Blue Lock is a truly phenomenal sports anime, based on a best-selling manga, intriguing fans with action-packed soccer matches, interpersonal drama, and each character constantly fighting to be the best. There is never a dull moment in Blue Lock because of the competitive nature of the contest and the knowledge that any character could be eliminated at any time. Out of the 300 participants in the Blue Lock project, there are a few players who really stand out.
Each player invited to compete at Blue Lock has a special and unique gift that gives them an advantage during games. Some players excel at dribbling, some are excellent at guarding, some possess phenomenal kicking abilities, and some are able to “sniff out” a perfect goal from any area of the field. As Jinpachi Ego asserts, the world’s best striker who excels above them all must prove himself in every area of playing soccer. The best players in Blue Lock rise to this challenge and continually hone their talents, never becoming complacent or too secure, since the nature of the competition requires constant improvement.
He May Be Insecure About His Intelligence, but Not About His Speed
Tsurugi Zantetsu was introduced alongside Reo Mikage and Seishiro Nagi, with the three of them forming a powerful team. Unfortunately, Zantetsu isn’t particularly brilliant, so he wears glasses even when he doesn’t need them and just because he thinks they give him a smart appearance. However, Zantetsu makes up for his simple-mindedness with his incredible soccer skills.
Zantetsu is a cool and calm guy who doesn’t like it when someone questions his intelligence, playing as an extreme winger in the team and has an ace up his sleeve in the form of speed, having an explosive acceleration that can even rival Chigiri at short range and a powerful and accurate shot with his left foot. Although he didn’t appear in many episodes of the first season, it was revealed that he passed the second selection.
19
Aoshi Tokimitsu’s Power Doesn’t Match His Personality
His Timid Character Doesn’t Stop Him From Being a Muscle Bullet in the Field
Aoshi Tokimitsu is one of the top players in the second selection of Blue Lock. Even though this may be difficult to imagine due to his shy and fearful personality, especially in front of people with volatile and aggressive characters. Despite his lack of confidence, Tokimitsu’s greatest quality is his physical strength, since he has brutal power, which can surpass even that of mighty players like Baro and Kunigami.
He also stands out for his extraordinary speed and incredible resistance. Although he doesn’t reach Chigiri’s level of speed, Tokimitsu can perform quick dribbles and get ahead with ease and has an almost unlimited amount of energy, allowing him to last the entire duration of the match without feeling tired and playing at full capacity.
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Kunigami Rensuke Aims To Be a Soccer Superhero With an Unstoppable Attitude
He Takes Advantage of his Agility, Flexibility, and Overpowered Kicks and Developed an Unstoppable Attitude
Kunigami aspires to become the best striker and a soccer hero, so he has great morality and little tolerance for dishonest players, so it is easy to discern why he would clash with a personality like Ryusei Shido. He has powerful kicks, agile movements, passionate playing, an undefeatable attitude, physical strength, and advanced soccer skills, which makes Kunigami a difficult opponent to beat on the field.
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After losing to Ryusei Shido and failing to advance in the second selection, Kunigami is seen leaving the Blue Lock project, losing his opportunity to be the world’s best striker. However, being one of the main characters, Kunigami has a lot of potential for the future, as he looks he received an opportunity to return to the project as tease in the post-credit scene of Blue Lock season 2.
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Ikki Niko Is Capable of Neutralizing Other Players With His Strategy
He Doesn’t Stand Too Much but Was the Top Scorer of the Team Y
Unlike other players, Niko’s soccer abilities lie not primarily in his physique but in his mind. This, added to his appearance, hiding his eyes with his long bangs, makes him not stand out much on the field. However, Niko is one of the most intelligent players in Blue Lock, knowing how to strategically use his vision during the games, even having spatial awareness, which in some instances can rival even Isagi.
The spatial awareness’ ability gives Niko a good reading of the game, allowing him to anticipate and cancel his opponents’ plays by intercepting the ball. Niko has also established a rivalry with Isagi, which prompted him to improve and overcome his fears by surpassing the second selection without problems at the end of the first season of the anime.
16
Jyubei Aryu’s Physique Gives Him an Extensive Range
He Can Easily Steal the Ball With His Reach While Maintaining His Elegant Nature
Aryu is one of the three elite players who appeared for the first time in the second half of season 1 during the second selection of the Blue Lock Project. Aryu is characterized by having an obsession with elegant things; however, this doesn’t stop him from being one of the strongest players.
One of Aryu’s main qualities is that his physique and extended limbs allow him to make impressive jumps and easily reach and catch balls in mid-air, which would normally be impossible for any other player. Also, by being a large striker with a height of almost two meters, in addition to jumping power, Aryu’s weapon is his extensive range. Aryu uses his well-trained physique correctly, having polished his technique to steal the ball.
