In the midst of a plethora of popular sports anime, Blue Lock appears to have the potential for success. Despite only having one season, the series transitions to the silver screen, although it may not be the most outstanding production of the year.
In Blue Lock: The Movie, the focus shifts from Yoichi Isagi, a promising football player, to his competitor Seishirō Nagi. Both of them are participants in the Blue Lock program, which is a rigorous training camp aimed at producing the best striker for Japan’s national team.
Despite facing elimination at every turn, Isagi persevered through multiple rounds of the regime in the first season of the sports anime.
In Episode Nagi, the perspective shifts to Nagi’s point of view, providing insight into the motivations of the other players in the intense tournament.
Episode Nagi has the right players
While it may have been a groundbreaking concept in manga form, the idea falls short when translated into a feature film with a wide release. The spin-off manga by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura may have been successful, but as an anime movie, it falters in both halves, each with their own shortcomings.
By centering the narrative on Nagi, the retelling of the story up to this point becomes more engaging and avoids feeling like a simple recap. This approach also allows for a seamless entry point for viewers seeking a compelling sports movie. Nagi, a hesitant protagonist, is unexpectedly drawn into the world of football by Reo Mikage, a driven and privileged classmate.
Reo persuades Nagi to join the school’s soccer team after witnessing his impressive footwork. As a laid-back video game enthusiast, Nagi typically dislikes anything that doesn’t involve his phone. However, during the Blue Lock challenges, he begins to appreciate the joy of playing soccer and develops a close relationship with Reo.
Blue Lock is exploring the whole bench
The duo has a delightful dynamic, with Mikage being loud and bubbly in contrast to Nagi’s deadpan delivery. Nagi’s stoic expression towards everything happening is balanced by Mikage’s lively nature, resulting in laughter.
Despite being a slightly clueless hotshot who often struggles with basic phrases and tasks, one of the other Blue Lock competitors manages to surprise everyone with their skills and teaches the others not to underestimate them. This often leads to moments of hilarity among the group.
The depiction of football in Blue Lock is breakneck, with all players contributing and executing special moves similar to those seen in fighting games. As they take powerful shots, auras envelop the players, causing the ball to quickly travel from one end of the field to the other.
Blue Lock is in a different class
Despite getting many aspects of the beautiful game spot on, Ted Lasso can’t quite match the Shonen sensibilities portrayed in Blue Lock. As the rounds progress, Nagi and Mikage’s bond deepens, but the ultimate prize of representing Japan can only be claimed by one of them. To make matters even more dire, those who are defeated are permanently barred from competing at a national level.
Upon viewing Episode Nagi, one may find themselves shedding a few tears over the gauntlet. However, I can’t say it does much for the franchise as a whole. It should be noted that Nagi is not the main character, which could cause confusion for those who are inspired to watch Season 2.
In my opinion, the film may have been released prematurely. The Nagi episode did not begin until we were already more than 150 chapters into Blue Lock. I understand the importance of maintaining a chronological timeline, but now it appears as though there are two main protagonists when in reality there is only one, Isagi.
Blue Lock: The Movie review score – 3/5
Unfortunately, it is a pity that the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament is the timing for the release of Blue Lock: The Movie, as the screenplay by Taku Kishimoto remains exceptional, filled with memorable quotes and heartfelt emotions. Director Shunsuke Ishikawa truly showcases Eight Bit’s best work to date, making it a film with many admirable qualities.
However, the experience of watching it is akin to witnessing a thrilling mid-season club football match, only to later learn why the outcome is not favorable for either team. Soccer is most exhilarating when kept simple, and unfortunately, Blue Lock’s extended presentation fails to capture that essence.
The film adaptation of Blue Lock, titled “Episode Nagi,”will be released in theatres on June 28, 2024.
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