I’ve never read any sports manga before and so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. My husband has recommended it for some time, and I knew it was about soccer but knew ZERO about the plot. This was a fantastic manga. The art is incredible and I found myself reading slower just to pay attention to the details of the illustrations. The story is such a neat concept, and the first volume was packed with action. I am hooked and cannot wait to jump into volume 2 right away!

Thanks for NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Background characters' commentary made me laugh. Jinpachi's ruthless experiment did not disappoint. Bachira's monster is an interesting concept that I hope is divulged further. Clippy dialogue that lacks momentum. Fast-paced plot lacks substantial connection to the characters. Entertaining premise that has potential. Fiercely unapologetic. Overall, an average read.

Yochi Isagi is a striker in his high school club soccer team, and his team’s hopes for nationals are dashed by a loss Isagi might have been able to prevent if he had taken the shot instead of passed. But soon, he and 300 other high school soccer stars are summoned by the Japanese Football Union. Upon arrival, they are greeted by Jinpachi Ego, a lanky, unsettling man with a premium soccer mind. He has devised Blue Lock, an enclosed facility with a Hunger Games/Squid Games style, cutthroat, elimination element designed to train and turn out Japan’s best striker. Ego’s main theory is that Japanese soccer lacks the egotism to produce the best striker, that Japanese soccer players are taught to cooperation above all else. Isagi and the 299 others are drawn in, and they enter this strange world of battle-soccer. Team Z - Isagi and his roommates - must train together, compete with each other, and somehow (not) work together to defeat 25 other teams to become the best striker in Japan.
There is a lot of manga out of Japan that has the lessons of cooperation, friendship, trying your best, always being positive… this is definitely not one of them. This fits more in line with sports training from other countries, where super stars are encouraged to leave others behind, where they sacrifice friendships and their personal lives for the sake of their game. This isn’t the best message to be putting in front of impressionable young people, but darn it if this story isn’t engaging and addicting. This title has already done well with digital sales, so the print release is sure to be successful with teen readers.

The art style is as intense as the storyline. Nomura utilizes a lot of dark lines, and tons of action zoom lines. Many of the characters are drawn rather creepily when they are being overtaken by their egotism, and none more so than Ego himself, who is often drawn with an increasingly elongated body akin to a squid. He is rather inhuman, which fits with the inhuman things he asks these high schoolers to do to one another.

Kodansha rates this for Older Teen, and it's probably for the intensity and battle aspect. No one dies in this tournament (they are only expelled from Blue Lock), but some bodily injuries have already occurred, and Ego can be a little creepy. Aside from those things, this would probably be an OK title to give to any high schooler.

Sara's Rating: 9/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12

I picked up Blue Lock because I love a good sports manga, and the setting for Blue Lock certainly is "soccer". But I was surprised and delighted when I realized that what it really is, is progression fantasy. Most sports manga focus on a high schooler trying to make it to nationals in their sport of choice. Blue lock has 300 boys locked in a massive concrete facility, pitted against each other to become the #1 striker in Japan. The coach makes them do weird things like kick the ball directly into their teammates faces while playing barefoot on a concrete floor. If a player gets eliminated in a match or one of the coach's weird tests, they're banished. Losers react with tears and shrieks of rage. The whole manga is one long Battle Royale, but is also, somehow, about soccer.

Players with higher ranks get better living facilities and food, which you see a lot in progfan stories set in schools. Of course, our main boy starts off ranked #299/300, so he's stuck sleeping on the floor and eating nothing but rice, miso soup, and natto. He's got to level up and beat down the other players to make it to the top! Only one can win- the others will be forbidden from ever joining the Japanese National Soccer Team (this threat is taken very seriously). Characters spring to their feet and shout about their passion for soccer, or winning, or friends, or not wanting to take over the family business, at the drop of a hat.

In terms of sports realism, I'd put Blue Lock on the more fantastical side of the scale. It's not quite as out there as Kuroko's Basketball, but it's close. You have people backflipping to kick the ball on occasion, but it's not quite to the superpower level of skill you sometimes see in sports manga.

