What is this place?
Huh? What the heck?
What's about to happen?
Episode 12
The Second Selection
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2nd Selection
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1st Stage
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"Blue Lock Man"?
A hologram?
They want me to score a goal?
It's getting smaller...
I see.
This is penalty area situational training.
You must assess the situation fast,
run into the space that's getting smaller by the second,
outwit the goalkeeper,
and grab a goal!
Sweet. Right on the money.
It's on the perfect line.
Seriously? He stopped that?!
That wasn't a high school-level save.
Wait, did a hologram just touch the ball?!
To clear the stage: 100 goals
Oh, I get it.
To clear the stage: 100 goals
I have to score 100 goals past this Blue Lock Man in 90 minutes to clear the stage.
To clear the stage: 100 goals
A lone battle that tests my ego in the penalty area.
I can't score a goal by just taking potshots.
You can't clear this room unless you have an exceptional weapon.
Interesting.
Bring it on.
There! From the left.
The goal's on the right this time.
I have to assess the space in a flash!
The ball's trajectory...
Feel the speed of it...
Efficiently glide toward where it'll fall...
Then gauge the distance to the goalie,
and hit it first-time!
All right, that works.
But this training is seriously amazing!
It recreates the final moments in front of goal,
which means I won't clear the stage if I don't hone my weapon and improve my shots.
This is good. I can do this.
My weapon works!
There are more holograms now?
Makes sense. It's a penalty area simulation, so there'd obviously be defenders.
There!
Ack! This is hard!
The difficulty level just shot up.
That won't work. I need to be more accurate.
I need to evolve or I won't clear this stage!
This training room lined with high-res panels that can fire balls from its walls at random
improves upon similar facilities used by Germany's top clubs to hone explosive power.
It can create situations based on each player's individual qualities.
Crucially, it has the Blue Lock Man system,
an AI hologram goalie programmed using data from world-class goalies.
A microchip sensor in the ball makes physical interactions with a hologram possible.
This is holographic sports technology.
I'll cut to the chase, Ego-san.
We're out of funds.
Shut up, Anri-chan.
This is exactly what I envisioned.
The way to clear this stage will change depending on how a player uses their skills.
For those who survived because others did the scoring for them,
this 90-minute stage will be a challenge.
But for a striker who can turn zero into one with their own weapon,
this is a place to hone and polish their skills so they evolve.
Test out how you use your weapon and feel your progress.
When you leave this room, you will all be on a whole new level as strikers.
Yeah!
To clear the stage: 100 goals
The three dummies appear at random.
Where the ball comes from, its trajectory, plus where the goalie is...
If I can get all that down...
I can grab a goal!
To clear the stage: 100 goals
It looks like those who are improving are making visible strides forward.
This training is incredible.
You haven't seen anything yet, Anri-chan.
This is just the beginning.
"Level: max"?!
L-Let's take a breath.
I just need to do the same as before.
That's crazy fast! And it's got spin, too!
It's tough to get good contact on it!
So this is what "Level: max" means?
Just like in a real game, high-level balls come at you, and the dummies move randomly.
This is an artificial recreation of what happens in the box in top-level matches.
Assessing the situation and responding. Quality shooting with accuracy.
And the stamina to sustain all that for 90 minutes.
Mind, technique, physical strength. You need all of them to pass this stage.
A pretender will find out just how powerless he is.
Damn it. I can't score at all.
But I can still keep running around, thanks to the physical conditioning we did.
Now that I'm here, I think I finally understand.
My goals were made possible because of Bachira's passes.
Unlike these erratic balls, he fed me with passes where and how I wanted them.
Kunigami drew the defenders toward him to become a wall for me.
Chigiri was always waiting for a pass from me in my field of vision.
Because of those guys, I was able to score goals.
I wasn't fighting alone.
But that's not good enough.
I want the kind of strength that allows me to fight alone!
I need to pull together all my skills. Prioritize what must be done.
Hone everything and focus. Let's do this!
Assess the situation in a flash!
Note where the defenders and goalie are,
then run directly to where I'll shoot from.
Gauge the trajectory and spin of the ball, then blast it into the top left corner!
No good.
Where it actually went
My spatial awareness and positioning are perfect,
Where Isagi was aiming
but my direct shot isn't going where I envision.
Damn it.
