Episode 9

* Title
* Additional Time

**Awakening** (覚醒, *Kakusei*?) is the 9th episode of the Blue Lock anime series.

## Synopsis

The stakes are high with the match against Team V. In the first half, Team Z is overwhelmed by Team V's super trio, Seishiro Nagi, Reo Mikage, and Zantetsu Tsurugi. Especially the formidable attack of Nagi and Mikage pair, who have only started playing soccer six months ago with no record of losing, is enough to break their spirits. When everyone is about to give up, Meguru Bachira's play sets fire on the ego in their hearts. In the last match of the first selection, under an extreme circumstance, the awakening of the diamonds in the rough, just as Ego wanted, has begun.

## Summary

Team V takes the lead. Nagi wants to play hooky now, but Mikage states he can do after he scores five more goals. Seeing the goal Nagi scored, the high level technique and control he showcased, Isagi feels they are against a monster.

Team Z tries to shake it off and start an attack. Kunigami tries getting in his range for shooting, but Mikage steals the ball guessing he couldn't reach his shooting range. Kunigami attempts to retake the ball, but Mikage protects it and then gives another long pass to Nagi. However, this time instead of completely controlling and stopping the ball, Nagi taps it and then does a bicycle kick, scoring his second goal in the game. Raichi starts blaming Kunigami for loosing the ball, but Isagi stops them, because if they lose the game, they are all out and need to give their best to win.

Starting from the center again, Isagi attempts to use their last weapon, Chigiri. He gives him a long pass and Chigiri chases it, but is surprised to see Tsurugi catching up to his speed and even taking the ball before him. Tsurugi gives the ball to Mikage. Isagi states he will pass to Nagi again. Naruhaya decides to join Igarashi and Raichi to help protect Nagi, but seeing this Mikage then gives the ball to Tsurugi. As too many people protect Nagi, Tsurugi has more free ground and easily takes a shot, increasing their lead to 3-0. With 3-0, Isagi believes that no one in their team believes in the victory anymore.

However, Bachira gets excited and finds their trio to be amazing. Isagi states its 3-0 already, but Bachira giving him a serious look, asks Isagi if he is scared. Bachira notes that their goals were super special, but the solution is easy, they need to be super special too. Starting with the ball, Bachira states that if their weapons and formulas didn't work, if they manage to score now, it will mean they have surpassed their limits. The monster inside Bachira tells him that when they are in a desperate situation, they should be excited and not scared. Bachira faces Mikage and uses ultra-fast step overs, followed by a roulette spin to bypass Mikage. Tsurugi immediately catches to Bachira, who then does a lob, lifting the ball in the air. As he catches it again with his leg, he changes its trajectory to the right, but quickly changes it again to the left, doing an air elastico, surprising Tsurugi with the feint and passing him too. Bachira then faces three more people from Team V, noting that if he can't pass them, he isn't on the level of being the best striker. Isagi is surprised to see how happy Bachira looks, but notes that he is right and he should enjoy the game if its going to be his last serious game in his career. Bachira manages to pass the three guys and facing the goal keeper, he kicks a rabona and scores.

Team Z is excited and Igarashi feels he can break his limit too. Kunigami congratulates Bachira, but states that surpassing limits isn't just being reckless. In Bachira's case, the goal was born due to his weapon: his dribbling. He explains that the limit means their formula, which in this game doesn't work, so they need to find new ones in order to score. Bachira confirms, stating he tried all this because he was inspired. Kunigami states they need to try new things in this game and evolve, or they will lose. As the game continues, Isagi tells Raichi to cover Mikage as with his physique, they can pincer him. Isagi then tells Chigiri and Gagamaru to cover the space that opens up. He explains that they need to stop Mikage before he sets up Nagi. Raichi is annoyed, but agrees. Having no choice, Mikage then passes to Tsurugi and Chigiri starts chasing him. Tsurugi outruns Chigiri, but Chigiri manages to keep up and touch the ball as Tsurugi passes and change its trajectory. Nagi still manages to get the ball and takes a shot from outside the penalty area, but it hits Igarashi's face.

