After Japan’s disappointing exit from the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the Japanese Football Union launches a new program to identify talented high school players for intensive training ahead of the 2022 tournament. Among those selected is Isagi Youichi, a promising forward who had just missed his team’s chance to reach Nationals. In a crucial moment, he passed to a less capable teammate instead of taking the shot himself—a decision that cost them the game.
The program is led by the unorthodox coach Ego Jinpachi, who aims to revolutionize Japan’s football culture by abandoning what he calls “loser mentality.” His radical approach involves locking 300 young strikers in a high-pressure training facility named “Blue Lock.” There, they’ll undergo extreme drills designed to forge the ultimate selfish striker—one who prioritizes personal glory over teamwork.
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