15
Gin Gagamaru Is a Stretchy Goal Poacher
His Amazing Reflexes and Acrobatic Moves Score Unique Goals
Gagamaru has a gentle personality, being a reliable player who can be trusted and is willing to help his team. Despite being one of the best strikers on the Z team, along with Isagi, Kunigami, and Chigiri, he is the one who has had the least presence in the series; however, his feats and incredible reflexes and soccer abilities make him one of the best players.
Gagamaru’s large body and long limbs, in addition to his acrobatic skills, flexibility, and control, help him reach the ball in any direction. Also, Gagamaru’s weapon, his Spring-Like body, allows him to propel himself forward and be able to make incredible rebounds, goal saves, and shots, as proved by the scorpion kick he pulls off in the match against Team V. After assessing his incredible body flexibility and amazing reflexes. Gin Gagamaru became the last line of defense, being declared worthy to be a goalkeeper in Team Blue Lock Eleven
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Reo Mikage Is Versatile And Possesses A Wide Variety Of Soccer Skills
Once He Found His Own Identity Apart From Nagi, He Truly Began To Shine as a Player
Reo began his soccer journey as a talented individual who was a bit too dependent on his friend, Nagi. When he and Nagi were split up in the Blue Lock competition, Reo floundered for a while as he had to discover his own identity as a person and a soccer player apart from Nagi. Thankfully, he realized that he possesses soccer abilities that are on par with some of the greatest players in the entire world.
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Although Reo previously used Nagi as a crutch, once he was forced to play on his own, his personal gifts and talents truly began to shine without being overshadowed by his standout friend. He is an immensely versatile player and an expert in all areas of soccer, including speed, shooting, and dexterity on the field. Reo is dedicated to becoming the best and once he leaned into his own strengths, he became a truly confident and groundbreaking player with a real chance of succeeding in the contest.
13
Yo Hiori Is The Best Support Player
Introduced in the second season as one of the players that makes it to the Blue Lock Eleven team, Yo Hiori is a smart and consistent player with a broad insight in soccer who can give useful information to other participants without hesitation, as demonstrated when he advises Isagi during the tryouts.
Hiori is known for his good ball retention and control, which lets him easily seize any chance to give accurate passes, which elevates the opportunities to score. Hiori also quickly adapts during matches, an ability supported by his incredibly fast reflexes, ability to read other players, and his calmness, which makes him a great and versatile assist player. Moreover, his coolheaded vision allows him to assess the positions of the players and make great combinations with other players to advance in the field as he did with Rin and Karasu during the U-20 game.
12
Chigiri Hyoma Is Lightning Fast And Intensely Motivated
Even a Leg Injury Is Not Enough To Keep Chigiri From Fighting To Be the Best
Chigiri’s greatest strength as a player is most definitely his speed. No other player in Blue Lock can run as fast as Chigiri and the others find it impossible to stop him from reaching the goal once he starts to charge towards it. However, he has certainly faced some bumps in the road on his soccer journey that almost ended his career. Chigiri tore a leg muscle and was devastated to receive such a serious injury that could prevent him from playing soccer.
Even worse than the physical aspect of the pain was the emotional consequence of the injury, causing Chigiri to feel fear and anxiety whenever he stepped on the field. He became very worried he’d hurt himself again and end his chance at ever playing soccer. However, he chose to go to Blue Lock anyway and shows more bravery than anyone. So much is at stake for Chigiri, but he never once considered giving up his dream. His unbreakable drive coupled with his lightning-fast running make Chigiri a true force to be reckoned with on the soccer field.
11
Kenyu Yukimiya Is Unbeatable on One-On-One
With His Offensive 1-on-1 Emperor Style, No One Can Take the Ball From Him
Kenyu Yukimiya, who looks calm but has high confidence and believes in his abilities, thinks that the best and safest way to score a goal is to rely on himself, and he proclaims to be the best player in one-on-one in Japan. However, this claim of superiority in one-on-one is not just empty talk, as Yukimiya has proven his talent with his Emperor Style that allows him to pass his opponents with his dribbling skills, even passing players like Rin Itoshi and Ryusei Shido.
Because of this, Yukimiya succeeded in reaching fifth place during the Third Selection, joining Team Blue Lock Eleven as a core player entrusted with the left winger position. as well as disrupting the enemy defense during the match against Japan’s U-20, where he also could enter a “flow” state and make a great gyro shot.
