Here’s Why Blue Lock’s Concept of Selfishness Is The Message Everyone Needs

Blue Lock’s story takes place after the Japanese national team finished 17th in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. As a result of the team’s failure, the Japanese Football League hires the enigmatic Jinpachi Ego to help create the world’s greatest striker to lead Japan to victory. His master plan, called Blue Lock, is a training regiment that recruited 300 soccer players through an arbitrary and biased decision-making process. Players must put aside any ethical dilemmas and fight their way to the top — even if it means crushing the dreams of 299 other players, who are ineligible to play soccer ever again if expelled from Blue Lock.

Unlike other sports anime, which encourage teamwork and embrace an all-for-one, one-for-all attitude, Blue Lock focuses on oneself. In order to be the best, the players need to become the number one egoist, meaning they should think only of themselves.

You can’t become the world’s best striker unless you are the world’s biggest egoist.

Jinpachi Ego

What makes this concept so refreshing is the fact that none of the characters are framed as villains. In fact, all the players accept that despite any bonds they’ve formed in Blue Lock, at the end of the day, each and every single one of them wants to be the best at the cost of another person’s dream — and for the most part, they’re not complete assholes about it. Take, for example, Isagi and Bachira, who remain friendly despite knowing that even if somehow they both make it to the top two, only one can go on to achieve soccer greatness.

Here’s why the message of selfishness and oneself is important: We often forget to take care of ourselves, putting others first. Whether it’s our friends, family, a job or something else… more often than not, personal well-being tends to fall to the wayside. There is only one “you” in life, so we should remember to be our own #1, championing ourselves, loving and taking care of ourselves physically, mentally and emotionally. That’s not to say that we should stop caring about others. In fact, I believe we can do more for others from the heart when we embrace selfishness and establish boundaries.

Just as friendship and competition can co-exist in Blue Lock, focusing on oneself doesn’t mean forgetting about everyone else — it’s about taking care of yourself so that you aren’t burnt out in the service of others.

So, if you’re feeling tired of life and always being the person who is there for others, embrace your inner egoist and put yourself first for a change — I promise it’ll be okay!