WEBVTT

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(upbeat music)

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- It's Isaiah Colbert,
the Otaku of Kotaku.

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If you're anything like
me, and I know I am,

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getting into sport ball
anime is a tall order.

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Seeing is how we're knee deep
in the 2022 Qatar World Cup,

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which comes with its of controversies,

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including but not
limited to mascot choice.

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So now seems like a great time

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to offer some alternative
programming by putting you,

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dear viewers, onto this
year's best sports anime,

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"Blue Lock".

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Following a hard loss from
his dog water soccer team,

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or football for those across the pond,

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Yoichi Isagi receives an invitation

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from the Japanese Football Union

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to participate in a special
training camp called Blue Lock.

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But it isn't a happy go
lucky sports retreat,

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but rather a cutthroat Squid
Games-esque competition.

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Blue Lock's true goal is to weed out

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all the goody two shoes players

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that have been bringing
down Japan's standing

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in the world of soccer

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and to forge an A team of
star players like Lionel Messi

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and Cristiano Ronaldo.

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What makes this show a hit for me

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is how it unabashedly
abandons the tired trope

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of a good natured protagonist

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who wants everyone to have fun.

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From the jump, Yoichi
abandons the golden rule

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and fully embraces the
ruthlessness necessary to win

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and even relishes in his opponents demise.

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If you're the type of person

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who pops off at YouTube highlights

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of athletes utterly
decimating their opponents,

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"Blue Lock" is the anime for you.

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Are you gonna check out "Blue Lock"?

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Let us know in the comments below.