10
Eita Otoya Is a Soccer Ninja
Otoya Has Stealth Abilities and Agility To Move Through the Right Line
Eita Otoya was the 4th best participant of Blue Lock during the Third Selection, who is one of the fastest players in the series that instead of relying on leg strength, he uses agile and smooth foot movements to advance quickly in narrow spaces. With this pace and skill, he can slip between his opponents, breaking down their defenses, which also makes him a great partner for Karasu.
Otoya also has a dangerous agility that, in combination with off-the-ball movements, allows him to position himself behind opposing players and pass them before they can realize his presence. This signature technique is known as Stealth Walk and has earned him the nickname Ninja. Because of his speed and footwork, he was assigned in Japan’s U-20 game first as the right wing and later in the second half, the right back position.
9
Tabito Karasu is the Assassin of the Field
A Cunning Player Who Exploits the Weaknesses of Opposing Players
Tabito Karasu was introduced as quite a skilled player, reaching the top three during the Third Selection. Karasu is intelligent, and his play style centers around his ability to target a player and force them to ‘give up’ throughout the match, which could be referred to as killing the opponent’s game, which earned him the nickname “Assassin,” which is very appropriate to describe his skills.
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Karasu is a strategist and has been shown to evaluate the opposing team beforehand to determine any weakness that he and his team can exploit. Karasu also entered the Blue Lock Eleven core players list, where he was trusted to be a defensive midfielder transitioning from defense to offense to connect the team, which was a very fitting position given his sharp observation and ability to control the ball.
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Bachira Meguru Is The Best Dribbler In Blue Lock, With A Surprising Secret Weapon
Bachira’s “Monster” Imaginary Friend Gives Him Powerful Internal Motivation
Bachira’s playful, silly nature and kind appearance may cause people to doubt his soccer abilities, but that would be a mistake. Bachira is a mastermind at dribbling and this skill takes him very far in the Blue Lock competition. Unfortunately, he faced bullying and exclusion in his youth, due to his goofy demeanor and overpowered soccer talents. He chose to rely on an imaginary friend instead, who he calls a “monster.”
Bachira’s “monster” comes in handy during soccer matches, serving as an internal motivator that makes him extremely persistent and driven to excel on the soccer field. Although Bachira has true friends now who accept and care for him, his “monster” continues to give him the strength he needs to focus on his goal of becoming the best. Bachira’s truly top-notch dribbling and almost terrifying tenacity make him an excellent candidate to become the world’s best soccer player.
7
Barou Shoei Is Nicknamed “The King” For A Reason
Few Other Players Possess the Headstrong Nature and Unstoppable Charging Skills He Does
Barou’s personality is quite abrasive and rude; he is certainly not someone who could be called friendly or a team player. His motivation does not come from a passion for the sport itself, Barou is more interested in destroying others, becoming the best, and knocking every other soccer player off the top. He is also a skilled player, with a hulking muscular physique that gives him immense strength, and charging abilities that almost no one can stop.
Barou sees himself as a king and his behavior and attitude indicate his superiority complex. He already sees himself as the world’s best striker in his own mind, so he will not stop until he makes that goal a reality. With his powerful musculature, impenetrable charges towards the goal, and godlike attitude, Barou stands a very good chance at becoming one of the top soccer players.
6
Oliver Aiku Is a Reliable and Almost Unbeatable Defender
The Captain of the Japan U-20 National Team Who Wants To Crush All the Strikers
Oliver Aiku initially dreamed of being the top striker before deciding to focus on training to become the best defender in the world. Aiku serves as the captain of Japan’s U-20 National Team, where he plays as a center back and has proven to be a real threat to the opposing team, being considered the best defender introduced so far.
Aiku has shown extraordinary playing skills fitting that of a professional player, as he not only excels in physical strength, which allows him to handle powerful players, but he also has an incredible jumping range and can move at high speed to intercept other players. Aiku is also quite talented and equipped with spatial perception that gives him a broad view of the field to predict the direction of the ball. Also, Aiku demonstrates being good at reading other players, as he was able to enter the flow state to stop Yukimiya and Barou in the game against Blue Lock.
5
Nagi Seishiro Developed A New Way Of Thinking That Has Carried Him Far
Nagi Completely Changed His Way of Living and That Shaped Him Into One of Blue Lock’s Best
Nagi and Reo played together as a nearly unconquerable duo prior to the Blue Lock contest, but Nagi is definitely the superior of the two when it comes to soccer talent. Nagi is excellent at goal scoring, fast, nimble, and most importantly, remarkable at controlling the ball and keeping it away from opponents. Shockingly, he could not care any less about soccer at the beginning of his career, was unmotivated, and was only pushed to continue by Reo, who recognized his gift.
