | "Devour" Transcription: "Kueru" (Japanese: 喰) | Yoshito Mikamo, Shintarō Inokawa | Taku Kishimoto | Keiichi Sekino | January 22, 2023 | |
| Though Naruhaya's shot hits the post, Barou takes possession and scores. Next round, Isagi passes to Nagi as they rush the net, where he scores. Barou shoots from kick-off again but Nagi blocks it; Isagi takes possession but Naruhaya steals it, passing to Barou to score. Isagi realizes that Naruhaya always positions himself in his blind spot, allowing him to get close unnoticed, similar to Rin. Nagi scores again, tying the game. A flashback reveals that Naruhaya's desire to succeed stems from wanting to support his struggling family after their parents' deaths. Barou tries once more to shoot from kick-off but is blocked; emulating Isagi's Direct Shot, Naruhaya shoots but hits the post. Nagi takes possession and Isagi heads to the net, causing Barou to follow him. Seeing Barou change targets, Isagi sprints to the net, emulating Naruhaya's footwork; Nagi passes the ball, and Isagi scores, winning the match. Naruhaya laments his missed shot; Isagi claims either team could have won but Naruhaya declares him the superior player. Isagi selects Barou to join the team but thanks Naruhaya for helping him improve. On the previous day, angered that Bachira and Isagi had left them, Kunigami and Chigiri approach Reo to join them, who accepts in order to defeat Nagi for leaving him. | ||||||
| 16 | "Tri-Fusion" Transcription: "Torai・Sesshon" (Japanese: 三者融合) | TBA | TBA | TBA | January 29, 2023 | |
| At a JFU meeting, Teieri reports that in Blue Lock, different players going against and working with each other is how they will find the best. Others disagree, wanting the most talented player available. Ego criticizes them for wanting someone who may seem successful but will suffer due to a lack of preparation. To him, talent isn't being born with gifts or physicality but the skills to improve them. Isagi and Nagi learn that Barou is particular in maintaining a regime, be it cleanliness or intense training; his self-discipline the key to his developed shooting and physique. At the public bath, Isagi is surprised to see Kunigami and Chigiri are still in the 3rd stage. Joined by the rest of their teams, all agree to play each other. Isagi decides to be the link between Nagi and Barou since both refuse to cooperate. Meanwhile, Tokimitsu and Aryu struggle to find a team unafraid to play them, and Bachira attempts to show Rin that soccer can be enjoyable, not just a competition. At the match's start, Barou takes the ball and Kunigami marks him. His refusal to pass allows Reo to bypass Isagi and steal the ball, passing it to Chigiri. He outpaces Nagi and lands the first goal. | ||||||
| 17 | "Donkey" Transcription: "Hetakuso" (Japanese: ヘタクソ) | TBA | TBA | TBA | February 5, 2023 | |
| Isagi passes to Barou intent on scoring, but his refusal to pass it back allows Kunigami to score. Next round, he passes to Nagi instead, who is able to avoid Chigiri and score. Isagi once again tries to work with Barou, who declares he'd rather lose than change his play. Nonetheless, Barou angrily admits that he is not winning with his skills. Next round, as Reo takes possession, Isagi realizes he is the link between Kunigami and Chigiri since his skills are balanced, not specialized; Chigiri takes it and passes in front of the net, where Kunigami headers a goal. Isagi decides that instead of adapting to Barou, he will force him to follow instead. He pretends to pass to him, tricking Barou and his opponents and allowing Nagi to take possession. Surrounded and with Barou calling for the ball, Nagi passes to an unimpeded Isagi and he scores. Next round, Barou takes the ball but is marked by Kunigami and Reo; Isagi takes the ball and passes it to Nagi, who scores. However, Chigiri uses a new gentle kick to avoid slowing down while dribbling and scores by himself. Elsewhere, in the 3rd stage, Junichi Wanima decides to team up with Raichi and Gagamaru. | ||||||
| 18 | "The Stage for the Lead" Transcription: "Shu Sutējiza" (Japanese: 主役の座) | TBA | TBA | TBA | February 12, 2023 | |
| With Isagi's team down 4-3, Barou shoots the ball at the goal directly from the kickoff and misses. Kunigami gets the loose ball and passes it to Reo, who tries to pass it to Chigiri, but Barou gets to it first. Barou thought about taking the shot, but instead passes to Isagi, who scores the match-tying goal. Afterwards, Isagi and Nagi strategize without telling Barou their plan, while Barou sorts out his feelings. Play resumes with Reo taking the ball and tries to pass the ball to Chigiri after running behind Nagi towards the net, but Nagi intercepts the pass and Barou gets the loose ball. Barou goes down the pitch having awakened and fakes out Kunigami with a chop, then Reo with another chop, and then scores the match-winning goal. Afterwards, Barou explains to Isagi and Nagi that he had been the lead actor on the pitch this whole time, but those two were the first to steal the lead away from him. While watching the match, Ego explains to Teieri that dealing with defeat is a critical aspect as Barou demonstrated resiliency in that match. Isagi decides on which team member to select with a match against Bachira looming. | ||||||
