The NEL is the sixth arc of the Blue Lock manga, starting in chapter 152, and is the longest arc, spanning roughly 44% of the series’ chapters as of 2024. It marks the second phase of the Blue Lock Project, transforming it into a global entertainment spectacle broadcast via Blue Lock TV. Following Blue Lock’s victory over Japan’s U-20 team, Jinpachi Ego, the project’s mastermind, gains full control of Japan’s national team and secures massive funding from investors. He uses these resources to create a high-stakes tournament to hone players’ skills and select the top 23 for the U-20 World Cup.
Teams and Countries: The NEL involves five elite U-20 teams from major footballing nations—
- Germany (Bastard München)
- England (Manshine City)
- Spain (FC Barcha)
- France (PXG)
- Italy (Ubers)
Blue Lock players, along with former Japan U-20 regulars, choose one of these teams to train under, based on their playstyles and desired growth. Each team is led by a legendary “Master Striker” (e.g., Noel Noa for Bastard München, Lavinho for FC Barcha) who mentors the players but can only play for three minutes per match.
The NEL is a hyper-competitive league where teams face off in matches designed to push players to their limits. The focus is on individual performance rather than team success, aligning with Blue Lock’s philosophy of fostering ego-driven strikers.
Player Division in Each Team
1. Bastard München (Germany)
- Master Striker: Noel Noa
- Playstyle: Disciplined, rational football emphasizing efficiency and structure.
- Key Players:
- Yoichi Isagi (Forward, Blue Lock) – Central figure, uses Meta Vision and Raumdeuter tactics.
- Michael Kaiser (Forward, Germany) – Star striker with Kaiser Impact, a top global talent.
- Rensuke Kunigami (Forward, Blue Lock) – Power-based striker, Wild Card graduate.
- Kenyu Yukimiya (Forward, Blue Lock) – Skilled winger with vision-based play.
- Hiori Yo (Midfielder, Blue Lock) – Playmaker with precise passing.
- Ranze Kurona (Midfielder, Blue Lock) – Supports Isagi with quick link-up play.
- Gin Gagamaru (Goalkeeper, Blue Lock) – Reflexive keeper with a sixth sense.
- Jingo Raichi (Midfielder, Blue Lock) – Defensive midfielder with stamina.
- Birkenstock (Defender, Germany) – Defensive anchor, supports Kaiser.
- Gesner (Forward, Germany) – Winger, complements Kaiser’s plays.
- Grim (Midfielder, Germany) – Playmaker, competes with Isagi for starting spot.
- Notes: Bastard München’s lineup focuses on a balanced, tactical approach. Isagi and Kaiser often compete for the striker role, with Noa rotating players based on performance. Bench players like Yukimiya and Hiori frequently sub in.
2. Manshine City (England)
- Master Striker: Chris Prince
- Playstyle: High-speed, offensive football with a focus on physicality and flair.
- Key Players:
- Seishiro Nagi (Forward, Blue Lock) – Trap specialist, relies on creative finishing.
- Reo Mikage (Midfielder, Blue Lock) – Versatile playmaker, supports Nagi.
- Hyoma Chigiri (Winger, Blue Lock) – Speed-based left winger, excels in counterattacks.
- Adam Blake (Forward, England) – Physical striker, mentored by Chris Prince.
- Agard (Defender, England) – Defensive support for fast-paced attacks.
- Dudley (Midfielder, England) – Midfield engine, links defense and attack.
- Notes: Manshine City’s core revolves around Nagi, Reo, and Chigiri, with foreign players like Adam Blake adding physicality. The team’s high-octane style suits Chigiri’s speed but struggles defensively, as seen in their 3-2 loss to FC Barcha.
3. FC Barcha (Spain)
- Master Striker: Lavinho
- Playstyle: Creative, freeform football inspired by Brazilian flair and improvisation.
- Key Players:
- Meguru Bachira (Forward, Blue Lock) – Dribbling maestro, thrives on instinct.
- Eita Otoya (Winger, Blue Lock) – Shadow Striker, excels in stealthy runs.
- Vasco (Midfielder, Spain) – Playmaker, supports Lavinho’s flair.
- Silva (Defender, Spain) – Defensive anchor, enables attacking freedom.
- Unai (Forward, Spain) – Secondary striker, complements Bachira’s creativity.
- Notes: FC Barcha’s lineup emphasizes individual flair, with Bachira and Otoya as standout Blue Lock players. Lavinho’s influence encourages freedom, leading to their 3-2 victory over Manshine City, where Bachira’s interception was decisive.
