Why Rensuke Kunigami Changed in Blue Lock: An Explanation

Rensuke Kunigami was a well-known figure at the Blue Lock Project, being highly regarded by many. He was one of the first individuals that Isagi Yoichi connected with and formed a bond with. Kunigami’s beliefs and aspirations for joining Blue Lock greatly impacted Isagi’s growth and evolution as a player.

From a young age, Kunigami was captivated by football. He dedicated himself to intensive training, determined to become the world’s top striker and a renowned football icon. He joined Blue Lock with the goal of conquering it and fulfilling his dream of representing Japan and leading them to victory in the World Cup.

Unfortunately, his dreams were shattered midway when he was eliminated during the final games of the Second Selection. Having been eliminated and then returning through the Wildcard had a profound impact on him, as was evident when he represented Bastard Munchen in the Neo Egoist League.

Blue Lock: The reason Rensuke Kunigami Changed

Why the Kunigami Region Changed

From the start, Rensuke Kunigami was a dedicated player who understood the balance between having fun and focusing on the game. He exuded a sense of composure and intense love for football, sharing his aspirations with Isagi at an early stage. Kunigami refused to tolerate any unjust behavior from other players, emanating a protective older brother aura.

During the Second Selection Arc, Rensuke Kunigami joined forces with Chigiri Hyoma and Reo Mikage after successfully passing the Blue Lock keeper test. However, in their first game against Isagi’s team, they were defeated and Chigiri was ultimately selected. Despite this setback, Rensuke continued to compete but was ultimately beaten by Ryusei Shido’s team, resulting in Reo being chosen over him.

Despite being eliminated, the teen was unaware that all hope was not lost, as he was given the opportunity to return to Blue Lock through the Wildcard system. After enduring a grueling series of tests, Kunigami emerged as the top candidate and came back to Blue Lock as a transformed player – more aggressive, cold, focused, and instinctual.

The new Rensuke Kunigami

The primary objective of the Wildcard system was to bring back someone who had previously been defeated in Blue Lock but had since experienced a significant transformation in their mindset and philosophy. As a result, a completely different Kunigami reentered Blue Lock, displaying a more reserved, introspective, and somber demeanor. His mindset underwent a significant shift after his defeat by Shido and his near elimination from the competition.

Throughout the Neo Egoist League, every game further revealed the extent of this individual’s egoism as he prioritized scoring his own goals, regardless of the circumstances. His peers even gave him the nickname “Cyborg”due to his lack of emotion.

Despite his rude and disrespectful behavior, he still held his tongue around his teammate and rival, Noel Noa. However, he maintained a cold attitude towards him. Deep down, the old Kunigami was still living as if he hadn’t lost his morals, even though he boldly passed offensive comments to others.

Final Thoughts

Upon his return to Blue Lock, Rensuke Kunigami was a completely transformed individual compared to the boy who first entered. This was to be expected, as the one who had once aspired to be a football superhero and the top striker in the world had his dreams shattered after being excluded from the Second Selection.

Despite initially appearing to take a backseat in the Isagi vs Kaiser battle, Kunigami’s wildcard proved to be a game-changer, igniting a fierce determination within him. He refused to let anything or anyone hinder him from achieving his goal. In the end, he forcefully demonstrated his worth as a contender in Blue Lock, proving why he had surpassed the wildcard challenge.