In Blue Lock chapter 298, following the conclusion of the pivotal Manshine City vs. FC Barcha match, Ego Jinpachi unveiled the final rankings of the Neo Egoist League. The announcement caught many by surprise, particularly with Seishiro Nagi finishing in a disappointing Rank 24, missing the cut for Japan’s U-20 squad.
Despite his impressive standing as a player, it’s important to remember that Nagi’s football knowledge was quite limited. Although he consistently ranked among the top players within Blue Lock, this was largely attributed to his natural abilities.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Blue Lock manga and reflects the author’s opinion.
Evaluating Nagi and Reo’s Performances
Throughout the Blue Lock series, Seishiro Nagi consistently received higher evaluations compared to Reo Mikage based primarily on their skills as strikers. The foundational aim of the Blue Lock project was to nurture the most self-centered striker possible, making striker performance the benchmark for ranking players.
Nagi’s exceptional attributes, such as Perfect Ball Control and Trapping proficiency, naturally placed him high in the rankings. Yet, this does not negate the fact that he had minimal football understanding. Most of his insights stemmed from Reo Mikage and other players. Without the guidance of Chigiri Hyoma, Nagi may never have even heard of legendary players like Dennis Bergkamp or made the decision to join Manshine City.
In stark contrast, Reo Mikage took a more comprehensive approach towards improvement after setting his sights on winning the World Cup. He leveraged resources from Mikage Corp to construct a virtual soccer stadium and engaged professionals to refine every aspect of his game. This strategic focus included optimizing his diet, health management, techniques, mental fortitude, and tactical understanding.
Consequently, although Reo initiated his football journey later than Nagi, he progressed into a versatile player capable of adapting to various positions, whether as a defender, midfielder, or forward. His talent is such that he can emulate the skills of others as long as his physicality supports it.
Reexamining their overall football skills, it becomes clear that while Nagi possesses remarkable talents like an incredible First Touch, he is ultimately reliant on the collaborative support from teammates. Without this foundation, many of his accomplishments would not have been feasible.
While Seishiro Nagi’s skills in creativity are notable, he does struggle with decision-making, something that is evident in critical moments during matches. This limitation was particularly highlighted in his recent performance against FC Barcha, where he opted to pass during crucial opportunities instead of taking a shot himself.
In summary, although Nagi may have ranked higher at times, it is clear that Reo Mikage has always been the superior player in terms of skill development and overall football intelligence. Reo recently advanced his ranking from 16th to 7th, while Nagi’s ranking plummeted from 11th to 24th.