Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 8: The Itoshi Brothers

Key Takeaways

• Blue Lock XI showcases improved teamwork and strategy, setting the stage for their journey to greatness.
• Niko emerges as a defensive powerhouse for Blue Lock, enabling crucial counterattacks with his field reading skills.
• U-20 Japan ramps up their offensive game, but Blue Lock surprises with defensive capabilities, stopping their goals.

The legendary match between Blue Lock and U-20 Japan continues with Blue Lock’s Season 2 Episode 8, titled “Blue Genes,” as the score is now tied between the teams after Nagi’s insane goal that left the crowd speechless and in awe at how Project Blue Lock is actually working!

Blue Lock XI being able to improvise immediately on the field and follow Rin’s lead shows how far the team has come and how much stronger they have gotten so far. This is just the beginning of their journey to greatness.

Brotherly Rivalry

Rin vs Sae

The rivalry between the Itoshi siblings takes center stage in this episode. For Sae, this match is merely a stage to measure Japan’s football capabilities, but for Rin, it is personal—a chance to prove himself superior to his older brother. The episode effectively portrays this intense dynamic through well-executed scenes, though limited animation occasionally detracts from the impact. Sae’s precision and technique shine, particularly with his “Cross Elastico” dribble, adding tension to the rivalry.

If you keep behaving like you’re my little brother….. you will never surpass me.

Niko’s pivotal moment, blocking Sae’s expertly crafted pass, underscores his extraordinary ability to read the field, positioning him as Blue Lock’s most reliable defensive asset. His intervention not only disrupts Sae’s momentum but also creates opportunities for the Blue Lock XI to counterattack, showcasing how strategy and individual brilliance are shaping this high-stakes game.

Taking The Lead

Blue Lock XI Surpasses Expectations

Niko’s field-reading sequence and the counterattack were executed effectively, showcasing his ability to assess and anticipate the game with precision. Although the animation quality continues to fall short compared to expectations, this episode gives glimpses of potential improvement, especially following the last episode’s highlights. The promising sequences keep hope alive for fans who desire consistent quality. As the team transitions into their counterattack, the spotlight finally falls on Chigiri, the fastest runner on the field, who has been notably absent from recent action. His acceleration sequence and sprints down the field’s right wing were depicted in a manner that captured his sheer speed and agility, giving him the justice his character deserves.

The counterattack, however, came to a halt when Sae intervened, showcasing his own formidable skills. But Rin arrives at the critical moment, reminding everyone why he is both the star of the match and arguably the entire show as of now. Facing the immovable wall Aiku directly, Rin demonstrates his ingenuity and composure, outsmarting the defender to score a spectacular goal. The U-20 players acknowledged this moment, noting that if Aiku couldn’t stop Rin, no one else could.

U-20’s Comeback Imminent

U-20 On Full Attack

With Rin scoring and the score now 2-1, the U-20 team starts worrying because losing this match means Blue Lock will take their place. Sae also scolds the team with his honest but harsh criticism. The team decides to go into full attack mode, as if those last five minutes are all they have left in the match.

Their plan seems to work so far as they are able to break through Blue Lock’s defenses, with Sae even breaking through Isagi and Bachira working together. However, Blue Lock reminds them that they may all be strikers, but they have weapons and skills that can defend too. Aryu makes his insane play by stopping the goal.

Still Hope for Animation Quality

Or Is There?

With all the incredible sequences in this episode, it’s hard not to feel disappointed about the production and animation quality. If it had even a fraction of the excellence seen in Season 1, these moments could have been elevated to new heights. However, the last few set pieces provide a glimmer of hope for fans. Nagi’s breathtaking goal from the previous episode stands out as a reminder of the potential. It suggests that, when the effort is made, the results can be outstanding. This episode did deliver some notable scenes, but much of the action relied on still images interspersed with dialogue, followed by abrupt bursts of activity. This technique, while serviceable, robs the sequences of the fluidity and immersion that fans expect from such a high-stakes match.

With only halftime reached, there is still plenty of action to anticipate. The U-20 team is now fully committed to an aggressive offensive strategy, and the anticipation for Shidou’s entry onto the field grows stronger. Fans can only hope that the upcoming episodes receive the attention and production quality they deserve to do justice to this exhilarating storyline.