A Sports Manga to Keep an Eye On!
4
By jesusrocks4ever
When I saw Kodansha had a new sports manga coming out, I jumped on the opportunity to read and review it early!
First off, this manga is unlike any sports manga I've read to date. Yes, I'll be honest and say that that isn't A LOT, but with the sports manga I have read, they are not like this. And by not like this, I mean that those sports manga focus on teamwork and building a team together.
Blue Lock is different in that it focuses on the self.
Making one the strongest opponent even on their main team. As our main character, Isagi, learns a new kind of way of thinking in regards to soccer, we see him turn into a very different person. I wouldn't say it's bad mind you, but again, this is different than say manga like Haikyu!! where each person aims to improve, but they also seek to improve as a TEAM.
I admit I almost put this manga down because that it what personally I was hoping for. (I went in "blind" when starting this meaning I didn't read the blurb beforehand.) Jinpachi Ego is in my opinion VERY egoistic himself and really disliked what he is teaching these young adults concerning sports, but man.
This story is GOOD!
It does have some language, but this is the kind of sports manga I love in that we get this intensity and a main character who doesn't want to settle. (He has a great way of surprising the reader with his choices!) The first chapter really leads you have to compassion for Isagi and know my heart broke for him during one scene.
Then it goes into the heart of this story and I'm glued to these pages with wide open eyes…
I really hope this gets printed because I love how it has a Hunger Games-like setting, but with soccer being the focus! We have some really interesting side characters and would be very curious to see where things go next because it seems like it's going to keep getting more intense!
Recommended to those who like The Hunger Games, soccer, and go getter characters!
*(I received an e-copy from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*