Blue Lock took the world by storm with its unique storytelling and action-packed soccer matches. Written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, it made its mark in the sports anime genre with its “shonen-style” soccer matches and its story focusing on the “ego” aspect that a sports athlete has through its characters. One of the major reasons for Blue Lock‘s success is the array of characters that Blue Lock has, each with their interpretation of “ego.”
We had the opportunity to interview Blue Lock’s mangaka, Muneyuki Kaneshiro, and manga editor, Megumu Tsuchiya, and ask about how the characters were created and what made them popular to fans worldwide.
We asked Kaneshiro-sensei what his favorite character design is and how he and Nomura created each character and their ego.
Q. Who is your favorite anime/manga character design? What do you think about the character’s popularity?
Kaneshiro: It’s Bachira, a lovable character who combines innocence with coolness! The yellow inner highlights in his hair were an idea from Nomura-sensei, the animation director, and they truly make him stand out even more. I’m genuinely happy that fans are showing so much love for the various characters in Blue Lock. We create them with that very goal in mind, and I hope to make the story even more captivating alongside these characters.
Q. When depicting the characters’ egos, how did you discuss with Nomura-sensei and decide how to portray them?
Kaneshiro: I start by conveying to Nomura-san the character’s background, personality, a rough idea of their appearance, and the primary ego they embody. From there, Nomura-san and I build upon those foundations, discussing details like what kind of hairstyle they might have or what gestures would suit them. It feels like we’re combining our ideas to create characters that neither of us could have made alone.
When it came to how these characters were developed for the manga, it was Tsuchiya-san who gave us an in-depth insight on how these characters came to be.
Q. One of the reasons for the popularity of Blue Lock worldwide is certainly the characters and their distinct personalities. Was there ever a moment when you were surprised by a certain character’s development and growth?
Tsuchiya: I believe Blue Lock is a groundbreaking yet classic story that challenges traditional norms.
One scene that left a strong impression on me was Bachira’s awakening in Volume 10 of the manga. Bachira, who had been searching for a “true friend,” played soccer with excitement, wondering if it was Isagi or Rin who fit that role. However, in the ego-driven world of Blue Lock, Bachira’s reliance on others did not resonate. He was ultimately rejected by both Isagi and Rin.
At that moment, Bachira, who had carried the trauma of loneliness and a lack of understanding from others since childhood, made a life-altering decision. He chose to embrace the thing he feared most—“playing soccer alone.” Resolutely, he declared, “I don’t need Isagi or Rin.”
The transformation was striking: the cheerful, free-spirited Bachira exposed his vulnerabilities and confronted them head-on without trying to mask them. Witnessing this growth moved me deeply. But what truly amazed me was what happened next. After deciding to embrace solitude and fight as an individual, Bachira discovered that both Isagi and Rin were running alongside him on the same path. Awakening to his ego, Bachira had initially chosen to forgo companionship and fight as an individual. Yet, at the end of that journey, he found others who also fought as individuals waiting for him. Bachira was no longer alone.
This portrayal of growth left a lasting impression on me.
Sports stories often emphasize themes like teamwork and bonds with companions as virtues. Blue Lock, however, flips the script. By presenting the traditional coming-of-age theme of “finding comrades and friendship” through the unconventional path of “choosing to be alone,” Blue Lock truly stands out as a remarkable work.
The depiction of the evolving relationships between Bachira, Isagi, and Rin, who each break conventional norms, initially made me uncertain whether readers would embrace it. But to this day, it remains one of the most beloved episodes, which is a delightful surprise.
Q. In the series, each character manifests an “ego” that is unique to them. How did you approach this development and what was it like working with Kaneshiro-sensei on hashing out the details?
Tsuchiya: We hold two meetings with Kaneshiro-sensei each week and one meeting with Nomura-sensei.
First, we have a “plot meeting” with Kaneshiro-sensei. In this meeting, we discuss and decide the overall development of the story, such as the flow of major matches, spanning several chapters or volumes. These plot meetings take place every few months to outline the major story developments. Once the broad strokes are clear, we narrow the focus to each chapter’s specific developments. After that, we conduct weekly meetings to discuss the details of each chapter’s progression. One of the two weekly meetings with Kaneshiro-sensei is dedicated to these “plot meetings.”
The other meeting is a “name meeting.” The name, similar to a storyboard in film or anime, is a rough sketch of the manga’s content. Kaneshiro-sensei is responsible for creating the name, and the editor suggests improvements, points of concern, or contradictions to make the story even more engaging. At this stage, we not only discuss the structure and storyline but also aspects like illustrations, expressions, and panel layouts, focusing on the manga as a whole. Once the name is finalized, we move on to a meeting with Nomura-sensei.
