It’s rare for a new sports anime to get hyped long before they air. However, Blue Lock isn’t just any sports anime. If you’re ready to discover just why this is one of the most anticipated shonen anime this year, read on for Blue Lock's release date, studio, where to watch, trailer and everything you need to know.
What is Blue Lock About?
Blue Lock is a shounen anime based on the award-winning manga written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, who was previously an assistant on the Attack on Titan manga.
The story revolves around the titular Blue Lock, a prison-like training facility developed by the aptly-named coach Jinpachi Ego.
Hired by the Japanese FA to turn around their performances at the FIFA World Cup, Jinpachi determines that what Japan lacks is a selfish, egotistical striker that cares about nothing more than scoring goals.
Blue Lock is devised as a training camp for the best high-school talents in Japan, but there’s a catch. Only one player will become Japan’s striker, and the rest will be banned from ever representing the national team.
The story primarily follows Yoichi Isagi, a kid who dreams of representing Japan on the world stage. However, he meets many other enigmatic personalities in Blue Lock, each with the same ambition as himself.
While Blue Lock is a sports anime, it has many more shounen and action elements than most shows. Comparing the recent soccer anime Ao Ashi and Blue Lock highlights how Blue Lock uses classic shounen manga storylines and ideas to deliver a much larger action adventure, explaining why it’s been so hyped.
Blue Lock Release Date
The Blue Lock anime will premiere on October 9th 2022 in Japan, or October 8th in North America and Europe, forming part of the already-stacked Fall 2022 anime season.
The anime will air in Japan on TV Asahi’s NUMAnimation block. This programming block airs on Sundays at 1:30 AM Japanese time and is currently hosting A Couple of Cuckoos.
Early morning TV slots in Japan are classed as extensions of the previous night. As a result, Blue Lock is announced as airing at 1:30 beyond midnight (or 25:30) on October 8th, despite technically coming out on October 9th.
Due to timezone differences, episodes of Blue Lock should be available on Saturdays for viewers in regions such as North America and the UK, starting from October 8th.
Blue Lock Episode 1 Release Date COUNTDOWN
Blue Lock Episode 1 Release Date Countdown
Please note that the above countdown is currently set to when the first episode of Blue Lock will release in Japan – 1:30 AM on October 9th – which translates to the following times:
- Pacific Time: 9:30 AM (October 8th)
- Central Time: 11:30 AM (October 8th)
- Eastern Time: 12:30 PM (October 8th)
- UK Time: 5:30 PM (October 8th)
There is no news yet regarding what time streaming services such as Crunchyroll will be showing Blue Lock episodes – there can sometimes be a gap of around one hour between domestic broadcast and streaming services.
Streaming schedules are usually released a week or so before the first episode. When details are revealed, we will provide all the information you need.
Where to Watch Blue Lock
Blue Lock will air on TV Asahi’s NUMAnimation block in Japan, while Crunchyroll will be streaming the series internationally.
Most of the series that have aired on TV Asahi’s NUMAnimation block previously have been picked up by Crunchyroll. The same can be said for shows by the producers involved in Blue Lock.
Crunchyroll premiered the first episode in North America at Anime Expo in July. They have also provided an official subtitled trailer, which can be seen below.
There is a chance that the series could appear on Funimation. However, with the Funimation and Crunchyroll merger continuing at speed, it’s not guaranteed that any new series will arrive on the platform when the Fall season rolls around.
How Many Episodes will Blue Lock Have?
It has been confirmed that Blue Lock will be airing for two consecutive cours, with a total of 24 episodes.
Some series, such as Spy x Family, have a split-cour run. However, Blue Lock is set to air consistently across both the Fall and Winter seasons, similar to My Hero Academia Season 6.
Assuming there are no delays, Blue Lock's final episode should air on March 18th 2023.
Blue Lock's episode count follows in the footsteps of A Couple of Cuckoos, which aired in the same broadcasting slot and also run for two consecutive cours.
Blue Lock also follows in the footsteps of fellow soccer anime Ao Ashi, which also recently concluded after a 24-episode run.
What Studio is Producing Blue Lock?
The Blue Lock anime is being produced by 8bit. The animation studio is most known for producing That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime.
The anime is being directed by Tetsuaki Watanabe. It is his first big directorial role, although he has been an episode director on acclaimed sports anime Haikyuu and also Kabaneri of the Iron Fortress, which is often visually compared to Attack on Titan – note that Blue Lock's manga is illustrated by one of Attack on Titan's assistants.
Series composition and script are being handled by Taku Kishimoto, who has performed the same role in many successful anime including Haikyuu, Fruits Basket and Erased.
The main character Yoichi will be voiced by Kazuki Ura, a relatively inexperienced VA whose main work so far has been Doi in the infamous World’s End Harem.
The coach Jinpachi Ego, meanwhile, will be voiced by the popular Hiroshi Kamiya, who people will recognise as Attack on Titan’s Levi and One Piece’s Trafalgar Law.
Blue Lock's opening theme will be performed by Unison Square Garden, who recently performed the opening theme for Tiger & Bunny 2, and previously performed the theme song for Soul Eater.
Blue Lock's ending theme, meanwhile, will be performed by Shuugo Nakamura, who is also playing the side character Gin Gagamaru in the anime!
Blue Lock Trailer
Are you ready for one of the most hotly-anticipated sports anime in a long time? We’ll soon find out if Blue Lock can live up to the hype!
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