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Yoichi Isagi

Yoichi Isagi (潔世一, Isagi Yoichi) is the central protagonist of the Blue Lock series. A second-year high school student, Isagi originally played as a forward for the Ichinan High School football team. His journey takes a pivotal turn when he enters the Blue Lock program, a rigorous and controversial training facility designed to create the world’s best striker. During the First Selection, he becomes a key member of Team Z.

Driven by an unrelenting ambition, Isagi’s ultimate goal is to claim the title of the world’s greatest striker. His strategic mindset and adaptability on the field set him apart from his peers. Following the Blue Lock Eleven ’s intense match against Japan’s U-20 team, Isagi earns recognition as one of Blue Lock ’s top players. This achievement leads him to play as a forward for Germany’s Bastard München in the Neo Egoist League.

Interestingly, unlike most participants who were scouted by Anri Teieri, Isagi caught the eye of Jinpachi Ego, the mastermind behind Blue Lock. Ego personally selected Isagi after witnessing his gameplay, identifying him as a prime candidate for the revolutionary striker Ego envisions.

Appearance

Yoichi Isagi is a teenager of slightly above-average height with a muscular build, which becomes more defined as he develops through intense training. He has short, dark blue hair with a distinct V-shaped fringe framing his deep blue eyes.

In his Ichinan High School days, Isagi sported a casual yet tidy look, wearing an unbuttoned blazer over a white undershirt paired with a striped tie. His football jersey and gym uniform were light-colored with black stripes, matching the school’s athletic theme.

During his time at Blue Lock, Isagi dons the standard-issue body suit, a sleek black outfit with striking blue accents, along with the matching tracksuit. In the First Selection, he represented Team Z wearing the blue #11 jersey and gray-capped cleats. For the Second Selection, Isagi initially wore Team White’s #15 jersey before switching to red. Later, during the Blue Lock Eleven tryouts, he wore Team A’s black #15 jersey, marking a progression in his journey.

In the high-stakes match against Japan’s U-20 team, Isagi’s official Blue Lock uniform prominently displayed the #11, resembling the one featured in the first cover spread but notably lacking the Japan flag.

As a regular for Bastard München in the Neo Egoist League, Isagi now wears their signature red and black uniform with gold stripes, proudly bearing the #11 jersey.



Photo Section with Captions

Personality

Yoichi Isagi is an easygoing and cheerful individual with a friendly demeanor, though his simple and innocent habits occasionally irritate those around him. He often avoids petty squabbles among the Blue Lock competitors, striving to act as a mediator between friends and rivals. However, at the start of his journey in Blue Lock, Isagi struggled with self-doubt. Ranked near the bottom of the initial player list, he faced internal conflicts about his football ideology, shaped by his high school experience, which clashed with Blue Lock‘s philosophy of ego-driven play.

As time progresses, Isagi develops a more assertive and confident persona, both on and off the field. His growth becomes evident as he emerges as a cornerstone of Team Z, earning the respect of his peers, including some of Blue Lock‘s most dominant and assertive personalities. By the Third Selection, Isagi displays enough charisma and confidence to openly engage with Rin Itoshi, one of the most talented yet challenging players in the program.

Initially unsure how to embrace Blue Lock‘s ego-centric philosophy, Isagi’s transformation begins with Team Z’s first victory. The thrill of winning and the stark reality of survival in the program ignite a ruthless streak within him. He learns to prioritize his goals over the dreams of others, adapting his mindset to score and progress. On the field, Isagi is calculated and opportunistic, constantly seeking the “chemical reactions” that maximize team synergy while staying a step ahead of opponents. Despite his hunger to win and assert his dominance as the best player, he values his teammates’ strengths and collaborates effectively to achieve his goals.

A pivotal aspect of Isagi’s development is his rivalry with Rin Itoshi. After losing to Rin, Isagi becomes determined to surpass him, emulating Rin’s habits and mindset to close the gap in their abilities. For Isagi, outpacing Rin represents a crucial milestone in his quest to become the world’s best striker. Despite his growing confidence, Isagi is not immune to nerves, which occasionally surface before critical matches, such as the First and Third Selections or the Japan U-20 match. Nevertheless, he consistently overcomes these moments, channeling his ego to stake his claim as one of Blue Lock‘s top players.

Isagi’s evolution extends beyond the field. He rejects dismissive remarks about his achievements being mere “luck,” as seen in his encounter with Tada, a former teammate. Such comments only fuel his determination to prove the effort and sacrifices he has made to reach his current level.

