Honestly, seeing Rensuke Kunigami come back as a hollowed-out "Wild Card" was one of the most jarring things in Blue Lock. One minute he’s this wholesome superhero with a moral compass, and the next, he’s a cynical shadow of himself, looking like he crawled out of a survival horror game. He basically became the Noa-clone nobody asked for but everyone was terrified of.
When we talk about kunigami blue lock rivals, people usually jump straight to Isagi. But is Isagi really his rival? Not really. Isagi is more like his "conscience" or the guy constantly trying to wake him up from his emo phase. The real beef—the stuff that actually drives Kunigami’s character arc into the dirt and back up again—is way more specific.
The Arch-Nemesis: Shidou Ryusei and the Death of a Hero
If you want to find the exact moment Kunigami’s soul left his body, look no further than his Second Selection clash with Shidou Ryusei. This isn't just a "I want to score more goals than you" kind of rivalry. It’s a philosophical war.
Kunigami entered Blue Lock wanting to be a "Soccer Hero." He believed in fair play, justice, and being a good person. Shidou, on the other hand, is a literal demon. He plays soccer for the "biological explosion" of it. When they met, Shidou didn't just beat Kunigami on the scoreboard; he crushed his entire worldview. He basically told Kunigami that his "hero" nonsense was weak and had no place in the world of true strikers.
After losing that match, Kunigami was eliminated. Most players just go home. But Kunigami took the "Wild Card" route—a hellish training program designed to create a physical monster capable of matching Noel Noa.
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Why Shidou Still Matters in the Neo Egoist League
In the PxG vs. Bastard München match, we finally see the payoff. Kunigami isn't just playing to win; he's playing to erase the version of himself that Shidou humiliated. You’ve probably noticed he spends more time man-marking Shidou than actually hunting for goals. It's personal. He’s acting as the "Anti-Demon," using his new, massive physique to shut down Shidou’s unpredictable movement. It’s a complete 180 from his original playstyle.
The Mirror Rival: Shoei Barou
Now, Barou is an interesting case. Early on, Kunigami and Barou were often compared because they both rely on massive physical power and long-range shooting. People used to call Kunigami "Barou-lite," which is kinda insulting if you think about it.
The rivalry here is about how they use their strength:
- Barou uses his power to dominate and "devour" his own teammates. He’s the King.
- Kunigami (originally) used his power to support the team and act as a reliable anchor.
Post-Wild Card, Kunigami actually acts more like the old Barou. He’s solitary, he doesn't pass, and he scavenges for goals. The irony is thick. While Barou eventually learned to "cooperate" (in his own chaotic way) with the Ubers, Kunigami went the opposite direction, becoming a lone wolf who hates everyone. They are two sides of the same coin, but they’re moving in different directions on the egoist spectrum.
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Isagi Yoichi: The Rivalry of "What Could Have Been"
Isagi is the one who keeps poking the bear. In the Neo Egoist League, Isagi and Kunigami have this weird, strained relationship. Isagi still sees the "Hero" inside, while Kunigami keeps telling him to shut up.
Kunigami's rivalry with Isagi is mostly internal. He resents Isagi because Isagi succeeded where he failed—surviving Blue Lock with his original ego intact. Every time Isagi makes a big play, it reminds Kunigami of what he gave up to stay in the game. He basically became a "cyborg" of soccer skills just to keep up with the geniuses like Isagi and Rin.
Breaking the "Wild Card" Shell
In recent chapters, we've started to see cracks. During the PxG match, Kunigami actually showed a spark of his old self. Not because he wanted to be a hero, but because his rivalry with Shidou forced him to stop acting like a robot and start playing with actual emotion again.
The Physicality Factor: Why No One Can Move Him
One thing that makes kunigami blue lock rivals struggle is his sheer specs. After the Wild Card, his stats are through the roof. We're talking:
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- Ambidexterity: He can rip a shot with either foot now, which is a nightmare to mark.
- Muscle Mass: He can literally shoulder-tackle someone like Barou or Shidou and not move an inch.
- Survival Instinct: He doesn't play for "fun" or "dreams" anymore. He plays because if he doesn't, he has nothing left.
That "nothing left" mentality makes him dangerous. Most rivals are playing for a trophy; Kunigami is playing to justify the fact that he "died" and came back.
What’s Next for the Fallen Hero?
If you’re following the manga, the big question isn't just "will he beat Shidou?" it's "who will he be after?" Kunigami can't stay an edgy Noel Noa clone forever. The story is clearly building toward him finding a middle ground—a version of the hero that actually has teeth.
His real "rival" might actually be his own past. He has to reconcile the guy who liked One Piece and "fair play" with the monster who can bench-press a truck.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the PxG Match Closely: This is the peak of the Kunigami/Shidou rivalry. Pay attention to how Kunigami’s defensive work is actually his way of "winning" the argument they started in the Second Selection.
- Compare the Goal Types: Look at Kunigami's goals in Team Z vs. his goals in Bastard München. You'll see the shift from "strategic striker" to "physical poacher."
- Re-read the "Wild Card" Intro: Knowing what we know now about his rivalry with Shidou, his first conversation with Isagi after returning feels way more tragic.
Kunigami isn't just another player on the field; he’s the cautionary tale of what happens when the "hero" loses. Whether he can actually win against his rivals without losing his humanity is the real game being played.