Is Rin Itoshi the best player in Blue Lock? Explained

Since his debut on the show, Rin Itoshi has been a dominating force in Blue Lock, completely taking over the landscape. Fans first became aware of his ranking in chapter 40 of the manga, where he was revealed to hold the top spot at 221.

In the subsequent arcs of the series, his rank experienced a significant boost as he ultimately reached the summit of the rankings and became the top striker. In fact, in the manga’s Third Selection arc, Jinpachi Ego declared Rin Itoshi as the best player in Blue Lock.

Despite this, as the series progressed, Rin’s ranking gradually declined from No.1 to No.7, causing him to be overshadowed in the later arcs. As a result, fans are left with one burning question – Does Rin Itoshi still hold the title of best player in Blue Lock?

Is Rin Itoshi the Best Player in Blue Lock?

Rin Itoshi as seen in the anime (image via 8bit)

Despite being hailed as the top player in Blue Lock for a considerable amount of time, Rin Itoshi’s reputation began to diminish as other players, such as Isagi Yoichi, Seishiro Nagi, and Shoei Baro, continuously improved their skills. This was a result of Jinpachi Ego’s declaration during the Third Selection arc, which initially solidified Rin’s standing in the team.

Regarding Rin Itoshi’s status as the best player in Blue Lock, it can be confirmed that he is currently ranked at the top according to official rankings. This is still the case as of chapter 270 of the manga.

At the moment, he is engaged in a fierce competition with Isagi Yoichi and Michael Kaiser to determine the ultimate victor. Each of them is pushing themselves to their limits and giving their best effort, indicating a strong likelihood of Rin being replaced in the near future.

Why Rin is the best player?

Why Rin is the best striker (image via 8bit)

Since his arrival in Blue Lock, Rin Itoshi has consistently been at the pinnacle of his performance. While his initial focus was on reaching the top and defeating his brother, Sae Itoshi, in football as a way of avenging their abandoned shared dream, Rin has since let go of his desire for revenge and instead strives to become the greatest striker in the world.

Rin’s unwavering determination to constantly better himself and perfect his abilities consumes every moment of his day. His mindset, combined with his conceited and self-centered demeanor, undoubtedly sets him apart as the most exceptional player in Blue Lock. After abandoning his previous goal of outdoing his brother, Rin is now striving to release himself from any vulnerabilities or restraints. He yearns to establish his own distinct persona as a true egoist, without any dependence on his brother or fellow teammates.

Who is the second best to Rin?

Isagi or Kaiser stand the strongest chance of surpassing Rin (image via Kodansha, 8bit)

Despite briefly dropping to the No.2 rank during the Neo Egoist League arc and later falling to the No.7 rank in chapter 204, Rin consistently regained his position at the top. This is evident in the ongoing three-way battle among Rin, Kaiser, and Isagi in chapter 270, where the outcome will determine the best striker in Blue Lock.

Throughout the manga, there have been multiple instances where Isagi has outwitted Rin and proven himself as Blue Lock’s Hero. The U-20 arc, in particular, showcased Isagi’s intelligence as he cleverly manipulated Rin to achieve his own goal. Therefore, it is possible that either Michael Kaiser or Isagi Yoichi could surpass Rin in the upcoming chapters.

Despite their intense competition and constant determination to defeat one another, Rin and Isagi continued to clash, solidifying their longstanding rivalry. It is clear that Isagi Yoichi, Rin Itoshi’s arch-nemesis, is the most fitting candidate to take over as the number one player in Blue Lock. However, there are other contenders such as Seishiro Nagi and Shoei Baro who may also have a shot at dethroning Rin and becoming the top player.