What anime are you addicted to right now? Is it “One Piece”? Or perhaps it’s “Attack on Titan,” “Jujutsu Kaisen,” “Demon Slayer,” or “Naruto.”
If you are a sports lover, particularly soccer, you might also want to watch an anime titled “Blue Lock.” It isn’t as big as the aforementioned animes, but it definitely checks all the boxes of what makes a good anime.
In this story, you will learn things you probably didn’t know yet about Yoichi Isagi, no other than the star of “Blue Lock.”
Overview Of ‘Blue Lock’
“Blue Lock” is something you’ll definitely love if you are following the thrilling FIFA games.
The story of this anime starts on a sad note. The Japan national team only finished in 16th place in the FIFA World Cup 2018. Actually, that part is based on a true story. But the anime adds a creative flair to it.
In “Blue Lock,” the fiction starts with the Japan Football Union hiring Ego Jinpachi, a football enigma. He has this master plan to lead Japan back to stardom, and he calls this master plan Blue Lock. It is a training regiment designed to create the greatest egotist striker worldwide. Those who fail Blue Lock can never again be allowed to represent Japan in the matches.
Now, Isagi, an initially unknown high school soccer player who is also conflicted about his playing style, decides to join the program to be the world’s best striker.
Fun Trivia About Yoichi Isagi
We have just introduced Isagi to you. This time, let’s get to know him a bit better, starting with the first trivia.
1. Isagi Was Born On April Fools’ Day
Isagi was born on April 1st and is now 17 years old in the anime. He is the only child of Iyo and Issei Isagi (could he be spoiled?). He has slick black hair and mesmerizing blue eyes that match his uniform during matches.
2. Soccer Changed His Outlook In Life
As you learned a while ago, Isagi was unpopular in high school at first. Though he is innocent, friendly, and cheerful, he isn’t confident about himself and what he can do, not to mention being confused with the system of football.
But, when he tasted soccer victory, he transformed from being plain to being confident. Also, his doubts about being selfish regarding the sport slowly disappeared.
3. Then, He Grew To Become Stronger, Even Seeking To Destroy Not Just His Opponents But His Own Teammates
Did soccer change Isagi in a good way or otherwise? Well, you be the judge, significantly since as the story of “Blue Lock” progressed, Isagi became colder and more ruthless. In fact, he does not even hesitate to destroy his opponents, in the worst-case scenario, even his own teammates.
He just became so ambitious, committing to become the world’s number one striker. In the story, you’ll also hear him say he would lead the U-20 Japan team to clinch the World Cup crown.
4. He’s Been Playing Soccer Since Childhood
Cute, isn’t it? Yes. Isagi actually began playing soccer when he was four years old. He has also been admiring world-class soccer athletes. This manifested when Isagi’s mom handed him an invitation letter from the Japan Football Association during the anime’s pilot episode.
5. His Idol Is A Fictitious World-Class Footballer From France
Isagi may have turned to become ruthless, but he still stays humble, evident in his idolizing Noel Noa, a forward from France in the story who plays for Germany’s Bastard Munchen, a team inspired by the real-life FC Bayern Munich from the Bundesliga.
Noa is Isagi’s greatest inspiration. He started watching his matches when the “Blue Lock” star was still a child.
6. Brave As He Is, He’s One Of The First Five Players To Sign Up For The Blue Lock Project
At the beginning of “Blue Lock,” you will see the 300 strikers who gathered to join the Blue Lock project. Now Jinpachi, the coach of this project, caused an uproar when he revealed how Blue Lock would be implemented.
However, Isagi, who was still regretting his decision to pass the ball to his teammate, which led to his team’s defeat, was brave enough to be one of the first five players to join the project.
7. In The Beginning, He Was, In Fact, Ranked 299th Out Of The 300 Participants Of The Project
It is also interesting that, during Isagi’s beginnings with the Blue Lock project, he was ranked 299th out of its 300 participants. But, of course, he rose to the top.
8. He Eventually Earned The Admiration Of Jinpachi
During Jinpachi’s first hands-on over the Blue Lock project, he would initially call its participants (including Isagi) “unpolished gems” or foolish. However, the participants gradually showed what they could, which was why Jinpachi quickly became admirable of Isagi. In fact, later on in the story, Isagi even became an ace for the Blue Lock during the Neo Egoist league.
9. His Main Jersey Number Is 11
For those who treat jersey numbers as significant, Isagi’s main jersey number is 11. This has been his jersey number since the time he was still playing for the varsity football team of Ichinan High School. But he has another jersey number, 15, during the second Blue Block selection.
10. ‘Cyborg Kuro-Chan’ Is Among His Favorite Mangas
Surprise, surprise. What’s interesting about this anime is that there’s a feature of mangas within. Japanese media within Japanese media. One of Isagi’s favorite mangas is “Cyborg Kuro-Chan.” Now that tells a lot more about who he really is.
“Blue Lock” appears to be the soccer version of “The Prince of Tennis,” right? Learning about those trivia on Isagi will make you love him and the anime even more.
