The following contains spoilers for Episode 14 of Blue Lock, “The Geniuses and the Average Joes,” now streaming onCrunchyrollandNetflix.
Blue Lock slowed down a little this week to focus more on Isagi’s character development and how he is feeling at this stage in the program, with less emphasis on actual soccer played and a lot more on emotions. That didn’t stop it from having some exciting moments, though, including returning characters and a cliffhanger ending that is setting up what is sure to be a more action-packed episode again next week.
Now thatVinland Saga Season 2has aired,Blue Lockslipped down to the sixth position on the Winter Anime Chart on MyAnimeList. A score of 8.27 is still quite good, though, and if the anime can keep charging forward it is likely to hold at least that position again throughout the season. Slow weeks, though, often drop the score down a bit, and that may well happen after this week’s weaker, but still important, episode.
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Returning Cast
Isagi and Nagi were not the only ones to lose their first match, and the first two others that we see are two that we already know. First is Barou, one of Isagi’s opponents from the first season who bested him not only during a game, but also during aone-on-one casual session. Barou’s bad attitude has not changed at all, and it turned out he was not chosen when his team lost due to his selfish nature even though he is amazing at scoring goals. He is not a team player.
The second returning character is Naruhaya, a member of Isagi’s old team. Naruhaya made very little impression in the first season, always playing defense and not scoring any goals. He was a bit quiet and passive, and being honest,quite forgettable. He is not the most exciting character to see coming back from that team, but it seems like he is being given his own character development and importance now that he has more screen time.
Tensions Running High
As we said, Episode 14 was more about emotions and character development than soccer action. After Isagi and Nagi’s defeat last week in the first match of the Second Selection, they had to face the fact that they were just one match away from being eliminated. If they are not able to win their next match, only one of them will be chosen to go on with the winning team, and the other’s career will be finished. Isagi realized that out of the two of them, Nagi is more likely to be chosen than him.
Isagi’s feeling of dread is compounded when he runs into one of his own teammates, Naruhaya, who confirms his feelings. Both Naruhaya and Isagi have teammates that are stronger than they are, and both are likely to be left behind if their team loses. Naruhaya seemed has accepted his easier than Isagi, and is determined to just support his stronger teammate.
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But in the actual match at the end of the episode, we see more of Naruhaya’s true colors. He is not willing to just roll over and accept his fate, but is fighing as well - and chose to play against Isagi because he felt like he would be able to beat Isagi after playing on the same team together before. Isagi has to find his confidence andface his own weaknessesif he is going to stay in Blue Lock.
A New Opening
Last week,Blue Lockhad a new ending song to kick off the new season. This week, the new ending didn’t have any time to actually play again; the credits ran during the regular episode because there was too much to fit in. ButBlue Lockdefinitely delivered to music lovers all the same by having an all-new opening song!
The new opening is “Judgement” by ASH DA HERO, and it was worth waiting for. While “Chaos ga Kiwamaru” by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN was also a good song for the show, “Judgement” is even better. The new opening animation is also very well done, full of bright colors, contrasts, and blocks of text in a grafiti style that are relevant to the story and aesthetic of the anime.
We had said before that one of the best parts about watchingBlue Lockis theexcellent art, and the new opening really encapsulates that. While normally we skip the opening credits, so we can get right into the story, especially with how oftenBlue Lockends on a cliffhanger, we may be rocking out to “Judgement” for at least a few more weeks before we skip it.
While yes, Episode 14 ofBlue Lockwas mostly slow paced internal monologues or discussions between characters, it was still an important episode. It highlights where Isagi still needs to improve and where he has to go from here, and keeps him as an underdog rather than an overpowering main character. It also lets other characters have a bit of the spotlight, giving a good chance for character development all around. We will be waiting for more action next week!
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