Blue Lock Season 2 episode 5 is definitely the most mind-boggling episode of Fall 2024 in the worst ways possible. From the rushed plot to the characters becoming Hannibal Lecter and the mountain of questions, I don't even need to talk about the animation process to know how this episode turned out.
Shidou Lecter? Hannibal Shidou?
Shidou's character portrays another selfish “bad boy” at the Blue Lock facility, which I was expecting. It's simply a recurring character motivation in the series. But the unexpected thing is that Ego basically has shock collars attached to everyone's uniforms and Shidou turns into a real maniac.
It's almost as if the series itself forced Shidou to fall into the abyss at the end in order to give the audience a character who rises above the level of ego that everyone else has. He is a selfish person, he is willing to beat to death anyone who gets in his way. That's fine and great, but there needs to be the right preparation for us to take his attitude seriously.
A good example is Akashi Seijuro in Kuroko's Basketball. He was crazy in his own way and certainly played the “villain” role wonderfully, but it was because we understood his backstory and why he was the way he was that We appreciate him as a character. Shidou, who we don't even get to know until the final episode of the first season, has no backstory and even worse, his character almost turns 180 degrees.
Even in the moments leading up to what happened in episode 5, Shidou still showed a humble and even humorous personality after the match ended. Sure he's a little wilder than the others, but after the first two games, he seems to have moments of normalcy like everyone else in the series. Then out of nowhere, he turns into a wild animal with anger issues and assaults people in broad daylight? Stop it.
This comes from this series completely rushing past this Blue Lock round and skipping a lot of games. We understand that he and Rin aren't equals, but what made him so upset that he kneeled in Rin's face? This leads me to the next problem with episode 5…
Rushed plot and many other questions
How did the remaining matches go? We didn't get to see Barou or Bachira play in their matches before the final lineup was set but we got to watch Reo be a weirdo for 23 minutes last week? I can't say whether the manga will play out like that or not, but if it doesn't, and this is a production choice, then it's an absolutely terrible decision. And if the manga plays out like that then it's entirely due to Muneyuki Kaneshiro's writing being incompetent.
I think what annoys me more than anything is that we had to watch that Reo episode just so he wouldn't be selected for the final roster before the U-20 match, neither he nor Barou were selected as “players”. that player” for the U-20 team. It all felt pointless, making me ask, “Why is this in the story if this is the outcome?” The only thing I can imagine with them sidelined is Shidou hurting someone. number of people on the Blue Lock team and they will be there as replacements.
In addition, Ego also has a shock feature in his suit in case a “riot” breaks out? What does Blue Lock even turn into at this point? A modern-day Alcatraz? None of this makes sense anymore. The only thing that seems consistent at this point is Bachira. While Isagi and Chigiri were figuring out a strategic approach to defeat U-20, Bachira said “So we just need to destroy them, right?” The approach seemed out of place but it wasn't, and I liked it. that's in his character.
Also, the writing is on the walls in this episode—and the floors, ceilings, etc. are just chaotic in the most confusing and pretty stupid ways possible. Not to mention all the guys on this U-20 team are supposed to be under 20 years old but Aiku here looks like everyone's uncle who is sleep deprived and likes to drink some vodka with his cereal in the morning. .Also, what's up with Neru on the top right? He looks like an adorable kid between Mirio from My Hero AcadeKaren and Garou from One Punch Man.
Do I appreciate Aiku smashing Shidou to the ground and letting him be the one to control his temper? Damn right. Would I like to see Barou be the one to do that on the field? Absolute. But maybe it will happen. If that magically happens, because I don't see anyone from the Blue Lock team that Ego configured make the podium, my opinion of the season to this point may change.
But until then, next Aside from the production difficulties and now that the writing of this series brings plot twists that are confusing to me, Blue Lock Season 2 now has a reason different to face every week. Unlike most anime fan accounts on social media, I really hope to see this season take a turn for the better. But I'd be lying if I said my hope was starting to fade little by little.
Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 5 Recap
Blue Lock Season 2 will continue to be Blue Lock Season 2. I will always try to find the positives in everything no matter what, because I think this animation team deserves a lot of praise. praise them for the conditions under which they have to work. I can tell they're trying to make this series the best they can for the fans, and, in reality, this episode feels like a step forward for the animation team. Unfortunately, writing was the cause of this week's major downturn. If only we could put the two on equal footing.
Episode 5 rating: 5/10
Episode 4 rating: 5/10
Episode 3 rating: 4/10
Episode 2 rating: 4/10
Episode 1 rating: 6.5/10
If you enjoyed Blue Lock season 2 episode 5 then be sure to vote for it in our weekly poll! Episode 6 will air on November 9, 2024.
Screenshot via Crunchyroll
©Muneyuki Kaneshiro, Yusuke Nomura, Kodansha/”Blue Lock” production committee
