Blue Lock Season 2 Animation Update: What Changed?

Essential Insights on Blue Lock Season 2 Animation Quality

The second season of Blue Lock has experienced a noticeable decline in animation quality, starkly contrasting with its well-received first season.
In Episode 2, audiences encountered an abundance of still frames, excessive CGI usage, and limited character dynamics attributed to production constraints.
A professional animator has attributed the decline in animation quality to demanding deadlines faced by the production team.

Note: The following discussion includes minor spoilers for Blue Lock, Season 2, Episode 2, titled “The Assassin and the Ninja,”currently available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

Many popular anime, including Seven Deadly Sins and Uzumaki, have encountered similar fates, suffering from abrupt declines in animation quality. Season 1 of Blue Lock was highly praised, leading fans to believe that it could hold its own against titans in the sports genre such as Haikyu!! and Kuroko’s Basketball. As a result, the apparent deterioration in season 2 becomes all the more perplexing.

Concerns were palpable when the trailer for season 2 was released, showcasing numerous still frames instead of engaging, action-packed sequences typically essential for drawing in sports anime fans. While Episode 1, titled “Tryouts,”was relatively acceptable, it lacked significant action, with the most dynamic sequence belonging to a flashback showcasing Rin Itoshi’s encounter with his brother, Sae. However, the high-quality animation of this flashback raises questions about the overall budget allocation for the season.

Animation Challenges in Blue Lock Season 2

Still Frames and Overreliance on CGI

In Episode 2, titled “The Assassin and the Ninja,”the animation issues became even more apparent during the opening tryout match. Characters displayed minimal movement, with much of the action reduced to still frames and sporadic CGI effects. When movement did occur, it often involved slight limb adjustments or appeared to be magically edited between static images. Some viewers have likened the episode to a high-tech PowerPoint presentation due to its awkward transitions and uninspired presentation.

The stark difference in animation quality compared to the first season is disappointing, especially since other aspects of Season 2, including character plot development and visual art style, are commendable. In fact, viewers unfamiliar with the series might not infer the animation problems from still screenshots, suggesting that the visuals alone do not tell the whole story. Curiously, the visuals showcasing the opening and ending songs exhibit superior quality compared to the episodes themselves.

Insights from a Member of the Animation Team

Animator Reveals Production Challenges

Criticism has not come solely from fans; animators involved with the project have also voiced concerns. For example, Martin Reyes, a Chilean animator who worked on the initial episodes of Season 2, highlighted these animation struggles through his TikTok channel “MartinKiings”. His credits include work on notable projects like episode 12 of Nier Automata and the early episodes of Dandadan, signifying his capability in producing quality animation.

In a detailed TikTok post, Martin outlined the primary grievances surrounding the animation deficiencies. He confirmed that the production pressure was immense due to strict deadlines and inadequate compensation for the animators. This resulted in many segments of animation being truncated or altered. Martin specifically referenced a layout featuring Isagi running, which ultimately became a still in the final product. He left the project prematurely due to the challenging work environment, even though he was initially contracted for five episodes. Sadly, he anticipated this negative outcome of the animation quality, and his predictions proved to be accurate.

Future of Blue Lock Animation Quality

Potential Improvements on the Horizon?

Regrettably, the outlook for Blue Lock Season 2 does not appear promising. The chances of the animation quality improving throughout the remainder of the season seem slim. Given the initial workload pressures, it is unlikely that the situation will alleviate as the series progresses. With the departure of some team members, including Martin, the remaining animators now face increased pressure to step up, likely exacerbating the existing quality issues. Although Episode 4, “Chameleon,”showcased a slight improvement in animation, it was only a minor enhancement compared to earlier episodes.

There are discussions among fans suggesting the animation team might have reserved their best work for the climactic U-20 game, although there is no solid evidence to support this notion. Presumably, such quality visuals would have featured prominently in the marketing materials, including the season 2 trailer. Fans of Blue Lock may need to brace themselves for a potential wait until Season 3 to see a return to its former animation glory. Optimistically, this could result in a revitalized production team that implements improved working conditions, better remuneration, and more creative freedom.

Blue Lock is currently accessible for streaming on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Ani-One Asia, and other platforms. Episode 6 of Season 2 is set to premiere on November 9, 2024, at 9:00 AM PT.

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