REVIEW: ‘Blue Lock’ Season 2 Episode 10 — “The Subs Take to the Stage”

It is time for the second half of the thrilling matchup between team Blue Lock and the Japan U-20 National Team. Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 10, “The Subs Take to the Stage,” marks the entrance of Shidou into the fray, hoping to turn the tides for the U-20s.

The last episode took time to explore the relationship between the Itoshi brothers, but Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 10 brings us back to the action. The match has been electric so far, with both teams showcasing their extreme talent. Shidou is the not-so-secret weapon for the U-20s and his ability to play off of Sae might be enough to see off the challenge from team Blue Lock.

Shidou tries to talk smack to Rin and Isagi, but they aren’t having any of it. It would have made sense if his bravado threw them off. Instead, Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 10 showcases how much the Blue Lock players have grown. Isagi, in particular, sees this as just the next step in his journey. He knows that whoever reacts to Shidou’s appearance the quickest on the field will have the greatest chance of winning.

It is nice to see Isagi developing more confidence as the pressure increases. He had trouble adapting to Ego’s “me-first” mentality, so when he says this game can’t end without him scoring, it shows that he is fully bought into the Blue Lock system. That doesn’t mean that Ego’s system is correct, but it does mean that it is having the desired effect on the players, and it is good to see that play out on-screen.

Animation undermines pivotal showdown

Shidou is so talented that he even throws off his own teammates. He is described as playing 1-on-21, which is a fair way to explain what he is doing. He is lightning-quick and can pull off passes that most players would never dream of attempting.

The issue is that his explosive movements are not given the animation they deserve. The series has long suffered from sub-par animation, and this is no different. Seeing more freeze-frame shots while players talk about his speed instead of showing it is incredibly frustrating.

When he is shown moving, jarring CGI takes viewers out of the experience. It is not enough to say he is skilled and fun to watch. In order to fully convey that point, the film has to be visually exciting.

Still, despite the lackluster animation, watching Shidou is exhilarating. His skill is apparent, and the way other players talk about trying to defend against or play with him really drives home just how special he is. The only way to stop him is for Niko to foul him, setting up a free kick just outside the box from which Shidou should be able to score.

Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 10 taps into soccer’s intensity

Free kicks in front of goal are some of the most intense moments in soccer. Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 10 does such a fantastic job of bringing that tension to life. The crowd chanting “Japan” over and over again makes it feel like Shidou has to score here. Everyone is on the edge of their seats both on and off screen, and it feels just like this sequence would in an actual match.

The way the strategy is handled here is excellent. Both the U-20s in attack and Blue Lock in defense think through how to approach the kick in lifelike ways that make the scene authentic. When Sae delivers the pass to Shidou from the free kick, the onrushing defender thinks through what to do just like a real player would. It makes it all the more exciting when Shidou manages to use his skill to outdo his opponent and deliver the equalizing goal.

The equalizer means team Blue Lock has to go back to the drawing board defensively. They will need to change their strategy, and part of that is making timely substitutions of their own. They bring on two new defenders who will hopefully turn the tide against a rejuvenated U-20 attack.

Reo, in particular, will be the key cog in Blue Lock’s defense, and we start to see how his Chameleon ability will help them try to win the match. We don’t get to see a ton of this new defensive strategy, but what we do see shows that this could certainly turn the tide.

Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 10 takes the intensity up another notch as the battle between Blue Lock and the Japan U-20s continues. Substitutions on both sides will have a major impact, but who will make the most of the changes to win the match?

Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 10 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.