Since its strategic FIFA World Cup premiere last year, Blue Lock has captured the hearts and minds of viewers by turning conventional wisdom about shounen and sports anime on its head. Muneyuki Kaneshiro’s gripping manga, vividly illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, transforms the typical narrative of sports teamwork into a high-stakes quest where Japan’s top football talents are pushed to their physical and mental limits to create the ultimate striker. This forward should be so exceptional that they might single-handedly secure World Cup victory for Japan.
Recently, theatrical anime releases have increasingly blurred the lines of originality, especially as popular series extend their influence with spin-offs and recap movies—mirroring earlier works like Haikyuu’s Dumpster Battle Movie. From its inception, Blue Lock: Episode Nagi establishes its goals clearly. It’s not here to revolutionize the genre of anime spin-offs, nor does it aim to be an indispensable, canonical chapter like Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. Rather than break new ground, it offers a more nuanced take: a side story that dribbles along the periphery of the main series to enrich our understanding of the titular character.
For ardent fans of Blue Lock, this instalment serves as a refreshing detour, allowing viewers to delve into the rise of Seishiro Nagi—a laid-back, videogame-obsessed prodigy who may well be the most hesitant football genius to ever grace the pitch. Upon his introduction, Nagi’s life revolves around two pursuits: playing video games and avoiding any form of exertion, whether it’s brushing his teeth or kicking a football. The mere idea of putting in effort is repelling to him. Yet, his carefree attitude is oddly captivating, brought to life expertly by voice actor Nobunaga Shimazaki. Beneath this facade of indifference lies a well of untapped talent, brought into the spotlight by the relentless enthusiasm of his affluent and ambitious friend, Reo Mikage.
A still from ‘Blue Lock: Episode Nagi’ | Photo Credit: KODANSHA
Reo, the wealthy and driven contrast to Nagi’s apathetic demeanor, serves as both a catalyst and a foil. The film does an admirable job of fleshing out Reo’s character, making him more than just a sidekick to Nagi’s naturally gifted talent. Their friendship, which starts off as a transactional alliance—Reo’s ambition paired with Nagi’s raw potential—gradually develops into something deeper and more heartfelt.
. As we witness Nagi’s awakening to the joys and hardships of football, it’s hard not to root for him. This transformation is skillfully rendered by director Shunsuke Ishikawa, who cleverly juxtaposes Nagi’s sluggish reluctance with sudden bursts of brilliance on the field.
Studio Eight Bit has spared no effort in delivering an animated spectacle teeming with energy and flair. The football matches are extraordinary, with players glowing as their egos awaken, their skills reaching near-mythical heights. The blue auras and vibrant colors give every goal an earth-shattering impact, and every pass feels as explosive as a .50 caliber shot. Nagi’s special move—a grim-reaper-like ability to kill the ball’s momentum—is especially well-executed, enveloped in an almost hypnotic shadow.
A still from ‘Blue Lock: Episode Nagi’ | Photo Credit: KODANSHA
However, despite its numerous strengths, Episode Nagi has a few setbacks. The pacing is at times inconsistent, particularly in the latter part of the film, which feels rushed. The decision to condense the final episodes of the first season into a montage seems like a misstep, sapping critical moments of their emotional impact and leaving them underdeveloped. This is unfortunate because the buildup is so meticulously crafted that one can’t help but wish for a more measured conclusion.
In summary, Blue Lock: Episode Nagi achieves its primary aim: to offer a unique perspective through which to appreciate the Blue Lock saga. For fans of the series, it’s a much-welcomed addition to the lore—an appetizing side dish that leaves viewers eager for the next course, set to debut in October this year.
Blue Lock: Episode Nagi is currently screening in theaters.
World cinema / cartoons and animation / reviews
