Why Blue Lock Will Never Qualify as a True Sports Anime

Blue Lock has recently emerged as a standout competitor among sports anime, yet there are compelling reasons to suggest that it may not fit neatly into this category. This observation isn’t aimed at undermining the series’ engaging narrative, characterized by well-developed characters and a strong emphasis on the significance of ego in achieving success. Instead, it addresses the show’s mechanics, which diverge from the true nature of football.

In contrast to iconic sports anime like Haikyuu!! and Slam Dunk, Blue Lock lacks a certain level of authenticity and doesn’t conform to the fundamental principles of football. This deviation is notably illustrated through its visual style, which leans heavily on battle shonen motifs, making it arguably more appropriate to classify this series differently.

Note: This article contains spoilers for the series.

Analyzing why Blue Lock diverges from traditional sports anime

It’s essential to recognize that Blue Lock possesses significant strengths, regardless of its classification within the sports anime genre. Features such as deeply crafted characters, the central theme of ego as a pathway to success, intriguing plot twists, and stunning visuals are amongst the series’ notable qualities.

However, the primary concern with the series is its departure from realistic football dynamics and its exclusive focus on the striker role. This singular emphasis leads to situations whereby players are placed in roles outside of their specialization, which diminishes the overall achievements of the main characters.

In contrast, shows like Haikyuu!! and Slam Dunk excel not only for their character development and animation quality but also for their adherence to realism. The journeys of Shoyo Hinata in volleyball and Hanamichi Sakuragi in basketball illustrate their respective sports effectively. These narratives respect realistic frameworks, showcasing the authors’ dedication and homage to the games.

Additional observations on the topic

Yoichi Isagi, the protagonist of the series, as seen in the anime (Image via 8Bit). — Yoichi Isagi, the protagonist of the series, portrayed in the anime (Image via 8Bit).

Blue Lock shares more commonalities with battle shonen than traditional sports anime, notably due to its focus on characters overcoming adversaries. The protagonist, Yoichi Isagi, predominantly relies on intellect and strategic thinking, attributes more aligned with fighters than standard athletes who typically don’t have the luxury to analyze situations in such depth.

This issue isn’t isolated to Blue Lock; series like Kuroko no Basuke also depict an exaggerated take on basketball, which may explain its lack of critical acclaim and commercial success compared to Slam Dunk. Within the realm of sports anime, there exists a stark divide, with several series adopting a battle shonen-like approach, reminiscent even in a classic football anime such as Captain Tsubasa.

Concluding remarks

There’s a strong case to be made that Blue Lock aligns more closely with battle shonen narratives than with traditional sports anime. While this doesn’t diminish the validity of its story, it’s imperative to acknowledge that it doesn’t effectively represent football as a sport and overlooks essential aspects, such as positions beyond that of the striker.

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