Blue Lock members celebrate their two goal lead.
The first half of the first match of the U20 World Cup came to an end with Japan scoring two goals against Nigeria. Although Onazi tried to score a goal, he was stopped by Gagamaru. In the recent chapter of the Blue Lock manga, we see both the teams planning to change their attack pattern during the half time break. While Blue Lock wants to try some new attacks, Nigeria wants to completely overhaul their Onazi-centric playstyle.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
Blue Lock Chapter 318 recap
The issue begins with Gagamaru stopping Onazi’s shot and everyone cheering for him. The first half of the match ends, and both teams head into their locker rooms for the break. In the Japanese locker room, everyone talks about the game and how they plan to play in the next half. Isagi says that there’s no point in just winning so easily as they won’t grow if they keep doing what they’re good at. He wants to try new things in the second half, and the rest of the team agrees even if it’s risky. Rin says he’s in because just winning is boring and he wants to score a goal. Ego enters the room and says he agrees as just protecting their lead would be an approach that goes against Blue Lock’s ideology.
In the Nigerian locker room, the situation is more bleak. All the players are sure they’re going to lose as even Onazi can’t break through the Blue Lock fortress. Their coach agrees that their old methods aren’t effective. Onazi suddenly takes the towel off his head and we see an excited smile on his face. He says that Blue Lock is awesome and he can’t wait to play more against these amazing guys. He asks the team why the opponent is so good, and the player answers that it’s because everyone lives for their own goals.
Back at the Japanese base Ego asks the team why it feels good to win? Isagi answers that it's because it proves that you’re superior to others. Ego agrees and says just like people who are stronger are more likely to produce offspring and survive. Drawing out the survival instinct in players is what Blue Lock is about. In the Nigerian locker room, Onazi says he wants to beat Blue Lock by fighting like them. The team is confused as they don’t know anything about the playstyle but Onazi reminds them that they’ll lose anyway if they keep passing to him. His team agrees to take the chance.
Ego says that although human instinct is to be the strongest and prove their superiority, if everyone constantly kept doing it, the world would be in a constant state of war and chaos. That’s why humans created rules and laws to live in a world of tepid harmony known as peace. However, Ego is here to tap into the players’ instinctual yearning for victory and superiority to bring out their egos. Blue Lock is a device to bring the subjects out of their stupors and draw their instincts into the light. Both Japan and Nigeria head toward the field at the end of half time, and Ego promises to grant them a new formula. As Isagi kicks off the game, Ego asks if they know why football has so much power to entrance humanity.
Blue Lock Chapter 318 review
Despite a lack of any actual play, the recent chapter was interesting in terms of planning. It’s good to see that even with a sure victory in their grasp, the Blue Lock players refuse to get comfortable in their strengths. Instead of protecting their lead, they intend to try something new in the game. On the other hand, Nigeria is also stepping out of their tried and tested methods to face Blue Lock with new vigor. Instead of sticking to what works, both teams are willing to try something new, albeit in different situations. Even though they’re the same teams, the next half of the match will be completely different from the first half.
Blue Lock Chapter 319 release date
The next chapter of Blue Lock will be released on Tuesday, 23 September, 2025. You can read the new chapters of the manga on Kodansha’s K-Manga platform.
