The appeal and reviews of Blue Lock: A deep look at the series and the first TV episode

Blue Rock: An egoistic soccer revolution

"Blue Lock," which aired from October 9, 2022 to March 26, 2023, is a TV anime series based on the manga of the same name written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura. It was broadcast on all 24 TV Asahi affiliated stations every Sunday from 1:30 to 2:00 a.m., with a total of 24 episodes. In addition, on September 23, 2022, a special edition was screened in theaters, in which episodes 1 and 2 were edited and combined into one, with bonus footage added, titled "Super Speed ​​Screening Version ~ Blue Prison Dormitory Entry Edition ~."

Blue Lock is a story set in the "Blue Lock" project, launched by the Japan Football Association to develop a striker who will lead Japan to victory in the World Cup. 300 high school forwards are gathered together to take on the grueling challenge of creating a striker who will revolutionize Japanese soccer, at the expense of 299 soccer lives. The project is headed by sharp-tongued coach Eshin Jinpachi. A regular eater of instant ramen and cup yakisoba, he imposes rigorous training on the players in order to produce the world's best striker.

story

The protagonist, Kiyoyoichi, is an unknown high school forward who dreams of one day becoming the ace striker for the Japanese national team and winning the World Cup. However, he regrets missing a chance in front of the goal with a pass in the prefectural tournament final, and joins the "Blue Lock" project to make his dream come true and change his life. There, he meets a diverse group of friends, including the uniquely sensitive Hachiraku Maki, the sportsmanlike Kunigami Rensuke, and the secret-hiding Sengiri Hyouma, and grows as he competes with them.

The story depicts the process in which the members of Team Z grow as they come to understand each other and compete with each other. In particular, the relationship between Kiyoshi and Horaku is at the heart of the story, and it is moving to see them grow into people who understand each other well. Each episode also carefully depicts the backstories and growth of each character, drawing viewers in.

character

Each character in Blue Lock has a strong personality and leaves a strong impression on the viewer. The main character, Kiyotaka Seiichi, is an innocent boy who pursues his dreams, but his egoistic side gradually strengthens, which is appealing. Hakuraku Maki pursues a free-spirited style of soccer with his unique sensibility and excellent dribbling skills, and grows through his relationship with Kiyotaka. Kunigami Rensuke is a good young man with an upright belief, and supports the team with his strong physique and left-footed mid-range shots.

In addition, many other unique characters will appear, such as Chigiri Hyoma, who has a secret, Kuon Wataru, who plays an active role as the team's commander, and Raichi Jingo, who has an aggressive personality. In addition, Ego Jinpachi, who holds full authority over the project, and Teiko Henri, a new employee of the Japan Football Union, also play important roles and liven up the story.

Production Staff

Blue Lock was animated by Eight Bit, directed by Tetsuaki Watanabe, assistant director Shunsuke Ishikawa, and written by Taku Kishimoto. Original author Muneyuki Kinjo was involved as story supervisor, and Yasushi Uemura was listed as a concept advisor. Shindo Yu was in charge of main character design, and Kenji Tanabe and Kento Toya were in charge of character design and general animation direction.

The quality of the action scenes is also high, and the teamwork between chief action director Hisashi Higashijima, action director Hiromi Sakamoto, and Takehiko Matsumoto shines through. The beautiful visuals by color designer Sakura Komatsu and art directors Sawako Takagi and Toshihiko Kojima also add to the appeal of the film. The music is by Jun Murayama, and the theme song and insert songs are also important elements in enhancing the atmosphere of the film.

Theme songs and music

The opening theme is "Chaos ga Gokumaru" by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN and "Judgement" by ASH DA HERO. The ending theme is "WINNER" by Nakamura Shugo and "Numbness like a ginger" by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN, and each song reflects the development of the story and the feelings of the characters. In particular, the song by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN helps to bring out the energetic atmosphere of the work.

Ratings and Recommendations

"Blue Lock" is a work that deeply moves viewers by depicting the growth of each character and their relationships, even though the subject is the sport of soccer. By depicting the growth of egoists, it realistically expresses the difficulty and joy of self-actualization in a competitive society. The action scenes are also of high quality, making it a visually enjoyable work.

This work is recommended not only for soccer fans, but also for those who like youth stories and stories of growth. In particular, it is a must-see for those who want to be moved by the growth of the main character, Kiyoyoshi, and the bond between the members of Team Z. In addition, the story of competition and friendship between the unique characters will resonate with many viewers and remain in their hearts.

Related Titles

"Blue Lock" also has a related work called "Blue Lock: Additional Time!". This is a spin-off of the original work, and you can enjoy the characters' backstories and daily lives in more depth. By watching it together with the main anime, you can enjoy the world of "Blue Lock" even more.

Conclusion

"Blue Lock" is a moving soccer anime that depicts the growth and competition of unique characters. By depicting the growth of egoists, it deeply moves the viewer and realistically expresses the difficulty and joy of self-actualization in a competitive society. The action scenes are also of high quality, making it a visual treat to watch. This is a work that is recommended not only for soccer fans, but also for those who like youth stories and stories of growth. Please experience the world of "Blue Lock" and enjoy the story of the characters' growth and competition.