Kunigami: Who is Kunigami based on in Blue Lock? Explained

Who is Kunigami based on in Blue Lock? Explained

Modified Nov 09, 2024 22:30 GMT

Blue Lock's Kunigami Rensuke, the aspiring football superhero, undoubtedly stole hearts in the initial bit. One of the many strikers looking to clear the football program and represent Japan one day, Kunigami's journey wasn't as smooth as he expected. He was eliminated during the Second Selection, but his time wasn't up just yet.

Kunigami received a shot at redemption via the "Wild Card," making an emphatic return. From then on, he became cold and hyper-focused with a new philosophy on football. Like every other major face in Blue Lock, Kunigami's character has also drawn inspiration from a real-life figure. The orange-haired striker is based on former player and Welsh legend Gareth Bale.

Kunigami's real-life inspiration

Kunigami and Gareth Bale (Image via 8bit and X/@GarethBale11)

As mentioned, Gareth Bale was the inspiration behind the creation of Kunigami Rensuke. The players are similar in terms of their playstyle and personality, making for a valuable addition to any team. Like Bale, Kunigami boasts a powerful and imposing build on the field. His physical style mirrors Bale's speed and strength, which allowed them to dominate as forwards.

Next, both players have an impressive left foot, which allows them to shoot with extreme power and accuracy. They only have an inch of space to get their shot, and it rarely seems to miss the target. Similar to how Bale transitioned from left-back to winger/forward, Kunigami too showcases flexibility in different positions in Blue Lock. A natural forward, he was willing to adapt to his team's needs.

Finally, both Bale and Kunigami have similar mentalities concerning the sport. They exhibit a fierce sense of determination when on the field. Bale's career is a prominent example of him overcoming challenges like injuries and criticism to keep moving forward. In tandem, Kunigami won the "Wild Card" and returned to Blue Lock, determined and focused, reflecting tirelessly on his pursuit of excellence.

Kunigami's abilities in Blue Lock

Kunigami is a special player in Blue Lock, equipped with many abilities at his disposal. Starting off, his archetype is Forward — in charge of scoring goals and getting into scoring positions for the same. He is also the Clinical Finisher — forwards known for their accurate shooting, "clinical" when the opportunity arises, rarely missing the target and needing the smallest chances to score.

Next, Kunigami has excellent physical prowess, natural athleticism, and a strong, muscular physique, which gives him an edge over others. As Anri notes, Kunigami's physical specifications nearly mirror Noel Noa's. Also, Kunigami possesses the Finesse Shot ability (pinpoint power shot with a standard distance of 28m), which he evolved into Knuckleball, Charging Power Shot, and Rush Volley.

Following the "Wild Card" path, Kunigami showcases the ability to play with both feet, making him Ambidextrous. He admitted that the wildcard training compelled him to develop this ability, and Niko Ikki noted that now, both his feet were equal in power and accuracy. Thus, he became a "perfect striker with no weak spots," now dribbling past defenders and shooting with either foot.

Finally, Kunigami too enters his Flow State, but unknowingly. He was absent when Ego Jinpachi explained and hence cannot enter it on his own. But he has done so several times without knowing. Isagi recounts Kunigami entering Flow during his Team Z stint. Again, it was Isagi and Kunigami in Flow that scored against Barcha. The most recent was Kunigami in Flow shutting down Shido to assist Isagi's goal.

Related links:

Edited by Shreya Das