Blue Lock: The Best Anime to Watch During World Cup 2026

Love the high-stakes drama of the 2026 World Cup? Match that pitch energy with Blue Lock, the psychological soccer anime taking over the fandom.

Source: https://tv.bluelock-pr.com/tv1st/story/ Official Page

Blue Lock scored a high mark of 9.1 on AnimeOshi. This is a huge deal for everyone, because Blue Lock is definitely the anime you should be watching this season. Although it's not a brand-new show or releasing a new season right now, it is the one anime that can perfectly replicate the intense vibe of the 2026 World Cup.

I watched this anime when it first came out and have already rewatched it because it's truly an amazing show that gives you the perfect vibe before or after you enjoy any 2026 World Cup match. Blue Lock is honestly so good; even though it can feel a bit unrealistic for a sports anime, believe me, you will be completely blown away by how crazy the characters are about football.

Source: https://tv.bluelock-pr.com/tv1st/story/ Official Page

After watching an anime, regardless of the title, I always check how it rates across the three platforms I trust, and then I dive into the user reviews. I want to see whether others share my opinion, or if I've become the "special kid" for that particular show. After scanning the reviews, the next thing I look for is something a series score can never tell me: whether it sags in the middle.

I have strong opinions, and I'm always glad when others share them. For me personally, whether an anime sags in the middle is crucial, because I love either agreeing with other people's insights or getting ready to debate someone. After rewatching Blue Lock this season, I looked into those three websites and compared them. Here's how the three compared.

Source: https://tv.bluelock-pr.com/tv1st/story/ Official Page

MyAnimeList. The default, huge voter base, good gut check on whether a show is generally liked. Blue Lock sits in the 8s there. What it can't tell me is which episodes people lose their minds over versus which are connective tissue. One number for 24 episodes flattens a lot.

AniList. Cleaner to browse, a slightly more critical community. On AniList, Blue Lock holds a comparable series-level score. Good for "is this worth my time at all," not "where does it peak."

AnimeOshi. A website that can fulfill everything I need. Rates episode by episode out of ten, so you see the shape of a season instead of its average. On AnimeOshi, Blue Lock has most of its episodes rated at a perfect 100%. With scores that high, it's pretty obvious that we should all give this title a try.

Watch it if: You want a sports anime with an amazing plot, incredible characters, and something that delivers unbelievable passion and heat.

Skip it if: You are looking for a traditional sports anime like Haikyuu!!, Yowamushi Pedal, or Slam Dunk. Blue Lock is a different beast entirely; everyone in it is completely unhinged, and you won't find a conventional sports story here.

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.

Is it actually about football, or just using it? Unlike the super-famous shonen sports anime Kuroko's Basketball, Blue Lock really is grounded in actual football. However, because the story and characters are so wild, it definitely doesn't share the same vibe as a traditional sports anime.

Does it get worse as it goes? Personally, I feel like every single episode is pure hype and definitely worth watching. On AnimeOshi, every episode maintains a high score of over 90%, with almost half of them pulling in a perfect 100%. These scores speak for themselves; they show exactly how good Blue Lock really is.

Do I need to like sports anime? Since Blue Lock is not a traditional sports anime, you don't really need to be a fan of the genre to enjoy it. It's not just the unique plot and wild characters; this show doesn't even focus on the typical "power of friendship." So if you're at all curious about it, definitely give it a try.

Here’s a great YouTube video worth checking out.

The upcoming seasons are receiving opposite reviews across websites and YouTube channels, but that's a story for another post. When I first watched it, I was completely blown away and binged the entire show in just two days. Because Blue Lock was completely different from any other sports anime, I was pretty shocked at first, but I absolutely loved it all the way until the final episode.

If you're curious about this show, especially since the entire world is buzzing with football fever right now, the first season is definitely something you must experience for yourself.