Reviews

Blue Lock is based on unconventional themes that one might not typically associate with sports fiction, such as egoism and individuality. While these themes may put some readers off, it would still most likely end up being an unexpectedly entertaining and worthwhile read if the focus is on what it does best. This aspect makes Blue Lock stand out and worth diving into. It feels more like a battle royale-based shonen than a typical sports manga, and that's a big part of its charm. Admittedly, it took a while to get used to how these themes work, determine what the manga is trying to convey, and understand why these themes are being explored. Everything would fall into place eventually and start to make sense as we explore the characters and their motives.

The art style is simply stunning, if you have a vivid imagination, there’ll be countless moments that get you genuinely hyped for what’s to come as every moment in an arc or match unfolds. Beyond the art, it also explores themes such as self-improvement, why one must pursue the best version of oneself, and the privileges that come with doing so. What resonated with me the most was the concept of learning, unlearning, and relearning. Basically, this involves gaining a piece of knowledge, discarding what doesn't work, and then gaining new information that builds on this previous knowledge to make it work according to the situation, thereby, reinforcing it to make it better. There are many instances where such values are quite reflective in our lives and I'm sure you would find at least one value that you can relate with and take away from Blue Lock. I've been following Blue Lock for over a year and am still a fan of its art and unorthodox take on soccer. Moreover, the adrenaline rush that comes with reading and imagining all the soccer battles keeps me coming back for more.