Blue Lock is a Japanese sports manga series written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura. The story centers around the highly competitive world of soccer, with a unique and thrilling twist.
Alternate Name
ブルーロック
Publisher
Kodansha
Type
Manga
Author
Muneyuki Kaneshiro
Artist
Yusuke Nomura
Release
August 1, 2018
Status
Ongoing
Volumes Released
32 (as of Dec 2024)
About
Blue Lock is a Japanese sports manga series written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura. The story centers around the highly competitive world of soccer, with a unique and thrilling twist.
Alternate Name
ブルーロック
Publisher
Kodansha
Type
Manga
Author
Muneyuki Kaneshiro
Artist
Yusuke Nomura
Release
August 1, 2018
Status
Ongoing
Volumes
28 (as of Nov 2024)
Blue Lock Manga Synopsis
Blue Lock begins after Japan’s disappointing elimination from the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Determined to rebuild and create the ultimate striker, the Japan Football Association hires Jinpachi Ego, an eccentric coach with a revolutionary vision to change Japanese soccer.
Yoichi Isagi, a high school striker, loses the opportunity to participate in the national high school championships because he passed the ball to a teammate—who missed the shot—instead of taking it himself. Isagi is one of 300 U-18 strikers chosen by Jinpachi Ego to join the “Blue Lock” project. This high-stakes program isolates the players in a prison-like facility, forcing them to compete against each other. The goal is to create the world’s greatest “egotist” striker, a trait Japan’s soccer has been lacking.
As Isagi navigates the intense competition, he confronts fierce rivals, grueling challenges, and his own doubts, pushing him to discover what it truly means to be the best. Blue Lock is a thrilling tale of ambition, rivalry, and self-discovery, blending sports drama with psychological intensity.
Overview
Blue Lock (Japanese: ブルーロック, Hepburn: Burū Rokku) (stylized as BLUELOCK) is a Japanese manga series written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura. It has been serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine since August 2018, with its chapters compiled into 32 tankōbon volumes as of December 2024.
An anime television series adaptation, produced by Eight Bit, aired from October 2022 to March 2023. Additionally, an anime film adaptation based on the Episode Nagi manga premiered in April 2024. A second season, titled vs. U-20 Japan, aired from October to December 2024.
By July 2024, the manga had over 40 million copies in circulation worldwide, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time. In 2021, Blue Lock won the 45th Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category.
Main Characters
Yoichi Isagi
The protagonist of Blue Lock, Yoichi is a talented but self-doubting striker who joins the Blue Lock program to prove his worth and become Japan’s top striker. His journey is one of self-discovery and intense competition.
Yoichi Isagi
The eccentric coach behind Blue Lock, Ego’s revolutionary vision aims to create a striker with immense ego to lead Japan to World Cup victory. He uses harsh and manipulative methods to push the players to their limits.
Rensuke Kunigami
A strong and determined striker, Kunigami initially clashes with Isagi due to their differing approaches. He gradually learns to embrace the need for a powerful ego to become a top striker.
Meguru Bachira
An unpredictable and creative striker, Bachira thrives on agility and improvisation. His playful nature hides a deep desire to become the best, and he pushes Isagi to tap into his own potential.
Seishiro Nagi
A natural soccer prodigy with little initial motivation, Nagi’s potential is recognized by Ego. As the competition intensifies, he begins to take soccer seriously, showcasing significant growth and talent.
Read Blue Lock Manga Online
To read the Blue Lock manga online, simply use the buttons below to navigate to the reader pages.
Genre
Blue Lock falls into several genres, each contributing to its unique appeal:
Action
The action in Blue Lock is dynamic and high-energy, with every match and challenge packed with tension and excitement. From high-speed dribbles to powerful goals, the series keeps readers on edge with its intense competition and thrilling sequences. The stakes are always high, as every match could mean elimination, adding a survival-like intensity to the action.
Sports
At its core, Blue Lock is a sports manga that revolves around soccer (football). It provides a detailed and engaging exploration of the game, focusing on both individual skills and team strategies. The manga highlights the technical, physical, and mental aspects of soccer, making it a compelling read for fans of the sport. The depiction of training sessions, tactical plays, and matches is both intense and realistic, immersing readers in the world of competitive soccer.
Drama
Drama plays a significant role in the story, exploring the emotional and psychological struggles of the characters. Themes of ambition, self-doubt, betrayal, and redemption are woven into the narrative. Each character has their own motivations and backstory, which add layers of complexity and create emotional investment for the readers. The rivalries and alliances formed within the Blue Lock facility further heighten the dramatic tension.
Shounen
As a shounen manga, Blue Lock is aimed primarily at a young male audience but has a broad appeal due to its universal themes of perseverance, rivalry, and self-improvement. The story embodies classic shounen elements, such as the protagonist’s journey to grow stronger, intense training arcs, and epic showdowns. However, its unique take on sports and its psychological depth set it apart from traditional shounen stories.