Blue Lock Season 2 Episode 11: Entering The Flow State

Summary

Shidou shines with unpredictable moves and intense offense.
Ego and uncertainty are key to winning the intense match.
Baro’s chaotic style may be Blue Lock‘s ticket to victory.

As a seasoned anime enthusiast with over two decades of watching under my belt, I must say that Blue Lock has truly outdone itself in this latest episode! The intensity and passion each character brings to the game are simply electrifying, making me feel as if I’m right there on the pitch alongside them.

In the match between Blue Lock and U-20 Japan, the tension ramps up significantly during the second half, with the outcome being more crucial than ever before. Each passing second in this eagerly awaited and intense confrontation seems to carry the weight of victory or defeat for either team. As the game approaches its conclusion, the players on the pitch seem to surpass their own limits, pouring everything they’ve got into their final push.

In the latest installments, Shidou has been causing quite a stir in Blue Lock XI with his explosive, erratic play, leaving the team baffled as he evened the score with an extraordinary goal. Just when it seemed like he was about to score again, a late defensive replacement, Reo, thwarted him by mirroring defensive tactics, but it wasn’t long before Shidou managed to crack their defenses wide open.

The Devil Unleashed Once Again

Shidou Is Definitely Unstoppable If Left Unchecked

The game goes on, Sae working tirelessly to give Shidou the chance to display his demonic abilities. As Sae and Shidou seem perfectly in tune, an exhilarating feeling arises within him, and he suddenly understands that this is how he’s always envisioned soccer – as a tool for survival on the pitch. He tries to score, but Gagamaru steps in, deflecting his attempt with a powerful header and clearing the ball away.

For me, soccer isn’t just a game; it’s an essential part of my existence. Every aspect of my being is dedicated to mastering the art of scoring goals, enduring challenges on the pitch, and honing my skills in the penalty area. In essence, soccer is more than a sport – it’s a way of life for me.

Even when we believe Blue Lock XI is in control, an extraordinarily spectacular, mind-boggling goal unfolds – one that seems almost unattainable, yet not to the prodigious Shidou within the stadium. This goal wasn’t just significant for Shidou but also crucial in giving U-20 a lead and revitalizing their game situation.

Blue Lock Needs To Go Off Script

Ego And Uncertainty Are The Key To Winning

Shidou’s goal gives U-20 an advantage, effectively crushing Blue Lock XI’s team’s chances of victory. Frustrated with his own performance thus far, Isagi approaches Ego seeking a solution to secure a win. Unsatisfied with the initial response, Ego reveals more of his dominating personality – a characteristic essential to Blue Lock’s philosophy and precisely what is required to clinch the victory. Ego decides to use their final substitute as a risky move.

King Baro Shoei has joined our team, and almost instantaneously, you can see disorder spreading across the field (true to his character). Ego had ordered Baro not to adhere to the game plan but instead consume everyone on the field to secure victory. Interestingly, this was something Baro had planned without ever being told to do so. What our team, Blue Lock, required to win was someone who thought like Shidou, and with these two powerful personalities clashing, only the one with the strongest ego would emerge victorious.

Will Baro’s Ego Level The Score

Or Is Big Bang Drive The Ultimate Move

In the course of the game, Baro demonstrated why he earned the title “The King.” His strategy was to stir up confusion on the field, aiming to score himself while making it difficult for both opponents and teammates. This tactic, a double-edged sword, proved effective due to his exceptional skills. However, his self-confidence grew too large, causing him to miss the goal in the end.

However, it’s evident that their playstyle suggests they can only score when they push beyond their ordinary abilities, immersing themselves deeply in the “Flow” state, and outmaneuvering both opponents and teammates to reach the goal. Yukimiya, recognizing the need for counterattacks and achieving this flow, demonstrates extraordinary street-dribbling techniques, as if he was on the verge of scoring. Suddenly, Aiku leaps into action, also entering the “Flow” state by taking a risky dive that seems improbable to save the goal. Yet, in the heat of the game, everyone is playing to stay alive, showcasing skills that would otherwise seem impossible.

Animation Improved But Still Leaves A Lot To Be Desired

Amazing Goal Sequence But Sloppy CGI

After Shidou understood his reason for playing, the concept of being fully immersed and focused, or ‘flow’, became significantly important. This is evident in how effortlessly he blended into the game, demonstrated by his smooth movements before delivering an outstanding Big Bang Drive that scored another goal for the U-20s. This display of strength ignited a response among some other players to achieve their own ‘flow’ states, resulting in a more intense match as we approach the climax, with the final moments of the game still undecided; it’s anyone’s game at this point.

In general, the animation in this series was quite impressive, especially compared to earlier episodes. Yet, there were certain scenes that didn’t meet expectations, which can be frustrating when the bar is set so high. When such an extraordinary goal is presented, it raises anticipation significantly. Consequently, anything less than perfect seems like a letdown. The episode had some problematic CGI moments, particularly during Gagamaru’s ball throw after defense and static frames during crucial action sequences, which detracted from the overall experience.