The main concept of BLUELOCK is not sacrifice and cooperation, unlike other sports anime. However, given the narrative of the series, this is to be anticipated. For example, Jinpachi Ego effectively explains the preset purpose when he presents himself to the 300 carefully selected candidates intended to take part in his battle royale-style experiment. As a facility, BLUELOCK aims to produce the ideal soccer “egoist”—a striker with the talent and talents to ultimately lead Japan’s national team to glory through World Cup victory, while also having received specific training to not depend on others. Naturally, this idea not only contradicts Japan’s cultural identity, which values harmony and collaboration, but it was intentionally done so by the genius. Ego argues that in order to achieve the seemingly impossible, the nation’s strikers must change and become more like the best players in the world, who also happen to have traits that prioritize self-centered interests over camaraderie. He views the nation’s natural collaborative playing style as a weakness that keeps them from being the best. Consequently, he states his requirements succinctly and clearly: the only person who will be able to fulfill their desire of performing on a global platform is the top-ranked competitor. The others will never again be allowed to play for the national team.
Not only are the stakes for high school athletics extremely high, but Ego is fully committed to the choice. In his view, the only way Japan can ever advance if they want to win the FIFA World Cup Trophy is for one exceptionally gifted striker to emerge as the nation’s savior by surpassing and destroying the careers of those around him who couldn’t cut it. Ego wonders what soccer is actually all about as a result. He doesn’t see an 11-player squad competing as a cohesive unit to win. Rather, ego feels that the sole purpose of the game is to outscore the opposition, nothing more, nothing less, and that only a superstar with severe narcissism, who can ignore his teammates and shoot with confidence, can accomplish this. Whether or not Ego’s claims are true, however, is a different matter entirely—mainly because a professional soccer team is always made up of 11 players, regardless of their individual personalities. As a result, when BLUELOCK’s remaining egoist ventures out into the actual world, they will surely have to contend with the company of ten others. Given this situation and the abundance of skill displayed in the series, two intriguing questions are brought up: What would an ideal squad consisting of 11 individuals from BLUELOCK look like, and what roles should they play? In order to respond, viewers will need to consider the qualifications of the most notable candidates and imagine how they would collaborate. Now, let’s get started.
In BLUELOCK, Yoichi Isagi, Meguru Bachira, and Rensuke Kunigami are standout players.
The first episode, “Dream,” showcases remarkable feats of skill on the field. Rensuke Kunigami, for instance, has an incredible left foot that can knock the wind out of anyone in its path and send the ball hurtling toward its objective with remarkable speed. His abilities are further emphasized in Episode 9, “Awakening,” when Team Z plays Team V. He shows that he can make precise, sophisticated shots even beyond his typical 28-meter range. What’s more amazing is that he’s trying to achieve almost no spin, which is a difficult feat. Kunigami is just one of the many exceptional sportsmen that the anime showcases, though.
Meguru Bachira, for example, has good speed and ball-stealing ability. He is also incredibly flexible and agile, which allows him to kick and pass with ease. This makes him an intense competitor, primarily because of his unmatched dribbling, which allows him to move the ball however he pleases, as first demonstrated in Episode 2, “Monster.” This is useful, especially in Team Z’s second game of the first round against Team Y, as Bachira can easily cut across the pitch and avoid opponent presses. Still, the full extent of his expertise isn’t made clear until the team plays Team V in Episode 9. Bachira is practically unstoppable because to his ability to improvise nearly instantly. He demonstrates this ability by using multiple stepovers, a roulette, a lob, an air elastico, and a heel kick in one offensive press.
