This anime has been taking over recently. Yes, the peak of its popularity is probably over since the football world cup is over as well. But I digress, Blue Lock is still an awesome manga. It is kind of a crazy take on a sports anime. The plot is so over the top that you’d imagine it is a parody but no, that stuff is actually exactly what’s going on.
So welcome back to another edition of our manga recommendation series! This week we are talking about Blue Lock! I don’t know how many times I’ve mistyped that name. Cause when I am typing fast, it often ends up being Bluck or something, of course, it is my bad but still. Putting that aside though, let’s get started right away.
Introduction
Blue Lock is written by Kaneshiro Muneyuki and illustrated by Nomura Yuusuke. It started its serialization on 1st August 2018 in Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine and is still ongoing. 8 Bit Studios also made an anime adaptation of this manga which is still airing; you can check that out too if you want. It is an awesome adaptation. The manga currently has 22 volumes and 190 chapters so far if I remember correctly.
Plot
After losing in the 2016 football world cup, Japan hires a new coach Jinpachi Ego to train their players for the future. They decide that they need a new striker for the team so they decide to initiate the Blue Lock program. In this program, 300 players from all over the country are locked in a prison-like facility. The sole survivor of the Blue Lock will become the new striker while all the losers will be banned from entering the team forever.
As I said earlier, the plot is completely nuts. It is so over the top and edgy sounding that it’s almost funny. But you know, this edginess is what makes gives this manga its identity over other sports mangas. It even predicted the 2022 football world cup to an extent; a coincidence of course I know. But, it is funny that it happened with this particular manga given how over the top it is. Decent plot for a sports anime though that’s for sure. The plot is basically non-existent in most sports anime.
Characters
Isagi is a pretty good MC, that’s for sure. He once lost an important match because he wasn’t selfish enough (that’s new) so he is always conflicted between trusting his teammates or going on his own. His character changes slowly but surely over time as he grows closer to his team knowing full well that they will be separated when Blue Lock is over. I wish we got a little more time with the other characters but they’re all quirky as hell so it is very easy to remember them. That is a big deal cause in a sports anime, it is easy to forget characters.
Art
I said earlier that the edginess gives Blue Lock its identity, the art really reflects this statement. The art style is dark, gritty, detailed, and very edgy looking. I really like it. Sometimes the character design choices are a little weird but the art style and the art overall are really really good.
Why should you read Blue Lock?
Quick pointers on why you should check out this manga:
- Decent plot
- Good characters
- Really entertaining
- Awesome art
Check out the manga on Amazon!!
Conclusion
Well, that is all for now. Let me know what you guys think in the comments. Blue Lock is really awesome and you should definitely check it out. With that said, I will take my leave here. I have an exam tomorrow. See ya!!