Reception
By August 2020, the manga had over 1.9 million copies in circulation;[78] by January 2021, it had over 3 million copies in circulation.[79] over 4 million copies in circulation by April 2021;[80] by August 2021, it had over 5 million in circulation;[81] over 6 million copies in circulation by February 2022;[82] over 8.3 million copies in circulation by March 2022;[83] over 9.3 million copies in circulation by June 2022;[84] over 10 million copies in circulation August 2022;[85] over 16 million copies in circulation by December 2022;[86] over 18 million copies in circulation by January 2023;[87] and over 20 million copies in circulation by February 2023.[88]
The series was recommended by manga author Hajime Isayama of Attack on Titan fame, for whom Yusuke Nomura previously worked as an assistant.[89] Blue Lock was one of the Top 3 Sports Manga Series of the "Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2020" by Honya Club.[90] Blue Lock won the 45th Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category in 2021.[91][92] The series was nominated for a Harvey Award in the Best Manga category in 2022.[93]
Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network, in her review of the series' first two volumes, called the "dystopian sports" concept something that makes it stand out among other sports series, but she said that it is so "blatantly absurd that it doesn't entirely work". Silverman praised its art, noting Tite Kubo's overtones, and concluded that while the first two volumes are not perfect, there is enough going to make her want to read more.[94]
Notes
References
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- Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 10, 2022). "Blue Lock Anime Casts Junichi Suwabe". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 10, 2022.
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- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (August 12, 2022). "Blue Lock Anime's Video Reveals More Cast, Opening Song, October 8 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- Morrissy, Kim (September 9, 2022). "Blue Lock Anime Casts Kouki Uchiyama, Katsuyuki Konishi, Shinnosuke Tachibana". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
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- ブルーロック(8) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- "Blue Lock, Volume 8". Kodansha USA. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ブルーロック(9) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- "Blue Lock, Volume 9". Kodansha USA. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
- ブルーロック(10) (in Japanese). Kodansha. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- "Blue Lock, Volume 10". Kodansha USA. Retrieved December 11, 2021.
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- ブルーロック:テレビアニメは全24話 連続2クール放送 南野拓実選手が“名誉キャプテン”に. mantan-web.jp (in Japanese). September 23, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- 「ブルーロック」に花江夏樹・鈴木崚汰・櫻井孝宏が出演、1話&2話の先行劇場上映も. Natalie (in Japanese). August 12, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- Hazra, Adriana (December 24, 2022). "Ash Da Hero Performs New Opening Theme for Blue Lock Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
- Loo, Egan (January 21, 2023). "Unison Square Garden Performs Blue Lock Anime's New Ending Song". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
- Hodgkins, Crystalyn (May 28, 2022). "Crunchyroll to Stream Blue Lock, Orient 2nd Part, Rent-A-Girlfriend Season 2 Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 28, 2022.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (September 26, 2022). "Ani-One Asia Streams Gundam: The Witch From Mercury, My Master Has no Tail, Blue Lock Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 26, 2022.
- Hazra, Adriana (October 1, 2022). "Ani-One Simulcasts The Human Crazy University, Blue Lock Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- iQIYI [@iQIYI] (September 30, 2022). "Calling all #BlueLock fans! Are you ready?Catch Blue Lock, premiering 9 October on #iQIYI and iQ.com!👉🏻App: bit.ly/downloadiQiyitwt (Territories: MY/TH/ID/TW) #anime #ブルーロック" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Blue Lock". bilibili. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- Netflix Indonesia [@NetflixID] (October 9, 2022). "3️⃣ Blue Lock 4️⃣ Mobile Suit Gundam The Witch From Mercury Dua-duanya tayang tiap hari Minggu" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- Pineda, Rafael (September 29, 2022). "Animax Asia Airs Simulcast of Beast Tamer, Blue Lock Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved October 9, 2022.
