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

Kaiser, Michael Supporting

Miyano, Mamoru Japanese

Shidou, Ryuusei Supporting

Nakamura, Yuuichi Japanese

Mikage, Reo Supporting

Uchida, Yuuma Japanese

Kunigami, Rensuke Supporting

Kosuge, Hidenori Producer

Arisawa, Ryouya Producer

Kawakatsu, Yusuke Producer

Satou, Naoya Producer

Reviews

Feb 12, 2025

Jet_Suzuyaki

Recommended

Frankly, I'm pleased with this season of Blue Lock, especially the last 2 episodes, which are really excellent (if they were the only ones, I'd probably have gone up to 7/10 with no problem).

So I know there was some debate about the animation, which admittedly isn't that great, but frankly it didn't bother me in the slightest, because unlike other anime, this sluggish animation is compensated for by very good direction that makes the viewing more timid and conveys what's going on in the players' heads. For example, in the penultimate episode, when Rin realizes he's not alone, there's a maudlin scene with his childhood ... toy being rebuilt, which is then shattered by Rin's rage at this situation, which he hates so much, and a more hellish (almost horrific) scene, which surprises the viewer as the emotion builds and shows what Blue Lock and Rin are all about. So, sure, it could have been much more beautiful, but in the end, as it's well shown, it's not a problem for me, I don't need sakuga to be drinkable (even if some CGI shots are ugly, I grant you). What's more, Blue Lock works with a lot of slow action and endless decryptions, so sakugated animation (whatever that means) isn't necessarily appropriate, even if it could have been more polished at times.

In short, it was great even if, apart from Bachira, I found it a little hard to get attached to the characters, notably because of the fact, indicative of the series, that all success comes from a desire for individualism, which I don't really like in this sport, but that's the concept of the series, so it was inevitable.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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Feb 20, 2025

RED-clover12

Mixed Feelings

Overall Blue Lock season 2 was alright for me I was really looking forward to season 2 but it fail to give me that excitement that season 1 had I feel like season 2 was pretty rush it's should've have more episodes also the lack of movement from the characters really got annoying pretty much everytime they move around its just a still frame of them talking about the game play the most movement they got was when they are running but even that look bad also the story was rush real bad season 1 had much better animation also you can connect more with ... the characters season 2 did not have any of that but again the animation is the main reason why this season was such a let down but at least for the last episode they managed to improve the animation a little bit I guess they put all their budgets into the last episode and I felt like the last episode was the saving grace for season 2 also it looks their is going to be a season 3 hopefully they improve the animation and not rush the story

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Feb 14, 2025

Kortioo-Kun

Not Recommended

Having watched Season 1 two years ago, and seeing the discourse online in regards to the quality of Season 2, I went in with fairly low expectations, but was presently surprised! Episode 1 was great from a quality standpoint, but there was undoubtedly a quality drop-off from then on. HOWEVER, the U-20 game itself was great! Were the quality of all the episodes, or certain key frames/moments from the game the best they could've been? No, but it definitely could've been worse. Also, I know episode 14 went viral, not only for it's quality, but just the visual interpretation of the emotion of a certain ... character, I'd argue episode 13 was nearly just as good, serving as the appetizer to what would take place in episode 14! I genuinely haven't watched an anime that was really able to put me on the edge of my seat as if I was watching a REAL sporting event, it was awesome!

Although, I do think that the manga--for those interested, or manga only-- is still likely the best way to consume this specific arc, because even as certain scenes occurred in the show I found myself thinking: "Damn, I wonder how that looked in the manga!". So, I definitely can understand manga readers being a bit upset at the adaptation, but I do think it's still have some redeeming qualities to it.

With that, I'm most intrigued by the Blu-Ray for season 2. We've seen in other releases--Most notably JJK season 2--how much better those can look in comparison to the seasonal release, as well as the potential for content to be added in certain episodes/scenes. If the Blu-Ray maintains the same quality throughout the season as it did as it was airing it'd be pretty disappointing, but I'm holding out hope that they're able to give it some extra attention!

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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The official website of the Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan television anime revealed cast members for the U-20 team as well as new key visual (pictured) and promotional vi...read more

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Blue Lock has quickly become a standout in the sports anime genre, known for its intense action and psychological depth as it redefines the high-stakes world of soc...read more

Oct 24, 2024 10:33 PM by Kineta | Discuss (6 comments)

	Poll: Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan Episode 14 Discussion ( 1 2 3 4 5 ... Last Page ) IzanaSolos - Dec 28, 2024	340 replies	by orradiaxo »» Feb 20, 1:42 PM
	Season 2 was..... boring. Dante012 - Feb 7	20 replies	by samsince04 »» Feb 19, 8:32 AM
	Poll: Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan Episode 13 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Softhenic03 - Dec 28, 2024	50 replies	by Tsuyo_Mika »» Feb 7, 2:17 AM
	Poll: Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Softhenic03 - Dec 21, 2024	83 replies	by Tsuyo_Mika »» Feb 7, 1:30 AM
	Poll: Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan Episode 11 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Softhenic03 - Dec 14, 2024	102 replies	by Tsuyo_Mika »» Feb 6, 9:28 AM

Blue Lock Takes Over Anime Expo!

Themed Booth and "Meet the EGOISTS at AX!" Panel Excite Fans for 2nd Season

by MAL_editing_team

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