Each week, we provide Nomura-sensei with one completed name and, together with Kaneshiro-sensei, align our vision by sharing ideas such as “This is the image for this scene,” or “This character is thinking about this right now.” By clarifying the intended final product before the artwork begins, we ensure that both creators are on the same page and foster creative synergy. During the initial plot meeting, we determine which character will develop their ego in that episode and outline the growth process. Once this is decided, Kaneshiro-sensei shares the story’s development with Nomura-sensei, explaining, “This character has this kind of past, which makes them the person they are today. They will undergo this experience in Blue Lock, which leads to their growth and the acquisition of this particular ego.” By approaching ego growth from both a narrative and character perspective, we carefully depict the evolution of each character’s ego.
Q. Every Blue Lock character has a specific signature color, as seen in the manga covers and the anime. How did you go about choosing these colors? Do they reflect something specific about the characters?
Tsuchiya: From the very beginning, Blue Lock was designed to highlight the unique appeal of its characters, encouraging fans to find their favorite among them or even struggle to choose just one. From the very beginning of serialization, we decided to establish “signature colors” as a universal element that allows fans to recognize, distinguish, and cheer for the characters, not just through their visuals or names.
The signature colors are determined based on each character’s personality, image, and the colors that suit them best. In Blue Lock, the aura emanating from a character’s body is also represented by their signature color, making the selection process particularly important. We assist in the color selection process by using hundreds of color samples, placing them next to character illustrations to explore the best options. Additionally, we create alternate color patterns for book covers, including ones that are not ultimately chosen, to support the original author in finalizing the colors.
Q. Isagi is a very interesting main character. He is kind and empathetic, different from other Blue Lock players who were self-centered, yet he is also ambitious and egotistic just like them. Can you tell us a bit more about the inception of his character and how the traits were chosen? Do you think this “balance” makes him appealing as a main character?
Tsuchiya: Characters are fundamentally born from the imagination of the manga creator, and as an editor, my role is to assist the creator in forming a clear and vivid image of their characters. The following response reflects my personal impressions based on this collaborative process and may not necessarily align with Kaneshiro-sensei’s own words. I hope for your understanding in this regard.
Blue Lock revolves around the theme of cultivating egoists, something often considered lacking in Japanese soccer. Instead of characters who display blatant ego from the start, the series presents individuals who gradually develop into egoists alongside the readers. These characters are depicted as kind and empathetic at first, qualities that resonate with the Japanese sense of altruism and harmony, values widely regarded as virtues in Japanese culture. While these traits are admirable, Blue Lock is a story that seeks to “destroy” the conventions of Japanese soccer. On the surface, Isagi embodies these Japanese virtues, but deep within, his suppressed ego lies dormant, a product of the education and societal norms ingrained in him while living in Japan. This ego, stifled by the framework of Japanese soccer, ultimately begins to break free, challenging societal norms and virtues in the process. I believe Isagi was created to express this core theme of Blue Lock: the balance between ego and the altruistic spirit characteristic of the Japanese mindset. His journey reflects this transformation as he acquires and refines his traits. Perhaps this nuanced portrayal also stems from the kind-hearted nature of both Kaneshiro-sensei and Nomura-sensei!
Q. During Isagi’s matches, we get to see him change in personality and evolve to be more egotistic. Working on this series, how does it feel to see him evolve as a player? What has been your favorite part about Isagi’s journey to become the best striker?
Tsuchiya: Isagi may not possess any extraordinary physical abilities compared to other characters. However, when it comes to “breaking down his former self to become an egoist,” he arguably has one of the greatest talents in the story. In many other works, he might have been relegated to a supporting character. But in this particular story, he stands out as the perfect protagonist. I believe a truly remarkable protagonist is someone who can shine brightest in their specific narrative, and Isagi embodies that ideal. In this sense, he has the highest adaptability to the value of “ego” within the story. His kind-hearted and rational personality makes it easy for readers to see the world through his perspective. Additionally, his journey of developing ego, including the emotions and thoughts that accompany it, becomes seamlessly relatable when experienced through Isagi. The plays, shots, and lines he delivers after acquiring ego resonate deeply with the audience. This progression from being grounded in common sense, to acquiring ego, to excelling feels personal and relatable when experienced through Isagi’s eyes.
Q. Ego is such an interesting character and he is a key figure in the story. He’s the founder of Blue Lock and the catalyst for all the events happening in the series. Can you tell us a bit more about how Ego’s character was created? When did it become obvious that the story would need someone like him to drive the plot forward?
