Blue Lock combines the excitement of sports anime with the high-stakes adrenaline rush of death matches. Rather than focusing on the power of teamwork, Blue Lock forces its characters to become raging individualists with massive egos to prove that they’re worthy of a spot on Japan’s National Team.
A few Blue Lock characters are natural prodigies, but others became stronger during their time in the program. Each player has a unique relationship with the sport, and not every participant is a gifted striker. Still, they’re strong enough to play multiple positions on the field. Some, however, are objectively stronger than others.
Updated on March 30th, 2023 by Ajay Aravind: As a show about soccer, Blue Lockis all about finding the greatest striker in Japan. Hundreds of prospective players struggle to prove themselves as worthy candidates, but only one can rise above the rest. Blue Lockis currently heating up more than ever, although anime-only fans have yet to see what happens in the manga. As such, we’ve updated the list of the strongest players in Blue Lock.
Spoilers for Blue Lock‘s manga ahead!
15 Kira
Position: Forward
Kira was the first player sent home during the preliminary test in Blue Lock. When he played for Matsukaze Kokou High, Kira defeated Isagi’s school and brought the team to nationals. They met up again when they were both chosen for the Blue Lock program, where Isagi defeated him during the final seconds of their tag game.
Kira was infuriated and devastated by his sudden loss, especially since he was referred to as Japan’s “National Treasure” throughout his high school soccer career. Though Kira was sent home first, his nickname was justified. After all, Kira is a proficient striker, and his team wouldn’t have made it to nationals without him.
14 Karasu
Position: Defensive Midfielder
Karasu ranks number three out of three hundred strikers in the Blue Lock program. Karasu may be arrogant, but he’s a surprisingly good leader. He’s excellent at strategizing and coming up with new plays on the spot, making him the Blue Lock 11’s lifeline during particularly tough matches.
As the Blue Lock 11’s midfield general, Karasu sets the tone on his team’s half of the field. Karasu is a master of controlling the ball, thanks to his unmatched spatial awareness. Karasu’s favorite tactic is pretending not to care about the game because his opponents will perceive it as laziness and take advantage of it.
13 Zantetsu
Position: Forward
Although Zantetsu is a pretty strong player, his friends Reo Mikage and Seishiro Nagi constantly refer to him as “baka Zantetsu.” Despite his lack of basic knowledge about the world, Zantetsu more than makes up for his failings by becoming one of the best forwards in Blue Lock.
Zantetsu’s “Explosive Acceleration” weapon can throw even Chigiri off balance, although he’s unable to maintain his speed over long stretches. Zantetsu’s strikes pack a punch, even when he’s passing the ball, making it next to impossible for opposing players to predict his movements.
12 Reo
Position: Center Midfielder
Reo Mikage has proven himself one of Blue Lock‘s most versatile players. He’s a midfielder, but can adequately play every position on the field. That said, his arrogance occasionally leads to avoidable mistakes.
Though Reo hasn’t played the sport for as long as many of the other contestants, he understands the fundamentals better than most and grasps the importance of not becoming short-sighted. Reo’s a naturally athletic jack-of-all-trades who has proven himself a formidable opponent in the program, even without Nagi by his side.
11 Yukimiya
Position: Forward
Yukimiya believes his team can achieve a peaceful victory if he scores the goals. Contrary to his claims of pacifism, Yukimiya specializes in one-on-one play and provokes his opponents by boasting about his skills and intense dribbling.
It’s almost impossible for most players to get through Yukimiya’s rapid dribbling, especially up-close. Like Akashi’s Emperor Eye in Kuroko’s Basketball, Yukimiya can throw off his opponent’s center of gravity by blowing past them with a scissor feint. Yukimiya has also entered the “Flow State,” which is comparable to being in the “zone.”
10 Chigiri
Position: Forward
Chigiri was a soccer prodigy forced to the sidelines after a leg injury. He decided to let go of his fears after arriving at Blue Lock, falling in love with his favorite sport again. Chigiri didn’t care much for what was happening around him until he realized the power of Isagi’s fighting spirit.
Chigiri is arguably Blue Lock‘s speediest player. Players who can’t come close to his agility won’t stand a chance against him, especially in one-on-one play. Chigiri’s 44 Panther Snipe is an accumulation of the new techniques he’s acquired during his time at Blue Lock, and takes advantage of specific degrees to cultivate the perfect shot.
9 Aryu
Position: Forward
Jyubei Aryu doesn’t appear at all during Blue Lock‘s First Selection arc, but his debut during the Second Selection is nothing short of spectacular. He’s first introduced in the waiting area before teaming up with Tokimitsu and Rin to take on Nagi, Bachira, and Isagi in a 3-v-3 match.
