While I'm neither a professional athlete nor an avid sports fan, there was still something about Blue Lock that drew me to it. Whether it was the Squid Game comparison or the intense stare from the main character on the cover, I just had to dig right in as soon as I had my hands on this book. Don't worry too much if your soccer knowledge is lacking; mine is as well, but that hasn't stopped me from enjoying this story.
One would think that just having a popular team would be enough for most people. This is not the case for the Japan Football Union. Winning the next World Cup is the only thing that will satisfy their hunger. Will a new coach help them accomplish this goal? Or will it take a whole new team and set of strategies? Well, neither of these are quite what they had in mind.
You quickly get introduced to a couple of the characters who just happen to be in a soccer match against each other. Despite losing the match, one of the teams still remained in good spirits. For them, winning isn't everything; it's playing as a team that's most important to them. The next day, two of the players from that match and 298 other soccer players were gathered in a mysterious building for a special "training program." Now enters Jinpachi Ego, the conductor of the soon–to–be madness. The lives and future soccer careers are now in the hands of this man who believes soccer is not a team sport. If they want to survive, the players must adopt this mindset or be left in the dust.
Even with Blue Lock being only his second series, Yusuke Nomura's artwork is already on par with the likes of Tite Kubo and Yusuke Murata (One-Punch Man and Eyeshield 21). With his detailed line work and shading, the wide range of emotions felt by the characters are nearly palpable in every panel. Will one of these young athletes be able to overcome the challenges necessary in becoming the world's greatest striker? Or will they all fail and never play professional soccer again?
Blue Lock Manga Volume 1
Blue Lock manga volume 1 features story by Muneyuki Kaneshiro with art by Yusuke Nomura.
A mad young coach gathers soccer players from across the country to compete in a series of bizarre challenges in a high-tech colosseum he calls Blue Lock. It's a no-balls-barred battle to become Japan's next top striker, in this Squid Game–meets–World Cup manga!
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 Football Association 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?
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