Blue Lock Animator Unpacks the Anime’s Awful Animation: “It’s Very Sad”

Blue Lock Animator Unpacks the Anime’s Awful Animation: “It’s Very Sad”

As a long-time fan of anime and someone who has followed the industry for years, it’s heartbreaking to see what happened with Blue Lock season two. I’ve seen productions go through rough patches before, but this seems to be a whole other level. The talent and skill among the animators involved are undeniable, yet they’re being forced to work under such grueling conditions that it’s affecting the final product.


In 2021, “Blue Lock” has been a hot topic within the anime community, but not in the way you might expect. Following an impressive debut, the sports anime came back with season two this autumn. However, fans were taken aback when the series returned, as Blue Lock season two appeared drastically different. From its rigid artwork to its stationary animation, Blue Lock season two has been criticized for its quality. Now, one animator is speaking out about the challenges they faced during production.

On Twitter, animator EVAKOI shared a disheartening update about the current state of affairs. In this post, the artist involved in the production of Blue Lock’s first season expressed their disappointment, labeling the situation as “very sad.

EVAKOI clarified that the situation in “Blue Lock” is no longer humorous; it’s genuinely sad. He has personal connections with many animators working on new episodes, and he emphasizes their skills – many are talented, while some are truly exceptional. So if you thought the anime’s team might be the problem, consider that again.

Blue Lock’s Animation Nightmare Continues

Having been part of an episode in the first season that faced a similar scheduling challenge, I recall making several modifications to the animation’s flow, turning them into static images instead. This was a production decision due to time constraints and limited resources for further stages (douga, shiage). So, to everyone criticizing or harassing animators, please reconsider your actions. It’s unfair to blame them, as they can’t control the overall situation and are doing their best under challenging circumstances.

Blue Lock Animator Unpacks the Anime’s Awful Animation: “It’s Very Sad”

As a dedicated fan, I’ve noticed that even though there might be some scheduling issues impacting quality, the consistency and overall high standard of the drawings in Blue Lock are impressive. It’s evident that they possess exceptional drawing and animation skills, but it seems they’re under pressure to deliver. Therefore, any concerns or complaints should be directed towards Kodansha and the Blue Lock production committee, as they hold the keys to ensuring a smoother production process and better quality output.

It’s evident that EVAKOI has insight into why Blue Lock season two didn’t sail smoothly. Contrary to what some may think, it wasn’t the crew steering the anime; rather, the production committee and the higher-ups managing the schedule seem to be at fault. The blame lies with the top management in this case, so it would be unfair for Blue Lock fans to vent their frustration towards the team behind the show.

What Went Wrong With Blue Lock?

This message from EVAKOI resembles one that Martin Reyes posted earlier this year. The animator involved in the production of ‘Blue Lock’ season two, decided to end their contract after completing just one episode. As per Reyes, the initial work on ‘Blue Lock’ was smooth, but problems surfaced as episodes were approaching finalization.

Interestingly enough, no issues had surfaced concerning ‘Blue Lock’ yet. It seems we’re not the only ones feeling this way, but our work never saw the light of day. Regardless of the meager compensation and tight deadlines, we gave it our all. Unfortunately, a large portion of my animations were trimmed during editing; essentially, every motion I created was removed. I don’t hold it against the person who worked on my edits afterward; they likely did everything possible within their given timeframe,” Reyes clarified.

Blue Lock Animator Unpacks the Anime’s Awful Animation: “It’s Very Sad”

The issues with the production of certain projects, like “Blue Lock,” arise due to the committees involved who prioritize profits over worker welfare. Consequently, I chose not to participate in more episodes. After completing episode two, I opted to depart, and as anticipated, the end product turned out poorly. Unfortunately, I cannot take pride in the final output that was released.

If just one animator took offense with Blue Lock‘s execs, you could pass it off, but things change when two step forward. It seems the higher-ups behind Blue Lock are the ones to blame for the look of season two. And if the soccer anime gets a third season, the execs better refigure their production schedule ASAP.

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2024-11-05 02:51