Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 1 is a goal-rious leadup to the ultimate match

If there’s one thing Blue Lock has a knack for, it has to be unpredictability. Season 1 often left me guessing to the point where I just couldn’t flat-out anticipate what would come next. And by the time I reached its finale, I was left wondering, “What’s next for our boys in the big blue?”

Season 2’s first episode captures that same essence of unpredictability in an entirely unique way, blending new and familiar faces alike. You’ll know exactly who the key players are by the look ’em. Just spot the ones with vibrant hair colors or an updo that would make Goku proud, and you’ve got your main cast. Even though the name of the game remains the same, Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 1 kicks off with a bang, leading the way for a thrilling new arc. 

The last time we saw Isagi Yoichi and the rest of the Blue Lock boys, they were beginning the Third Selection in the hopes of replacing the all-star team of Japan U-20. But the only way to get there is by defeating the current one, or else every bit of Blue Lock will be wiped away. The stakes are high, and the tension is even higher within the first minute. 

Episode 1 begins with an intriguing look at the origins of Blue Lock’s number one player, Rin Itoshi. I won’t reveal too much, but it may make you look at him a bit differently. That’s one of the many reasons why I love Blue Lock so much. Sure, the entire show thrives off selfishness and cruelty, yet underneath it all, it’s just a group of young men who will do anything to play soccer. This layering has turned even my most hated characters into my favorites, and I’m sure it’ll happen again with this latest season (Except for you, Igarashi. You’re still on my naughty list.)

From Rin’s scene alone, I could already see a tremendous improvement in visuals, instilling more fine details to evoke the characters’ raw emotions. The vibrant colors of Season 1 have evolved in the second season, making soccer almost feel like an artistic masterpiece. Especially in light of the illuminating glow of their aura, which ups the ante of Blue Lock’s classic flames. Altogether, you get scenes that may be on par with top-tier visuals of anime movies. 

But despite its impressive animation, I was curious to see which way the story would go at this point. I always get a little worried whenever there’s a continuation of a competition-heavy show. Will it use the same formula as last time? Or will it change up the game to bring something fresh to the table? Fortunately, Blue Lock aims to be the latter, as it introduces a new system set for the remaining members.

This time around (minor spoiler alert), the ensemble has broken down into teams led by the top six-rated athletes of Blue Lock. Anyone below them must prove their worth in a single match, earning their right to take on Japan U-20. Of course, each member still strives to be the best striker in the world. Yet now, it’ll be much harder to achieve since everyone is a star in their own right. Think of it as a bunch of Katniss Everdeens rolled up into one Hunger Games, only its careers on the line and not someone’s life.

I’m really liking this new direction of having almost no bad eggs on the field. Everyone’s good at what they do, so we’ll get some good soccer as a result. The actual playing of soccer, however, doesn’t take place in this episode, given that it’s more focused on explaining the new concept. I know a few folks out there might not favor this approach, but I didn’t seem to mind it. I would much rather get an explainer of what’s going on rather than jumping into soccer just for the fun of it. It’s meant to set the stage for the rest of the season, and even if it’s brief, it’s enough to get me hyped for what’s to come.

Although I don’t know much about the new players, the mystery surrounding them fascinates me. How did they survive this far, and what crazy skills do they have to earn the top six rankings? It’s also got me excited to see how Isagi will approach these challenges as someone known for his exceptional adaptability. That’s one thing I really admire about him and the entire series, for that matter. There’s always something new and fresh to behold, adding more to its unpredictable nature for the better. 

I’m not even a sports anime kind of gal, and the show somehow dug its hooks in me from start to finish. I know it has a lot to do with the fact that it’s not a traditional form of soccer, as it separates from team-based elements and highlights the greed of one’s passions. The players are Egoists, after all, and it’s riveting to see how far they’ll go for their dreams. 

While it’s only the start of Blue Lock Season 2, I can already tell this arc’s shaping up to be a good one. We have all the players laid out, and now all that’s left is to play soccer. I can’t wait to be in the front row for the rest of the season, seeing who will make the cut for the ultimate soccer team. 

You can watch Blue Lock Season 2, with new episodes rolling out every Saturday, on Crunchyroll. And, if you need to catch up, be sure to also check out Season 1 for a refresher.