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vs.ENGLAND

Manga ChapterCh. 173

With ten days of grueling preparation behind them, Noel Noa gathers Bastard München to reveal the eleven who will start against Manshine City, framing the fixture as a clash between cold German logic and Blue Lock's raw egotism.

Volume: 20
Japan Release Date: May 18, 2022
Release Date Us: April 16, 2023
Issue: Issue 2022-25 (cover)
Previous Chapter: Chapter 172: Double Suicide
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Summary

Inside the German wing meeting room, Noa lays out the lineup for the coming fixture. Michael Kaiser anchors the attack as center forward, Rensuke Kunigami takes the upper right, and Yoichi Isagi is handed the left offensive midfield role. The rest of the 4-4-2 fills in around them: Benedict Grim, Alexis Ness, Ali, Ranze Kurona at right wing back, Mensah, Birkenstock, Kenyu Yukimiya at left wing back, and Gin Gagamaru between the posts.

Noa explains that Kurona earned selection for his speed, dribbling, and knack for linking Isagi with Kunigami, and Kurona pledges to take his cue from Isagi. Yukimiya's numbers were too strong to leave idle, while a startled Gagamaru, caught mid nose pick, is thrilled to learn his build suits the keeper role. Jingo Raichi and Gurimu Igarashi complain loudly about being benched as Yo Hiori stays quiet.

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Key Events

Noa tells the squad that two opposing philosophies power the side. One is strictly rational, feeding Kaiser to finish; the other is the Blue Lock approach of chemical reactions and all out ego, an eat or be eaten mentality. He is eager to see which style grows stronger and warns Kaiser directly that this is a test, cautioning him not to surrender his place as the team's ace.

Walking onto the pitch, Isagi commits to carving an opening so Blue Lock's players can breach the German team. Seishiro Nagi, Reo Mikage, and Hyoma Chigiri spot him and vow to crush him. Reo needles Isagi over his seventeen million yen transfer bid, then approaches Kunigami, praising his return from the Wild Card program that molded him into a Noa copy. Chigiri insists he will fight Kunigami as the same man he remembers, and Kunigami coldly waves off the sentiment before walking away.

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Notes

The starting group drawn from Blue Lock's ranks features Kunigami, Isagi, Kurona, Yukimiya, and Gagamaru.

Noa presents the match as a contest between the German rational method and the Blue Lock survival instinct, wanting to watch both evolve.

Reo and Chigiri reach out to Kunigami over his comeback, and he keeps them at arm's length with a cold reply.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens in Blue Lock Chapter 173, vs.ENGLAND?

In Blue Lock Chapter 173, Noel Noa reveals the starting eleven for Bastard Munchen's match against Manshine City, framing the fixture as a clash between cold German logic and Blue Lock's raw egotism.

Who does Noa select as center forward in Chapter 173?

In Blue Lock Chapter 173, Noa names Michael Kaiser as center forward, with Rensuke Kunigami on the upper right and Yoichi Isagi at left offensive midfield.

What philosophy does Noa describe in Blue Lock Chapter 173?

Noa explains that the team is powered by two opposing philosophies: a strictly rational method that feeds Kaiser to finish, and the Blue Lock approach of chemical reactions and all out ego.

Who is chosen as goalkeeper in Blue Lock Chapter 173?

Gin Gagamaru is selected as goalkeeper in Chapter 173, and he is thrilled to learn his build suits the role.

How do Reo and Chigiri react to Kunigami's return in Chapter 173?

Reo praises Kunigami's return from the Wild Card program that shaped him into a Noa copy, and Chigiri insists he will fight Kunigami as the same man he remembers, but Kunigami coldly waves off the sentiment.

Sources & Information

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This content is original writing by Daddy Jim Anime based on the Blue Lock anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.

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