As for the art, it's as if the author of Haikyuu decided to use character designs from Yowamushi Peddle. Ego (the so-called coach) has a strong resemblance to Yowapeda's Midousuji- long and skinny limbs, weird contortions, lots of panels showing his teeth, etc. Characters have very expressive faces, and the action shots are dynamic.

I finished the first volume, and definitely plan to keep reading. I'd recommend it to any progfan enjoyer who also likes manga, tournament arcs, or military schools, and who enjoys (or can tolerate) a certain degree of absurdity.

Rating: 4/5 stars

Thoughts:
I downloaded this translation right away when I saw it on NetGalley, because I watched the first few episodes and thought the premise was interesting. Unsurprisingly, I felt that the manga was more engaging and provided more context than the show.

This volume follows the main character, Isagi, in his journey to make it to the national championships. He gets drafted by the Japan Football Union to join a special training program, Blue Lock, that focuses on “ego” and “standing out” as a football player. This “winner-takes-all” mentality forces the participants to think outside the team mindset, with a goal to become the world's best striker.

Overall, this first volume of Blue Lock provided a great set up for the overall plot. The purpose of the setting was explained well, the art is nice, and the characters are very interesting. I can't wait to see what comes next for Isagi as he battles everyone around him for the winning position!

Thank you NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Blue Lock anime, so when I stumbled upon the 1st volume of the manga on Netgalley, I knew I had to dive right in. The art style of the characters in this manga is truly captivating. I appreciate how the manga artists skillfully depict emotions through the panels. The introduction of Jinpanchi Ego was a standout moment for me. Right from the beginning of Blue Lock, his quirky personality had me chuckling and saying 'then piss off'. The dynamic action sequences within the panels are executed with precision. Bachira exudes confidence and a hint of cockiness from the get-go. The incorporation of various food levels to represent different abilities is a brilliant concept that ignites envy among rivals, adding an extra layer of intensity to the storyline. This unique approach truly sets Blue Lock apart from other sports manga series, making it a compelling read for fans of the genre.

#bookreview #mangareview #bluelock #BlueLock1 #NetGalley #KodanshaComics

i'm not a sports person but exception can be made sometimes. this was intense i absolutely love it. i never thought that i would enjoy rading a manga about a bunch of boys playing soccer so much. this was fast paced and filled with so much suspense. i have never read anything like this before. this is amazing

3.5ish stars

This is such an absurd idea with all the forwards to be put against each other like this. Top 300 set against to create the worlds greatest striker, losers can never play for Japan. That is the cost, 299 players lives potentially ruined to make one great player. Create an egotistical super star. Its a different take for a sports manga. There's no friendships here, that is made rather plain when the potential friend is taken out how he is. Was interesting enough, the artwork is alright. Some of the facial expressions are rather great. I liked it, not sure Ill continue though.

I absolutely love this. I'm genuinly a sucker for sports mangas/anime and this hit right home. This is honestly my favourite sports manga by far and I've also read Haikyuu so this says a lot.

The concept is so interestion in my opinion. After Japan loses the World Cup in 2018, the Blue Lock project is born. Strikers from all over Japan are recruited for the chance of becoming the number 1 best striker. But what really happened when you make a football team only out of strikers? Isagi Yoichi is one of the boys chosen to participate in this project. He is placed at number 299 out of 300 but he would do anything to rise to number 1.

The characters are my favourite part of this manga by far. Everyone is so interesting and I cant wait to see more of their backstories and the way they will evolve.

This is a great manga! I Saw the anime before I read this one and it's also a great manga.
The artstyle is super cool and the story is really interesting. It takes the 'battle royale' format to football. Interesting concept and well done.

Blue Lock is absurd, in such a great way, and so much fun. They gather 300 high school boys and put them in what reminds me of a Squid Game environment. With Blue Lock though instead of death they just lose their opportunity to join the Japan soccer team and go to the World Cup when eliminated. I don't usually read sports manga but this one has almost a dystopian vibe to it as well and it's just so much fun that I couldn't put it down, this one just hits different. I definitely will continue this series because I want to see what other crazy things this coach has them doing to train and who continues on. I suggest whether you usually read sports manga or not that you at least give this first volume a try.

