The live-action adaptation of the hit manga and anime series BLUE LOCK is set to arrive in Japanese theaters on . A new trailer and visual have been released, alongside the announcement that Masataka Kubota will portray Jinpachi Ego, the enigmatic architect of the Blue Lock Project.
Kubota’s casting was revealed at a production announcement event in Tokyo on . Ego is described as the “mastermind and supreme authority” behind the radical program designed to cultivate a world-class striker for the Japanese national team. The character is known for his uncompromising philosophy and provocative methods, pushing players to their psychological limits in pursuit of ultimate egoism and goal-scoring prowess.
BLUE LOCK, created by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yūsuke Nomura, exploded in popularity following the success of its anime adaptation. The story centers around a unique training regimen where 300 aspiring young soccer players are confined to a futuristic facility – the “Blue Lock” – and pitted against each other in a ruthless competition. Only the most exceptional will survive, and only one will be deemed worthy to lead Japan to victory in the FIFA World Cup.
The film’s release is strategically timed to coincide with the year of the FIFA World Cup, amplifying anticipation among fans. Yūsuke Taki is directing the film for CREDEUS, the production studio behind the live-action adaptations of Golden Kamuy and Kingdom, with distribution handled by TOHO.
The production team has been steadily revealing cast members in the weeks leading up to the trailer release. Previously announced members of Team Z had their eyes revealed in a visual released earlier this week.
The original manga launched in Weekly Shōnen Magazine in and quickly gained a dedicated following. It won the Best Shōnen Manga award at the 45th annual Kodansha Manga Awards in 2021. Kodansha USA Publishing is releasing the manga in English, both digitally and in print, describing the story as a high-stakes competition to forge the ultimate egoistic striker.
The anime adaptation, which premiered in , further propelled the franchise’s popularity. Crunchyroll streamed the series as it aired and continues to offer an English dub. A second season, BLUE LOCK vs. U-20 JAPAN, debuted in , also streaming on Crunchyroll. A third season, adapting the “Shin Eiyū Taisen” (New Hero Wars) story arc, is also in development.
Adding to the expanding BLUE LOCK universe, a spinoff manga, Blue Lock: Episode Nagi, focusing on Seishirō Nagi’s journey before entering the Blue Lock facility, concluded in July 2025. An anime film adaptation of Episode Nagi premiered in Japan in , and was also made available on Crunchyroll.
The live-action film represents a significant step in the franchise’s expansion, bringing the intense competition and psychological drama of BLUE LOCK to a new medium. With a confirmed release date and the casting of a prominent actor like Masataka Kubota as Jinpachi Ego, the film is poised to capture the attention of both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