By the time of the Neo Egoist League, Isagi’s ego becomes more pronounced. He feels deeply insulted when teammates like Yukimiya question his decisions, leading to heated confrontations, such as a near fight in the locker room. Similarly, during the Bastard München vs. Manshine City match, he is visibly frustrated when Kunigami intercepts a scoring opportunity Isagi meticulously planned, and when Kaiser mocks him as a mere playmaker. These moments reveal Isagi’s growing resolve to assert his individualism and ego.

Notably, Isagi’s perspective on football aligns closely with Jinpachi Ego’s philosophy—a shared obsessive desire to win. This similarity becomes evident as Isagi starts displaying Ego’s signature devilish grin during moments of intense focus. A turning point occurs during Bastard München’s match against Paris X Gen, when Isagi learns that his idol, Noel Noa, has been using him as a stepping stone for Kaiser. This revelation awakens a new level of rage and determination in Isagi, fueling his drive to dismantle the expectations placed upon him and assert his dominance over everyone who doubts him.

History

Isagi grew up idolizing Noel Noa, a French national team forward, and aspired to become Japan’s National Ace Striker. His passion for football led him to join Ichinan High School, where he played as the forward for the school’s football team. In his second year, Isagi found himself in a crucial match against Matsukaze Kokuo High during the Saitama Prefecture Finals, with Kira standing as one of the opposing team’s key players.

During the game, Isagi showcased his offensive prowess, effortlessly bypassing defenders and charging down the field with ease. His thoughts were solely focused on reaching the Nationals, and as he approached the goal, he found himself in a perfect scoring position. However, one of his teammates called for a pass, despite the clear opportunity for Isagi to take the shot himself. Isagi, adhering to his team-oriented mindset, passed the ball to his teammate. Unfortunately, the shot was missed, and his team lost their chance to compete at the Nationals.

After the game, the team gathered around their coach before each player left. On his way home, Isagi replayed the scenario in his mind, imagining what would have happened if he had taken the shot himself. In this mental picture, Isagi saw himself scoring the goal and leading his team to victory. This moment of self-realization made him question his decision to pass. He came to understand that, in that situation, being selfish might have been the right choice.

However, this revelation conflicted with Isagi’s core beliefs about football. Raised in a culture that values teamwork and collective effort, he struggled to reconcile the idea of individual glory with his understanding of the sport. His frustration and confusion boiled over, causing him to yell in anger and cry in solitude.

Upon returning home, Isagi shared the loss with his parents, and his mother handed him a letter informing him of an invitation to a mysterious “Player Improvement Project.” The news left Isagi feeling both excited and uncertain about what lay ahead, setting the stage for his next phase in football.

Abilities

Archetypes

  • Forward: Forwards, or strikers, are the focal point of offensive play, tasked with scoring goals and often receiving the most attention on the field. They are key players during penalty and corner kicks and are usually responsible for initiating play at the start of the game and after halftime.

  • Raumdeuter: Translating to “space investigator,” a Raumdeuter excels at exploiting half-spaces and creating opportunities. These players thrive in unoccupied areas, disrupting opposition defenses with calculated movements. While they are not characterized by speed or dribbling, their exceptional first touch and spatial awareness make them lethal.

Isagi epitomizes the Raumdeuter archetype, leveraging his unparalleled spatial awareness to assess the field and players dynamically. By exploiting unoccupied spaces, he creates ideal plays, seizes scoring opportunities, and enhances team synergy. His ability to elevate the performance of his teammates through “chemical reactions” and strategic play has earned him the title of Blue Lock’s heart by Sae Itoshi and recognition from Jinpachi Ego himself.

Skills

  • Spatial Awareness: Isagi’s instinctive ability to analyze the entire field allows him to understand the strengths and weaknesses of both teammates and opponents. This insight enables him to predict the flow of play, envision ideal strategies midgame, and execute them with precision. His spatial awareness ranks among the highest in Blue Lock, often rivaling or surpassing top players like Niko and Rin.

  • Goal Scent: Isagi’s spatial awareness lets him detect the “scent of a goal”—key opportunities radiating from certain players—and position himself to capitalize on or set up those moments.

  • Metavision (超越視界メタ・ビジョン): A transcendent vision that grants Isagi an omnipotent perspective of the field. By processing data through his central and peripheral vision, he continuously monitors player movements, strategies, and positions. After studying Michael Kaiser’s goal formula, Isagi adapted Metavision into his own playstyle, combining it with his reflexes and positioning to outmaneuver elite opponents.