Trying again with the same mindset is pointless.
What I'm lacking right now is the technique to make good contact.
Bachira's passes were very easy to take first-time.
But the balls in this room are erratic and tough to connect with.
I see. Just blindly blasting it won't help.
I only need to use 80%... No, 70% of the power I've been using to shoot up to now.
In that final moment, I need to direct all of my attention to the point of impact!
This is it. This is the essence of my goal.
Tricks and formulas exist to score a simple direct shot!
Spatial awareness
Direct shot
Positioning Skill to make contact
Oh man. This is so much fun!
I keep discovering sides of me I didn't know about before!
That boy's improving rapidly.
We humans are creatures that only see what we want to see.
Becoming aware of your limitations changes how you see and think about everything.
Right now, he must be...
Yeah!
trembling at his own evolution.
2nd Selection 1st Stage
I've never thought so deeply about the shots I take before.
I know I can get even stronger!
Form a team of 3 and proceed
Is this the second stage?
Form a team of 3 and proceed
A team of three?
Form a team of 3 and proceed
Nagi and Reo are here, too.
Oh, right. A team of three means they must be waiting for Zantetsu.
Oh, hey, Isagi's here.
Bachira!
Yay!
Reunited again!
Good job. Congrats on clearing the stage.
Oh, I see.
So all we have to do for the second stage is form a team?
Who do you want to fill the last spot?
Huh?
Me plus you leaves one spot free.
So he just went ahead and decided we were on the same team, huh?
Not that I mind.
Who should we pick?
Let's see...
The players that come to mind who I'd want are...
Kunigami or Chigiri, I guess.
Nice.
But since it's a team of three, we can only pick one. So which would you prefer?
How about teaming up with the one who gets here first?
Sounds good.
And that will be our new team.
Great.
Hey, Isagi Yoichi.
Want to join our team?
Huh?
Come join our team.
Hey now, Nagi. This is the guy you wanted to team up with?
Yeah.
In the game against his team, he was the most impressive.
I want to play soccer with him.
Well, you heard him.
Now what? You accepting the offer?
Of course not.
I'm teaming up with you, Bachira.
I'm sorry, Nagi.
But I can't join you alone.
There you go.
I see. Then...
I'll join Isagi's team.
What?
Huh?
That solves the problem, right?
What...
What are you talking about, Nagi?
You're teaming up with me. That's a must.
What are you thinking? What about me?!
Reo, you taught me soccer.
You and I will become the best in the world.
That is certain.
But we did lose.
We weren't the strongest.
To understand this feeling of frustration I experienced for the first time,
I want to play soccer with him.
I really want to give it my all.
Are you serious?
Do what you want.
What do you think, Isagi?
If I could get Kunigami or Chigiri, I'd feel reassured.
And I know that's the best way. But...
But...
I also want to...
Join us, Nagi.
Yup.
Form a team of 3 and proceed
Isagi Yoichi Bachira Meguru Nagi Seishiro
proceed to the 3rd stage
See you later, Reo. I'll wait for you on the other side.
Looking forward to it, Nagicchi!
Yeah, likewise.
He looked a little sad.
Are you actually a cold person?
Huh? I guess I'd be lying if I said I don't miss him.
But I was more excited to join you two.
Shouldn't I be following that aspect of my ego?
That's the kind of place Blue Lock is.
That's right. Only egoists survive here.
If they're true egoists, I'll see them again after this stage.
So for now...
Nagi, let's work together.
Yes, let's.
With this team, I don't see how we can lose!
Seriously. Are we the strongest or what?
Let's go.
We will win!
Itoshi Rin!
Hello there, diamonds in the rough.
This is the third stage of the second selection.
Team battles of three-on-three.
We're facing this guy right off the bat?!
Kunigami!
Chigiri!
Good job on clearing the first stage.
You're the only familiar face I see.
I talked to the others, and it seems Isagi, Bachira, and Nagi formed a team
Form a team of 3 and proceed
and went on ahead.
For real?
So they left me behind, huh? That pisses me off.
Yeah. My thoughts exactly.
So, Kunigami, I have a proposal.
Y'know, Chigiri, I reckon I might be thinking the same thing.
Let's team up.
The third stage is a situation battle of three-man teams in a mini-game format.
Blue Lock Man will be the goalie for both teams,
and the first team to score five goals wins.