I am hooked. I haven't read a lot of manga based on sports so this was new for me. And there are a lot of characters to keep a track of but by 50% mark it gets easy and the tag game was something...tbh I didn't see the elimination coming. I was sure they are going to bond at some level in the facility. But sign of a good manga is crushing your expectations in some way, I think manga lovers read it for that high. Can't wait to see what vol 2 brings for us. I am already rooting for two of them.

It's quite fast paced and that sort of makes it a little difficult to keep up with in the beginning. Like there are two players and then suddenly twelve in a dorm. But like I said after 100 pages or so, remembering th is easy. It's just the first beginning so that's not a big issue.

I enjoy reading sports manga and this one didn't disappoint.

I love the competition and game aspects of this manga! Therer are characters who I find interesting and likable.

I am looking forwards to more! This is a good one and I love the anime adaptation for this manga too.

Going into this I assumed it was going to be an easy-going but highly competitive football tournament. What I was not expecting was a slightly dystopian, highly tense and highly exhilarating competition in which a whole footballer's life could be ruined if they lose if they don't make it to the top.

This made a sport that I don't really understand, easy to digest and something to be invested in. The characters are super interesting and I kind of like the fact that the stakes are so high. I will 100% continuing this series. I NEED to know how it ends!

I've already seen the anime and it's nice to see, that they animated it close to the manga. I have to say, the start is more on the boring side, but I really like Bacchira, also his interaction with Isagi and it's a bit strange to say I like Ego but well, he's crazy

Thank you, Netgalley!

Unfortunately, this book wouldn’t appear in my app, and it wouldn’t download for me. I am giving feedback based on the beginning of the anime haha.

Although I love the concept, the execution was unsatisfying because I didn’t connect with the characters. It couldn’t hold my attention.

But because I didn’t get to read my copy, I’m still giving a high rating.

3.8 ⭐

After losing an opportunity to participate in the national championships, Yoichi Isagi received a letter from Japan's Football Union for a special player training program. Upon entering the building, Jinpachi Ego announced to all three hundred of the best high school soccer player that they're given the chance to train in a facility called Blue Lock.

"Starting today, You'll all be living here together while undergoing the special training I've devised. You can't return to your homes, and this marks the end of your previous soccer careers. But I promise this whoever survives this Blue Lock and outlasts the other two hundred ninety-nine. The last remaining person will become the world's best striker."

In the beginning, We see Isagi passing the ball to his teammate and prioritizing teamwork over his chance to score. However, Jinpachi Ego takes a different approach. He tells the players that soccer isn't about teamwork, but rather about scoring more points than your opponent. He continues to state that to become the world's best striker, You need to become the world's top egotist.

As someone who isn't interested in soccer, this manga gives a great introduction about the teams in Blue Lock and their goal of winning the world cup. Who will be the last one standing? Well, We are just going to find out.

Thank you to Kodansha Comics for the e-ARC!

This was such a fun, unique story. I never thought I could be this interested in soccer but I guess I am, I loved the story and the plot line. I had a fun time reading this and I will definitely be reading the rest of this series.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this!!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for providing a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

I found the story to be so boring, and I wasn't a fan of the art style unfortunately. This may be because I haven't read a sports manga in a long time, I just really didn't enjoy this. I usually like manga that leans into a creepy art style, but I particularly did not like the way this mangaka did it. (DNF at 60%)

For a genre of manga that would not usually appeal to me whatsoever (more due to it being about football, than because it was a Shonen, as I love my Shonen titles as much as any other genre) this held my attention more than I thought it would.
The concept is interesting enough that I wanted to keep reading to see where the story was progressing. Whilst I don’t think I would rush to buy this title for me personally I can see it’s appeals and would still read the title as it was definitely intriguing enough for me to want to see how the characters and the plot develop.
One thing I will say for this particular volume is we don’t get much background about any of the particular characters and we are very much thrown into the story. I can see that we will get further character development as the story carries on but this is something to bare in mind if you’re someone who likes to have a bit of a background or story before diving into the main plot.
Overall I would definitely recommend picking up this volume if only to see if you like it as it was a brilliant first volume.