Unveiling Blue Lock: Isagi's Astounding Metavision That Will Leave You Speechless

This article includes spoilers about the Blue Lock manga series. Blue Lock's soccer program aims to develop the world's best striker to lead Japan to victory at the FIFA World Cup. Throughout the series, many egotistical players are discovered. This journey leads the main character, Isagi Yoichi, to surpass his previous achievements as Ichinan High School's top player. Starting as the 299th-ranked player in Team Z for the First Selection, Isagi works his way up and strives to be the program's sole survivor.

After the match between Blue Lock Eleven and Japan U-20, Isagi is recognized as one of the program's top players. He is then recruited by Bastard Munchen to play in the Neo Egoist League. As Isagi dominates his opponents on the field, his most notable weapon is his Metavision. But how does it work exactly?

Metavision Is An Extension Of Isagi’s Spatial Awareness

Isagi, unlike other strikers, is willing to pass up the opportunity to score if he believes that someone else has a better chance of doing so. This was evident in his introduction during the high school tournament, where he opted to give a last-minute opportunity to a teammate who unfortunately missed the shot, resulting in a loss for their team, rather than taking it himself. As a Ramdeuter, a term used to describe a "Space Interpreter" or "Space Investigator" in German, Isagi continuously attempts to exploit the gaps between the midfield and defense for his advantage.

As a result, Isagi may not be the best dribbler, but he excels in ball control and effectively positions the ball for precise passes or shots. Fans familiar with European soccer can draw a parallel between Isagi's style of play and Thomas Muller, who is known for his exceptional accuracy in executing this role. Isagi's spatial awareness, coupled with his high soccer intelligence and skill set, allows him to analyze the field and create high-quality plays for both his teammates and himself. Furthermore, he is able to assess the abilities of his teammates and opponents, enabling him to make accurate predictions, envision the best strategic move, and successfully execute it regardless of the difficulty or quality of his opponents. While there are other players in Blue Lock who possess spatial awareness, Isagi unquestionably stands out as the best, surpassing the others and deceiving them by leading them right into his hands.

How Does Isagi’s Metavision Work?

By continuously scanning the soccer pitch, rotating his head to the sides and utilizing both his central and peripheral vision, Isagi possesses a unique ability to perceive the playing field in a way that surpasses anyone else. He has the exceptional capacity to simultaneously visualize every player, their actions, and their positions on the field. Prior to activating this ability, Isagi's highly efficient brain could only process a few plays at a time. However, with access to all the information about the plays happening on the pitch, his brain operates at maximum capacity, allowing him to unleash his full potential. This exceptional ability sets him apart from other players such as Niko Ikki and Hiori Yo, who are also skilled users of Metavision but lack Isagi's high soccer IQ.

Isagi first showcased his Metavision during the intense five-on-five Third Selection match. Team A, consisting of Nanase Nijirou, Hiori Yo, and Isagi, faced off against Team B, featuring Shiguma Kyohei, Sara-Madara Kairu, and Chigiri Hyoma. Initially, Isagi struggled to make an impact on the game. However, he observed Hiori Yo constantly scanning the field, gathering crucial information, and accurately assessing the situation, all while calmly forming passes with Rin. With Team A trailing 4-3 and their backs against the wall, Isagi rose to the challenge, as he always does. Through his exceptional instinct and skill, he made the right plays, including stealing the ball from Karasu through his blindspot, resulting in a game-tying goal. Finally, in a display of his remarkable instincts, Isagi positioned himself in a crowd of physically gifted players and expertly converted a cross to secure the winning goal.

Isagi utilizes Metavision in two key ways, known as Meta Burst Point and Egocentrism. Through the Meta Burst Point, he gains the ability to visualize and anticipate the crucial moves within an opponent's offensive strategy. This gives him the opportunity to intervene at the last possible moment, dismantling their attack by either dispossessing the opponent or intercepting their pass. Isagi impressively displayed this skill during the intense match against Manshine City in the Neo Egoist League.

On the other hand, Egocentrism enables Isagi to establish a deeper connection with his teammates on a personal level. While utilizing his Metavision, he can comprehend the underlying motivations that drive each player's unique playing style on the field. This profound understanding allows him to enhance both his own and his team's opportunities by effectively utilizing his teammates' strengths. Furthermore, this skill proves invaluable on the defensive end, as Isagi carefully analyzes his opponents and dissects their strategies by accurately predicting and countering even seemingly miraculous plays. Notably, this approach differs from the Meta Burst Point's focus on overall team dynamics. However, it is important to note that even exceptional talents like Micheal Kaiser cannot sustain the use of Metavision throughout an entire match due to its mentally draining nature. Consequently, Isagi must possess the discernment to activate Metavision at the opportune moments.

Blue Lock is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.