- "Sutōrī|Terebi Anime "Burū Rokku" Kōshiki Saito" STORY|TVアニメ『ブルーロック』公式サイト [Story|TV Anime "Blue Lock" Official Website]. bluelock-pr.com (in Japanese). Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- "On'ea|Terebi Anime "Buru Rokku" Koshiki Saito" ON AIR|TVアニメ『ブルーロック』公式サイト [On Air|TV Anime "Blue Lock" Official Website]. bluelock-pr.com (in Japanese). Retrieved October 5, 2022.
- Soccer Manga Blue Lock [Official] [@bluelock_wm] (August 23, 2020). 『ブルーロック』最新10巻 発売ホヤホヤです!! (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved August 12, 2021 – via Twitter.
- Soccer Manga Blue Lock [Official] [@bluelock_wm] (January 25, 2021). /㊗️皆さんの応援のお陰で、✨既刊全巻に超大重版が ✨決定いたしました!!!\ (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved August 12, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ブルーロック初原画展「BLUE LOCK EXHIBITION」開催決定!タワレコ渋谷で5月15日~6月6日、オリジナルグッズも販売!. PR TIMES. April 26, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- Soccer Manga Blue Lock [Official] [@bluelock_wm] (August 30, 2021). 累計500万部突破しました (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved August 30, 2021 – via Twitter.
- 『ブルーロック』キャラPV・蜂楽廻編公開!海渡翼が蜂楽の魅力を語る. Animage+ (in Japanese). Tokuma Shoten. February 16, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- Soccer Manga Blue Lock [Official] [@bluelock_wm] (March 30, 2022). ✨㊗️全巻大重版㊗️✨🎊累計830万部突破🎊 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved March 30, 2022 – via Twitter.
- 『ブルーロック』己こそがナンバーワン!!選手は全員エゴイスト! 究極の状況から誕生した最もエゴい&イカれた名台詞・名シーンをまとめました!!. Animate Times (in Japanese). June 29, 2022. Retrieved July 10, 2022.
- 秋アニメ『ブルーロック』スペシャルステージイベントがABEMA にて生配信決定! 声優・浦和希さん、海渡翼さん、仲村宗悟さん、市川蒼さんが出演. Animate Times (in Japanese). August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
- 『ブルーロック』新ビジュアル&振り返りダイジェストムービー公開!. Animage+ (in Japanese). December 26, 2022. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
- Soccer Manga Blue Lock [Official] [@bluelock_wm] (January 27, 2023). ✨🎊全巻重版1800万部突破🎊✨ (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved January 27, 2023 – via Twitter.
- Soccer Manga Blue Lock [Official] [@bluelock_wm] (February 9, 2023). ✨🎊全巻重版2000万部突破🎊✨『ブルーロック』1〜22巻全巻重版です📚🎊ついに2000の大台に…😭✨皆様のエゴい応援のおかげです、本当にありがとうございます🙇♂️何か御礼企画を考えねば‼️さらなる大台目指して頑張ります🔥#ブルーロック 無料試し読み👇https://pocket.shonenmagazine.com/episode/10834108156632602988#エゴい (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved February 9, 2023 – via Twitter.
- 諫山創×金城宗幸×ノ村優介、「ブルーロック」1巻発売を記念し週マガで鼎談. Natalie (in Japanese). November 14, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- Mateo, Alex (February 1, 2020). "Japanese Bookstores Recommend 15 Top Manga for 2020". Anime News Network. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 7, 2021). "45th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards' Nominees Announced". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
- Mateo, Alex (May 13, 2021). "45th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards' Winners Announced". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 13, 2021.
- Hazra, Adriana (August 14, 2022). "Harvey Awards Nominate Blood on The Tracks, Blue Lock, Cat + Gamer, Chainsaw Man, Red Flowers, Spy x Family". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 2, 2022. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- Silverman, Rebecca (May 1, 2021). "Blue Lock GN 1 & 2 - Review". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 1, 2021.
External links
- Blue Lock official manga website at Pocket Shōnen Magazine (in Japanese)
- Blue Lock official anime website (in Japanese)
- Blue Lock (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
