Blue Lock Season 2 episode 3 aired yesterday and part of me wishes it didn’t for many reasons. Looking at the glass half full is usually the best way to go about anything in life but sometimes, just sometimes, it becomes excruciatingly difficult given specific circumstances—and this is one of those. I already mentioned last week that it isn’t right to call out one specific staff member or another for the production woes this season and I’ll stand by that. But wow Blue Lock Season 2 is rough to watch.
“Rough” Might Not Be Strong Enough
Look, I get that everyone is taking the opportunity to pounce on the bad animation production for this season to rack up their social media interactions and YouTube views. And a part of me is tired of hearing about it all while another part of me gets it, hence this article. But one can only call the series a slideshow so many times.
I think the problem with Blue Lock stems from the fact that it’s supposed to be a big production, or at least that’s how the series has been marketed since the start. Smaller series such as The Way of the Househusband were intended to be a manga/slideshow style of anime, so fans give it a pass (even though they didn’t at first). Others like Record of Ragnarok came up to bat against the same backlash as Blue Lock is currently facing. So is this story enough to carry interest?
It’s a tough question to answer. I was critical of Blue Lock in the first place. Isagi’s on-and-off personality bores me and I’ve already been critical of how stale it can get when everyone is an egoist. But while guys like Rin and Bachira carry the same personality on and off the pitch, Isagi almost comes across as the series’ Two Face. So having an unlikeable main character makes it a little rough, for me at least, to enjoy a series to its fullest no matter how good or bad the production is.
I think Blue Lock can continue this pace for the rest of the season for many fans who still enjoy the series. But attacking those who enjoy it, despite production problems, is childish in every sense of the word. So I won’t sit here and tell anyone to stop watching Blue Lock if you’re enjoying it. On the flip side, if all you’re doing is watching new episodes for social media content so you can laugh at the animation for the thousandth time, get a life.
This is one of the most stacked seasons in years, I’m sure you can find something else to watch. I even have another article listing almost a dozen great series to watch this season. But I guess any personal account with a blue checkmark next to their name wants that weekly dose of dopamine and the extra 25 cents they need to live. I’m not sitting here denying that Blue Lock Season 2 production makes the second season of The Rising of the Shield Hero look somewhat decent. But to sit there and act surprised about the production when it’s clear how it’s going to be the rest of the season?
Blue Lock Season 2 episode 3 will probably be what we can expect for the rest of the season. I wish I could sit here and talk about Isagi’s new “power up” and say it was a great moment but the reality is that the production does indeed deter moments that are supposed to be big. When Isagi’s team won I felt like I couldn’t care less and maybe that does originated from the production side.
A part of me almost feels like I’m more so looking forward to the series’ “Additional Time” segment at the end of the episodes more than I am to the episode itself. I originally thought implementing more 3D camera movements could help the production, but when the episode is reusing the same shots it’s even more telling how much of a mess this season is, unfortunately. Take the ones below for example. The same shots, slightly altered, all within the first minute and 30 seconds of the episode.
If Blue Lock gets picked up for a third season, I pray that it takes at least two years to release. I think one thing we can all agree on is that it is always worth it to be patient so our favorite series can get the best production possible. I may have my problems with Blue Lock‘s story and characters, but as someone who loves sports and is now part of a generation looking for that next big spokon after Haikyuu ended, I’m rooting for its improvement.
Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 3 Wrap-Up
I can already tell the animation comments are going to become a broken record early on if they haven’t already. I think, criticism aside, we can tell the production team tried to make it look as dramatic as they possibly could in the time they were given. The stills themselves and the artwork are well done after all. The problem is that it’s nothing but stills and nice artwork. I would say to remain hopeful for the climax of the season, but I’d become a broken record myself.
Episode 3 rating: 4/10
Episode 2 rating: 4/10
Episode 1 rating: 6.5/10
If you enjoyed Blue Lock Season 2 episode 3 then be sure to vote for it in our weekly poll! Episode 4 will air on October 26, 2024.
Screenshots via Crunchyroll
©Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, Kodansha/”Blue Lock” Production Committee
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