With the next stage demanding trios, Isagi and Bachira pair up naturally, but Nagi's surprising decision to abandon Reo and join them reshapes the alliances just as a daunting three-on-three battle against Rin looms.
Summary
Surveying a room of strangers, Isagi reads the on-screen order to advance in threes and spots Nagi and Reo, guessing they have lingered to wait for Zantetsu. Bachira, freshly through the first stage, hurries over and simply assumes the two of them will pair up, leaving one slot to fill. Amused that Bachira has grouped them without asking yet not minding at all, Isagi proposes Kunigami or Chigiri as the third, and they settle on whichever of the two clears the stage sooner. Before that can play out, Nagi approaches with Reo and asks Isagi to join his team, praising him as the standout of their earlier match and admitting he wants to play beside him.
Isagi declines, explaining that he and Bachira are already a unit, so Nagi offers an unexpected fix: he will join their team and leave Reo behind. The others are stunned, and Reo demands to know his plan. Nagi confesses that losing to Team Z stung him in a way he wants to understand by playing alongside his former rivals, and for the first time he feels like genuinely trying at soccer. A frustrated Reo tells him to do as he pleases. Torn but honest that he too wants Nagi on his side, Isagi extends the invitation, Bachira agrees, and the trio heads for the third stage as Nagi tells Reo he will be waiting for him.
In the corridor Bachira bumps fists with Nagi and calls him a little cold for abandoning Reo. Nagi admits the parting leaves him lonely but insists that following his own ego is how one survives Blue Lock, adding that this team looks more interesting. They reach the third-stage waiting room to find only three other players, among them Rin Itoshi, the prodigy who went first. Ego's face then fills the screen to announce that the third stage will be a three-on-three battle, and Isagi frets about facing Rin so soon.
Key Events
Isagi and Bachira team up for the third stage and initially plan to add Kunigami or Chigiri. Nagi chooses to leave Reo and join them instead, driven by a new desire to put real effort into the game. Ego reveals the third stage as a three-on-three team battle, and Isagi realizes Rin may be his opponent.
Notes
Known as Sannin Ichikumi, this twenty-page chapter continues the Second Selection Arc in Volume 6 and appears in Episode 12. It follows Chapter 42 and leads into Chapter 44.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Isagi's three man team come together in Chapter 43?
Isagi and Bachira plan to team up for the third stage, but before they can add Kunigami or Chigiri, Nagi decides to leave his partner Reo behind and join them instead, forming Isagi's trio.
Why does Nagi choose to leave Reo and join Isagi's team?
Nagi explains that losing to Team Z affected him in a way he wants to understand, and for the first time he feels a genuine desire to try hard at soccer, so he chooses to play alongside his former rivals instead of staying with Reo.
How does Reo react to Nagi leaving him in Chapter 43?
Reo is stunned and frustrated by Nagi's decision, demanding to know his plan before ultimately telling him to do as he pleases.
What format is announced for the third stage of the Second Selection?
Ego announces that the third stage will be a three on three team battle, pitting Isagi's newly formed trio against other squads including one led by Rin Itoshi.
Why is Isagi worried heading into the third stage in Chapter 43?
Isagi is anxious because his team's waiting room includes Rin Itoshi, the standout player who impressed everyone during the first stage, meaning Isagi's trio might have to face him almost immediately.
Sources & Information
Looking for more on Three-Man Teams? The Blue Lock Wiki on Fandom has a dedicated page with community notes.
View on FandomThis 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.
Rights holders
- Created byMuneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura
- Published byKodansha
- Animated by8bit
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