Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan

The next phase of the controversial Blue Lock project is underway with the candidate pool being dwindled down to just 35. Out of the remaining strikers, only a select few will be chosen to play in an upcoming exhibition game against the current U-20 Japanese soccer team. Playing in this match comes with a caveat: winning will grant the players the right to represent the nation as the new U-20 team, but losing will bring an end to Blue Lock in its entirety. Among the ones left in the running is Yoichi Isagi, who is coming to terms with his own abilities.

To further complicate matters, the six best players in the pool have already been named to the starting lineup and the remaining 29 will have to duke it out to claim a coveted spot. Each candidate must select a top six pairing to team up with for the selection to prove their competence. But if this mishmash of strikers wants to overthrow the current U-20 team, they will need to find a way to combine their playstyles effectively.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Isagi, Yoichi Main

Ura, Kazuki Japanese

Bachira, Meguru Supporting

Kaito, Tasuku Japanese

Nagi, Seishirou Supporting

Shimazaki, Nobunaga Japanese

Chigiri, Hyouma Supporting

Saitou, Souma Japanese

Itoshi, Rin Supporting

Uchiyama, Kouki Japanese

Barou, Shouei Supporting

Suwabe, Junichi Japanese

Shidou, Ryuusei Supporting

Nakamura, Yuuichi Japanese

Mikage, Reo Supporting

Uchida, Yuuma Japanese

Itoshi, Sae Supporting

Sakurai, Takahiro Japanese

Ego, Jinpachi Supporting

Kamiya, Hiroshi Japanese

Satou, Naoya Producer

Kosuge, Hidenori Producer

Arisawa, Ryouya Producer

Nagahama, Hiroaki Producer

Reviews

Nov 16, 2024

finalegoist

Recommended

Funny

Preliminary (7/14 eps)

TLDR: Be patient. If you liked Blue Lock you will love this - however the first 5 episodes are horrible.

Once the actual Blue Lock vs. U-20 game begins, the animation quality and hype levels triple.

I originally scored this a 1/10 but the show really kicks up that much, shame it took this long. Episode 6/7 are amazing.


Blue Lock vs. U-20 is a prime example of a series that demands patience but ultimately delivers an explosive payoff for those willing to stick with it. The initial five episodes may feel like a slog, bogged down by slow pacing and underwhelming animation compared to the manga's intensity. ... It’s easy to see why some viewers might feel frustrated or even disinterested early on, as the build-up to the titular match feels excessively drawn out.

However, once the U-20 game begins in earnest, the entire tone and energy of the series transforms. The animation quality skyrockets, capturing the tension and brilliance of the high-stakes plays. The individual players of Blue Lock shine, with spectacular displays of skill and grit as they face off against the U-20 team. The strategic depth and psychological warfare on the field elevate the excitement, making every goal and counter-attack feel monumental.

Episodes 6 and 7, in particular, stand out as the turning point. The synergy between the characters and the sheer adrenaline of the match are so impactful that it makes the prior episodes feel worth the wait. The series goes from feeling like a 1/10 disappointment to a thrilling sports anime masterpiece.

Verdict: If you liked Blue Lock, you’ll eventually love this arc, but it’s a slow burn. Push through the dull start, and you’ll be rewarded with a series that fully embraces its potential during the Blue Lock vs. U-20 showdown. It's a shame it takes so long to hit its stride, but when it does, it’s an unforgettable ride.

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Nov 16, 2024

SirSirloinSiren

Mixed Feelings

Preliminary (6/14 eps)

To those complaining about Blue Lock U-20 being dogwater and then blaming the animation team please rethink who the actual culprits are. I'm not disagreeing that the animation is all PNG and PowerPointes but just understand that the reason this happened is due moreso to the production committee and the higher ups not giving the animators enough time and money to make this season amazing like it should of been. I can tell the animators are skilled and know what they are doing but it's clear to see they couldn't put any effort into making this season as good as in the manga.

Overall however this ... season is still trash and I hope this enlightens people to realize that this is all a business to the producers and production committee and they couldn't give a rat's arse about the fans but the money that comes in.

I have no idea how making a worse season would garner more money. Heck we're not even halfway through the manga and more seasons is possible but I doubt the fans, including me, will stick around after this atrocity. Business tactics 101 (how to not business tactics and throw a studio's reputation under the bus (8-bit)) big yikes :(

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

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Nov 21, 2024

steveTVcze

Not Recommended

Preliminary (14/14 eps)

What they did to my favorite manga is absolutely nuts. One of the main points of Blue Lock is getting into the Flow state, yet this adaptation is literally the opposite of flow. The animation makes me want to bleach my eyes. I could recreate the entire 14 episodes in PowerPoint using screenshots taken every 5 seconds, and it would literally own this garbage of anime.

The pacing is also all over the place. While the manga has its own pacing issues, it’s quadbilliontrillionmillionbillion times better than this vomit of a product. The art style, which is so dynamic and energetic in the manga, feels lifeless ... here, failing to capture the intensity and psychological depth of the story.

Please go read the manga—it delivers an infinitely better experience. Shame on 8bit for this. 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 🤢🤮 Literally made me cry how ass it was...

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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