Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 4 Review: Reo Mikage’s Stunning Goal Scene Redeems 8bit’s Animation Quality

Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 4, entitled “The Chameleon,”was released on Saturday, October 26, 2024, at 11:30 PM JST. As many fans are aware, the ongoing season of the Blue Lock anime has been struggling with quality issues due to the shortcomings of animation studio 8bit.

This trend continues in the latest installment, as 8bit seems to excel in creating vibrant animation as long as it doesn’t involve soccer. However, in contrast to the previous episode, this week’s offering does present some redeeming aspects worth discussing.

Here, we will thoroughly explore the aspects of production quality, CG effects, and various other elements evident in Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 4.

Review of Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 4: 8bit Shines in Non-Football Scenes

Nanase and Hiori in Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 4 (Image via 8bit)

It may sound disheartening, but it has become evident that animation studio 8bit can deliver high-quality anime as long as it steers clear of depicting football matches. Although the first episode showcased decent animations, subsequent episodes have been largely criticized for their quality.

The later episodes have primarily featured sequences from the Third Selection Tryouts, where the animation has drawn significant criticism. However, the artistry in scenes portraying character interactions has generally received better reviews.

Sae Itoshi in Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 4 (Image via 8bit)

This was particularly noteworthy in the latest episode, as the conversations between Isagi, Hiori, and Nanase, as well as Sae Itoshi’s meeting scene, exhibited impressive production quality with no apparent flaws, satisfying fans’ expectations.

While this might be interpreted as an encouraging sign for some viewers, it raises concerns for others given that much of the current anime season revolves around football matches, particularly the anticipated Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan showdown. Fans may understandably be anxious about what lies ahead for the series.

Reo Mikage’s Goal Enhances a Lacking Team A vs. Team C Match

Reo Mikage in Blue Lock anime (Image via 8bit)

That said, not every football segment in Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 4 was poorly executed. Reo Mikage’s goal scene stood out as being notably superior to other match sequences. As viewers may have noticed, players have largely stopped animatedly flailing their arms while running in this season, and Reo’s dribbling was depicted comparatively well.

While his gyro shot could have benefited from more detailed animation, the way the ball’s movement was illustrated as it traversed the air appeared well-executed. This could potentially indicate a reduced reliance on CG animation, and unlike many other segments, the ball’s spin looked impressive.

Final Thoughts on Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 4

Buratsuta in Blue Lock anime (Image via 8bit)

In summary, the latest episode offers a sliver of hope that 8bit might deliver a competent animation for the upcoming Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan match. However, only time will reveal what lies ahead. The ultimate quality will likely depend on whether the production team dedicates their efforts to this anticipated showdown.

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