The moment Blue Lock‘s Shidou Ryusei was introduced, he became an instant fan-favorite. He managed to pass the Second Selection, beating out Rensuke Kunigami who was ranked 111. While the anime only gave a brief glimpse of him, manga fans are already familiar with the formidable Shidou Ryusei.
Despite his aggressive and eccentric nature, paired with an unquenchable passion for football, he became a formidable and occasionally aggressive competitor at Blue Lock. In contrast to Rin Itoshi, he is completely independent and relies on his instincts in his style of play. He often prefers to handle things alone, rejecting any assistance from his teammates.
Despite being a fictional character, Shidou Ryusei in the series draws inspiration from the real-life superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who is known for his Swedish roots. Their similar playstyles and physical attributes make them comparable on the field.
The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Shidou
As previously noted, Shidou Ryusei draws inspiration from the renowned Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Both possess exceptional skills and agility in controlling the ball in mid-air. They also have similar physical attributes, with Shidou standing at 6’1 and Zlatan at 6’3, both with a slim yet muscular physique.
Although their personalities differ, both Zlatan and Shidou share a similar level of confidence in their abilities. Both possess the necessary skills to single-handedly impact a match. Additionally, they are both unafraid to speak their minds and back up their words with actions when necessary.
Shidou’s Abilities in Blue Lock
Shidou Ryusei is known for embodying the Goal Poacher or Poacher archetype. As a forward, they are constantly on the move within the six-yard box/penalty area, ready to seize any opportunities to score from crosses, passes, or loose balls. The term “Poachers”is used to describe players like Shidou who have a knack for finding the smallest openings to steal a goal.
The position typically calls for Goal Poachers to operate as either center forwards or second strikers. As evident in the manga, Shidou boasts exceptional stats in areas such as physicality, ball handling, strength, and shooting precision. His talent and confidence were recognized by Sae Itoshi himself.
Shidou is known as one of the strongest and most dominant players on Blue Lock, with the ability to even outmatch Kunigami. His impressive physical strength is enhanced by his exceptional speed, keen spatial awareness, and quick reflexes. Additionally, he is equipped with a potent and venomous shot, including variations such as the Bicycle Kick and Dragon Drive.
Despite his height, Shidou possesses impressive jumping abilities, and his strong physical stature enhances his heading skills. This makes him a formidable threat near the goal, even when he is in the air. Additionally, when Shidou enters his Flow State, his physical and perceptive abilities are pushed to their limits, resulting in a more lethal version of all his talents.
Comparing Shidou’s Abilities and Ibrahimovic’s Playstyle
Shidou Ryusei and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have similar abilities and playstyles. They both possess a strong physical presence on the field, allowing them to overpower most opponents. This makes them difficult to defend against, especially on the counterattack.
Their aerial prowess, stemming from their physical dominance, makes them formidable threats in the box. Additionally, their technical abilities are impressive, showcasing excellent ball control and dazzling moves.
Their distinctive trait lies in their skill to maneuver in mid-air, whether they have possession of the ball or not. This enables them to execute breathtaking acrobatic maneuvers, both in attack and defense. Moreover, their proficiency allows them to capitalize on even the most challenging angles, rarely failing to score from unconventional positions.
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