Blue Lock: Episode Nagi Movie Review : This anime is a letdown, struggling with both pacing and engagement

Story: Seishiro Nagi, despite his laziness, has an undeniable gift for football. His classmate Reo Mikage recognises his talent, leading to Nagi's invitation to join Blue Lock, a program dedicated to training Japan's future top striker.

Review: ‘Blue Lock: Episode Nagi’ is a spinoff of the ‘Blue Lock’ anime's first season, told from Nagi's perspective. The film includes several new scenes from before his acceptance into Blue Lock and reveals that Nagi was aware of Isagi from the start. While it does introduce some fresh content, it falls short in delivering a truly engaging experience. For diehard fans of the manga, the film is disappointing, with average animation and simplistic direction contributing to an overall underwhelming experience.

The story follows Seishiro Nagi, who is perfectly content spending his days playing video games, uninterested in anything else. His laziness is so extreme that he only sleeps and eats when absolutely necessary. When Reo Mikage, a wealthy classmate, notices Nagi's hidden talent for football, he proposes a striking partnership. Though Nagi shows little enthusiasm, Reo's persistence leads them both to join Blue Lock, a rigorous training program aimed at creating Japan’s next football star. As they progress through the program, their friendship is tested when Nagi gradually steps out of Reo’s shadow.

The film shines only in character development, while the rest, particularly the animation, falls flat. It's one of those rare cases where the film version is noticeably weaker than its TV manga counterpart. There’s a lack of surprise, a key element that keeps viewers engaged. Watching the film, it’s clear the studio rushed its release without addressing the anime’s many flaws. Nagi is an intriguing character, yet the makers missed the opportunity to explore his potential in depth, leaving much to be desired.

The Blue Lock training program, known for its intense difficulty, fails to truly convey the toughness it’s supposed to embody. Nagi also becomes tiresome over time with his constant disinterest in everything around him. As an adaptation, the anime falls short, offering little new material. While there are some standout moments, such as the scene where Nagi catches the ball mid-air, the film overall lacks depth. Had the makers extended it by a few minutes, it could have explored the dynamic between Nagi and Reo more thoroughly. This film is a letdown for even hardcore ‘Blue Lock’ manga fans.