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Will Blue Lock Be Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained

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Will Blue Lock Be Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained

Will Blue Lock be canceled or axed in the future? Some readers are concerned about the series due to several ongoing issues.

In this article, we break down the main factors that could affect Blue Lock’s future.

Was Blue Lock Canceled or Axed? Reasons Explained

Blue Lock remains a popular ongoing series in Weekly Shonen Magazine and has not been canceled.

 

“Blue Lock” has been serialized in *Weekly Shonen Magazine* since Issue 35 of 2018.

As part of its media franchise, a TV anime series began airing in October 2022, and in 2024, “EPISODE Nagi” was adapted into a theatrical anime film.

 

⇒Watch the anime “Blue Lock” on Amazon Prime Video

Because it sparked controversy with its provocative dialogue

“Blue Lock” sparked controversy by using the surname of a real-life former Japanese national team player and having a character utter remarks that disparaged him, leading to concerns that the series might be canceled.

The controversy arose when “Egojinpachi,” a coach in *Blue Lock*, mentioned the surnames of real-life Japanese national team players like Honda and Kagawa, and depicted him saying disparaging remarks such as, “They're trash, aren't they?”

 

This depiction was seen as disparaging Japanese soccer and real-life players, drawing backlash from soccer fans. Criticism arose early in the series, and some even voiced concerns that the series might be canceled.

 

However, this controversy also cemented the series’ reputation as “the craziest soccer manga in history.” Despite the criticism, it generated even more buzz, and rather than affecting the serialization, it actually drew significant attention.

Will Japan's run end with a World Cup victory?

Muneyuki Kaneshiro, the author of *Blue Lock*, made a comment to the effect that he would be perfectly happy if the series were canceled should Japan win the World Cup, which seems to have led to some misunderstanding as to whether it would actually be canceled.

 

It all started during the 2022 World Cup, when author Muneyuki Kaneshiro, in an interview with the Asahi Shimbun, mentioned that people on social media had been saying, “If Japan wins, Blue Lock will get canceled,” and went on to say that if the series were to end because Japan won, he would consider it a dream come true.

The 2022 World Cup was a huge success, with Japan defeating Spain and Germany, and it sparked a buzz on social media with the claim that “if Japan wins the World Cup, *Blue Lock* will be canceled.”

 

Although Japan did not win the 2022 World Cup, the author’s comments about canceling the series seem to have led to the misunderstanding that *Blue Lock* would indeed be canceled.

It has been on hiatus several times

Since “Blue Lock” has been on hiatus frequently, there seems to be concern that it might continue to be put on hiatus repeatedly and eventually get canceled.

It seems that Yusuke Nomura, the artist behind “Blue Lock,” has been taking frequent breaks due to health issues and research, leaving many fans disappointed.

 

In particular, as these hiatuses continue at a time when the series is gaining momentum, readers are voicing concerns that “the serialization might become unstable and ultimately get canceled.”

 

While many are concerned about the health of artist Yusuke Nomura, there are also concerns that the prolonged hiatus will disrupt the story’s pacing.

 

Nevertheless, “Blue Lock” remains a popular series, and with so many fans eagerly awaiting the next developments, there is high anticipation for its continuation.

Is it because there were rumors that the author had died?

It seems that rumors of the series being canceled arose partly because Yusuke Nomura, the artist for *Blue Lock*, had to take several breaks due to poor health, which led to speculation that the author had passed away.

Yusuke Nomura, the artist in charge of the artwork, has taken breaks from the series due to a busy schedule or poor health. Fans were particularly concerned when he took a three-week hiatus in 2021 due to a sudden illness.

 

This led to unfounded rumors circulating online that the author had passed away, which is believed to be one of the factors that sparked concerns that *Blue Lock* might be canceled.

 

In reality, Yusuke Nomura has continued the series since then, and official announcements regarding his recovery and plans to resume the series have been made repeatedly; the series is still ongoing.

Because a popular series in the magazine was canceled

Given that popular series in *Magazine* such as *Ace of Diamond* and *Baby Steps* were abruptly canceled, there seems to be concern that *Blue Lock*, another popular series in the same magazine, might also be canceled.

It all started when “Ace of Diamonds,” which had been running for 16 years, came to an abrupt end, prompting widespread surprise and dissatisfaction among fans, who wondered, “Even a popular series like ‘Ace of Diamonds’ ends with a sudden cancellation-like conclusion?”

 

Similarly, “Baby Steps,” which was also serialized in Magazine, ended abruptly in the middle of the story, reinforcing the perception among readers that “sports manga in Magazine are often canceled.”

 

Following this trend, concerns have arisen that the currently popular “Blue Lock” might suffer the same fate.

In particular, because “Blue Lock” features a thrilling storyline and many fans are hoping for a long-running series, voices worrying about a cancellation are becoming increasingly prominent.

Because “cancellation” appeared in the search suggestions

When you search on Google or Yahoo!, several suggested search terms appear at the same time. However, when searching for “Blue Lock,” the word “cancelled” might have appeared, leading to a misunderstanding.

