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The second season of Blue Lock has been out for some time. Here’s where to read the Blue Lock manga after the anime.
When Japan suffered a terrible loss in the 2018 World Championship, something radical needed to be done. This is what coach Ego Jinpachi thought when he set the stage for the most unconventional football training institution ever.
Blue Lock is a story of aspiring football strikers duking it out to be the best in Japan. Unlike most shonen, this series revolves around personal achievement and ambition rather than the power of friendship. The authors of the series, Muneyuki Kaneshiro (writer) and Yusuke Nomura (illustrator), bring a breath of fresh air to the sports anime genre.
Kodansha’s Weekly Shonen Magazine started publishing the manga back in 2018. Only four years later, the series got its first anime adaptation in 2022. Now, the second season of the anime is on air. But if you’re craving more of the story, you might want to know where to pick up the Blue Lock manga after the anime.
Where To Start Reading the Blue Lock Manga After the Anime
If you’re caught up with the anime and want to jump to the next segment of the story, you’re just one arc away from the manga. The anime’s second season is currently in the middle of the U-20 Arc, and you can start reading the manga from chapter 94, where the final episode of the anime ends.
The first season kicked off with a bang back in its debut. It quickly gained popularity for its unique premise and art style. Blue Lock stood out as a well-made sports anime in a year filled with action-packed titles. The hype carried over to 2024, and fans finally got the highly anticipated second season.
How Much of the Blue Lock Manga Has the Anime Covered
Currently, the manga is on its sixth ongoing arc. The authors have been consistently releasing new chapters, with only a few short hiatuses due to health issues. The anime has also maintained a steady pace. After the first season’s release in 2022, Blue Lock returned with its second season two years later.
The second season premiered in October 2024 and covers chapters 109 to 151 of the manga. So far, the anime is in the U-20 Arc, with a bit of the Third Selection Arc included at the beginning of the season. However, the anime takes a slight cut in its runtime; while the first season had 24 episodes, season two is limited to 14 episodes and is currently on its sixth episode.
Should You Read the Manga Now or Wait for Season 2 To End
Jumping straight into the manga or waiting weekly for new episodes is a common dilemma for fans. Each option has its merits and downsides. The final decision depends on personal preference, but there are some specific considerations for Blue Lock.
If you just caught up to the anime and want more of the story, the manga isn’t too far ahead compared to the anime. The art style has received nothing but praise from fans and critics alike. Not to mention, the story doesn’t conform to cliches and keeps you on your toes.
If you prefer a slower pace, the anime is a good option. However, Blue Lock’s second season has been criticized for its apparent lack of flair compared to the manga. Especially, when considering the first season which got a more favorable response from fans, season two is not doing as good.
What Are the Current Ongoing Arcs in Both Manga and Anime
The manga right now is continuing its Neo Egoist League arc, while the anime adaptation is still in the U-20 Arc. The first season of the anime covers the introduction through the middle of the Third Selection Arc.
The U-20 Arc covers the plot where the Blue Lock team faces the U-20 Japanese National roster. The stake of this match determines who will be in control of the Japanese National team. Blue Lock manga fans often dub this arc as the most out-of-this-world football match in the franchise.
The anticipation of this arc comes from several plot points. For instance, it is the first time the characters get to face a legitimate team. The majority of the matches had been done with robot goalkeepers and fewer than 11 players on each side.
This match showcases how a team comprised of unorthodox training performs against conventionally trained athletes. Not only that, if the Blue Lock team fails in the U-20 Arc, it means the project will end. Consequentially, at the least, it will be a hurdle for the players’ careers, if not end them altogether. So, the stakes are high in this arc.
On the other hand, the Neo Egoist League Arc focuses on the matches among the five teams participating in the league. The teams are coached by the best strikers in the sport, making each one of them a force to be acknowledged. The league sets up for highly competitive matches with a strike of different playing philosophies from each team.
Conclusion
Blue Lock manga has a huge following, and it deserves the attention. It is a shonen title that diverts from the typical themes of collaboration. Instead, Blue Lock goes in-depth with the characters’ ego and pride. Coach Jinpachi believes the Japanese team needs someone who thinks more than just about the gain for the team. It is starved for someone who strives for individual achievement.
In Blue Lock’s case, every player needs to show their best to stand out. They need to do whatever it takes to put themselves in the spotlight. Ego is not just the desire to put oneself on top of another; it is also the fuel that drives people to score their goals.
So far, Blue Lock manga has six story arcs wrapped in 283 chapters and 31 volumes. The manga is still ongoing and far from ending. A great point to start reading the manga would be the 94th chapter. The second season is still in the middle of its storyline, and it would be faster to jump straight to the manga if you prefer reading.
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