But because of BLUELOCK, the oddball striker gets better over time, as viewers will see later in Episode 20, “Super Link-Up Play.” In the second selection’s last round, a lot is at stake, but Bachira gives an exceptional performance as he takes on Isagi. He not only performs a fantastic job at scissor dribbling once more, but he also shows off a swift turn and a backward false kick. Bachira doesn’t hold back, even after observing how much Team White has progressed since their previous meeting. This is highlighted by the quick shift in his approach, which includes moves like a no-look pass. More significantly, though, he starts to exhibit ball control that matches Nagi’s by producing a pass that changes from being a backspin-producing “daisy-cutter” to a long, high vertical spin that only Aryu can reach given his height when jumping. Nevertheless, it isn’t until Episodes 22 and 23, “Voice” and “Luck,” respectively, that we learn the full extent of his abilities. Bachira wakes up and starts to trust himself over the monster that has been guiding him for so long because he is afraid of being left behind. His playing style shifts as a result, becoming more aggressive and enabling unpredictable behavior. Because of this, he not only outpaces the opponents and executes a triple nutmeg, but he also recklessly charges towards the goal. Despite the fact that Isagi only partially stops his shot, sending it to Rin Itoshi for the game-winning goal, Bachira proves to be a player not to be ignored. Interestingly, Yoichi Isagi, who is extremely motivated and pursues win no matter what, is similar in this aspect.
Isagi may not be as athletic or skilled with the ball as his peers, but he more than makes up for it with his keen spatial awareness, excellent direct shooting, “smell a goal,” and ability to “coordinate people.” However, these qualities don’t set Isagi apart, especially considering that other characters like Itoshi and Ikki Niko possess comparable abilities. As a result, his greatest talent is his capacity to mentally run “simulations” and predict the direction of play both now and in the future. Isagi’s natural ability to adapt and his willingness to make quick adjustments to achieve his aims on the field make him one of BLUELOCK’s most formidable players. Only in Episodes 15 and 18, “Devour” and “The Stage for the Lead,” does this become clearer as Isagi shows how quickly he can pick up the footwork and ability to get behind the opposition of Asahi Naruhaya in order to improve his off-the-ball actions and “become a stronger player.”
The Three Stars of BLUELOCK: Nagi Seishrio, Hyoma Chigiri, and Shouei Barou
There’s a reason Shouei Barou is referred to as the “King” despite his stubborn, self-centered demeanor both on and off the field. Barou not only possesses the physical attributes to outmuscle dozens of opponents, but he also possesses the skill to dribble; his heel kick over Isagi and the two nutmegs he executes as he runs down the pitch in Episode 3, “Soccer’s ‘Zero.” Additionally, as Episode 8, “The Formula for Goals,” demonstrates, Barou is also highly aware of his own scoring equation; therefore, as long as he is in the middle of the field, approximately 27 meters (or 27.5 yards) from the goal, he will score. However, the player’s technical skill isn’t what sets him apart.
Rather, Barou’s persistence and unpredictable nature are the sources of his brilliance as a striker. For instance, in Episode 18, Barou gradually concedes defeat as a result of his egotism and Isagi’s total command of the pitch. But the idea of squandering his potential by only taking on a supporting role makes him want to excel even more. In the closing minutes of the game, he uses a chop feint and acute-angle dribbling to get past Rensuke’s defense, unleashing skills no one knew he possessed. This makes Barou extremely dangerous, which is further supported by his actions in Episode 21, “I’m Not There.” For example, realizing how the opposition is reading their movements, Team White tries to change their traditional tactics, but Barou feels left out and charges in and steals from Isagi to confuse Rin since he’d never be able to imagine a person irrationally stealing the ball from his own teammate. He also eludes Reo Mikage’s attempt to stop him by using Isagi as a decoy to use a consecutive chop and a cutback to push up the field and awaken his true “twisted path.” The king is able to score as a result and regain his “royal status” on the pitch. However, Barou is not the only unexpectedly strong anomaly in BLUELOCK; Hyoma Chigiri and Nagi Seishrio are also noteworthy examples.
Chigiri could take some time to emerge out of his shell, but once he does, everyone else will have to play catch-up. Everyone, including his teammates, is in awe of the striker’s swift feet when he finally lets loose at the conclusion of Team Z’s third match versus Team W in Episode 7, “Rush,” especially since he has the pace to pass to himself. Not that he’s the only sprinting contender—Zantetsu Tsurugi has “explosive acceleration” that puts him on par with the redhead—but as Episode 9 demonstrates, Chigiri doesn’t have to be faster. He can use his endurance to outpace everyone on the field at maximum speed across a greater distance, provided he has enough area to move. This helps Chigiri maintain momentum and gives him a significant potential asset. It gets even more problematic for his opponents after he learns to develop his ability to control the ball at that rate in Episode 17, “Donkey.”
