"Blue Lock," a manga adaptation that's all about soccer. But not the kind of soccer you see in your backyard. No, no, no, this is soccer on steroids! It's a story about teenage boys who want to become the best soccer player in Japan. And they're not just happy with being good. Oh no, they want to be the BEST, better than anyone else.
The story follows a guy named Isagi Yoichi. This dude got some serious talent when it comes to soccer. But he's not happy with being good. He wants to be the best. And he'll do whatever it takes to get there. That's where the Blue Lock program comes in. It's a special training camp designed to turn good soccer players into great ones, and Yoichi is one of the lucky few who get selected.
But here's the catch, kids. The Blue Lock program is not your ordinary soccer camp. It's more like a battle royale, where the players are pitted against each other in intense matches to see who's "the best" of the best. And these guys are not playing nice, oh no, they're playing dirty. They're using every trick in the book to beat each other, and it's all for the sake of becoming the best soccer player in Japan.
Now, I know what you're thinking, "this sounds like a violent show!" But don't worry, there's no blood or gore here. It's all the good old-fashioned soccer action. Only with some intense rivalry that is thrown in for good measure. And the best part? The story is frankly a good twist of the sports genre. Because it got a unique premise that's not been seen before in sports manga, and the characters are all well-developed and interesting.
Speaking a bit about how 8bit studio decided to animate this adaptation, the usage of CGI during the matches in "Blue Lock" might put off many viewers, especially the traditional animation puritans. While the CGI of this show isn't the best in the industry, it does get the job done. It's understandable why the producers decided to use CGI, as it allows them to depict the fast-paced movements and actions of the sport more realistically. However, some viewers might find it jarring to switch from traditional animation to CGI during the match scenes.
Although, when the time calls for it, the best scenes are animated well. When "Blue Lock" uses traditional animation, it can be stunning. The character designs are unique and memorable, perhaps too unique for sports. The action scenes are particularly well-animated, with dynamic camera angles and impressive use of color and lighting.
The opening and ending songs in "Blue Lock" are good, but nothing more. While they do a decent job setting the show's tone, they aren't particularly memorable or catchy. However, some of the OSTs used throughout are nicely complementing the scenarios. They help to build tension during intense scenes and create a sense of nostalgia during quieter moments.
The voice actors in "Blue Lock" are all respectably passionate about filling the shoes of those strikers. Each character has a distinct voice and personality, and the voice actors do an excellent job of bringing them to life. Whether it's the confident and ambitious protagonist Yoichi, or the passive-aggressive Ego Jinpachi, each character's voice is spot on and adds to the overall enjoyment of the series.
Even if "Blue Lock" is not up to the palate of some viewers, it's staying power is there. If memes have proven anything, there are moments in this show that can even be taken out of context as a memorable gifs. Some scenes in the show are just so over-the-top and ridiculous that they become instantly meme-able. This staying power can keep this show in the public consciousness long after it has finished airing. Which is always a good thing for any series.
So, in conclusion, "Blue Lock" is a great manga that's perfect for anyone who loves soccer or sports manga in general. It's got great action, interesting characters, and a unique story. That's sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.