Blue Lock season 2 episode 5: Ego reveals the U-20 showdown's final lineup, which shockingly omits Shidou

Blue Lock season 2 episode 5, titled Flow, aired on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 11:30 pm JST. The episode starts with the intense clash between Rin and Shidou, where Ego restrains Shidou's fierce behavior. Ego reveals his starting lineup for the U-20 match according to an attacking strategy that will feature Rin at the front.

Much to everyone's surprise, Shidou is not chosen for Blue Lock but manages to make it to Japan's U-20, which then becomes an intense rivalry with Rin. The episode ends with Ego's motivational lecture about the "Flow" state as the key to the success of Blue Lock against the formidable U-20.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Blue Lock season 2 episode 5.

Blue Lock season 2 episode 5: Ego's ruthless lineup and Shidou’s surprising betrayal unleash the U-20 showdown

A still from Blue Lock season 2 episode 5 (Image via 8bit)

In Blue Lock season 2 episode 5, the final round of the high-stakes tryout sets off to a fiery start as the lineup for the match against Japan U-20 is determined. The episode starts with an intense match where the rivalry between Rin and Shidou goes to boiling point with Shidou's wild attempt to strike Rin.

At the right moment, Jinpachi Ego with a shocking riot control measure, greatly highlighting the ruthlessness at which he will maintain control over his fiercely competitive players.

After that, he declared that the try-out sessions were formally closed; the final lineup of the U-20 match would be announced within six hours, and all held their breath in suspense while waiting for the suspenseful unfolding.

In a conversation with Anri Teieri, Ego explains his selection strategy. He says, "Too many cooks spoil the broth." He clarifies that only the most strategically compatible players will make the roster, even if some strong players have to be held out.

Isagi in Blue Lock season 2 episode 5 (Image via 8bit)

This philosophy gives a suspenseful layer where the players think about being chosen or not. Isagi, being full of determination, reflects on the possibilities and says that although there were six top individuals, he, Bachira, Barou, and Reo scored. Therefore, he's at an advantageous end.

The moment of truth arrives as Ego announces the selected ones. Itoshi Rin features as the highest-scoring egoist, and this is when Ego confirms that the lineup will strictly adopt an all-out strategy to play with a fully offensive approach toward Rin.

Describing the approach, he proclaims that the team will "score six if the opponent scores five," showing how aggressive his game plan is. Gagamaru Gin is designated as the goalkeeper, Aryu Kyubei and Niko Ikki are the center-backs while Chigiri and Bachira are put at the full-backs to benefit from their speed and dribbling.

Sae in Blue Lock season 2 episode 5 (Image via 8bit)

Karasu Tabito is the defensive midfielder, while Otoya Eita and Yujimiya Kenyu play the attacking roles, thus breaking the defense of the opponent. Nagi's offensive core is complemented by Isagi, who, as indicated by his synergy with Rin, is selected to be Rin's "shadow" in performing the required "Assertion and Coexistence" dynamic Ego needs.

In a surprising twist in Blue Lock season 2 episode 5, Shidou is excluded from the team. When asked, Ego explains that even though Shidou has impressive scoring stats, his lack of teamwork with Rin and explosive behavior make him a liability.

To make matters worse, Ego announces that Itoshi Sae, Japan's U-20 star, will only come aboard under one condition: that his selected player from Blue Lock, Shidou, joins the U-20. Thereby setting up an intense confrontational situation where Shidou must get ready to play against Blue Lock, and Rin, in the game soon after.

Later in Blue Lock season 2 episode 5, we find that Sae joins the U-20 roster with no regard for his new teammates as he proclaims himself the most valuable player on said roster. Shidou aggressively asserts himself to the members of the U-20 only to be checked by Oliver Aiku who vowed to put in check the defense of this very roster.

While Blue Lock players start studying the formidable opponents they are set against. Rin, filled with a personal vengeance vows to crush on the field his elder brother Sae.

Blue Lock season 2 episode 5 closing events: Jinpachi's lesson on the power of Flow

Jinpachi Ego in Blue Lock season 2 episode 5 (Image via 8bit)

In the closing moments of Blue Lock season 2 episode 5, Jinpachi Ego gives a great lesson about being in the state of "Flow," which means intense, focused, and absolutely necessary for becoming a better striker.

He says that Flow is when you become so engrossed in the game that the concept of time becomes almost suspended, and your mind and body are at their absolute peak. This state of mind occurs when they find an opponent who challenges him but is not too good so that he gets bored, nor too bad that he gets defeated.

Ego warns that this state will hardly ever be experienced because of modern life which is very busy with an overwhelming number of distracting information and anxieties.

Flow will only be achieved if the players are able to overcome this "endless hell" of petty information and anxieties in their goal. He stresses that only then will they have the possibility of winning the game against Japan's U-20 on game day when each player will be in that state.

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Edited by Ameen Fatima