Regarding Nagi, well, he’s just different. The striker has complete control over the ball, allowing him to manipulate it whatever he pleases as long as he is within striking range. More importantly, though, after witnessing Reo stumble in “Just the Way It Is,” Episode 10, Nagi displays just how much of a monster he is when he takes initiative for the first time. The candidate not only demonstrates his versatility in control through his use of complete ball handling and gentle or forceful passing, but his true genius is revealed in his two-man battle against Barou and Asahi in Episode 14, “The Geniuses and the Average Joes.” For instance, Nagi’s unmatched ability to stay ahead of his opponents with a single touch is evident. Even more astonishingly, Nagi can analyze the field quite well, although not as well as Isagi. In Episode 20, for example, Nagi senses that Rin and Isagi are physically stronger than him, so he makes up for it by improving the future that the other two players see and employing a “mid-air feint with a spin” to set up a “two-stage fake volley” to score a goal over Rin’s natural ability to read the play at every turn.
When talking about BLUELOCK’s star potential, Rin Itoshi, Jyubei Aryu, and Aoshi Tokimitsu must be mentioned.
Rin Itoshi’s introduction following the initial selection in Episode 11, “The Final Piece,” is evidence that he must be included in the conversation if building the greatest 11-person squad from BLUELOCK’s roster is the objective. He kicks two balls in a row and lets them collide in midair, displaying a dexterity and accuracy that the other competitors can only envy. Even better, Itoshi demonstrates his shooting range by scoring from the starting position mid-field in Episode 13, “Top3,” which is both amazing and difficult to do. This comes after Team White’s first goal. Nevertheless, Itoshi proves his beastly ability to spin the ball at whim with his vertical spin during his corner kick goal. Still, he is an extremely dangerous foe because he has the same knowledge of space as Isagi. Itoshi’s ability to control every player on the field to achieve his goals makes things even worse, which is unsurprising given that he now holds the top spot at the facility. Having said that, Itoshi’s runners-up are also no laughing matter.
Notwithstanding their respective rankings of second and third, Jyubei Aryu and Aoshi Tokimitsu are not to be underestimated. For example, Aryu’s vertical leap is impressive because he managed to surpass Nagi, who stands at a height of more than 190 cm, or around 6 feet, 3 inches. In addition, he possesses extraordinarily long legs, which enable him to outmuscle Isagi to score a goal in a memorable feat of agility. Episode 22 further highlights Aryu’s efficiency by having the last play of the game turn into a competition between individual skills. For instance, when Rin passes high to Aryu, Nagi recognizes that because of Aryu’s incredible jumping ability, he won’t be able to intercept the ball in midair, so after he makes the touch, he plucks it away. But unlike smaller-statured players, Aryu can steal it back over his head thanks to his long legs. Either way, when assembling the perfect dream team, the neurotic Tokimitsu also merits careful consideration.
As demonstrated in Episode 13, Aoshi Tokimitsu is an unexpected force to be reckoned with because, despite his anxious demeanor, he possesses an excessive amount of strength and speed. This allows him to stop Bachira’s dribbling and power through Isagi’s defenses. He is special, though, especially because of his unrivaled endurance and enormous body. This makes Tokimitsu not only the match’s unexpected variable in Episode 21, but it also puts Barou and Chigiri in a situation where their only chance of stopping him—basically, a freight train—is to commit a foul.
Jingo Raichi and Gin Gagamaru: BLUELOCK’s Other Deserving Prospects
Granted, Jingo Raichi and Gin Gagamaru don’t appear to be as distinctive as their friends at first glance. Nevertheless, they made a few crucial plays at crucial junctures in the games, which enabled them to create a few unforgettable moments. As “Premonition and Intuition,” Episode 4 shows, Gagamaru has amazing “body control.” In addition, the striker’s exceptional agility gives him a unique reach that enables him to touch and get a hold of the ball no matter how far away he is from it. This situation is further demonstrated when Gagamaru uses a scorpion kick in Episode 9, which, although Gagamaru ultimately misses the goal (but only because Zantetsu blocked the ball’s path), nevertheless, his weapon is significant.
