: Why Blue Lock is a breath of fresh air for Japanese soccer
When you hear the word soccer manga, many people will imagine a story about teamwork, friendship, and cooperation between teammates. However, Blue Lock is a work that completely overturns this conventional view of soccer. What are the elements necessary for victory? What is needed for Japanese soccer to catch up with the world? This story presents the answer as an "egoist," and has excited not only soccer fans but many readers as well.
In this article, we will thoroughly explain this unique soccer manga, Blue Lock, and introduce its innovativeness and the appeal of the work.
1. Summary and basic settings of Blue Lock
The story of Blue Lock takes place in the Blue Lock project, which was established by the Japanese soccer world to develop new strikers. The goal of this project is to create an "egoist" striker who is thoroughly individualistic.
The protagonist, Kiyoichi Isagi, is one of the players who felt his own limitations after his defeat in the National High School Soccer Championship. Kiyoshi joined the rigorous project "Blue Lock" in order to become the "best striker in Japan."
The players gathered at this facility compete against each other in a survival-like environment, competing in self-centered play and scoring ability, with only one remaining player allowed to become the striker for the Japanese national team.
2. Why "Blue Lock" is innovative: Nurturing egoists
The biggest thing that sets "Blue Lock" apart from other soccer manga is its unique theme of nurturing "egoists." In general soccer, team play and cooperation with others are emphasized, but this work takes the exact opposite approach.
The idea of egoism runs throughout the work: "Only one person can score a goal. To become that one person, you need to be prepared to knock others down." This competitive environment, which aims to bring out the best in individuality, creates a sense of tension and thrill not seen in other soccer works.
In addition, the process in which the protagonist Kiyotaka grows as an egoist through fighting with his teammates and rivals while being aware of his own "weakness" is very fascinating.
3. Characters' Personalities and Charms
Blue Lock features many unique and charismatic characters. Each one of them sticks to their own ego and obsession with their goal, and clashes with each other in matches and competitions.
Kiyotaka Isagi: The protagonist, a boy who is constantly thinking about what the "right choice" is in soccer. As he grows, he learns how to be an egoist who aims for the goal.
Meguru Bachira: A free-spirited character with genius dribbling skills. He sticks to his own style of soccer, but has a strong fighting spirit hidden inside.
Seishiro Nagi: A player who was not particularly passionate about soccer, but was blessed with natural talent. The contrast between his lack of motivation and his genius-like play makes him the center of attention.
The tension in the story is further heightened by the clash of these characters' egos.
4. Interesting psychological warfare and tactics
The appeal of "Blue Lock" is not limited to the play on the field. In this work, the psychological warfare between the players and their judgment in extreme situations greatly affect the outcome. Who should you trust and who should you overthrow? The highlight is how the players make decisions in a situation where they cannot win unless they function as a team while still remaining egoistic.
In addition, the tactical side of the sport of soccer is also depicted in detail, and the players' strategies are tested in each game. This means that there are many unpredictable developments in the game scenes, and readers will not tire of them.
5. Impact on Japanese soccer
Although "Blue Lock" is a fictional story, its philosophy and message are relevant to the real world of Japanese soccer. Japanese soccer has developed over the years with a style that emphasizes team play, but on the world's top level, individual skills and egoistic play are often the key to a match.
Throughout the work, the importance of the mentality of "believing in yourself and scoring goals" is emphasized, and it is thought that this has inspired young Japanese players and brought new values to the entire soccer world.
Summary: Innovation and the future of "Blue Lock"
"Blue Lock" is a novel work that depicts human growth and the aesthetics of egoism through the sport of soccer. The process of how the protagonist and his rivals evolve in a competitive society that maximizes the power of individuals is very stimulating for readers and provides a new perspective.
Will egoists change Japanese soccer? The answer will become clear as we watch Kiyoshi and his battles. We are very excited about future developments.
References and related links
Kanjo Muneyuki and Nomura Yusuke, "Blue Lock", Kodansha
Official website of the anime "Blue Lock"
Japan Football Association related materials
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