Episode 8

* Title
* Additional Time

**The Formula for Goals** (成功 (ゴール) の方程式, *Gōru no Hōteishiki*?) is the 8th episode of the Blue Lock anime series.

## Synopsis

Team Z managed to hold onto a sliver of hope for surviving the first selection. But the sticky situation never ends, with them forced to play 10-on-11 against the strongest team in the group due to Kuon's betrayal. Even a draw would make them disqualified, so winning is the only option for them. Under such a circumstance, Isagi goes to meet with a certain someone to attain the secret of the formula for goals, so that the team can win, and he can be a scorer himself.

## Summary

Iemon explains that Match 9 between Team Y and Team W ended in a draw, with Ikki Niko scoring the equalizer. Because of this, Team Z is now in third place and they have left a game against Team V. If they draw, Team Z won't proceed due to a worse goal difference, so they must win in order to continue. Raichi notes that Kuon is hearing their plan, but Naruhaya states that now no one will make a deal with him. Chigiri is surprised that Niko scored as he usually doesn't take the shots himself, but Bachira states he got inspired by Isagi. Iemon continues to explain the strongest players from Team V, noting that the trio had scored 18 goals in three games. Zantetsu Tsurugi - five goals, Reo Mikage - six goals, and Seishiro Nagi - seven goals. Iemon states that if they don't stop them, they can't win.

Tsurugi notes that Nagi left the practice earlier. He tries to tell him that he shouldn't do it too often, but Mikage states that Nagi doesn't even need to practice. Tsurugi states that Mikage spoils him, and Mikage confirms that Nagi is his treasure. Mikage recalls his past. He was born into a rich family of a businessman and was meant to succeed his father one day. He could have anything he wants, but he was bored and there was nothing he wants. He felt that if he can get something easily, then it doesn't have worth, and wanted a treasure that will be his alone. One day, Mikage sees the World Cup and sets its eyes on it. He tells his father about it, but his father is against it. He explains that he is starting practicing football too late and won't be able to become a pro, and also he is meant to succeed in his business. Mikage is annoyed and decides to first make his school the National champions and then work towards the World Cup. However as the school is a prestigious prep school, its football team is quite weak. While wondering what to do, he ends up bumping into Nagi who was gaming on his phone. Nagi ends up dropping his phone, but jumps down the stairs and catches it with its leg. Seeing that, Mikage is impressed by his control and wonders if he is on the football team. Nagi recognizes Mikage as the son of the rich guy and asks him for money, while explaining that he hasn't played any sports and just wants to chill and do nothing for the rest of his life. Mikage tells him that if he works hard, he can become a pro player, but hearing "work hard" Nagi loses interest as it sounds like too much hassle. Believing he is chosen to be a pro, Mikage decides that he wants him for himself. He tells Nagi that he doesn't need to change and asks him to play football with him.

Raichi still hasn't forgiven Kuon and wants them to take turns punching him. Isagi stops him, stating that they may end up injuring him and that they need him as the 11th player to win. Kuon states he won't be playing and even if Team Z loses, he will advance as the team's top scorer. Kunigami wonders if Kuon still won't play if Kunigami ends up scoring 3 goals, resulting in becoming the top scorer with 4 goals. Kuon doesn't believe he can score 3 goals with 10 people against Team V, but Kunigami is confident. Kuon tells him to go and try, noting that he knows you can't play football alone, better than anyone. He dreams of winning the World Cup and can't end up losing due to his teammates. Bachira then wonders who will advance if the top scorers have an equal number of goals. His teammates tell him it's the one with fewer yellow cards, but Bachira then wonders if that is equal as well, what happens.

Ego then shows up on the screen and states it's the player with a higher Blue Lock ranking. As Kuon is currently the top-ranked in Team Z, he feels safe. Raichi is angry that a traitor is the highest ranked and Ego explains that in the first selection, scoring is the only thing assessed. However, Ego adds that as a striker, Kuon is crap. He may feel he survived a life-and-death situation, but his play had no value. The best striker in the world should be able to reproduce their goals, and the more dramatic they are, the more impressive they are. A lot of players can score an impressive goal, but they can't reproduce it. The reason is that their goals were products of luck. And a rigged goal brought about by betrayal is trash with zero reproducibility. Right now they need the formula to create scoring opportunities. They need to analyze how, when, and under what circumstances their weapon helped them score. They can only evolve if they have nailed reproducibility. They shouldn't rely on a chance to win, but win the game because they are meant to.

