Chapter 1

**Dream** (夢 (ゆめ) , *Yume*?) is the first chapter of the Blue Lock manga series.

## Summary

Following Japan's 2018 World Cup loss in the R-16 stage, Anri Teieri, a new Japan Football Union hire, raises concerns and suggests creating a plan for improvement in a conference meeting.

However, Chairman Hirotoshi Buratsuta asserts that profits are satisfactory and views soccer purely as a business. He nonchalantly proposes hiring or dismissing new coaches, based on performance. According to him, as long as the Union represents Japan, profits will continue to accrue effortlessly. In response to Anri's silent disapproval, he challenges her, questioning the accountability of her proposed reform if it impacts profitability.

He fools around by cracking a pun about Ivica Osim or Maya Yoshida (version based), sparking laughter among the others. Undeterred, Anri asserts that despite the progress of Japan's soccer, winning the World Cup may remain elusive if the current situation persists.

Buratsuta derides her, questioning her genuine belief in Japan's World Cup victory. An annoyed Anri asserts her conviction, stating that winning the World Cup is indeed her dream. She goes on to argue that the prevailing perception of Japan's passing style as effective is what hampers their progress.

While eyeing her bosom like the rest, Buratsuta asks about her strategy. Anri responds by presenting a plan to cultivate an ultimate player and introduces Jinpachi Ego, a coach capable of transforming the fundamentals of Japanese soccer.

Meanwhile, the National High School Soccer Qualifiers are underway in the Saitama Prefecture Finals between Ichinan High and Matsukaze High in which the latter leads 1-0 in the dying embers. Yoichi Isagi of Ichinan High, determined to secure a spot in the Nationals, dribbles past three defenders, setting up a crucial one-on-one against Matsukaze High's goalkeeper, Shohei Inara.

Tomonori Tada signals for a right flank pass at Ichinan High, while the coach echos the team motto 'One for All and All for One.' Isagi complies, but Tada's shot hits the woodwork. In a counterattack, Matsukaze High's Ryosuke Kira dribbles past a player, scoring a last-minute goal for a 0-2 victory, securing their spot in the Nationals.

As Tada apologizes to his team, Kira is interviewed about his selection to Japan's U-18 National team. Kira prioritizes the Nationals and attributes his success to his teammates. In his closing speech, Isagi's coach tearfully advises that the loss holds meaning and proudly declares Ichinan High as the best in Japan.

Dismissing the idea, Isagi sees his team as one that fell short of Nationals qualification, and himself as a no-name forward. On his way home, he reflects on his favorite player, Noel Noa, a French Forward and the 2018 Player of the Year. Isagi reminisces about his childhood, watching Noa, and feeling inspired to play soccer.

Struggling to accept his fading dream of becoming a pro and leading Japan to the World Cup, Isagi reflects on passing the ball and contemplates whether his fate would be different if he took the shot. Rejecting these what-ifs, he asserts their pointlessness, emphasizing that soccer is a team sport. Torn by conflicting thoughts, he lets out a frustrated scream and sheds tears, lamenting the desire for victory.

Upon arriving home, Isagi's mother informs him of a letter from the Japan Football Union, inviting him to a Special Player Training program. Despite his parents' lack of interest in soccer, they express genuine happiness and his father offers an apology. Isagi, on the other hand, ponders the reason behind his selection.

The next day, Isagi arrives at the Union building, still contemplating his selection. Despite his uncertainty, he's relieved that someone noticed him and hopes it's not another one of Tada's pranks. He encounters Kira, who praises him for his impressive field perspective and high soccer IQ. Isagi is surprised by the praise and impressed by Kira's friendly nature. Grateful for the recognition, he feels a sense of validation.

Upon entering, they are met with a large crowd, and Kira points out notable players like Hibiki Okawa of Sennou High, Hajime Nishioka of Aomori High, and Yukio Ishikari, the tallest high school player. A man begins his speech, congratulating the players and stating that they are the top 300 U-18 forwards according to his personal criteria.

Introducing himself as Jinpachi Ego, his task is to secure a World Cup victory for Japan. Ego asserts that to be the world's best, Japan needs a revolutionary striker. He outlines his plan for an experiment to forge this striker, utilizing the facility, Blue Lock as a means to this end. Emphasizing that only the last man standing will claim the title of the world's best, Ego informs the players that their current soccer careers are over, and they must live at the facility to undergo intensive training.

