Blue Lock is the anti-Haikyu: it does away with notions of teamwork and camaraderie.
It asks a simple question: is your ego big enough to win?
A big theme of anime is always striving to be better, and these characters embody that.
That’s the question its cast has been struggling to answer for themselves.
Physical strength and stamina are an advantage, but what really makes a character strong is their mental fortitude.
Here are the characters we think could rise above the rest.
He is one of the most naturally gifted strikers in the entire series.
Blue Lock demands the definitive egotist, and Chigiri isn’t that.
Ryusei Shido is overwhelmingly strong and plays football for no reason except that it excites him.
These anime villains have style as well as smarts.
While his physical stats and wake-up game are incredible, Shido’s lack of ambition may be his undoing.
As Blue Lock’s tallest contestant, Aryu can cut off shots that would soar over other contestants.
He also makes smart use of his entire body, incorporating jumps and chest bumps into his arsenal.
He was not a breakout star skills-wise, however.
All of that changed once Isagi reinvented his ego.
Using his spatial awareness and split-second analytical skills, Isagi can create openings for goals.
That’s the mindset required to win.
He refuses to pass the ball, showing the selfishness worthy of a striker.
Learn all about the best leader figures in anime shows!
However, Baro is eventually surpassed, which is a massive blow to his psyche.
Afterwards, Baro reinvents himself as a villain, with world domination as his only focus.
Once the scars of his loss fade, Baro may well claw his way back to the top.
He is well-meaning despite his fiery nature and has all themakings of a hero.
It helps that he is physically imposing.
His return through a wild card segment renders him hostile, with all his initial principles rendered obsolete.
This newer, meaner Kunigami has the makings of a winner, the nicer one couldn’t be.
Is there a better way to make an anime character feel relatable than turning them into a gamer?
Unfortunately for Reo, this comes at the cost of their friendship.
After being pampered by him for years, Nagi casts Reo aside in true egoist fashion.
2Rin Itoshi
Rin Itoshi has something besides ambition driving him to win: revenge.
Once his brother left for Spain, Rin was left directionless.
Absent a guiding hand, Rin became bitter and overzealous in his drive to excel.
These manga series have the best character development in the medium.
