We’re halfway through the Fall 2024 anime season, and the stats don’t look good for the Blue Lock anime adaptation.
Season 2, titled Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan, has been struggling to capture the magic of its predecessor. In fact, it’s sitting on some of the worst MyAnimeList stats for a high-profile sequel in recent memory.
For context: Blue Lock was one of the most talked-about sports anime of the last few years. Season 1 was a massive hit, boasting an impressive 8.2/10 on MyAnimeList, rated by over 400,000 users.
Fast forward to Season 2, and we’re looking at a much less flattering 6.65/10 from about 23,000 users. It’s currently ranked 88th among ongoing anime on MAL, meaning there are 87 shows outperforming it in ratings right now. For a franchise of this stature, that’s borderline embarrassing.
It’s officially one of the steepest declines in anime ratings on MyAnimeList, second only to The Promised Neverland. If you remember, The Promised Neverland went from an incredible 8.49/10 for Season 1 to a dismal 5.26/10 for Season 2.
Blue Lock’s drop isn’t as catastrophic, but it’s still notable—falling from Season 1’s impressive 8.2/10 to a disappointing 6.65/10 for Season 2.
If you’re wondering how MAL scores work, they’re calculated using a weighted formula to prevent spam votes and manipulation. Long story short, Blue Lock’s score isn’t low because of some “review bombing” conspiracy—it’s genuinely underwhelming for a lot of viewers.
What’s Dragging the Ratings Down?
The core complaint? The animation. Season 1 delivered an intense, high-energy spectacle that matched the over-the-top premise of the series: a cutthroat battle royale for soccer supremacy. But in Season 2, many fans feel like the visuals have taken a nosedive.
There’s been no shortage of viral clips showing awkward animations and recycled shots, which feels especially egregious given that this arc focuses on the Blue Lock Eleven facing off against Japan’s U-20 national team—a storyline that’s supposed to be the peak of the series so far.
detective conan having a better football animation than Blue Lock (most sold manga in 2023) is crazy pic.twitter.com/Fy3wOkMRDb
— Shadow 🇵🇸 (@shadowelkaiser) October 14, 2024
While the direction and character writing remain solid, the lack of fluid and dynamic animation has made key moments feel underwhelming. Fans of the manga (which, by the way, still slaps) have pointed out how much impact is lost in translation.
On other platforms like IMDb, Blue Lock Season 2 fares slightly better, with an average episode rating of 7.5/10. But even there, it’s clear the hype is fading.
Which Ongoing Anime Are Dominating MyAnimeList?
Currently, the top-rated ongoing anime on MyAnimeList is Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Arc Part 3, sitting at an impressive 8.99/10. It’s followed closely by Re:Zero – Starting Life in Another World Season 3, which has a rating of 8.81/10.
Meanwhile, One Piece continues its legendary run by securing the third spot with a rating of 8.72/10. Dandadan, an anime adaptation of the popular manga, holds fourth place with a very respectable 8.71/10.
So, where does Blue Lock go from here? The story itself still has plenty of gas left in the tank, and with enough budget and care, it can recover in future seasons. But for now, Season 2 is shaping up to be a dark reminder that even the most hyped anime can stumble if the production doesn’t deliver.