Isagi thinks of Ego's words but knows that his weapon isn't fit to do everything alone. He feels they won't be able to win unless they evolve. He goes to the practice room where Shoei Baro is, a top scorer of his team with 10 goals. Baro wonders what he wants and Isagi asks him how can he be more like him. In an instant, Baro kicks a ball at Isagi's face, telling him to use his brain. Isagi states that Baro can score on his own and he is the strongest player he ever met. Isagi doesn't want this to end and wants to be able to score alone. Baro states he will crush his dream-filled ego and goes one-on-one with Isagi. Isagi decides to steal the ball when he can. Baro takes a turn and before even passing Isagi, he shoots and scores. Isagi asks him to do it again. Annoyed, Baro starts with the ball again. Isagi sticks to him, not wanting to give him a chance to shoot, but Baro then does a feint and still frees himself and scores at the same spot as before. Isagi then thinks if Baro has a formula for scoring. He gives the ball back to Baro and states he will stop him next time. Isagi then predicts that the position, distance, and angle Baro aims to reach so that he can take a fast bending shot to the top-right corner. Isagi figures that he won't shoot outside his aimed area and that he can't score from anywhere, but by reaching his desired area, the chances of his scoring goes up exponentially. In a game with opponents, he can't enter the area easily, to enter, he needs a burst of speed, which is why he needs his incredible physique. However, Baro states that his range isn't 23 meters as Isagi guessed, but 27 meters, and takes the shot from the 27th meter and scores again. Isagi is excited at how good Baro is and thanks him for teaching him. Baro states he didn't teach him anything but made him realize he is on the field.

Isagi returns to the sleeping room. He figured out Baro's weapon and formula, but it's not something he can copy. Isagi's weapon is spacial awareness, but by itself, that isn't something that can help him score. Isagi sees that his hands are shaking and realizes he is scared since if they lose tomorrow, it's the end of his career. Igarashi is awake and also trembles in fear of his career-ending Secretly, everyone except Bachira is also awake. Isagi states that they are fighting because they are scared and fear is making them grow strong. Isagi is sure they will win as they are not done yet.

25 minutes before the start of the last game, Iemon reveals the positions of the team. Due to their shooting skills, the front three would be Kunigami, Gagamaru, and Chigiri. As the other team's offensive skills are off the chart, they will be playing more defensively and aim to score with a quick counterattack. Since they are only 10, that's their most practical strategy. Raichi tells Kuon to stay in the corner for the 90 minutes, and if he touches the ball, he will kill him. Kuon is fine with that, noting that he won't to get an injury and affect his performance in the second selection. While they are going out on the field, Bachira asks Isagi that if they lose, would it mean they can't play any more football together. He finds that sad and notes he will be giving his all.

The game starts. Isagi notes they studied the enemy team pattern and the initiator of all their attacks is Mikage. Bachira and Isagi block him, which forces Mikage to pass to Tsurugi, all of which Team Z is aware of. Isagi notes that Tsurugi tends to score mid-range shots from a tighter angle on the right side of the goal, however that path is blocked by Raichi and Imamura. With this, he predictable passes to Nagi and Igarashi easily interrupts and steals the ball. Team Z's counterattack starts and Isagi passes to Bachira. Only a few of Team Z are involved in the attack so they keep their defense up. Bachira then gives a super-long pass to Gagamaru, who does a head dive but hits the post. Seeing this, Mikage gets any more. He tells Nagi he wants to try that move. He gives a super long pass, copying Bachira. Nagi then jumps and catches the ball with his leg, managing to calm and control it. Nagi then takes a shot and scores, leaving Iemon unable to react. Nagi then states it was easy and wonders why they couldn't do it before that.

## Additional Time

### Wife Material Reo

Nagi asks Mikage to remind him of the rules of football. Mikage tells him that all he needs to do is receive the pass he gives him and score. Later, Mikage chooses Nagi's cleats as he finds it too bothersome to choose. Nagi is tired after practice and Mikage decides to give him a piggyback ride. Later, he gives Nagi a massage. In the evening, Mikage gives Nagi a ride on his bike and as Nagi finds it too troublesome, Mikage states he will pick him up tomorrow after class to take him to practice.

## Characters by Appearance

* Okuhito Iemon
* Gurimu Igarashi
* Yoichi Isagi
* Meguru Bachira
* Rensuke Kunigami
* Hyoma Chigiri
* Gin Gagamaru
* Yudai Imamura
* Wataru Kuon
* Jingo Raichi
* Asahi Naruhaya
* Zantetsu Tsurugi
* Reo Mikage
* Seishiro Nagi
* Jinpachi Ego
* Shoei Baro