Blue Lock: Nagi needs to eventually return in the manga

Blue Lock has no shortage of fascinating characters taking part in Jinpachi Ego’s project to create the perfect Japanese striker, but very few have left as much impact as Seishiro Nagi. His prodigious talent, calm demeanor, and incredible football tricks have made him one of the most beloved characters in the series.

Due to this, fans were shocked to find that Nagi was eliminated from Project Blue Lock during the Neo Egoist League, where he ranked 24th out of a possible 23 who would be selected for the U-20 World Cup. The latest chapter of the manga saw Nagi parting ways with Reo and leaving the facility where he had shone so often.

However, there is little doubt in the minds of most that this is not the end of the character and he will eventually end up returning in the manga. From the outset, Nagi was a genius who played football on a whim without ever putting in too much effort. He was always nonchalant and played it instinctively, but gradually began getting more excited once the intensity of the matches rose.

As he left his childhood friend, Reo Mikage, to play along with Isagi, he formed a rivalry and close bond with the protagonist. Together, they rapidly grew and rose to the top of Project Blue Lock. Their moment to shine came in the U-20 Arc, where Nagi scored the first goal for his team, and Isagi scored the winning goal to ensure that they would become the country’s representatives.

No one ever questioned that this pair would become the central representative of Project Blue Lock once it headed to the global stage. While Isagi was the protagonist, Nagi frequently stole the spotlight through his unbelievable control over the ball and near-impossible goals. However, his spark faded once the Neo Egoist League started.

In this grand event where the main cast played along with professionals from across the world, Nagi was part of Manshine City and their most promising candidate. He made his name known early in the matches through a remarkable goal against Isagi’s Bayern Munchen. This allowed him to place second in the early Neo Egoist League rankings and gain the entire world’s support.

Unfortunately, from that point, his downfall began. Nagi had always been an unmotivated individual who needed something to strive towards. This was Isagi for the most part, wherein the prodigy was forced to work hard to catch up. However, in Manshine City, his growth was stifled. He was surrounded by friends such as Reo Mikage, who could work in harmony with him.

Therefore, after his wonder goal against Bayern Munchen, Nagi was mentally satisfied with his progress and believed he had overtaken Isagi. He had no other driving factor and stopped pushing himself. This put the brakes on his development and egoism. Consequently, Nagi made no noticeable contributions for the rest of the Neo Egoist League and dropped from second place to a shocking 24th.

The boy who was once valued at 88 million yen was only worth 24 million. The announcement of his elimination stunned everyone. Despite Reo Mikage’s pleas to give Nagi another chance, Ego lashed out at how the prodigy’s talents had withered away due to his mental contentment. Hence, leaving behind a tearful Reo and Isagi, Nagi left the project.

Why Nagi will return in Blue Lock

While Ego was not wrong in stating that Nagi’s growth had stagnated, his ranking did not make sense when characters like Raichi and Kiyora, who hardly contributed during the Neo Egoist League, were selected. Notwithstanding this, Nagi remains one of the most popular individuals in the series.

His personality is a breath of fresh air compared to the intense individuals surrounding him, and he was one of the first people to make Isagi push himself to evolve. His bond with main cast members like Chigiri and Baro was heartwarming and stood out during matches. Due to this, fans find it hard to believe that Nagi is truly gone for good.

For a character whose development was the central focus of several chapters, it would leave a very sour taste in readers’ mouths if he were permanently eliminated, especially when everyone knows how monstrous his talents are. Nagi is also the main character of his own spin-off manga, which is currently ongoing.

Therefore, the creators have invested a lot of time and effort into crafting him, and it is unlikely for him to be completely cut out. Other clues are also sprinkled across Blue Lock as to why Nagi will return. While Ego’s project is meant to be a cutthroat competition where participants can lose their careers at any point, it is far from that.

Characters like Kunigami had been eliminated in the past but were invited back through a separate training regimen. Even the Japanese U-20 team, believed to be eliminated if they lost their match against the main characters, were brought to participate in the Neo Egoist League.

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In his final appearance, Isagi told Nagi not to stop playing football, and Nagi looked back at him with the signature flames of determination in his eyes. Given Nagi’s connection to the main narrative, Ego’s annoyance at his elimination, and the various ways he can come back, it is safe to say that he will eventually return in the manga.

More importantly, Nagi needs to return in the manga, because if this truly were his final appearance, then the hundreds of chapters of development and relationship-building around him were all for naught.

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