REVIEW: ‘Blue Lock,’ Episode 9 – “Awakening”

Blue Lock Episode 9 begins the epic match between Isagi and Team Z and the high-powered attack of Team V. Can Team Z find a way to overcome their tough opponents, or will they be one step closer to leaving the Blue Lock program?

The key theme of the Blue Lock program so far has been whether or not the players can unlock their true potential as players. The episode’s name is “Awakening,” and that already gave off a feeling that we were finally going to see more of Team Z’s ability on display, and boy, did Blue Lock Episode 9 deliver. The line that struck me the most was from Ego, who says that “an awakening can only happen in extreme situations,” and Team Z was certainly in an extreme situation right from the start when Team V’s superstar Nagi scored a beautiful goal.

What Blue Lock Episode 9 does exceptionally well is show just how emotional the entire experience can be. When Team V went ahead early off of three exceptional goals, the fear that Team Z felt was palpable. It wasn’t just the facial expressions and voice lines, though those were quite good. The way the character movements were animated showed a glimpse of dread as well, which made it very clear just how tough this challenge was going to be.

But, as Ego says, extreme situations bring out real awakenings. Weaker players tend to rise to the occasion against tough opponents, and Team Z shows that throughout Blue Lock Episode 9. While we’ve seen Isagi start to explore the monster inside of him that brings out the best in him on the field, we have not seen as much from some of the other side characters on the team. It was refreshing to see players like Chigiri develop their own unique skills.

Blue Lock Episode 9 balances a fine line between focusing on the individuals and the typically team-focused sport they play. The general concept of the Blue Lock program flies in the face of the spirit of soccer, which makes the show’s execution even more challenging. That Blue Lock can keep viewers equally invested in the success of each individual on Team Z even while they’re in a competition that can only end with one winner is impressive. I want to see Team Z win their games, but I also know that only one player from the team can ultimately win the entire thing. It’s a really neat take on sports-centered anime that gets more intriguing every week.

Blue Lock Episode 9 also continues to impress with the animation quality, which is vital in a sports anime. Not only are the character movements distinct and fluid, but even just watching the ball smoothly hit the back of the net and watching the net ripple as a result. There is clear attention to detail from house 8-Bit that drastically increases the emotional weight and impact of the show’s greatest moments.

After a somewhat lackluster flashback episode, Blue Lock Episode 9 brings the action fans have been itching for. Isagi and Team Z are finally starting to become true stars, while Team V pose their greatest threat and greatest opportunity to date. I can’t wait to see how their match finishes in next week’s episode.

Blue Lock Episode 8 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.