4. Paris X Gen (PXG, France)
- Master Striker: Marc Snuffy (Malta)
- Playstyle: Strategic, high-IQ football with a focus on precision and adaptability.
- Key Players:
- Rin Itoshi (Forward, Blue Lock) – Monstrous striker, uses spatial awareness.
- Ryusei Shidou (Forward, Blue Lock) – Explosive striker, thrives on instinct.
- Tabito Karasu (Midfielder, Blue Lock) – Defensive midfielder with tactical vision.
- Zantetsu Tsurugi (Midfielder, Blue Lock) – Speedy midfielder, supports Rin.
- Julian Loki (Forward, France) – 17-year-old prodigy, a top global talent.
- Charles Chevalier (Midfielder, France) – Erratic playmaker, pairs with Shidou.
- Pablo Cavasoz (Forward, Argentina) – Agile striker, adds attacking depth.
- Kairu Saramadara (Defender, Blue Lock) – Defensive support, lesser role.
- Tokimitsu Aoshi (Defender, Blue Lock) – Physical defender, bench player.
- Notes: PXG’s lineup is stacked with talent, featuring Rin and Shidou as rival strikers and Loki as a global star. The team’s strategic depth made them formidable, though they lost 3-2 to Bastard München in the final NEL match.
5. Ubers (Italy)
- Master Striker: Unknown (possibly Marc Snuffy in some contexts, but not confirmed)
- Playstyle: Defensive, counterattacking football with a focus on teamwork and structure.
- Key Players:
- Shoei Barou (Forward, Blue Lock) – Powerhouse striker, dominates with mid-range shots.
- Ikki Niko (Defender, Blue Lock) – Defensive strategist, uses foresight.
- Jyubei Aryu (Defender, Blue Lock) – Tall defender, excels in aerial duels.
- Don Lorenzo (Defender, Italy) – Defensive leader, supports Barou.
- Sendo (Forward, Japan U-20) – Former U-20 regular, secondary striker.
- Neru (Defender, Japan U-20) – Defensive support, lesser role.
- Notes: Ubers’ lineup prioritizes a solid defensive core, with Barou as the focal point of counterattacks. Niko and Aryu’s defensive contributions complement Barou’s offensive dominance, though the team lacks the flair of PXG or FC Barcha.
Blue Lock Auction: Players are ranked based on their on-field performances, judged by bids from professional football clubs worldwide. These bids reflect contract offers and determine a player’s value. Higher performance leads to higher bids, and the top 23 players by auction rankings are selected for the U-20 World Cup team. For example, Yoichi Isagi saw a bid increase of +¥223,000,000, while Seishiro Nagi faced a decrease of -¥64,000,000.
Key Features of Neo Egoist League
- Global Stage: Unlike earlier Blue Lock phases, the NEL introduces international prodigies like Michael Kaiser (Germany) and Marc Snuffy (Malta), exposing Blue Lock players to world-class competition. This elevates the stakes and showcases diverse football philosophies.
- Egoism and Neo Egoism: The NEL emphasizes “Neo Egoism,” a refined form of the series’ core theme of ego-driven play. Players rediscover or evolve their unique playing styles, with characters like Meguru Bachira and Yoichi Isagi undergoing significant growth. For instance, Isagi develops his “Meta Vision” to predict plays, while Bachira embraces creative freedom.
- Entertainment Aspect: The league is streamed globally on Blue Lock TV, turning the training into a spectacle that attracts massive viewership and sponsorships, reflecting Ego’s vision of revolutionizing Japanese football.
Significance of Neo Egoist League
The NEL is a turning point in Blue Lock, escalating the narrative from a national to an international stage. It challenges players to compete against global talents, refine their egos, and stand out as strikers. The arc is lauded for its character development (e.g., Isagi, Rin Itoshi, and Michael Kaiser) and intense matches, though some fans criticize its length. It sets the stage for the U-20 World Cup, with the final rankings determining who makes the team. Notably, fan-favorite Seishiro Nagi ranked 24th, missing the cut, which sparked significant discussion.
Impact on the Story
The NEL reshapes the Blue Lock Project by introducing global competition, new characters, and heightened stakes. It forces players to confront their weaknesses, as seen with Nagi’s elimination due to his reliance on Reo, paralleling Isagi’s earlier struggles. The arc’s focus on individual growth and rivalries (e.g., Isagi vs. Kaiser, Rin vs. Isagi) makes it a fan-favorite, with posts on X calling it “insane” and praising its exploration of talent versus genius.