From Igarashi's face, the ball reaches Bachira. Mikage faces him, stating he won't pass him again. Bachira confirms it, but states he isn't alone now. Bachira then passes to Kunigami, who attempts to get into his 28-meter range. As people start pressuring him, he starts wondering what to do as he usually doesn't score from outside the 28-meters. Isagi yells at him to not be scared and go for it. Kunigami manages to free himself and noting that he needs to evolve, he goes for a full-power technical shot. The shot is directly at the middle of the goal and the goalkeeper wonders if he should punch it, however the ball starts wobbling and slightly changes its trajectory and goes pass the goalkeeper, making the results 3-2.

At the half time, Team Z is in good mood. Kunigami explains that he focused on how he made contact with the ball more than usual, and felt like he experienced a new sensation for scoring. Isagi wonders what he can do and that if this is his last game, he wants to try a new version of himself. At the same time, Mikage states they need to change their own tactics in response to Team Z changing their tactic.

The second half starts and Kunigami notices that Team V starts to press him quicker. As its reckless for him to take even longer shots, he passes to Bachira, who then passes to Gagamaru, who feels he is a bit ahead of the ball, but still decides to shoot and takes a scorpion kick. The ball heads to the right corner, but Tsurugi returns to the goal and deflects it. The ball reaches Isagi, who sees a chance to shoot from 23 meters, but gets quickly blocked. As he wonders how he can shoot, a second players come and takes the ball from him. Isagi starts wondering what he could have done and what he needs to do to evolve himself. In that moment Nagi tells him he is totally useless, he was full of himself, but didn't take the shot and is so inefficient. Nagi wonders why is he still trying and not giving up, as if his talent was at Isagi's level, he would have quit football by now. Nagi asks Isagi what motivates him that much. Calling him a genius, Isagi tells him to shut up as he is about to get to the good part.

Teieri notes that the game turned out as Ego predicted. Ego confirms the game is intense and everytime the line is crossed between life or death, win or lose, a striker is forced to awaken. Ego asks her if she knows what it means to awaken. Teieri guesses its like going from ordinary to extraordinary, but Ego states she is way off. Ego states awakening is like doing a jigsaw puzzle. Facing an extreme situation to win, and after much trial and error, its when the pieces for success all fall into place, and a new ego blooms. In short, its the moment you learn who you really are.

Isagi realizes he is inefficient like Nagi stated. While he was thinking on what to do, that gave the opponents a chance to block his shot. With his special awareness, he can get into a good position for a shot, but if he doesn't shoot, nothing will happen. Raichi keeps pressuring Mikage, which annoys him. Raichi states that Mikage is indeed good, but he sees how to stop him as he always first looks for Nagi. Igarashi also annoys Nagi, telling him that he can't do anything unless Mikage tells him to. Raichi adds to it that without Nagi, Mikage is just a master of none. Mikage gets angry and hits Raichi with his elbow. The whistle then blows and Mikage is given an yellow card.

Raichi passes to Chigiri and Tsurugi faces him. Chigiri tries going pass him, but seeing his acceleration, he figures he won't be able to outrun him no matter how much he tries. Recalling that he touched Tsurugi's pass before that, Chigiri realizes that he needs to create a situation where he can utilize his weapon. Chigiri then hits the ball towards an empty area. Tsurugi states that there is no one there, but Chigiri tells him he is passing to himself. Tsurugi then immediately catches up to Chigiri, noting that he is faster. Chigiri confirms it, but adds its only initially. Chigiri knows that he can't beat him in a ten meters range, but on a longer run, he will outrun him. Chigiri reaches the ball first and takes a shot, equalizing the game, 3-3. With 30 minutes remaining, Ego states that the best striker in the world is the one that can dominate this blue frenzy.

## Additional Time

### Team Z Impersonation Championship No. 1

Naruhaya imitates Gagamaru and Iemon easily guesses right. Chigiri wonders what are they doing and Bachira guesses they are playing "Who Am I?" championship. Bachira then wants to go and imitates Kuon, and everyone easily guesses it. Chigiri states anyone can do that and Naruhaya asks Chigiri to be next. Under the pressure of the others, Chigiri agrees. Chigiri then does a scary impersonalization of Ego and the rest accept him as the winner.

## Characters by Appearance

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