Blue Lock 282: A partial awakening like Rin in the U-20 game
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Hello, everyone! Welcome back to this week's review. This one will be short. As usual, the link is here for those who prefer a video format. Please consider subscribing if you enjoy the content.
Kaiser: the source of inspiration
To be clear, from the very beginning of this arc, Kaiser was designed to be a template for Isagi's evolution. Every significant improvement Isagi has made has resulted from his focused analysis of Kaiser. Isagi is an exceptional "talented learner", drawing insights from another.
However, it's important to note that, despite learning from Kaiser, Isagi has his unique style of play that will be evident in the upcoming moments. While some may expect a repeat of Kaiser's goal, I reject that notion and will expand on this point later.
World-style, Self-style, Talented Learner, Genius
Understanding Isagi's thought process highlights the power of the mental aspect of the game in elevating a player's performance. It serves as a reminder that our focus shapes the outcomes we experience in life.
Every top player we have seen so far played with a definite aim. To take words from Simon Sinek, these players know their "why", the reason the play the game, the sense they attach to their presence on the pitch.
The concept of "sin," meaning "to miss the mark," originates from ancient languages and metaphors. In Hebrew, the word for sin, חָטָא(Kheh-t), literally translates to "to miss" in the context of archery—falling short of hitting a target or goal.
Similarly, in the Greek New Testament, "hamartia" conveys the idea of missing the intended aim or purpose. This metaphor suggests that sin represents a deviation from the intended moral or spiritual path, indicating a failure to align with divine or ethical standards.
How does this relate to Blue Lock? You cannot perform at your best if you are not in tune with your true self. Straying from this alignment could be seen as a failure(or sin), and the pitch will certainly make you pay for it.
Isagi's case is particular because I believe that his awakening is still incomplete, which brings us to my next point.
Just a random thought: what if Noa is actually a talented learner? While he appears to have a "self-style ego," driven by his desire to improve by consistently playing against the strongest opponents, his approach to the game is quite rational. He places a strong emphasis on being able to verbalize his theories.
Let's consider this further: what if Noa is a genius who enhances his skills by functioning as a talented learner? Is it possible to separate his motivations from his actions and methodologies? Although Noa exhibits a "self-style" ego in terms of motivation, his actions on the pitch suggest he also possesses a "world-style" ego. Could Isagi's analysis be incomplete?
Isagi, a partial awakening
Every awakening we have seen so far was complete, contrasting whatever Isagi is going through. For every other player, the player had access to two key information.
A solid understanding of their own abilities, combined with a rediscovery of their core motivation, often leads individuals back to the essence of their being, which is shaped by their childhood experiences. For instance, Chigiri has always recognized his incredible speed, and he aspires to draw others into the dynamic world of his speed. His journey is focused on overcoming the fear of sustaining another leg injury, which is a significant stepping stone for his personal growth.
On the other hand, Kaiser experienced an awakening way after he fully mastered his unique skill which culminated in the Kaiser Impact. However, he initially lacked a clear understanding of his "why." Once he reestablished that connection to his motivation, it profoundly impacted his performance on the field. This raises an intriguing question: What is Isagi's motivation, and how can he harness it for his development? The reason he plays the game is revealed through a flashback that occurs just before Blue Lock. However, this explanation feels too superficial; we need to explore Isagi's childhood memories to understand what has shaped him as a person. We have yet to delve deeply into Isagi's psyche.
Furthermore, Isagi struggles to articulate what his own strengths are. Currently, everything he possesses is a result of copying others: his spatial awareness weapon is something he learned from Chigiri, his two-gun volley is a product of his fixation on direct shot and being inspired by Nagi, Metavision is the application of what Hiori told him combined with the way Kaiser uses his eyes.
In contrast, Kaiser's abilities stem from his uniqueness, combined with his knowledge and talent as a learner. I believe that there is more to Isagi than what we have seen so far, and this parallels Rin's evolution in the U-20 game, where we know he was still incomplete at that time. Rin has only recently realized the true reasons behind his passion for the game and his original impulses. Now, he is starting anew with a better understanding of himself.
Moving forward, Rin will likely stop playing solely as a talented learner and will embrace his true nature more fully. Isagi is currently experiencing a transformation similar to what Rin went through during the U-20 game, and we know that Rin didn't score after his partial evolution.
A win, but at what cost?
One of Isagi's greatest qualities is his ability to instantly discard any thoughts or assumptions that hold him back. In this chapter, he peels away some layers, rejecting his rivalry with Rin, his malice toward Kaiser, and his admiration for Noa. However, he does not let go of his fixation on scoring the final goal. This makes me believe that while Isagi may win, he could still feel unsatisfied if he doesn't score that goal himself.
For Isagi to make an impact,no pun intended, he must execute plays that are steps ahead of everyone else. He managed to score earlier because he was able to foresee Kunigami's assist when no one else could. However, he failed to score later on because Kurona lacked that X factor of unpredictability. If Isagi is to win, he needs to involve everyone on the field while also surprising the opponent with his strategy.
Currently, the two wild cards on the pitch are Kiyora and Ness, and I am confident they will play a key role in the next play. At least, that's what I thought until I heard the word on the streets that the authors didn't plan for Ness the magician to change now and for him to be important later down the line.
This situation parallels Rin's partial awakening in the U-20 game. I believe Isagi will outplay everyone, but he may have to sacrifice his own goal in the process. It will be a win, but at what cost?
Another thought, what is the one play that could potentially surprise everyone on the field up to the point that they would need time to register what is happening? Isagi using Kaiser, linking up with him and potentially even assisting him for his goal? Remember, Isagi is about to show how much he's ready to put on the line to win. If Isagi puts winning at the top of his pyramid of priorities, we cannot discard a potential assist to Kaiser.
Let me know your thoughts.