Blue Lock has emerged as one of the most significant anime franchises globally, transcending the boundaries of sports anime. In 2023, it achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the highest-selling manga series, captivating audiences with its intense action and deep character development. Recently, at Anime Expo, Kazuki Ura, the star of Blue Lock, shared his insights on the franchise’s extraordinary success, particularly in international markets.
Ura expressed his initial uncertainty about how a distinctly Japanese story would resonate with audiences outside of Japan. “Yes, Blue Lock was originally a very popular manga in Japan, so of course, its anime would be popular,” he stated. “Still, since it is a Japanese story, I wasn’t sure how it would be received by people overseas.” However, the overwhelming enthusiasm from fans around the world has been a pleasant surprise for him. “Looking at the enthusiasm globally, it seems like it has been accepted by everyone. I was really happy to see that, and it was like a realization,” he added.
He emphasized that the core themes of Blue Lock resonate universally. “I found once again that the fun of the anime transcends national boundaries,” Ura noted. He believes that the original work’s appeal lies in its exploration of ego, a trait that everyone possesses, albeit in different forms. “Everyone in the world has an ego – they hide it, they can express it, or they can’t,” he explained. “Blue Lock has a team that is trying to make sure their message reaches everyone around the world, so I’m really happy to be able to see it succeed with my own eyes as it’s finally reaching everyone like this.”
As the franchise continues to grow, the future of Blue Lock looks promising. Following the success of its first season, fans eagerly anticipated more content. Earlier this year, the franchise released its first film, Blue Lock: Episode Nagi, which was well-received in theaters worldwide. Additionally, the highly anticipated second season of the television series is set to premiere on October 5th, further expanding the story of the aspiring soccer players.
For those who have yet to experience Blue Lock, the anime is currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The platform describes the series as follows: “After a disastrous defeat at the 2018 World Cup, Japan’s team struggles to regroup. But what’s missing? An absolute ace striker. The Football Union is hell-bent on creating a striker who hungers for goals and thirsts for victory, so Blue Lock—a rigorous training ground for 300 of Japan’s best and brightest youth players—is created. To survive this battle royale, the last striker standing will have to out-muscle and out-ego everyone who stands in his way!”
As fans look forward to the next chapter in the Blue Lock saga, Ura’s reflections on the series’ global impact highlight the power of storytelling in bridging cultural divides. The themes of ambition, rivalry, and personal growth resonate with audiences, making Blue Lock a standout in the anime landscape.
In conclusion, Kazuki Ura’s insights into Blue Lock’s success underscore the series’ ability to connect with viewers around the world. As the franchise continues to expand with new seasons and films, it is clear that Blue Lock has carved out a significant place in the hearts of anime fans globally. The anticipation for the upcoming season is palpable, and it will be exciting to see how the story of Yoichi Isagi and his fellow players unfolds in the future.
Source: ComicBook
