'Blue Lock' Episode 1: What Is The Titular Program?

Sports anime hasn’t had much luck in 2022 but fans have high hopes for Blue Lock which premiered recently. The series premiered on October 9, 2022, on TV Asahi’s NUMAnimation in Japan and on Crunchyroll outside Asia. However, in the Asia-Pacific region, the series is also available on Netflix and Animax Asia. So, what is this titular anime series about? What was revealed in Season 1 Episode 1? Keep reading to find out the details!

Blue Lock Anime Highlights The Concept of ‘Me’ In Sports

The Blue Lock manga is popular for the way it breaks down traditional sports genres. It does so by adding a unique twist to the same. Unlike other sports anime, it doesn’t necessarily incorporate the power of friendship into the storyline. Rather, it works on highlighting the negative concept of selfishness when it comes to becoming the lead name in any sport. In an effort to highlight the concept of me in a team, the series introduces a twisted training camp that is unlike one would have ever heard.

[Source: YouTube]

As per CBR.com, Blue Lock anime follows the story of Yoichi Isagi. After losing a big match that could have carried his team to the national tournament, he starts doubting the philosophy of sports that have been introduced to them. He starts thinking about what could have happened if he opted to take the last shot by himself as opposed to passing the shot to his teammate. However, it is now too late and he cannot go back in time to alter what has already happened.

**Yoichi Isagi Is Invited To The Blue Lock Training Facility**

Later on, he stumbles upon an invitation from the Japan Football Union handed to him by his mother. It is an invitation to the Blue Lock program. This titular program is well-funded and the participants are invited through an official letter that is sent to their homes. These letters are sent by the Japan Football Union which is responsible for the project.

[Source: YouTube]

The facility at which the training is being organized is created especially for this project. It is enormous and can easily house up to 300 athletes. It is equipped with all the necessary equipment required by the trainer Ego Jinpachi to execute his unconventional training methods.

**Yoichi Undergoes His First Training Session In Blue Lock Facility**

Blue Lock is a training camp, unlike others. It pitched the 300 strikers against one another as they survive the trials and ultimately make it to the national team. However, the ones that are eliminated from the game are forever barred from ever representing Japan in national games in the future. As Yoichi participates in the first test, he learns that the game is about kicking out other participants without having any regret for getting others eliminated.

[Source: YouTube]

Will this change Yoichi completely? Will he make it to the national team? This is something fans will learn as the story unfolds. Blue Lock Season 1 Episode 2 is slated to air on October 15, 2022, and fans can stream the same on Crunchyroll.

Have you watched Blue Lock Season 1 Episode 1 already? Share your thoughts in the comments!