Similarly, Raichi’s defensive skills are equally important. As Episode 9 shows, the player would much rather be shooting goals, but when on defense, he’s a walking brick wall with a mouth, which is a good tactic to draw out needless fouls. Raichi’s physical attributes allow him to crowd opponents with the ball, which plays well into his mouthy style, especially since it gives him the opportunity to whisper in the enemy’s ear, throwing them off their game. This is best demonstrated during his one-on-one match against Reo in the second half of Team Z’s final match of the first selection with Team V. It’s evident that he manages to get under Reo’s skin, as evidenced by the fact that the latter gets a yellow card for his actions.
Let’s Ascertain Their Positioning After Building the Lineup
The 11 players listed above are undoubtedly the best when it comes to their skill set, but further data is required to determine which positions these players should hold. BLUELOCK boasts a number of other noteworthy players, some of whom have not yet had the chance to demonstrate their abilities.
In order to achieve this, audiences need to be aware of the demands and goals associated with each position on the field. Fortunately, there are a plethora of online resources available to assist in figuring out who should play where, but the most crucial thing to keep in mind is that a soccer team is usually composed of four sections: goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards.
keeper of goals: Gin Gagamaru
The goalie is the last line of defense in soccer, as most people know, regardless of how much the sport is played. Their primary responsibility is to prevent the opposition from scoring, which means that they are the only players with hands. Despite this, the goalie’s job is difficult because they need to have extraordinary body control and reach to stop the ball at any point within their area.
Nevertheless, Gin Gagamaru is perhaps the best player in BLUELOCK’s training program for the job; other players might have quicker reflexes, but Gagamaru’s ability to stretch out and throw his entire body into a play to touch the ball would make him an ideal choice for goal area defense.
Jingo Raichi, Aoshi Tokimitsu, Rensuke Kunigami, and Shouei Barou are The Defenders.
It’s true that most teams want a defender who is rough around the edges and aggressive enough to fight for possession of the ball without flinching, so it makes sense to put Raichi, Tokimitsu, Kunigami, and Barou in these roles. However, given that most of these characters would pick a fight if asked about their opinions on this placement—Kunigami looks to be the most amicable of the group.
For example, Barou is a force to be reckoned with, and he has the strength to support his assertive and forceful style of play; Reichi’s tactics are the same, so having the pair play defense makes sense. Kunigami, on the other hand, is no pushover either, as demonstrated when he manages to give Barou a run for his money in Episode 16, “Tri-Fusion,” when Isagi and the rest of Team White take on Reo and Team Red. Lastly, Tokimitsu is a man of strength, speed, and stamina; even though he refers to Barou as a “scary gorilla man,” Tokimitsu’s shoulder charge against the king in Episode 21 challenges the king’s physical limits. Furthermore, even prior to the match in Episode 20, Barou tries to force Tokimitsu off the floor and into his starting position
Meguru Bachira, Jyubei Aryu, and Hyoma Chigiri are the midfield players.
Although the three seem more suited up front with the forwards, it’s important to remember that midfielders need to be great at “speed, agility, and stamina” and have talent on both offense and defense. Fortunately, all three show that they have these attributes. Aryu’s long legs and Chigiri’s speed make them ideal midfielders because they can set up plays, cut the ball quickly during an offensive press, and keep up with opponents while on defense. They can also easily access steals and interceptions thanks to their quickness.
It’s also important to note that Bachira’s unparalleled dribbling abilities are required when a team attempts to press offensively up the field. His ability to evade defenders and keep them guessing is a unique skill that naturally helps a player trying to gain ground quickly and efficiently, so it makes sense that he would be used in this manner.
Yoichi Isagi, Nagi Seishrio, and Rin Itoshi are the forwards.
In this hypothetical squad, Nagi fits the requirements for a forward (or striker) because, by definition, a good forward (or striker) must have excellent ball control and the ability to make a good first touch. Itoshi and Isagi, on the other hand, have the spatial awareness and field command necessary to turn a “zero into a one,” as Ego would say. It’s unclear whether the two could put aside their egos long enough to coexist in the same roles and play complementarily together, but if they did, they would be unstoppable.
These 11 players from BLUELOCK’s list of characters would make an ideal team because, for example, both can see the field of play and imagine futuristic scenarios that will guarantee goals. Moreover, splitting the pitch into two sections and operating in tantum could turn any squad into a scoring titan that can replicate the sought outcome repeatedly until the game becomes a blowout.