Aryu’s height and his lengthy arms and legs give him a wide reach, allowing him to steal the ball without expending much energy. He’s also capable of leaping high enough to dissuade shorter opponents in the vicinity, not to mention securing the football while mid-jump. That said, Aryu’s focus on aesthetics is a major flaw that he’s yet to overcome.
8 Aiku
Position: Defender
Aiku is a professional soccer player with experience on the Japan U-20 team and Italian clubs. As a defender, He’s excellent at assessing the field and predicting the ball’s direction. Aiku is the most critical member of the Japan U-20’s defensive line since he has a fluid and unpredictable playstyle.
It seems like Aiku can play any position since his transition from center-forward to defender was virtually effortless. Aiku’s raw physical strength is also unmatched by most of the other Blue Lock characters. His jumping power, stamina, and automatic reflexes make him an intimidating force on the field.
7 Nagi
Position: Offensive Midfielder
Nagi stepped up to the plate and proved that he embodies Jinpachi’s vision of an ideal striker during his time at Blue Lock. Nagi understands that, although it’s traditionally a team sport, every great soccer team needs someone who can steal the spotlight and score goals.
As a creative midfielder, Nagi devises and communicates new plays to his team. He’s a prodigy with refined techniques and an authentic understanding of soccer’s fundamentals. Nagi is especially talented at trapping the ball and devising techniques to keep it away from his opponents. He also rarely misses a shot and always aims with flawless precision.
6 Bachira
Position: Forward
Bachira’s playstyle is just as eccentric as his personality. He claims he has a “monster” inside him, referring to the pent-up childhood trauma that motivates him during games. Bachira’s playstyle relies on tricking his opponents with spontaneous dribbling, making it impossible for the average player to steal the ball from him.
Bachira’s also mastered having an ego on the field since he outright refuses to pass the ball to anyone else, even if it’s in his best interest to do so. During the game against Japan U-20, Bachira broke through his own teammates on top of the other team’s superior defense.
5 Tokimitsu
Position: Forward
Despite his incredible achievements in Blue Lock‘s First Selection, Aoshi Tokimitsu presents himself as a shy, unconfident player who behaves like he’s terrified of the ball, the players, the field, and everything else, for that matter. However, audiences know that anyone strong enough to reach the Second Selection must possess a dangerous secret weapon.
Tokimitsu reveals his greatest asset while playing Isagi’s team, moving with such unstoppable speed that Yoichi refers to him as a “muscle bullet.” As a testament to his strength and vitality, Tokimitsu is ultimately honored as the third-best player of the Second Selection.
4 Isagi
Position: Offensive Midfielder
Isagi had a rocky start in Blue Lock. He cost his high school team a spot in the national competition because he made the fatal mistake of passing rather than shooting. However, Isagi overcame that in the Blue Lock program and became one of the series’ fiercest players with one of the biggest egos.
Isiagi’s intuition and metavision are his playstyle’s vital elements. He’s an adaptable player who can change his course on a whim based on visualizing a play’s potential outcome. Isagi’s impressive spatial awareness also gives him the advantage of knowing exactly where his opponent’s blind spots are and how to exploit them.
3 Shidou
Position: Forward
Shidou is one of the best players in the Blue Lock program, and his personality matches up with Jinpachi’s ideal image of a striker. Shidou believes violence is the answer to most situations and has a volatile temper. On the field, this shines through in his goal-poaching skills and aggressive shots.
Shidou can score goals from places other players would have thought impossible. He’s also known for furiously charging across the field with unpredictable movements that confuse everybody, teammate or otherwise. Compared to the other Blue Lock participants, Shidou is physically the strongest, and it’d be impossible for most of them to defeat him one-on-one.
2 Sae
Position: Midfielder
Sae Itoshi is one of the most intimidating offensive players in Blue Lock. Like his personality, Sae’s playstyle is ice-cold and hard to outmaneuver. As such, it works surprisingly well with Shidou’s fiery on-field tactics. Sae’s earned quite a reputation throughout his soccer career for his arrogance and tunnel vision for becoming the world’s greatest striker.
Though his reputation precedes him, Sae embodies Blue Lock‘s principles since he’s an egotistical player with the skills to back up his cocky attitude. Sae’s offensive style is precise, speedy, and undeniably powerful. He can manipulate a kick’s angle, speed, and intensity to ensure total pinpoint accuracy.
1 Rin
Position: Forward
Rin Itoshi is one of Blue Lock‘s most daunting contestants. Arrogant and living in his brother’s shadow, Rin is dead set on living up to Sae’s reputation and then surpassing it. Rin views everyone as a rival and doesn’t get close to anyone on the field.
He refuses to help anyone out and trying to earn even a bit of acknowledgment from Rin is an uphill battle — as Isagi’s already learned several times in the series. Rin’s definitely a talented player and one who fans should keep their eyes on as Blue Lock progresses.
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