REVIEW: ‘Blue Lock’ Season 2 Episode 7 — “Itoshi Sae”

Team Blue Lock and the Japan U-20 are finally facing off. Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 7, “Itoshi Sae,” continues the heart-pounding match as Team Blue Lock looks for the equalizer in the fight over the soul of soccer. Blue Lock has asked from the start, “What is soccer?” What is the guiding principle behind the sport that makes it truly special? Ego believes it is about simply being the best individual player, which is why he created the Blue Lock program. Up against the Japan U-20 team, his ideals are being tested against the tried-and-true team-first mentality used for generations.

When the U-20s score quickly, it seems like the old approach is the correct one, at least initially. One thing Isagi notices is that the U-20s are using the same mentality the Blue Lock players have adopted. They have the same killer instinct; they just apply it to more than just the attack. This is how the U-20s can initially thwart Blue Lock.

Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 7 spends the first half of the episode breaking down how the teams match up and how the U-20s have the upper hand. They can stop Blue Lock no matter what they try, culminating in their opening goal to go up 1-0. This approach helps viewers better understand the inner workings of what is happening on the field.

However, it is not without its drawbacks. The animation in Blue Lock Season 2 has been disappointing, to say the least, and it is borderline atrocious at times here. There are slightly fewer still-frame scenes in the middle of supposed action, but they are replaced with dodgy CGI, which is even worse to look at. It is so jarring to see what is supposed to be this epic soccer match unfolding in such a disappointing way.

When different players showcase their special skills, they are often shown zipping into a new place on the field, only to freeze in place. Then we see a zoomed-in video of their feet in all their CGI glory, with the ball moving around a little bit before it goes back to another still frame with very little motion. This series has had some tremendous in-game animation early on and the way it is devolving is a disservice to the storytelling happening throughout the episodes.

Thankfully, the story’s development makes it worth following. As Isagi and his teammates start to piece together how the U-20s operate, they devise a plan to counteract them. Breaking through their tough defense is seemingly impossible at first, but they slowly figure out a way to do it. Isagi also realizes that no one is here to see Blue Lock; they are there to cheer on Itoshi Sae.

Making Itoshi Sae the main focus of the match allows the Blue Lock players to face another, more unseen foe. Their egos are fragile, primarily by design, with the way Ego and the Blue Lock program put them through the wringer. They thought they were the bees’ knees, and realizing they weren’t brings them down to Earth. It serves partially as motivation to prove the crowd wrong but is also a way for these players to look inside and discover their actual value.

Team Blue Lock eventually finds a way through and manages to score an equalizer. The final sequence with the Blue Lock team driving down the field to score is by far the best part of Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 7. The animation here is drastically improved, with a fascinating move by Nagi that proves Eight Bit can deliver great animation at times. 

The coolest part is when the crowd, so fired up by the U-20s, is absolutely silent after the Blue Lock goal. Then, as it seems like the world is against them, the crowd finally goes nuts for the Blue Lock players. It is an excellent moment of validation for the players and helps them feel like their approach might have merit after all. If they can win over this one crowd, there is no reason to doubt they can win over the entire country.

Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 7 continues the battle over the soul of soccer and, despite some animation miscues, is a solid addition to the season. If the animation can match the back half of the episode more than the first half, this season can prove doubters wrong while giving Isagi and his friends the visual backing their interesting story deserves.

Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 7 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.