And the winning team...
will get to steal a player from the losing team to create a four-man team.
1 player yoinked
Steal a player?
Oh, it sounds like that game. You know the one. It's called, uh...
Red Rover.
Yeah, that's it.
4-Man Team
As you progress through the stage, you acquire more players.
4-Man Team
If you're able to make a team of five and get to the fifth stage,
4-Man Team
5-Man Team
4-Man Team
5-Man Team
4-Man Team
5-Man Team
4-Man Team
5-Man Team
4-Man Team
5-Man Team
4-Man Team
5-Man Team
that team passes the second selection.
2nd Selection
And what happens to the losing team?
They go back down with their remaining members.
If you lose the game of two-on-two,
and you don't get picked by the winning team, you're disqualified.
Disqualified
That's the full picture of the second selection where you steal your rivals: the Rivalry Battle.
You're free to choose which team you battle.
Both teams must agree to play a match.
So more teams of three will be showing up here?
I guess so.
In that case, these guys don't have to be our opponents.
If we can steal a player when we win,
then shouldn't we choose which team to play based on who we want?
Exactly.
Who you battle will be the key to clearing this stage.
To serve as an index for you, I will now announce new Blue Lock rankings.
Naturally, there are no fake rankings this time.
New BL Ranking
This is the order in which you passed the first stage.
New BL Ranking
You stand here because you're all players who can turn zero into one on the field.
Hurl your "one" at another's, mix them together, and enhance each other to survive.
Only strikers who dominate the chemical reaction between ego and ego
will get a ticket to the next stage.
Use any means necessary to win.
From here on, it's a battle of stealing friends or rivals.
That's a pretty nasty rule.
In short, we advance by winning and forming a team of five?
Yup.
But anyway, it looks like we can take our time picking our opponent.
What do you want to do, Isagi?
Should we wait for someone new or...
Oh man, oh man!
New BL Ranking
I don't want to do this.
If we lose...
no one will pick me.
And if I lose again after that?
Then I'll be all alone!
No, no, no! I don't want this!
Huh? His confidence seems to be rock bottom.
If we play, it's gotta be against fourth, fifth, and sixth.
New BL Ranking
That's the glam thing to do.
Beating those bumpkins over there won't make me look beautiful.
Shut up. I don't care who we play.
New BL Ranking
I'll just win and move on.
You two are here to make up the numbers.
Huh?
I admit your whole look is glam,
but who do you think you are, disregarding me like that?
H-Hey now. Please don't fight.
What's up with these guys? Aren't they a team?
"Glam"?
I think he means "glamorous."
Don't get me wrong.
We're only a team because we passed that last stage quickly.
You're nothing but stepping stones to me.
You and this Blue Lock.
I can join the U-20s national team if I win this thing.
I'm only here to exploit that system.
Everything I do is for the purpose of getting onto the national team
and surpassing my big brother.
Crushing Itoshi Sae is everything to me in soccer.
I knew it. This guy is...
He's the little brother of that genius midfielder, Itoshi Sae.
Man, how egoistic is this guy?
There are only weirdos in that team.
Hmph. Even your upbringing is glam.
You're worthy of being my teammate.
Teaming up with a star like him?
I know I'll only drag him down.
Bachira. Nagi. I'm sorry.
Huh?
I know this is risky, but...
So you don't care who you play?
What?
My ego is telling me:
Play us.
I wanna fight him!
That's the spirit!
That was my plan.
Huh?
Are you talking to me?
More importantly...
Sure. I don't care who I play.
I want this guy!
Blue Lock, Additional Time.
A
Additional Time!
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Blue Lock
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Blue Lock
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Additional Time!
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Additional Time!
Goodbye, bro.
His Bro Speaks!
This is as far as I go.
When you become the best striker in the world,
Wanima Keisuke
I'll become a TV personality as your impersonator.
My stage name will be "Keisuke Davidson."
Wanima Junichi
See ya, bro!
Make sure you survive!
Isagi Yoichi
Bachira Meguru
Leave it to me, Keisuke.
I will crush those who have separated us!
That's what I'm saying.
Wait, he just...
He can speak normally?
GLARE
GRRR
GLARE
GRRR
ZOOM
GLARE
GRRR
ZOOM
GLARE
GRRR
What a weirdo!
Scary!