The wait for the return of Isagi Yoichi was agonizing. Honestly, after that U-20 announcement at the end of the first run, the hype reached a boiling point that most sports anime just can't sustain. Then it happened. Blue Lock temporada 2 capitulo 1 finally dropped, and the internet had a lot to say. Some loved the tension. Others? Well, they noticed the "slide show" vibes pretty quickly.
If you were expecting the high-octane, fluid chaos of the Team Z vs. Team V days right out of the gate, you probably felt a bit of whiplash. This premiere, titled "Trial by Fire," wasn't just a kickoff; it was a massive shift in stakes. We aren't in the small-time dorm matches anymore.
The Reality of Blue Lock Temporada 2 Capitulo 1
Let's talk about the elephant in the room. The animation. Eight Bit, the studio behind the series, took a specific direction for the start of the "U-20 Arc." Instead of the frantic, sweaty motion we saw during the first selection, Blue Lock temporada 2 capitulo 1 leaned heavily on still frames and dramatic pans. It’s a polarizing choice. On one hand, the art remains incredibly sharp—capturing those iconic "egoist" eyes that make the manga so terrifying. On the other hand, for a show about movement, the lack of... well, movement... in certain sequences was jarring for the hardcore fanbase.
👉 See also: Why the Adventures in Babysitting Original Still Rules the 80s Teen Movie Genre
The story picks up exactly where we need it. The stakes are simple but brutal: Ego Jinpachi has to field a team to face the Japan U-20 national squad. If they lose, the Blue Lock project is dead. Finished. Taxpayer money wasted. To decide who makes the cut, Ego introduces the Top 6. These aren't just good players; they are monsters. Rin Itoshi is still the king, but now we have Ryusei Shidou, a guy who basically plays soccer like he’s in a street fight.
Who Actually Stands Out in the Top 6?
The introduction of the elite tier changes the hierarchy completely. Before this, Isagi felt like he was closing the gap. Now? He’s looking at the Top 6 and realizing he’s still a speck of dust.
Rin remains the focal point, but Shidou stole the show in this episode. His personality is pure chaos. While Rin is "calculated destruction," Shidou is "biological instinct." Watching them interact is like putting two stray cats in a cardboard box and shaking it. This dynamic is the engine that drives the tension in the first chapter of the new season. You also have players like Karasu and Otoya, who bring a level of tactical sophistication that makes the previous "run and kick" strategies look like middle school ball.
📖 Related: Why Songs With Girls Names Still Rule the Radio
Isagi's position is precarious. He's ranked 15th. In any other show, the protagonist would be top 3 by now. Not here. He has to prove he can coexist with—or devour—the Top 6.
Why the Pacing of the U-20 Selection Matters
A lot of people complained that the episode felt short. It wasn't actually shorter than usual, but the density of the dialogue made it feel heavy. Blue Lock temporada 2 capitulo 1 is essentially a "briefing" episode. It’s the calm before the storm. If you’ve read the manga (Volume 13 specifically), you know that the matches following this selection are some of the most visually complex in modern Shonen.
The episode spends a lot of time on Ego’s philosophy. He isn't just picking the best players; he’s looking for "chemical reactions." This is a core theme of the series that gets dialed up to eleven this season. Can Isagi find a way to make his "direct shot" relevant when the defenders are suddenly twice as fast and three times as strong?
The Technical Shifts
The sound design is where this episode actually leveled up. The voice acting for Shidou is perfectly unhinged. When the heavy bass kicks in during the ranking reveals, it creates a sense of dread that the visuals sometimes struggle to convey.
- Direction: Tetsuaki Watanabe continues to focus on the psychological "aura" of the players.
- Color Palette: The blues are colder, the reds are sharper. It feels less like a school gym and more like a high-tech prison.
- The Soundtrack: Still top-tier. It pumps you up even when the characters are just standing around talking about spreadsheets.
Addressing the "Animation Controversy"
You’ve likely seen the clips on TikTok or X comparing Season 1 to Season 2. It’s a fair critique. There is a noticeable reliance on 3D models for background characters and a "moving manga" style for the action. Why? Production cycles in the anime industry are brutal right now. Rumor has it the team is saving the "sakuga" (high-quality animation) budget for the actual U-20 match, which is arguably the most important sequence in the entire franchise.
If we have to sit through some static shots in Blue Lock temporada 2 capitulo 1 to get a movie-quality U-20 final, most fans would take that deal. But it’s okay to be disappointed that the return wasn't a visual masterpiece from second one.
What You Should Focus on Moving Forward
If you’re watching this for the first time or re-watching to catch details, keep an eye on Hiori Yo and Nanase. They seem like background noise right now, but their inclusion in the tryouts is deliberate. This season isn't just about Isagi; it’s about how the "average" high-level players adapt to the "world-class" egoists.
The ending of the episode sets up the A, B, and C teams. This is where the real "game" starts. Isagi choosing to go where Rin and Shidou are is a classic "all-in" move. He knows that if he can't survive the hardest room, he doesn't deserve to lead the national team.
✨ Don't miss: Why You Should Watch The Stepfather 1987 Before the Remakes Ruin It for You
Practical Insights for Fans
To get the most out of this season after seeing the premiere, you should:
- Watch the "Blue Lock: Episode Nagi" movie if you haven't. It provides vital context for Nagi and Reo’s headspace, which becomes a major subplot later this season.
- Pay attention to the rankings. They aren't static. Every touch of the ball in these selection matches changes the data Ego is collecting.
- Lower your expectations for "fluidity" but raise them for "intensity." This season is a psychological thriller disguised as a sports show. The "battle" is happening in the players' heads as much as it is on the grass.
The journey from Blue Lock temporada 2 capitulo 1 to the finale is going to be a sprint. We are moving toward a 11-vs-11 showdown that literally decides the future of Japanese football. The stakes have never been higher, and even if the animation started a bit stiff, the soul of the series—the absolute, unapologetic obsession with winning—is still very much alive.
Check the official streaming platforms like Crunchyroll for the weekly drops. The subtitles can vary, so make sure you're watching a version that captures the "edgy" dialogue accurately, as the literal translations often miss the nuance of Ego's insults. The "Blue Lock" is still open, and the door is about to slam shut on anyone who isn't ready to evolve.