When Nagi entered the competition, he began to be truly challenged and pushed past his limits, in a way he never had been before. When an opposing team beat Nagi’s, it caused a monumental shift that made him transform into an even better player. Nagi has always possessed top-notch soccer abilities, but now he has the most crucial component of a phenomenal soccer player: motivation. He is one of Blue Lock’s best players and even has the potential to defeat Isagi Yoichi, which is his greatest goal.
4
Shidou Ryusei Is Physically Overpowered And Plays Soccer Violently
His Sheer Physical Strength Makes Him a Powerhouse on the Field
Shidou has an extreme passion for soccer and that carries into all aspects of his life, giving him great purpose. However, unlike the other Blue Lock contest entrants, Shidou is not intensely motivated by the prospect of becoming the best striker in the world. Just playing soccer is enough for him, and this proves his love for his favorite sport and dedication to playing it the best he can.
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He is a bit of an angry and intimidating personality, and his style of playing soccer is quite violent and physically brutal. He does form a few casual friendships in the Blue Lock contest, but Shidou is primarily focused on his unceasing devotion to the game over everything else, including developing human connections. He possesses lightning-fast reflexes, catlike agility, and extreme physical strength that could overpower anyone else, making him one of the likeliest to win the Blue Lock project.
3
Isagi Yoichi’s Unique Ability To “Sniff Out” A Goal Is Unequaled
Isagi Is a Real Soccer Prodigy, and He Has the Willpower and Ego To Match
Isagi Yoichi is Blue Lock’s main protagonist and his character arc throughout the series displays extraordinary growth as a player and newfound confidence. He lost an important high school soccer match which temporarily crushed his spirit, but in the Blue Lock competition, he developed a new thought process and ego that inspired him to rise to the challenge of becoming the world’s best striker. He also learned to become more individualistic and independent as a player rather than relying on his teammates as a crutch, which has served him well.
Although he faces many rivals, Isagi never becomes discouraged and looks for new ways to score goals and become a soccer champion. His resilience, steadfast determination, and love for soccer make him one of Blue Lock’s best, as well as his undeniable talent and gift for the sport. He is able to “sniff out” a goal and almost see the future, predicting the next best move in a game and leading himself and his teammates to victory. Anyone looking to defeat him will have a nearly impossible job, as Isagi isn’t the type of player to ever give up.
2
Rin Itoshi Is A Soccer Master Who Comes From An Extremely Talented Family
Few Players Can Surpass Rin, Except for His Older Brother Sae, Who He Feels He Is in Constant Competition With
Jinpachi Ego named Rin as Blue Lock’s best soccer player, and it is clear why this nearly godlike player was chosen above all the others. Rin’s older brother, Sae Itoshi, is Japan’s #1 soccer player, so Rin has a nearly impossible standard to live up to, which causes him to struggle internally, as he strives to beat his talented brother at soccer at least once. Rin is extremely talented and there is not one aspect of soccer he does not excel at, including kicking, shooting, dribbling, and possessing phenomenal vision and perception.
Although Rin boasts more soccer expertise than almost anyone else in the contest, he sometimes finds himself feeling like he’s living in his brother’s shadow, which is difficult for him mentally. He is already a nearly perfect player, but once he found inner peace and became more self-motivated, this truly took him to the top. Rin began to find fulfillment and ambition in his own goal of excelling at soccer for himself, not to show up his brother, and this shift helped him become one of Blue Lock’s absolute best.
1
Sae Itoshi Is Already Japan’s Best Soccer Player
The Gifted Soccer Master Does Not Plan To Stop There and Has Ambitions To Become the World’s Best Player
The older brother of Rin, Sae Itoshi, is Japan’s best soccer player. Sae is not a warm or bubbly person and exudes a stoic, serious personality with little emotion. He is overly confident, to the point of arrogance, but he has the soccer credentials to back up his overinflated ego. Unlike all the players in the Blue Lock contest, Sae is a professional soccer player and has enjoyed great success in his career, leading his team to victory many times.
Similarly to Rin, his soccer expertise spans many different areas, including kicking, dribbling, perfect vision, speed, and physical strength. Sae perfectly embodies the “ego” Jinpachi Ego tells all the Blue Lock competition players to have, viewing himself as above every other player in Japan. Sae is an absolute mastermind and has already proven himself as Japan’s best, with a substantial chance of eventually becoming the world’s best soccer player too.
Blue Lock
- Release Date
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2022 – 2023
- Directors
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Tetsuaki Watanabe, Shunsuke Ishikawa
- Writers
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Taku Kishimoto
