Fans of the high-stakes football manga BLUELOCK have reason to celebrate as a third anime season and the first-ever live-action film adaptation have both been officially announced. The exciting news was revealed at the “Blue Lock Egoist Festa 2025” event held on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
Third Anime Season Set to Adapt “Neo Egoist League” Arc
The continuation of the BLUELOCK anime, which is currently in production, will bring the highly anticipated “Neo Egoist League” arc to the screen. This arc, also referred to as “Shin Eiyū Taisen” or “New Hero Wars,” promises to escalate the intense competition as the Blue Lock project aims to cultivate the world’s greatest striker.
Both Muneyuki Kaneshiro, the original story creator, and Yusuke Nomura, the manga illustrator, shared their enthusiasm for the upcoming season. While a specific release date for the third season has not yet been confirmed, production is underway by studio Eight Bit, known for their work on the previous seasons. The anime’s first season captivated audiences from October 2022 to March 2023, followed by a second season, BLUELOCK vs. U-20 Japan, which aired from October to December 2024. Crunchyroll has streamed both prior seasons and the BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE -EPISODE NAGI-.
Live-Action Film Adaptation Slated for Summer 2026
In a significant expansion of the franchise, BLUELOCK will also receive a live-action film adaptation, marking its debut in this format. The film is scheduled for a nationwide Japanese release in Summer 2026, strategically timed to coincide with the FIFA World Cup.
The live-action movie will be produced by CREDEUS, a studio recognized for its work on successful adaptations like the Kingdom and Golden Kamuy film series. CK Works is also involved in the production, with Toho handling distribution. Further details regarding the cast and specific plot points for the live-action film are expected to be announced via the official series website and social media channels.
The Enduring Popularity of BLUELOCK
The announcement underscores the immense popularity and critical success of the BLUELOCK franchise. Written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, the manga has been serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine since August 2018. By March 2025, the series had achieved a global circulation of over 45 million copies, establishing it as one of the best-selling manga series of all time. In 2021, BLUELOCK was honored with the 45th Kodansha Manga Award in the shōnen category.
The story centers on the Japan Football Union’s radical “Blue Lock” training regimen, devised by the enigmatic Jinpachi Ego, to create the world’s greatest egotistical striker after the national team’s disappointing performance in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. High school player Yoichi Isagi joins 299 other aspiring strikers, facing an intense competition where failure means being permanently barred from representing Japan. This unique premise, blending sports with a battle royale-style elimination, has resonated strongly with audiences worldwide.
