Blue Lock season 2 episode 9: Shidou’s comback and Rin’s burning resolve ignite the U-20 showdown

Modified Nov 30, 2024 20:30 GMT

Blue Lock season 2 episode 9, titled Night Snow, aired on Saturday, November 30, 2024, at 11:30 pm JST. In this episode, Rin reflects on his complicated relationship with his brother Sae through flashbacks that showcase their shared dream and the ultimate fallout. The harsh dismissal by Sae fuels the fire in Rin to surpass him.

Meanwhile, the match between Blue Lock and Japan's U-20 intensifies as Blue Lock leads to chaos in the U-20 camp. Sae shocks his team by threatening to leave, while Aiku takes Shidou in. The episode ends with Rin and Isagi reentering the field, ready for the start of the second half.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from Blue Lock season 2 episode 9.

Blue Lock season 2 episode 9 shows Rin’s childhood and Sae’s ambitions

Blue Lock season 2 episode 9 starts with a flashback of Rin's admiration of his older brother, Sae. Sae won many awards and drew much media attention as the greatest soccer prodigy of all time. A reporter asks him what he wants to achieve, and Sae arrogantly dismisses the question.

On the way home, Sae tells Rin that he wants to be the world's best striker and deems everything else as nothing. Inspired by his brother, Rin idolizes Sae and dreams of becoming like him one day, strong and talented. Sae tells Rin that he could become the world's strongest player after him, which motivates him well.

In the present, Blue Lock leads Japan's U-20 team in the first half. A few brief conversations between Isagi, Bachira's parents, and the pandemonium in the U-20 pavilion give an idea of how intense the match is. Hirotoshi Buratsuta takes out his frustration on his manager, wishing for U-20 to win.

The Blue Lock players rejoice at the lead until Jin interrupts, telling them to think through their strategies. He credits Rin's plays, assisted by Isagi, for breaking through U-20's defense. He also admits using Isagi as a sacrificial aspect in their four-man defense. Isagi retorts that he intends to score on his own, and his egotistical drive to win is the cause of his success.

In the U-20 locker room, panic erupts as Sae declares his exit from the game, insisting that his desire is only in Blue Lock's unconventional system. Aiku, the U-20 team captain, thinks about his and his teammates' weaknesses; otherwise, they will not have a chance of winning this game. He decides on an unexpected move, bringing in Shidou as a last-minute change of strategy.

The episode further explores Rin's psyche through another flashback. Rin remembers idolizing Sae as the best player and wanting to be his partner in becoming invincible.

However, Sae's growing ambitions as a midfielder destroy the idealized vision of Rin. Sae challenges Rin to a one-on-one match, crushing the hope of rekindling their shared dream. Sae's brutal dismissal of Rin's aspirations as meaningless leaves an emotional scar, fueling Rin's resolve to surpass his brother.

In the final scene of Blue Lock season 2 episode 9, Rin sits alone in his room, burdened by the realization that all his life efforts to be close to his brother were dismissed as nothing. Rin laments that Sae only saw him as a stepping stone in his journey to becoming the best.

Feeling abandoned and unsure of his next steps, Rin wrestles with despair. However, a sudden surge of determination overtakes him. He vows to surpass his brother and make it big on his own efforts.

Blue Lock season 2 episode 9 closing event: Shidou joins the match

Rin as seen in Blue Lock season 2 episode 9 (Image via 8bit)

In the closing scene of the Blue Lock season 2 episode 9, the match's second half begins. With Rin and Isagi walking out onto the field, they are met with an unwonted surprise of Sae and Shidou being ready to attack together as a new strong unit. With Blue Lock's lead hanging in the balance, a clash between them and the U-20 team revitalized by its revived hope awaits.

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Edited by Toshali Kritika