  • Meta-Burst Point: Isagi pinpoints the critical juncture in an opponent’s strategy using Metavision and intercepts plays at the last moment. This skill was instrumental during the match against Manshine City.

  • Egocentrism: By understanding players’ motivations, Isagi disrupts key plays, exploiting opponents’ intentions to create opportunities for his team. His mastery of this skill allows him to counter even “miracle” plays with precision.

  • Direct Shot (直撃蹴弾ダイレクトシュート): A signature skill, Isagi minimizes wasted motion by directly striking the ball upon receiving it, delivering clean, powerful goals. His flawless execution of this technique has impressed teammates and opponents alike.

  • Back Heel Shot: A deceptive shot where Isagi feints a direct attempt before striking the ball backward for a clean finish. This move first astonished opponents during his rematch with Rin in the Second Selection.

  • Lefty Direct Shot and Variations: Isagi uses his weaker left foot for direct shots when his dominant side is blocked, refining it further into techniques like the “2-Stage Lefty Direct Shot” for enhanced precision and unpredictability.

  • Two-Gun Volley: Inspired by Nagi, Isagi performs an ambidextrous mid-air fake with one foot before volleying with the other. This advanced technique confounds defenders and goalkeepers, earning Hiori’s praise as “unstoppable.”

  • Off-the-Ball Movements: Isagi excels at positioning himself in opponents’ blind spots, creating space for his teammates or setting up opportunities for decisive plays.

  • Positioning: Drawing inspiration from Rin, Isagi exploits luck by moving to opportune locations for scoring. His decisive goal against the U-20 team showcased this skill at its peak.

  • Side Step Diagonal Run: A move where Isagi fakes left or right to throw off defenders before slipping through their gap.

  • Reflex (反射的): Isagi incorporates reflex-driven playmaking, reacting instantly to field conditions to position himself advantageously. This skill proved vital in the U-20 match, where he scored a decisive direct shot.

  • Flow State: Also called “being in the zone,” Flow is a state of total immersion and focus. In Flow, Isagi combines all his skills—Metavision, spatial awareness, and reflex—into seamless play, delivering ironclad defenses or unstoppable attacks. His most notable Flow State occurred during Bastard München’s game against Manshine City, where he orchestrated two team goals.

Relationships

Meguru Bachira

Isagi first meets Bachira when Kunigami tells him to watch where he’s going, only to discover Bachira sleeping on the floor. Initially unsettled by Bachira’s eccentricity, Isagi quickly bonds with him after their first match against Team X. Over time, they train together often, and Bachira expresses his unwavering belief in Isagi, passing to him consistently. He hints that he sees a “monster” within Isagi, akin to the one he recognizes in himself. Before their match against Team V, Bachira tells Isagi that he’d feel lonely without him if they lost, and Isagi agrees. Bachira might be Isagi’s first real friend since his struggles in Blue Lock, though he still connects with other strong players like Itoshi Rin.

In the Second Selection, Bachira is briefly stolen by Rin’s team after their loss, and Isagi promises to reclaim him. Though Isagi barely fails in that pursuit, their friendship remains intact, and they continue playing football together. In the Third Selection, they no longer play official games together but both make the Blue Lock Eleven and face the Japan U-20 team. They share a joyful moment after the match, celebrating on the field and indirectly causing their parents to meet. By the time of the Neo Egoist League, Bachira is a close friend whom Isagi supports, offering sound advice as they both strive to become the best strikers in the world.

Rensuke Kunigami

Kunigami first crosses paths with Isagi when he accidentally throws his shirt at him. Isagi is immediately impressed by Kunigami’s physical prowess and strong moral compass. Their bond strengthens after Isagi trusts Kunigami to score the last point in their game against Team X. Though they part ways after the First Selection, they meet again during the Second Selection, where they face each other in a 3v3 Rivalry Battle. Despite Isagi’s team winning, he does not choose Kunigami, which Kunigami respects. This loss, however, stays with him, and Isagi is surprised when Kunigami is eliminated in the Third Selection by Ryusei Shidou.

Kunigami returns as part of the Wild Card, now colder and more serious. Though Isagi is the only person Kunigami speaks to in the Germany Stratum, their interactions are often rude and condescending. Despite the tension, Isagi does not feel threatened by Kunigami’s presence. After their game against Manshine City, Isagi seeks Kunigami’s advice on improvement. Though Kunigami is reluctant at first, he agrees to play a 2v2 game with Isagi, Bachira, and Chigiri, rekindling their camaraderie.

