This week’s episode of Blue Lock, “The Final Piece,” was the end of the anime’s first arc and a turning point in the story. Team Z made it through the first selection after an exhilarating win in the final match of the First Selection. Moving onto the Second Selection, they also learned some shocking realities about the Blue Lock program, and had just a hint of what is to come next.

Blue Lock’s rating according to MyAnimeList went up a little from last week to 8.25, though it still is sitting in tenth place for the Fall Anime Rankings. Because the winter anime season will be starting soon, and Blue Lock will continue into the new season, we will be waiting to see how its ranking changes in the next few weeks. Other fall anime may be coming to a close, but Blue Lock is here to stay for another season!

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Stunning Visuals

Blue Lock has had incredible visuals all season, and Episode 11 was pulling out all the stops with them. As Team Z fought to score their final goal in stoppage time and defeat Team V, these visuals helped build up the excitement and adrenaline for those of us viewing. Using everything from puzzle metaphors as Isagi figured out what he needed to do to score the goal, monochrome sequences where time slowed down, and even a creepy skull over the pitch when defeat seemed imminent all set the tone for this critical moment in the story.

Throughout the anime, Blue Lock has often told the story through on-screen digital strategies that explain what is going on in the match, or help visualize Isagi’s planning. Blue Lock has a strong emphasis on soccer strategy, and these visuals help even people who do not understand the sport so well to know what is going on and what the players are thinking. Episode 11 was no different, and when Isagi figured out that his power came from taking a direct shot from a pass rather than wasting time control the ball, he did it through one of these strategy visuals. Seeing that strategy then come to life as a goal was great!

Reality Sets In

Episode 11 of Blue Lock had a very short but dark moment that reminded everyone what was at stake. While Team Z and other top scorers from their building moved onto the second selection, many other players had to go home. Isagi and Bachira briefly see them leaving, many in tears because their dreams and soccer careers are shattered and over. It was a grim reminder that they could have been in the same position, and still may be in the future.

It was also a moment of character development for Isagi. As he faces the reality of what those other players leaving means, he does not feel pity or sadness for them. Instead, his determination to become the best and to avoid the same fate strengthens. Bachira even calls him an “egoist,” which is exactly the term that Ego is constantly using to describe what it will take to become the best striker. It seems Isagi has taken the first real steps on that path.

The Carrot and the Stick

After completing the final match and being told they would move onto the Second Selection, Team Z was put through ten days of vigorous physical conditioning where they did not even touch a soccer ball. It was so intense some players were even throwing up. All the while, Ego told them that they had to do this now because they were the worst players in the program in Building 5, and that the top players had done this training weeks ago. He reminded them that their coming adversaries would only be more powerful.

But when it came time to finally meet the players from the higher ranked buildings, a huge plot twist was revealed. There were no buildings 1-4! Instead, all 5 buildings were told they were Building 5, and all the players believed they were at the bottom of the rankings. They had all had the same First Selection battle within their own buildings. And now, they were all going to go forward fighting for themselves - no more relying on the strength of their team behind them.

We were definitely surprised by that reveal, and are excited to see what kind of drama the next arc will have in store as it becomes every man for himself again. Plus, Ego told the players that the top members would get to attend an international training camp with the world’s top ranked strikers, which is a pretty awesome goal to work towards.

Overall Episode 11 is exactly what we are looking for in Blue Lock. It had twists and turns, fun visual storytelling, a great goal and fast-paced action, and even a bit of violence. It doesn’t escape us either that Episode 11 was when Isagi, whose player number is 11, truly came alive. Whether that was intentional or not, it definitely was a nice touch.

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