The popular manga "Blue Lock" has also been announced to be adapted into an anime. The characters' extraordinary plays and abilities are hard to believe for a high school student, but the words of Ego Jinpachi, who orchestrated them, are also one of its charms. So, this time, I would like to introduce some of Ego's famous quotes from the beginning of the original work, along with the situations in which they are spoken. (※Spoiler alert.)
"You can't be the best striker in the world unless you're the world's best egoist" (Volume 1, Episode 1)
The mysterious coach Emi Jinpachi suddenly appears before the 300 high school students gathered at the "Blue Lock," an experimental facility to create the world's best strikers. His words completely change the "soccer" that has been taught as a team game and a sport played by 11 people. The impact and persuasiveness of this statement lead the protagonist, Kiyoichi Isagi, to step into this prison.
"There is nothing in Blue Lock that has nothing to do with soccer." (Volume 1, Episode 2)
Blue Lock's entrance test is "Tag Game." This is what Emi said when Kira Ryosuke, who had been eliminated, started to complain. The size of the room is the same as the penalty area, the time limit is the same as the average ball possession time in a game, and tag tests interpersonal skills and tactics. You can see that even just one test contains the elements necessary for various strikers. How much does Emi calculate? She is a character with no clear bottom.
"Take up your weapon, destroyer! Toy with the enemy's organization! Overpower it! Destroy it! Get your own "weapon"! (Volume 2, Episode 8)
This was what Emiko said to Team Z, who had suffered a crushing defeat after the first match of the first selection round. While Barou of Team X was able to unite the team with his overwhelming individual strength, Emiko meant that in order to create something from nothing, he needed his own original weapon. This was an opportunity for Emiko to realize that in order to destroy the opponent's defense, which is the goal, in other words, to start a revolution, he needed to hone his own weapon.
"What do you need to multiply your unique weapon that can turn 0 into 1 to make it evolve even more powerful?" (Volume 3, Chapter 15)
As the Team Z players gradually discovered their own strengths, I told them to hone and develop those weapons. It was an important lesson for them to take another step forward, asking them what elements they should combine with their current weapons to become the strongest individuals. It may have been a tacit message that the ability of multiplication has the potential to be multiplied many times over.
"What the world's best striker needs is the 'reproducibility' of success (goals)" (Volume 4, Episode 24)
No matter how dramatic a goal is, you can't score it over and over again if you just happen to play well. What situation will make the most of your skills? What did you feel at the time? Think about your own equation, and don't just play without thinking. I learned the importance of playing with an understanding of the mechanism for "winning when you should win," which is essential for mass-producing success.
"Strikers are forced to evolve in order to overcome the brink of death." (Volume 4, Chapter 30)
In the final match of the first selection, the players of Team Z, who faced the strongest Team V, were defeated by a strong opponent whose individual weapons were ineffective. What should they do if their weapons don't work? How can they combine the pieces they have to score a goal? By learning these things, they need to reconstruct their individuality. By repeating this, they were able to challenge and overcome even big obstacles.
"The hunger for the goal to become the best in the world is what you get in the Blue Lock" (Volume 5, Chapter 39)
"Blue Lock only had Building 5." In other words, it was a line from the scene where it was revealed that everyone thought they were the lowest-ranked players from Team V to Team Z, and fought desperately in the first selection. The first selection was meant to destroy the confidence that had been built up through evaluations and accumulation in clubs and extracurricular activities, and to instill in them a hunger. I'm looking forward to seeing how things will develop from here.
Summary
What did you think? Looking back, Eiko's teachings and statements held the key to the story. From a fun, cooperative soccer to a soccer that no one teaches you, you can understand why this work continues to have such an overwhelming impact on readers, even in the early stages. Let's continue to enjoy Blue Lock through anime and manga!