Hyoma Chigiri

Initially indifferent, Isagi and Chigiri’s first significant interaction happens after their match against Team Y, when Chigiri helps Isagi understand spatial awareness. Later, when Team Z faces Team W, Chigiri recognizes Isagi’s determination and joins in the effort to win, solidifying their bond. As teammates, they develop excellent chemistry, with Isagi relying on Chigiri’s speed and Chigiri trusting Isagi’s ability to read the game. Outside the field, they enjoy a friendly relationship, even spending time together bowling after the Japan U-20 match.

Asahi Naruhaya

Isagi and Naruhaya share a relatively positive relationship within Team Z. However, their rivalry intensifies during the Second Selection when Naruhaya, believing Isagi to be mediocre, is eliminated. Despite their differences, Naruhaya wishes Isagi luck and encourages him to continue winning.

Gurimu Igarashi

Igarashi immediately bonds with Isagi, sharing his background and motivations for joining Blue Lock. Though Igarashi initially targets Isagi in the game of tag, Isagi later chooses not to exploit him when he notices Igarashi’s injury. Both players survive the Entrance Exam, and they are surprised when Ryosuke Kira dismisses them as weak players despite their survival.

Shoei Baro (Team X)

Baro is the first true striker Isagi faces in Blue Lock, and their competitive relationship forms the core of their interactions. Isagi seeks Baro’s advice but quickly grows determined to surpass him. They engage in multiple clashes, often trying to outdo one another. Though they argue and sometimes hinder each other, they respect each other’s abilities, viewing each other as significant rivals.

Ikki Niko (Team Y)

Niko’s spatial awareness skill leaves a strong impression on Isagi, who learns to analyze the field more effectively. Their rivalry escalates when Isagi wins their match, and Niko vows to improve as a striker. Despite their competitive relationship, they respect each other and remain friendly. Niko even credits Isagi for helping him rediscover his passion for football.

Seishiro Nagi (Team V)

Isagi and Nagi first interact during the First Selection, where Nagi’s ball control impresses Isagi. They quickly develop a remarkable chemistry on the field, with Nagi leveraging his trapping skills and Isagi creating opportunities. After their loss to Rin’s Team Red, Nagi promises to catch up with Isagi, and they meet again during the Third Selection. Their rivalry intensifies during the Neo Egoist League, where Nagi scores an incredible goal against Isagi but is ultimately shut down by him. Despite the rivalry, Nagi’s respect for Isagi grows, and he continues to push himself to improve.

Reo Mikage (Team V)

Reo’s initial rivalry with Isagi stems from jealousy over Nagi’s decision to join Isagi’s team. This evolves into a mutual respect, especially after they discuss their shared goal of surpassing Rin and Nagi. Reo’s hidden ability to use Metavision becomes a turning point in their relationship, and while they remain rivals, they share a more amicable bond.

Jinpachi Ego

Ego’s philosophy initially intrigues Isagi, and he becomes one of the first players to embrace Ego’s vision for football. Throughout Isagi’s journey, Ego commends his growth, especially his ability to shadow Rin Itoshi. When Blue Lock faces challenges, Isagi becomes more focused on winning, impressing Ego with his passion and commitment.

Anri Teieri

Anri and Isagi first meet when she distributes the Blue Lock uniforms. Though she did not initially choose him, Anri later witnesses his growth, recognizing his potential as a player. Unlike the other Blue Lock participants, Isagi’s path to the program was personally chosen by Ego.

Ryosuke Kira

Kira is Isagi’s first friend in Blue Lock, recognizing him from their previous match in the Saitama Prefecture Finals. They share a brief bond before Kira is eliminated, angry at Isagi for being the one to take him out. Despite their initial camaraderie, Kira’s departure from Blue Lock ends their friendship on a sour note.

Itoshi Rin

Rin and Isagi’s rivalry begins when Rin effortlessly defeats Isagi in the Second Selection. Isagi vows to surpass Rin, but Rin remains indifferent. They meet again in the Fourth Stage, where Rin admits his respect for Isagi’s persistence. Their rivalry continues, with Isagi seeing Rin as a source of motivation, while Rin considers Isagi a non-issue. However, by the Neo Egoist League, Isagi grows closer to Rin’s level of skill, vowing to catch up and surpass him one day.

