Title

Blue Lock

Also known as: ブルーロック, Bluelock, BLUE LOCK ขังดวลแข้ง, Синя тюрма, 블루 록, Блу Лок

by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yuusuke Nomura

Score from AniList: 82/100releasing

Action Drama Sports More like Blue Lock

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After a disastrous defeat at the 2018 World Cup, Japan's team struggles to regroup. But what's missing? An absolute Ace Striker, who can guide them to the win. The Japan Football Union is hell-bent on creating a striker who hungers for goals and thirsts for victory, and who can be the decisive instrument in turning around a losing match...and to do so, they've gathered 300 of Japan's best and brightest youth players. Who will emerge to lead the team...and will they be able to out-muscle and out-ego everyone who stands in their way? (Source: Kodansha USA) Note: Winner of the 45th Kodansha Manga Award in the Shounen Category in 2021.

Type: Manga

Hoard Verdict

The StoryHoard editorial verdict

★ 3.5/5

A high-energy sports thriller with bold ideas, though its long internal monologues can slow the momentum.

Pros

A bold, original premise for a sports manga
Intense competition and strong character drive
Art that sells the pressure of every match

Cons

Long inner monologues can stall scenes
Some side characters are flattened by the format

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Read the full take

Blue Lock is a sports series that treats competition like a survival game, and it does so with real energy. Short version: a national program is built to find one striker who can carry the team to the top. The premise is bold, and it gives the series a constant sense of pressure. The art is strong, with clean action and a clear sense of space that makes the matches easy to follow. The best moments come from how the characters clash, and how each player tries to define himself in front of the others. The downside is the writing style. Inner monologues can run long, and scenes sometimes stop while the characters think through every move. A few side players feel flattened by the format. Still, the intensity is hard to resist. For readers who love competitive sports with a sharp edge, it is a very strong pick.