Is Blue Lock manga finished? Is the manga series worth reading? If you have these questions in your mind regarding the sports series, this article will help you out!
If you’re a fan of sports manga, you may have heard of Blue Lock. The series has been making waves in the genre since its debut in 2018, and it is currently one of the most popular titles in the world. But what sets Blue Lock apart from the rest of the pack?
As someone who’s been following the series closely, I can confidently say that Blue Lock is a must-read for any fan of sports manga. With its unique premise, engaging characters, and stunning artwork, Blue Lock is a standout in the genre and a true gem for manga fans. So if you’re on the fence about diving into this series, let me tell you why you should give it a chance.
Is Blue Lock Manga Finished?
Blue Lock is still ongoing and nowhere near finished, with the latest volume, i.e., Volume 24, released on May 17, 2023. Fans of the series speculate that we have a long way to go until the end. If you don’t know anything about Blue Lock, let me give you a quick synopsis of the plot to get you started.
The story follows the journey of Yoichi Isagi, a talented young soccer player who’s grown disillusioned with the sport due to the rigid team play and lack of individual expression. But everything changes when he’s scouted by a mysterious organization called Blue Lock, tasked with creating the ultimate striker for the Japanese national team.
Isagi and a group of other talented young players are brought to a secret training facility where they’re put through an intense and grueling training program designed to push them to their limits and bring out their individual strengths.
The catch? Only one player will be chosen to represent Japan in the World Cup, and the rest will be cast aside, their soccer careers effectively over.
The competition is fierce, and the players are forced to confront their limitations and push themselves harder than they ever thought possible. But as the stakes get higher and tensions rise, Isagi begins to question everything he knows about himself and his soccer skills as he casts aside his gameplay and figures out the best way to make his presence known on the football field.
If you’re a young adult or older teen who enjoys sports manga or is interested in exploring this genre, check out Blue Lock! Although the story has its lighthearted moments to balance out the serious tone, it’s an overall intense story that will keep you on the edge of your seats.
How Many Blue Lock Volumes Are There?
The manga was created by writer Muneyuki Kaneshiro and artist Yusuke Nomura and was first published in the Weekly Shonen Magazine in August 2018. It has 24 volumes and over 200 chapters so far; the latest volume was released on May 17, 2023.
According to interviews with Kaneshiro and Nomura, the idea for Blue Lock was born out of a desire to create a sports manga different from the typical team-focused stories that dominate the genre, which you can tell from reading the story. The creators wanted to explore the concept of individualism in sports, and the idea of creating a soccer team made up entirely of strikers was born.
The manga was initially met with some skepticism from readers and industry insiders, as the concept of a soccer manga with no actual matches seemed like a risky proposition. However, the manga quickly gained a dedicated fanbase thanks to its intense and gripping storyline, its dynamic art, and its multi-faceted characters.
Despite its unconventional premise, Blue Lock has been a commercial and critical success, with the series consistently ranking high in sales charts and receiving numerous accolades and award nominations. The manga even spawned an anime series, which only fueled its popularity and made it famous worldwide.
The creation and success of Blue Lock are a testament to the power of creative risk-taking and the willingness to explore new ideas within the established framework of a genre.
Is Blue Lock Manga Worth Reading?
I talked about this before, but it’s worth mentioning again that one of the biggest reasons why you should read Blue Lock is its unique premise. Unlike other sports manga that focuses on teams, Blue Lock takes a fresh approach by exploring the concept of individualism in soccer.
What I love about this series is the way it challenges the traditional notion of team play in sports. Instead of relying on teamwork, Blue Lock emphasizes the power of individualism and the importance of standing out from the crowd.
The characters are complex and well-developed, with their own unique motivations and struggles, and the artwork is absolutely stunning and dynamic, as the art in a sports manga ought to be.
At its core, Blue Lock is a story about the pursuit of individualism and the struggle to find your own identity in a world that demands conformity.
Through the intense and grueling training program at Blue Lock, the characters are forced to confront their limitations and push themselves to the brink to bring out their unique strengths and abilities.
But the pursuit of individualism is not without its challenges! The characters must also grapple with their own ego and the temptation to prioritize their success over the success of the team. This tension between individualism and teamplay is a recurring theme throughout the series. How much of yourself should you sacrifice in order to be seamlessly incorporated into the team, and is that really for the best?
Another theme that Blue Lock explores is the toll that intense competition can take on an individual. As the stakes get higher and the pressure mounts, the characters are forced to confront their fears and insecurities and the toll that the pursuit of greatness can take on their mental and physical health. This exploration of the darker side of competition adds a layer of realism and depth to the story and makes the characters feel all the more human and relatable.
Talking about the characters of Blue Lock, the story follows a group of strikers put through a grueling training program at the Blue Lock facility, competing against each other to become the ultimate striker.
It takes the teamwork approach that almost every sports manga is built on and reinvents the genre, starting from the foundations. This intense focus on individualism sets Blue Lock apart from other sports manga and creates a thrilling and intense reading experience.
A story is only as good as its characters, and the characters in Blue Lock are not just archetypes but fully realized individuals with their own motivations, backstories, and struggles.
Each player in the program has conviction and reasons to be there, and the story does an excellent job of fleshing them out. Many of them have to work through childhood trauma or other things that are holding them back before they truly find themselves. Whether it’s the arrogant but talented Bachira or the quiet and analytical Rin, every character feels like they have a role to play in the story.
The artwork in Blue Lock is also top-notch. The soccer matches are beautifully illustrated, and the action scenes are intense and dynamic. The character designs are distinct and memorable, and the artist does an excellent job of conveying emotion through facial expressions and body language.
But perhaps the best thing about Blue Lock is its message. The manga explores what it means to be a team player and how individual talent can be both a blessing and a curse. It’s a story about self-discovery and personal growth, and it’s a reminder that success is not just about winning but about the journey to get there.
Conclusion
If you’re on the fence about reading the Blue Lock manga and wondering if it’ll be worth your time, the answer is a resounding yes!
This thrilling and intense series is a unique take on sports manga and a thought-provoking exploration of complex themes such as individualism, team play, and the toll that competition can take on one’s mental and physical health.
The good news is that there are currently 24 volumes of Blue Lock available to read, and the bad news is that once you catch up to the story, you’ll have to wait for new chapters to drop.
Whether you’re a fan of sports manga or just looking for a captivating and intense story, give Blue Lock a chance. It’s a sports manga, but it flips the typical premise of a sports manga on its head, so you will like it even if you don’t typically like this genre!
In conclusion, is Blue Lock manga finished? The answer is no. Is Blue Lock manga worth reading? The answer is yes; a big YES!
So don’t hesitate to pick up a copy of Blue Lock today and experience the thrilling journey of the strikers at the Blue Lock facility. Blue Lock is the kind of manga you will think about even after you put it down, so don’t be shy to share your take on the story, themes, characters, or anything else that caught your eye!
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