The highly anticipated premiere of "Blue Lock: Nagi Episode" stirs up football passions.

The highly anticipated release of "Blue Lock: Episode Nagi" has brought a wave of excitement among anime fans, who have witnessed a new perspective of the series through the eyes of Nagi, a character who discovers his passion for soccer through friendship. At Saltar Intro from El Comercio, we had the opportunity to witness this film and here we share our opinion about it. The first thing that stands out when watching "Blue Lock: Episode Nagi" is its unique approach, combining elements of a recap movie with a parallel story. Unlike other productions based on popular animes, this episode is not presented as an essential continuation of the series, but rather offers a new and deep insight into the events of the first season of "Blue Lock". Set before and during the initial events of the series, this film explores the connection between Seishiro Nagi and his best friend Reo Mikage, becoming an interesting and necessary addition for the followers. The heart of "Episode Nagi" lies in the relationship between Nagi and Reo. From their first encounter to their joint evolution in the Blue Lock program, the film delves into the nuances of their friendship. Nagi, initially interested only in video games and reluctant to make additional efforts, finds in Reo a motivation and a companion who challenges and understands him. This relationship, which starts as a collaboration in soccer, transforms into a genuine friendship, adding a significant emotional layer to the story. One of the highlights of "Episode Nagi" is the character development. Nagi, who in the main series might seem one-dimensional, gains considerable depth here. We witness his internal conflicts, his initial disinterest in sports, and his transformation into a committed and ambitious player. Likewise, Reo shines in this film, transitioning from a determined wealthy boy intent on having Nagi as a teammate, to becoming a loyal and supportive friend. This mutual evolution brings a narrative richness that had not been fully explored in the main series. Visually, "Episode Nagi" impresses with its enhanced animation. Despite some moments where the CGI animation from the first season is noticeable, the new action scenes and soccer matches are depicted with detailed and exciting 2D animation. The encounters are dynamic and visually appealing, combining real soccer skills with exaggerated powers that add a touch of fantasy. The representation of the characters' auras and the visualization of their talents and egos are particularly notable, adding an extra dimension to the action sequences. Despite its numerous successes, "Episode Nagi" is not without its flaws. The feature film format leads to questionable decisions, such as the inclusion of rushed subtitles that mix on-screen text translations with dialogues, which can cause viewers to miss important information. Additionally, the climax of the film is affected by a final montage that condenses the remaining events of the first season into a rushed and clumsy sequence, diminishing the impact of the narrative developed up to that point. My recommendation would be to skip this part and revisit those episodes directly in the series. In summary, "Blue Lock: Episode Nagi" is a film that offers much more than a simple recap. By exploring the story from Nagi's perspective and delving into his friendship with Reo, the film significantly enriches the "Blue Lock" universe. Despite its flaws, the new moments and character development make it worth watching, especially for fans of the series looking to understand their favorite characters more deeply. This 'bromance' with soccer is exactly what fans needed to further appreciate the complexity and relationships within the world of Blue Lock. It is worth noting that "Blue Lock: Episode Nagi" is available in Peruvian cinemas since July 18, providing anime enthusiasts with the opportunity to immerse themselves in this new and exciting perspective of the series.