Tsuchiya: Kaneshiro-sensei’s breakout series and debut work, As the Gods Will, belonged to the “death game” genre. In such stories, there is typically a “game master” character who controls and oversees the progression of the game. Similarly, in Blue Lock, which began with the concept of a “death game through soccer,” the inclusion of Ego as the game master felt inevitable. What’s fascinating, however, is that Ego’s role extends beyond that of a typical death game’s game master. He also serves as a mouthpiece for Kaneshiro-sensei’s views on soccer and life itself. His provocative and thrilling statements, as well as the truths he unveils, are what define Blue Lock and make it the unique story it is. For example, the discussion of luck in Chapter 87 highlights Ego’s function as a narrator. It was in moments like this, when he began to take on this role of a philosophical commentator, that I truly felt the depth of his importance to the story.
Q. Chigiri’s chain breaking was quite an emotional moment in the story. When did you know that he would come to this point and how long did it take you to develop this part of the story?
Tsuchiya: Chigiri’s leg injury was a part of his character design from a very early stage, so the storyline leading up to his comeback was almost entirely envisioned when his character was first conceived. I recall that Chigiri’s visual design came first. His character traits were fleshed out around the time the tag game in the entrance exam concluded. Because of his long hair, which looked striking when flowing, the idea of making him a sprinter naturally developed. From there, the question arose: “Why isn’t he running now?” This question led to the creation of his story about his struggles and eventual rebirth. By the time the tag game ended and the match against Barou’s team began, I believe his character and story were already fully formed.
Q. Tsuchiya-sensei, Kaneshiro-sensei requested Blue Lock to look like a battle manga. What was your initial reaction to this request? Was it difficult to depict soccer players as traditional “shonen-style” fighters?
Tsuchiya: When Blue Lock began serialization, Weekly Shonen Magazine, the manga magazine publishing it in Japan, was already home to the popular soccer manga DAYS. DAYS was a fantastic work, and precisely because of that, we decided to approach things differently to ensure the two series offered distinct reading experiences.
While DAYS depicted soccer in a realistic and team-oriented, multi-player dynamic, we decided to bring the “camera” closer to the players and the ball, focusing on the one-on-one battles that occur within a match. This idea emerged during the early stages of creating the first chapter, even before discussing the series with Nomura-sensei. Kaneshiro-sensei suggested that such a perspective could be engaging, even for readers unfamiliar with soccer rules, as it would allow them to focus narrowly and immerse themselves fully in the story.
When considering artists to take on the illustrations, Nomura-sensei’s ability to depict dynamic fantasy battles came to mind. The thought of portraying one-on-one matchups as “battles” through Nomura-sensei’s unique style led to the realization that this could create a new kind of soccer manga. This idea ultimately shaped Blue Lock’s current concept.
Q. In Episode Nagi, we got to see the events of Blue Lock through Nagi’s perspective. Why Nagi out of all the characters? What was your reaction when you found out it would be adapted into a movie rather than a TV anime?
Tsuchiya: Several characters were considered, but Kaneshiro-sensei was particularly drawn to exploring the inner depths of Nagi’s character. It may also have been easier to identify a thematic focus, such as the encounter and growing apart of the genius Nagi and his partner Reo, a youthful story of connection and divergence. In Japan, it is generally understood that an anime being adapted into a film only happens for works that have garnered significant support. Therefore, I felt immense joy and gratitude toward readers around the world for helping grow Blue Lock into such a major title. Thank you very much.
Q. If you had the opportunity to create another side story like Episode Nagi, which character would you like to focus on?
Tsuchiya: I haven’t discussed this question with Kaneshiro-sensei or Nomura-sensei, so please take this as purely my personal, private hope: Kaiser and Karasu.
A message to Blue Lock’s overseas fans.
We also asked Kaneshiro-sensei to give a message to all of Blue Lock‘s overseas fans to which this is what he gave:
Kaneshiro: Thank you so much for always watching, reading, and enjoying Blue Lock! From here on out, Isagi and the rest of Blue Lock will continue pushing forward toward becoming the best in the world, so I hope you’ll stick with us and embrace the egoistic journey to the very end. Thank you for your continued support of Blue Lock!
We want to thank both Kaneshiro-sensei and Tsuchiya-san for taking the time to answer our questions gave us a rare insight on how the characters in Blue Lock manga were developed. We also want to thank 33USA for giving us this opportunity.
Blue Lock is streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is licensed and published by Kodansha USA with 29 volumes of the manga already published in English.
Credits:
Interviewer: Gerrymelyn Casupang
Assistant: Andrea Hernandez-Diaz
©Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, KODANSHA/BLUE LOCK Production Committee
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