Kira opposes the idea, emphasizing that their current teams and Nationals take precedence, gaining support from others. Disgusted, Ego tells them to leave, expressing disappointment that Japan's soccer future appears grim when young players prioritize high school championships over global excellence. He declares that, aside from Japan's teamwork, everything else is second-rate.

Rhetorically, Ego questions the players about what soccer means to them, stating that the idea of eleven people combining powers is incorrect. He argues that soccer, at its core, is solely about scoring goals, even at the expense of the team. Exasperated, Kira asks Ego to retract his words, finding it insulting to heroes like Honda, Kagawa, and others who have played vital roles in shaping the national lineup.
Ego mocks the mentioned players, for their lack of World Cup victories. He cites Noa, Eric Cantona, and Pele, all who quoted egoistical remarks, yet regarded as revolutionary strikers. Ego argues that this ego is what Japanese soccer lacks, asserting that only the greatest egoist can be the greatest striker. He then enacts a hypothetical scenario, emphasizing that a true egoist would unhesitatingly take the shot in a one-on-one with the keeper, even with an open teammate nearby. According to Ego, only such players are permitted into Blue Lock.

His last message emphasizes that soccer as a sport for strikers, categorizing everyone else as supports. He urges them to discard common sense, stating that on the field, the striker is the star. Ego asserts that players should live and rejoice solely for their goals, defining this as the essence of being a striker. A conflicted yet entranced Isagi instinctively runs through the gate, sparking a chain reaction, all driven by the aspiration of becoming the best striker.

With all 300 players having passed through, Anri entrusts the future of Japanese soccer to Ego. He declares that Blue Lock's aim is to create one great striker amid 299 failures, emphasizing that Blue Lock is where the game reaches its peak intensity in the world.

## Characters in Order of Appearance

1. Anri Teieri
2. Jyubei Aryu
3. Okuhito Iemon
4. Hibiki Okawa
5. Aoshi Tokimitsu
6. Ikki Niko
7. Jingo Raichi
8. Asahi Naruhaya
9. Keisuke Wanima
10. Hajime Nishioka
11. Yudai Imamura
12. Zantetsu Tsurugi
13. Yukio Ishikari
14. Junichi Wanima
15. Hirotoshi Buratsuta
16. Gin Gagamaru
17. Jinpachi Ego
18. Wataru Kuon
19. Yoichi Isagi
20. Hyoma Chigiri
21. Rensuke Kunigami
22. Meguru Bachira
23. Ryousuke Kira
24. Gurimu Igarashi
25. Reo Mikage
26. Noel Noa
27. Eric Cantona
28. Pele
29. Lionel Messi (mentioned)
30. Cristiano Ronaldo (mentioned)

## Trivia

* Based on the setting and events following, real and fictional, it can be assumed that the series starts in December 2018.
	+ Japan loses 3-2 to Belgium in the R-16 stage in 2018 FIFA World Cup.
	+ Nationals for high school football started in the last week of December.
	+ The 2019 U-20 FIFA World Cup started in the last but one week of May.
* Association Football, commonly known as football around the world, is called soccer in the manga despite a general dislike of the usage among fans worldwide.
	+ In Japan, soccer or sakkā (サッカー) is the more common usage for the sport.
	+ Soccer, assumed to be Americanism, originated at the University of Oxford in the 1880s.
	+ It was to differ between Rugby Football (rugger) and Association Football (assoccer).
* When the chairman of JFU, Hirotoshi Buratsuta cracks his pun during the conference meeting, that person mentioned changes based on the version.
	+ Ivica Osim, a Bosnian football manager, managed Japan’s national team during 2006-07.
	+ Maya Yoshida, a Japanese centre-back, plays for LA Galaxy and was a captain for Japan.
	+ Oka-chan refers to Takeshi Okada who replaced Osim as the national team’s manager.
* Multiple players have been referenced during the Blue Lock’s introduction in both Ego’s speech and Kira’s argument.
	+ Noel Noa is a fictional player introduced in Blue Lock manga.
	+ Eric Cantona is often considered one of the greatest players of his generation.
	+ Pele, Ronaldo and Messi are players who are part of the greatest ever debate.
	+ Honda may be referencing to Keisuke Honda, a versatile Japanese forward.
	+ Kagawa could be Shinji Kagawa, one of the best Japanese players of all time.
* Based on Tada’s positioning, there should have been an offside call for Isagi’s pass.