 

Since “Blue Lock” is a popular manga, it seems many people became worried, wondering, “Has it been cancelled?” and searched for “Blue Lock cancelled.”

 

As a result, when they searched for “Blue Lock,” ‘cancelled’ appeared, leading them to mistakenly think, “Was it cancelled?”

It seems they then got caught in a loop where, worried that it might have been cancelled, they searched for “Blue Lock cancelled,” only to see “cancelled” appear again and again.

Exploring the Popularity and Appeal That Dispels Concerns About “Blue Lock” Being Canceled

A fresh worldview that embraces the “ego” and an innovative storyline

The biggest reason “Blue Lock” became a massive hit—completely dispelling rumors of its cancellation—lies in its thorough embrace of “egoism,” which overturns the conventional wisdom of sports manga.

 

While traditional soccer manga have always held teamwork and bonds with teammates as virtues, this series places the highest priority on the “ego that tramples on teammates” in order to produce the world’s greatest striker.

 

This innovative value system felt incredibly fresh to modern readers, providing an intense sense of liberation from the daily routine of constantly conforming to those around them.

 

Furthermore, the fact that the story goes beyond mere matches and unfolds as an extreme survival scenario—where “losing means losing the chance to ever play for the Japanese national team”—is another factor that captivates readers.

 

It blends psychological warfare akin to a death game with sophisticated soccer tactics, maintaining a constant sense of tension where the next development is impossible to predict.

 

It is precisely because the story depicts intricate mind games that even those unfamiliar with soccer rules can become engrossed that it has succeeded in attracting a wide fan base.

 

As a result, this unique and edgy concept captured the hearts of many people, leading to explosive popularity that blew away the initial anxieties surrounding the series’ launch.

A cast of characters with overwhelming personality and high-quality animation

The core appeal of *Blue Lock* lies in the fact that every player who appears in the series possesses the presence of a protagonist and a deep backstory.

 

From Seiichi Kiyoshi, who continues to awaken his potential through astonishing mental prowess despite starting as an average talent, to Rin Itoshi, who boasts overwhelming skill, and the genius Seishiro Nagi, each character is equipped with a distinct “weapon.”

 

The way each character grows while confronting their own determination and past is depicted with an exquisite balance that allows readers to deeply empathize with them.

 

The overwhelming artistic skill of artist Yusuke Nomura further amplifies the work’s appeal, and the tension during the final moments of a match is particularly breathtaking.

 

The aura and dynamic compositions surrounding the moments when characters “transform into monsters” leave a powerful impression on readers and provide a visual feast.

 

The perfect fusion of visually striking coolness and gritty, human drama allows fans to naturally find their favorite “favorite” character.

 

It is precisely the maintenance of this high character depth and beautiful visuals that serves as the driving force keeping readers engaged and supporting the series over the long term.

Inspiring quotes that resonate as life lessons and the success of a multifaceted media mix

The powerful lines spoken throughout *Blue Lock* go beyond mere manga dialogue, positively influencing readers’ outlook on life and mental well-being.

 

Famous quotes like “Let your ego explode”—which encourage readers to believe wholeheartedly in their own potential—resonate deeply as messages of self-improvement for those navigating modern society.

 

The characters’ determination to overcome setbacks and continuously improve themselves is brimming with positive energy that inspires anyone who dares to take on a challenge.

 

Driven by the intrinsic passion inherent in this work, it has achieved the phenomenal milestone of exceeding 50 million copies in cumulative circulation as of 2026.

 

The TV anime adaptation has further amplified the sense of speed and realism in the matches, successfully expanding the fan base in one fell swoop.

 

A chain of media mix projects—including theatrical releases, video games, and a live-action film adaptation—has solidified the series’ recognition.

 

By consistently delivering high-quality entertainment across various media, the series has established an unshakable status, rendering rumors of its cancellation a thing of the past.

How far does the final episode of the Blue Lock anime go? Where does the original manga pick up?

The “Blue Lock” anime aired for two seasons and covered up to Volume 17.

Therefore, if you want to follow the story after the second season of the anime, you can start reading from Volume 18.

 

By the way, the “anime” is progressing as shown in the table below.

Manga Anime
Volumes 1–6 (Season 1)
12 episodes in total
Volumes 6–11 (Season 1)
12 episodes in total
Volumes 12–17 (Season 2)
14 episodes total

⇒Watch the anime “Blue Lock” on Amazon Prime Video

Final Thoughts on Blue Lock

In conclusion, Blue Lock has not been canceled, and there are currently no strong signs of it ending early.

Overall, the series appears to be continuing without major issues.

 

Some readers have worried about cancellation because of controversial comments both inside and outside the series, including provocative statements involving real former Japanese national team players.

However, Blue Lock has established itself as one of the most outrageous and unconventional soccer manga ever made, and it continues to enjoy strong popularity.

 

It may still be worth checking out for yourself.

⇒Watch the anime “Blue Lock” on Amazon Prime Video

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