What are the Blue Lock stages?

What are the Blue Lock stages? Blue Lock features a multi-phase elimination tournament designed to create Japan's ultimate striker through increasingly challenging stages that test players' abilities, mentality, and soccer instincts.

First Selection

The initial Blue Lock stage divides 300 players into five buildings (Teams V, W, X, Y, and Z), with each building containing 60 players split into 12 teams of 5. Teams compete in matches where the losing team faces individual elimination through voting. This stage emphasizes teamwork while forcing players to develop their individual "weapons" - unique skills that set them apart. Players must advance through multiple rounds within their building to progress.

Second Selection

Surviving players from the First Selection enter a more individualized phase featuring three distinct tests:

Stage 1: Rival Battle

Players face one-on-one matches against opponents, with winners advancing and losers eliminated.

Stage 2: 3v3 Matches

Small team battles where players can steal teammates from opposing teams after victories, creating dynamic roster changes.

Stage 3: Boss Battle

Top players face off against established Blue Lock members in challenging matches.

Third Selection (U-20 Match)

The remaining elite players compete for spots on the Blue Lock Eleven team, which faces Japan's U-20 national team. This stage serves as the ultimate test, pitting Blue Lock's revolutionary training methods against traditional Japanese soccer.

Neo Egoist League

Following the U-20 match, selected players enter the Neo Egoist League, where they join world-class teams and compete internationally. This stage focuses on adapting Blue Lock players to professional-level competition while maintaining their egoist striker mentality.

Each Blue Lock stage progressively eliminates weaker players while forcing survivors to evolve their skills and soccer philosophy. The tournament structure creates intense psychological pressure that transforms ordinary players into exceptional strikers capable of leading Japan to World Cup victory.