Let’s be real. Nobody actually expected Gurimu Igarashi to be the meta-breaker in Igaguri Blue Lock Rivals. When you think of elite strikers in this Roblox experience, your mind probably jumps straight to Kaiser’s insane impact or Isagi’s battlefield awareness. Igaguri? He’s the guy who survived Blue Lock on pure luck and a well-timed face-block, right?
Well, the devs basically said "hold my cider" and dropped a kit that is arguably more annoying to play against than the top-tier World Class styles.
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Honestly, playing as Igaguri is like playing a different game. While everyone else is trying to curve shots or teleport behind defenders, you’re out there basically trolling the entire pitch. It’s glorious. It’s frustrating. And if you’re on the receiving end of a "Genius Killing Militia," it’s probably enough to make you close the tab.
The Igaguri Blue Lock Rivals Kit: Trolling as a Strategy
Most players dismissed the Igaguri style as a "joke" when it first leaked. But once the showcase videos hit, people realized he’s a defensive powerhouse packaged in an Epic rarity skin. He doesn't need to outrun you if he can just make you fall over.
The core of the Igaguri Blue Lock Rivals experience is the "Malicia" playstyle. It’s not about flashy goals. It’s about being a pest.
Dharma Chains: The ultimate "No" button
This is your primary defensive tool. When an opponent has the ball, you trigger this. It’s a cutscene-based tackle that doesn't just take the ball—it leaves the opponent slowed down for a significant duration. Think about how many fast-paced styles rely on momentum. One Dharma Chain and their entire flow is cooked.
Monk Pass: Surprisingly decent?
It’s a standard pass, sure. But it has a specific overhead trajectory that’s harder to intercept than a flat laser pass. It’s basically a "get out of jail free" card when you’ve successfully stolen the ball and need to find a striker who actually knows how to score.
Genius Killing Militia: The disrespect is real
This is the Awakening move. You charge, you flip over the opponent, they hit the grass, and they are stunned. In a game where seconds matter, a hard stun is a death sentence for a possession. It’s "disrespectful" in the best way possible.
Why the "Buddha’s Blessing" Flow Changes Everything
We’ve all seen the meta where speed is king. But Igaguri Blue Lock Rivals introduces a Flow state called Buddha’s Blessing that flips the script.
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Here’s the thing: it gives you a 25% chance to ankle break an opponent even when you aren't actively dribbling. Read that again. You can literally just be standing there or moving near someone, and they might just collapse because the RNG gods (or Buddha) smiled on you.
- Increased Movement Speed: Makes the "Monk" surprisingly mobile.
- Shooting Power Buff: Not that you’ll be taking many shots, but it helps in a pinch.
- Ankle Break Passive: This is the real reason people hate playing against this style.
Is he better than Aiku? Some top players are actually saying yes. While Aiku is a traditional wall, Igaguri creates chaos. Chaos is much harder to predict in a high-ping environment like Roblox.
Is Igaguri Worth Your Pulls?
If you’re looking for a primary striker to carry you to the top of the leaderboards, no. Don't do it. You'll be disappointed when your shooting stats don't match up to a Kaiser Impact.
But.
If you play in a team, or if you enjoy being the reason the enemy team is complaining in the chat, Igaguri Blue Lock Rivals is a must-have. He is an S-tier support and defender. He’s relatively easy to get since he’s an Epic style, not a World Class one. This means you aren't spending a million years grinding for a 0.1% drop rate.
Basically, he’s the "budget" meta.
The animations are top-tier. They really captured his "I’m just happy to be here but also I will cheat to win" energy from the manga. It’s rare to see a game take a comic-relief character and actually give them a kit that feels thematic and powerful without being a literal clone of the protagonist.
How to Win with the Monk Style
Stop trying to be the hero. Your job is to be an obstacle.
- Stay close to the enemy’s main threat. If they have a Rin or a Sae, you are their shadow.
- Time your Dharma Chains. Don't just spam. Wait for them to commit to a dribble animation.
- Use the stun to transition. Once you land a Genius Killing Militia, the enemy is out of the play. Use that 4v3 advantage immediately.
Most people get wrong that Igaguri is weak. He isn't. He’s just specialized. In the Neo Egoist League arc of the manga, he survives by drawing fouls. In the game, he survives by being the most annoying player on the pitch.
Next time you’re looking at your style list and thinking about rolling away that Monk style, maybe don't. Try a few matches in the defensive mid-field. You might find that winning because your opponent is too tilted to play properly is the most "Blue Lock" way to win of all.
Your next steps: Head into the training hub and practice the timing on the Dharma Chain cutscene. It has a specific trigger distance that you need to internalize. Once you have that down, pair up with a high-power striker friend and start farming wins by feeding them the balls you steal with your "dirty" playstyle.