Blue Lock: The Recent Drop In Quality, Explained

Key Takeaways

Season 1 of Blue Lock impressed with stunning visuals, unique plot, and intense matches.
Season 2 suffers from poor animation quality due to production issues at the studio.
To recover, Blue Lock needs to prioritize quality animation and address industry working conditions.

As a dedicated fan of sports anime and someone who has followed Blue Lock since its inception, I must say that the first season was nothing short of a marvel. The stunning visuals, unique plot, and intense matches made it a standout among the crowd, leaving most sports anime feeling like mere shadows in comparison. It seemed to have mastered the art of blending soccer with action-packed drama in a way that felt fresh and exciting.

Blue Lock is a soccer-themed animated series that rekindled interest in sports anime with its distinctive twist and thrilling matches during its initial season. The show received high praise for its exceptional graphics and the way it raised the competition stakes beyond what’s typical in current anime, outperforming many sports anime released recently (except for Haikyuu!!, which has remained the most popular and critically acclaimed modern sports anime since its debut).

Among ardent followers of the anime, some are expressing discontent with the ongoing second season. Subpar animation and production troubles are just the start of what seems like the downfall of Blue Lock anime, unless something extraordinary occurs in the remaining episodes due this season. This piece will delve into the ascent and present predicament of the Blue Lock anime, and potential solutions for its recovery, should it be possible.

The High Standards of Season One

Less Tropes, Beautiful Animation, And Plenty of Action

Blue Lock: The Recent Drop In Quality, Explained

In the Fall of 2022, the debut season of Blue Lock made a significant splash in the anime world, captivating audiences alongside series like Chainsaw Man, Spy x Family, and Mob Psycho III. What set it apart was its vibrant and intricate visuals, which were highly commended for their quality – even being hailed as the best animation of that season. Unlike many other seasonal anime that adhere to a generic style with limited movement due to budget constraints, Blue Lock‘s first season broke free from such limitations.

In the gaming world, what makes Blue Lock stand out is its deviation from the usual clichés found in many sports series. Unlike other shows where matches are won by the power of friendship, this one focuses on genuine skill and special abilities. What’s more, it breaks away from the mold of having perfect protagonist prodigies, instead introducing a soccer player with experimental skills who is unsure about his style to make it as a striker for the anime team.

In summary, the soccer games in this anime are remarkably fast and filled with unexpected events. The clever use of close-ups and distinctive camera angles intensify this sensation, resulting in match sequences that are captivating and hard to tear your eyes away from. Moreover, characters possess special powers known as “weapons,” which enable them to perform extraordinary feats during these games. This gives the show a dynamic, action-packed feel akin to a popular shōnen series rather than a traditional sports anime.

What Went Wrong In Season 2?

The Anime’s Greatest Strengths, Cast Aside

In the transition between seasons one and two, there was a significant decline in the animation quality that initially impressed many viewers. What used to be smooth, vibrant animation now appears stiff in movement and somewhat repetitive compared to the first season. Unfortunately, this results in a less engaging visual experience and less exciting matches overall, which are crucial elements in a sports anime like this one. This drop in quality is probably due to reported production difficulties.

In their quest to outshine the U-20 National Team and claim the title of Japan’s top strikers, Blue Lock seems on course, but it’s questionable whether they can continue delivering the stunning visuals from last season. Given the current direction of this season, it might be challenging, or even impossible, to maintain such quality, unless a significant portion of the animation budget is being saved for later episodes. In other words, the outlook for Blue Lock isn’t particularly optimistic at the moment.

In charge of animating the series “Blue Lock” is Eight Bit, who is recognized for productions such as “That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime” and “Yuru Camp.” Historically, this studio has faced issues with understaffing and overwork, a problem not uncommon in the anime industry. Regrettably, it’s been claimed that they were given more time for the initial season compared to the current one, resulting in increased pressure and potentially compromised quality control. At present, Eight Bit has yet to address these allegations. In Japan, animators don’t have unions or protective measures, and they are often freelancers. This contributes to a lack of respect for their work within Japan’s rigid work culture.

It’s more plausible that the subpar animation isn’t a result of carelessness, but rather insufficient working conditions causing workers to be fatigued and pressured to complete work quickly. Regrettably, this situation negatively impacts the viewing experience of animated shows, particularly those produced in Japan, which is unfortunate given the state of the current animation industry there.

How Can Blue Lock Recover?

There Is Little Hope For Blue Lock’s Future

As a dedicated fan, I’d love to see Blue Lock return to its initial animation quality, the one that left us all captivated during the first season of the anime. However, it seems unlikely due to Japan’s work culture favoring settings like Eight Bit, which might not provide animators enough time to maintain such high-quality animation consistently before the current season concludes.

To put it simply, the second season’s storyline continues to be thrilling with unexpected twists, just like the first. The characters remain charming and vibrant, each with their unique personalities. The writing has consistently been top-notch this season, even amidst the difficulties with animation. Although the decrease in animation quality is noticeable and may detract from the visual appeal, the intrigue of the plot remains strong enough to keep us eager for more in the next season.

At present, it’s most beneficial to complete the ongoing season of “Blue Lock“, and either bring on additional animators or provide extra time for the existing team to enhance a crucial aspect of the series. Currently, there are no unions for animators in Japan’s anime industry, but organizations like the Nippon Anime & Film Culture Association (NAFCA) and Japanese Animation Creators Association (JAniCA) are working towards improving conditions within the industry across Japan. Instead of criticizing a show due to a decrease in quality, it would be more productive for fans to focus their efforts on promoting and building excitement around those addressing Japan’s overwork issue in animation production, ultimately aiming to resolve this problem permanently.

Blue Lock, Season Two is currently airing on Crunchyroll

2024-11-14 20:35