Given Gift: Why Did Isagi Yoichi Pass to Kunigami?
Blue Lock implements a rule that places five teams into one group, but only the teams finishing in positions 1 and 2 on the standings will advance. Consequently, three teams must accept elimination as they are unable to reach the top two positions in the standings.
However, there is one astonishing rule: the player who becomes the top scorer among these three unsuccessful teams still qualifies for the second round of Blue Lock selections.
Here are three Insights Behind Isagi Yoichi's Pass to Kunigami in Blue Lock:
1. Individual Battles to Become the Top Scorer of the Team
When the match between Team X and Team Z took place, the players from both teams fought passionately, aggressively contesting the ball from opponents and teammates alike, all driven by a fervent goal: securing a ticket to the second round of Blue Lock selections as the top scorer. Teamwork was nowhere to be seen; each player became incredibly selfish, wanting to score goals individually. It's as if the objective of this game was to achieve individual glory rather than becoming champions as a cohesive team.
Barou, a player from Team X, shone in the soccer match as he brilliantly seized the contested ball amidst a cluster of players from Team X and Team Z. With his extraordinary individual skill, Barou employed a heel flick and a nutmeg to maneuver past Team Z's defenders. As a result, King Barou scored an astonishing goal into Team Z's net, bringing the score to 1-0 and securing Team X's lead over Team Z.
Meanwhile, the players of Team Z continued their individual efforts to gain possession of the ball and claim the title of top scorer. Astonishingly, Team X transformed into a harmoniously cooperating unit. The players of Team X willingly became servants to their king, none other than the illustrious King Barou. Consequently, Team X outpaced Team Z with a decisive score of 5-0.
2. Isagi Yoichi Hesitates to Score and Chooses to Pass to Kunigami.
In the crucial moments nearing the end of the second half, Bachira and Isagi teamed up to score the sole goal for Team Z. Bachira believed that a 5-0 lead would loosen Team X's defense. Despite being tightly marked by three players from Team X in the midfield, Bachira managed to deliver a long pass to Isagi, who was sprinting boldly outside Team X's penalty box.
However, as Isagi prepared to shoot the ball against Team X's goalkeeper, Barou suddenly appeared miraculously, intercepting it swiftly. Consequently, Isagi had to abandon his intention to take the shot. Simultaneously, Kunigami, guarded by a player from Team X, requested a pass from Isagi, while Raichi, running freely around Isagi, also passionately demanded the same pass.
Although Isagi was tempted to overcome the steadfast Barou and intended to score on his own, he had a feeling that a spectacular goal would emerge from Kunigami's foot. With his intuition, Isagi passed the ball to Kunigami.
Team X's players doubted Kunigami's ability to score from outside the penalty box, but unexpectedly, long-distance shooting was one of Kunigami's skills. With a brilliant move, Kunigami successfully breached Team X's goal. Finally, the match between Team X and Team Z concluded with an impressive final score of 5-1, solidifying Team X's victory.
Subsequently, Raichi became furious and grabbed Isagi's shirt collar because Isagi chose to pass to Kunigami. According to Raichi, his position was closer and better than Kunigami's, who was marked by the opponent's center-back. Isagi honestly admitted he was confused by his own decision, as if his body had moved automatically to pass to Kunigami, even though he actually wanted to take the shot himself. Raichi's anger toward Isagi intensified as Raichi found Isagi's response of admitting his desire to shoot but passing instead as "stupid."