Warning: SPOILERS for Blue Lock season 2 episode #9
Blue LockSeason 2 takes an intriguing turn as team Blue Lock showcases their uniqueness by taking the lead against Japan’s U-20s in the first half of the match. While the latest season hasfaced criticism for its animation quality, with fans lamenting a noticeable decline compared to the first season, the compelling narrative and gripping action continue to captivate viewers week after week. After the end of the first half of the match, the latest episode transitions into a break and explores the backstories of the Itsohi brothers.
Blue LockSeason 2 Episode #9 finally uncovers the backstories of the prodigy brothers, Sae and Rin, shedding light on the source of their dispute. The revealed reason for the dispute adds significant depth to both characters. However, amid the portrayal of the brothers' closeness and shared ambition, the backstory delivers a hard-hitting lesson that highlights the harsh reality of life. It underscores a truth that even prodigies like Itoshi Sae cannot escape.
The Itoshi Backstory Reminds Viewers of How Reality Often Differs From Expectations
Season 2 Episode #9, “Night Snow”
The episode opens witha flashback showcasing the bond between the Itoshi brothers, surprising viewers with just how close they truly were. The backstory underscores Sae’s status as a prodigy, consistently outshining others in every match he played until he joined an international club. Sae’s extraordinary talent and unwavering confidence left little doubt that he was destined to achieve his dream of becoming the world’s best striker. His confidence was so inspiring that it motivated his younger brother, Rin, to follow in his footsteps and aim to become the second-best striker in the world.
However, things changed dramatically when Sae returned after four years of playing for one of the world’s best soccer clubs in Spain. Sae appeared as a completely different person, surprising Rin with his transformation, and even his dream had shifted from becoming the best striker in the world to becoming the best midfielder. Sae explained that this change was driven by an insight he gained from exploring the world: there are others out there who are better than him, prompting him to redefine his aspirations.
This marks a turning point in Sae’s characterization inBlue Lock. Having always been portrayed as a prodigy who never failed to achieve his desired outcomes in soccer, this moment sets a markedly different tone.Blue Lockdelivers a great lesson to viewersthat no matter how remarkable someone may seem at first, their true potential cannot be fully realized if they are only measured within the familiar bubble where they excel. Sae’s confidence before joining one of the world’s best soccer clubs suggested that he was genuinely on track to becoming the best striker in the world, as he had envisioned.
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However, it wasn’t until Sae stepped out into the world and witnessed talent that surpassed his own that he received a reality check. The fact that Sae even changed his dream reflects the reality that many others were competing for the same title, forcing him to forfeit his original goal and pursue a more achievable dream within his limits. This serves as a harsh but essential life lesson that everyone must face, regardless of their field of competition. However, it’s worth noting that Sae’s portrayal inBlue Lockimparts only half the lesson, with the other half, and perhaps an even more profound one, embodied by his brother, Itoshi Rin.
Rin Serves as a Compelling Counterpart to Sae’s Character inBlue Lock
The Key to Success is Staying Resilient
After learning from Sae about his plan to change his dream and become the best midfielder,Rin rejects his decision, insisting there is no real value in achieving that. Despite lacking a way to justify his stance during their argument, Rin’s character emerges as the opposite of Sae’s. Though Rin has yet to experience the world beyond his own bubble, where he constantly shines, his unwavering determination to become the world’s best striker hints at a deeper meaning.
Blue Lock’s Another Potential Main Character Was Staring Fans In the Face All Along
Aside from Isagi, another character has exhibited traits that position him as the ideal protagonist for Blue Lock.
Despite facing setbacks, one should never give up; instead, staying resilient can open new paths. As Rin is evolving into a talented striker capable of surpassing Sae, he is becoming a symbol of how perseverance and determination can unlock opportunities to overcome obstacles, bringing an individual one step closer to their dream. With the Itoshi brothers,Blue Lockhas certainly taken a fresh narrative direction, which is both dramatic and impactful, imparting valuable lessons that fans should not miss.
Blue Lock
Cast
Blue Lock is a sports-centric animated series based on the manga series of the same name. The show follows the Japan Football Association trying to recover from their poor showing in the 2018 FIFA World Cup by hiring a football genius, Ego Jinpachi. With his new intense training regimen, Jinpachi invites the best football players in Japan to compete to become the team’s new star player - and high school student Yoichi Isagi may be exactly who he’s looking for.
