Review of Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 2: Animation Issues Haunt 8bit’s Creative Third Selection Scenes

Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 2, nicknamed The Assassin and the Ninja, debuted on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at 11:30 PM JST. While the first installment of the anime showcased decent visuals, the promotional content for the second episode revealed several scenes plagued by poor animation, particularly within the Third Selection Arc. In a surprising turn, animation studio 8bit attempted to refine these sequences, but the results fell short of expectations.

This episode also marked the introduction of Eiji Mikami and Kakeru Hatano in their roles as Hiori Yo and Nanase Nijiro. With various aspects worthy of discussion, let’s delve into a detailed analysis of Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 2, particularly focusing on 8bit’s efforts to improve the animated scenes, as well as the production quality, voice acting, and other factors.

Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 2 Review: 8bit’s Colorful Attempt to Enhance Animation

Recalling the second promotional trailer for Blue Lock’s second season, viewers were alerted to a series of poorly animated sequences featured in the Third Selection Arc. Among the most glaring issues was the depiction of Ryusei Shidou’s no-look backheel goal, which fell far short of its manga representation.

Responding to viewer concerns raised on social media, 8bit recognized the criticism regarding animation quality and undertook efforts to rectify these glaring flaws ahead of the episode’s airing. The studio added vibrant colors and visual effects to these underwhelming sequences in an attempt to elevate their presentation.

Did these enhancements rectify the situation entirely? Not quite; however, they certainly improved upon what was initially shown in the promotional material. That said, it remains challenging to fully commend the studio for their last-minute fixes since they were responsible for the original animation missteps.

Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 2 Review: Evaluating Production Quality and Cast Impressions

Chigiri Hyouma in Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 2 (Image via 8bit)

When it comes to assessing the production quality of Blue Lock’s second episode, the experience can be somewhat inconsistent. On the downside, the 2D animation left much to be desired, as many scenes featured static characters and minimal action, resulting in a lackluster visual experience.

The transitions between scenes resembled a disjointed PowerPoint presentation, further highlighted by the aforementioned Ryusei Shidou goal sequence, which failed to achieve a cohesive enhancement. Certain parts of that scene were colorful, while others echoed the lack of quality seen in the promotional video, almost as if they belonged to different series.

Fans might have been more forgiving if the line art had been executed well throughout the episode. Unfortunately, 8bit didn’t maintain that standard, even as other production concerns were largely neglected.

The solitary bright spot in terms of animation was the use of CG elements. Typically, fans criticize the reliance on computer-generated graphics, but in this case, the studio’s CGI work became a highlight amidst the absence of engaging 2D animation.

Hiori Yo in Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 2 (Image via 8bit)

Another commendable element in the episode was the background music. While 8bit struggled to create tension through animation, the selection of impressive musical scores helped compensate for some of the shortcomings.

Regarding the cast’s performances, both Eiji Mikami and Kakeru Hatano delivered solid portrayals. While Kakeru’s voice for Nanase Nijiro was quite fitting, Eiji’s softer tone for Hiori Yo was somewhat unexpected. It will be interesting to see if their performances evolve in subsequent episodes or remain consistent.

Final Thoughts on Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 2

Tabito Karasu in Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 2 (Image via 8bit)

From the insights drawn from the latest episode, it appears that 8bit aimed to address the disappointing animated sequences unveiled in the promotional preview by infusing them with color and special effects. While these modifications brought some vitality to previously criticized scenes, they did not repair the fundamental issues that affected the episode’s overall quality.

Adding to the concern, no snippets of future episodes were made available in the promotional trailers, leaving fans in suspense about what lies ahead. The hope is that 8bit will step up their game as they transition into adapting the U-20 Arc.

Source