Almost every character in Blue Lock shares the same goal of pursuing their dreams of becoming professional soccer players. However, among them, there is one striker named Chigiri who sadly faces a different fate. The Blue Lock program, which resembles a death game, sets up a scenario where many characters in the series are unlikely to make it to Japan's World Cup team. While these characters still have the opportunity to play for other professional teams, Chigiri is burdened with an additional obstacle.
The Blue Lock training program is designed to push talented high school soccer players from all corners of Japan to unlock their maximum potential. This is achieved through a competitive battle against one another, resembling a death game, where those who lose are eliminated from the chance to represent Japan in the World Cup. While Isagi Yoichi is the apparent protagonist and the one with the highest likelihood of winning the competition, each of the side characters possesses an ego that makes them feel like the main character of their own story. Chigiri, driven by his own egotistical nature, continues to strive for success despite knowing that ultimate failure awaits him in the long run.
Blue Lock is Turning Chigiri's Leg Into a Chekhov's Gun
Chigiri, a remarkable soccer prodigy since childhood, faced a severe leg injury during one of his matches. Although he managed to fully recover and regain the use of his leg, his doctor warned him that any excessive strain on it could lead to permanent damage, jeopardizing his ability to play at a high level. Initially, Chigiri held back his full potential in the early stages of Blue Lock. However, after being inspired by Isagi, he made the daring decision to unleash his full speed once again, fully aware of the risks involved. Nevertheless, this bold choice poses a tremendous threat to his future prospects.
Throughout various games featuring Chigiri, Blue Lock consistently emphasizes the peril his leg faces, symbolizing this vulnerability with a metaphorical chain that binds his limb. Despite Chigiri's previous ability to surpass this obstacle without sustaining significant harm, the increasing strength of his opponents and the intensifying nature of the games make it inevitable that he will eventually push himself too far, resulting in permanent leg breakage. Such an outcome would effectively shatter Chigiri's dreams of becoming a professional soccer player and likely lead to his expulsion from Blue Lock.
Ultimately, the presence of Chigiri's broken leg serves as a powerful tool to create suspense in the matches of Blue Lock. However, if this element is not utilized, it would render the threat meaningless, which would be a satisfying outcome for Chigiri but a disappointment for the fans. Blue Lock has consistently demonstrated a willingness to crush its characters' aspirations in a brutal manner, leaving no reason to believe that this pattern will change. Consequently, despite Chigiri's remarkable talent as a soccer player, it is inevitable that they will never be able to fulfill their dreams in the world of Blue Lock.
Blue Lock can be streamed on Crunchyroll.
