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

Iwata, Takaki Producer

Nagahama, Hiroaki Producer

Arisawa, Ryouya Producer

Kawakatsu, Yusuke Producer

Reviews

Nov 17, 2024

Creed_RS

Recommended

Funny

Preliminary (3/14 eps)

I don't understand where the hate is coming from, not that there is much.
The first episode didn't start of with a BANG, like season 1 did but this is because it's preparing for the next matches coming up.
Episode 2 there wasn't anything crazy but episode 3 was insane, Especially Isagi's goal.
I feel like most people who voted low don't have an in depth understanding of football and the thought processes people have to go through when playing with the ball, I feel like blue lock does a great job of this especially how Isagi evolved as a player as the episodes go ... on. The story is great so far, the animation could be better, but then again I'm the type of person who doesn't put all my expectations on incredible animation as not every episode is going to be ufotable level, but I do enjoy a good story when I see one.

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Creed_RS (1)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Nov 29, 2024

notacanadian

Mixed Feelings

Funny

Preliminary (4/14 eps)

Not gonna lie, 8bit should just rename this season "BLUELOCK: THE POWERPOINT PRESENTATION." Keep it honest, you know?

Blue Lock Season 2, also known as Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan Arc, has been a slight disaster this season. It's arguably one of the biggest manga IPs in Japan at the moment, yet we're stuck with moving PNGs and JPEGs moving across a stock background with speed lines being overlayed over everything.

In all honesty, I was extremely excited for this season when they announced Yuauke Nomura's manga would be getting a second season. The season 2 arc is arguably the most iconic part of the entire ... manga, and many, including myself, expected a lot from this anime. However, a little more than 25% through this season, my expectations for this anime could NOT be any lower. I think.

To go over the bad:

ANIMATION. 🤮
Do I need to say anything more? Everyone knows about frame lock. They took the idea of animation and threw it straight out of the office window. It's horrendous. Some of the most important parts of the series (Isagi's new awakening, Reo's new weapon) are totally ruined by shitty "animation" sequences where a still image sits in the center of the screen while lines and effects move around. It's nasty. It's like listening to Ice Spice. There are even some points where they chicken out and throw CGI over everything. It baffles me how much 8bit wants to do everything but actually animate this show like an anime. At this point, the anime is better off as an audiobook on audible or as a reading guide for the manga.

Honestly, I think the rest of the show is being thrown under the bus for the one mishap that is a lack of a competent animation team. It's pretty faithful to the manga and pacing, although weird at some times, isn't the worst. The anime could introduce new characters better but other than that, there's not much that bad about it. Character designs are pretty good, voice acting is solid, and the opening and ending songs are pretty nice (although they don't come close to S1).

My final thoughts:

Blue Lock Season 2 is definitely held back by its trash animation, but is definitely enjoyable for some. I would recommend it mainly to extreme diehard fans of Bluelock or to people who want slightly more than their generic Isekai (I'm looking at you, Gigguk.) I would say that Blue Lock U-20 vs. Japan is worth giving a shot, but keep your expectations low.

So... when does the PowerPoint template come out, 8bit? I could definitely use it for my presentations 😁

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by notacanadian (4)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Nov 23, 2024

Yumiella

Not Recommended

Well-written

Preliminary (8/14 eps)

What they did to Blue Lock Season 2 is beyond disappointing. This was a series with so much potential, but they somehow managed to turn it into an absolute disaster. The one thing that Blue Lock got right in the first season was the high energy, the intensity of the competition, and the emotional stakes of the characters. But in Season 2? It’s like they completely forgot what made the series special.

First off, the animation is a mess. It’s clunky, lifeless, and it honestly looks like they ran out of time or budget halfway through. What was once a show with fluid, fast-paced action now ... feels like watching a slideshow of still frames. It’s a far cry from the kinetic energy that the manga captured so perfectly. There’s nothing dynamic about it anymore. If anything, it’s just a bunch of character models awkwardly posed and barely moving. If I wanted to watch that, I’d just watch a stop-motion tutorial on YouTube. It’s honestly insulting.

The pacing is even worse. I get it, the manga has its slow moments too, but at least it builds tension and keeps you invested. Here, it’s just all over the place. It feels like they stretched a story that should’ve been covered in a few episodes into a painfully long, drawn-out mess. You could watch paint dry and it would probably be more exciting than some of these filler-filled episodes. What used to feel like a race against time now feels like a drag.

And the art style? Don’t even get me started. The manga’s art is sharp, full of energy, and every panel bursts with raw emotion. In the anime? It’s flat. It’s boring. Characters who were once larger-than-life now look like they’re just standing there, waiting for their next line. It lacks the psychological depth that the manga nails with every page. Instead of capturing the fire and drive of these young athletes, it makes them seem completely disconnected from the story they’re supposed to be in.

I don’t care if you’re a fan of the genre or not—this season is just not worth it. The anime has stripped away everything that made Blue Lock worth watching and left us with this hollow, lifeless shell. The manga is where the magic is. Go read it, seriously. This anime adaptation is an embarrassment. I’ll be thinking about what could’ve been while I throw up in disgust.

Never again.

Better h*ntai anime than blue lock S2!

Not body ✖
Only Hair ✔

4/10

Reviewer’s Rating: 4

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Yumiella (1)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Latin Spanish Dubbings Available on Crunchyroll (09/¿?)

by bolakabuto666

37 Entries · 12 Restacks

Crunchyroll Originals and Co-productions Latin American Dubs

by saintseba

47 Entries · 2 Restacks

Blue....

by Uweewee

40 Entries · 11 Restacks

'Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan' Announces Additional Cast

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

Nov 2, 2:38 PM by DatRandomDude | Discuss (9 comments)

In Pursuit of Egoism: The Essence of 'Blue Lock'

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

	Poll: Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan Episode 12 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Softhenic03 - Dec 21	60 replies	by fatimilla_z »» 5 hours ago
	Kaiser VA DerpySven - Dec 23	10 replies	by Ishaan541 »» 7 hours ago
	Is this a mistake(question related to episode 12) CleanWhip - Dec 21	6 replies	by NegativeRei »» Yesterday, 12:22 AM
	Poll: Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan Episode 11 Discussion ( 1 2 ) Softhenic03 - Dec 14	88 replies	by hanyuhi16 »» Dec 21, 6:29 PM
	Poll: Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan Episode 7 Discussion ( 1 2 3 ) Softhenic03 - Nov 16	148 replies	by KatsuWinner »» Dec 21, 1:58 PM

Blue Lock Takes Over Anime Expo!

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

by MAL_editing_team

47,360 views

Events