Noel Noa

Noel is Isagi’s idol, and his excitement to be coached by Noa in the Neo Egoist League drives him to join Bastard München. However, Isagi’s admiration wanes when he realizes Noa has been using him to help his rival, Michael Kaiser, develop his ego. This revelation fuels Isagi’s determination to defeat both Noa and Kaiser, marking the end of his idolization and the beginning of a more intense rivalry.

Michael Kaiser

Kaiser’s arrogant demeanor immediately clashes with Isagi’s competitive spirit. Despite their animosity, Isagi respects Kaiser’s abilities and views him as a significant obstacle in the Neo Egoist League. The rivalry between them continues to evolve, with Isagi striving to surpass Kaiser and prove himself as the best striker.

Etymology

The etymology of Yoichi Isagi’s name is quite meaningful and reflects both his personal traits and his role in Blue Lock.

  • Yoichi (世一): His given name, “Yoichi,” is composed of two kanji. The first, Yo (世), means “world,” “generation,” or “society.” The second, Ichi (一), means “one,” “first,” or “best.” Combined, “Yoichi” can be interpreted as “the world’s best,” which is fitting for Isagi’s journey to become the world’s best striker. Phonetically, it can also refer to the date of his birth, April 1st, where Yo (四)means “four” and Ichi (一)means “one.”

  • Isagi (潔いさぎ): Isagi’s surname, Isagi, is made up of the kanji I (潔), meaning “undefiled,” “pure,” or “clean.” This gives the meaning of “undefiled” or “pure” to his name, symbolizing his untainted ambition and desire to be the best. The adjective form, Isagiyoi (潔いさぎよい), can also mean “sportsmanlike,” “manly,” or “brave,” qualities that align with Isagi’s character as he matures throughout the story.

Thus, his full name can be interpreted as“the world’s best”or“the world’s purest,”both of which resonate with his drive to become the ultimate striker, embodying ideals of purity, strength, and ambition in his pursuit of greatness in the football world.

Trivia

    • His zodiac sign is Aries.
    • He is the youngest of the 2nd years in his high school (born on April 1).
    • His hometown is Saitama.
    • His foot size is 27 cm.
    • He has 2.0 vision in both eyes.
    • His blood type is B.
    • His dominant leg is his right side.
    • His favorite football player is Noel Noa.
    • He started playing football at the age of 4.
    • His favorite food is kintsuba. He does not have any least favorite foods.
    • His favorite thing to have with rice is salted salmon.
    • His hobby is going for walks.
    • His favorite season is autumn.
    • His favorite song is the Hachimitsu Kinkan Nodo Ame commercial song.
    • His favorite movie is My Neighbor Totoro.
    • His favorite manga are Cyborg Kuro-chan and Hero Hero-kun.
    • His favorite singer is Ken Hirai.
    • His favorite color is light blue.
    • His character color is fluorescent green.
    • His favorite actor is Tom Cruise.
    • His favorite animal is the Japanese spiny lobster.
    • His favorite subjects are PE and Arts.
    • His least favorite subjects are Math and Science.
    • He has a thigh fetish.
    • He likes when he is praised or given sweets. He dislikes when he is ignored.
    • His ideal type is someone who laughs a lot and has a wonderful smile.
    • He received no Valentine’s chocolates the previous year.
    • He gets 7 hours of sleep each night.
    • The first thing he washes when in the bath is his head.
    • The last time he cried was when he lost at the Prefectural Tournament Finals.
    • He received Christmas presents from Santa until he was 6 years old. The last thing he asked for was a PlayStation 4.
    • If it were his last day on Earth, he would like to eat kintsuba with some delicious tea.
    • If he received 100 million yen (~$739,000), he would give it to his parents.
    • He spends his days off playing football video games, reading manga, or going for walks when he has something on his mind.
    • His jumping height is 61 cm (24″ or 8′).
    • His morning routine consists of stretching, greeting his parents, having breakfast, performing a simulation of the day ahead, eating a sweet treat, and going to school.
    • When asked about what he does for luck before a showdown, he said: “Shape the hair on the crown of my head into a nice V.”
    • He ranked 1st in the first popularity poll with 2,568 votes.
    • The Japanese voice actress who does his child voice also voices Anri Teieri.
    • His name and playstyle are based on Filippo Inzaghi but he shares playstyle similarities with Thomas Müller.
    • His Ichinan team is the second strongest in Saitama.