The popular soccer anime Blue Lock continues to expand its impact beyond the screen. It’s doing so with the launch of a special collection of products inspired by each male character. This is accomplished through a series of exclusive new illustrations.
For this collaboration, an illustration was released showing the protagonists wearing flower crowns. This is presented in a style that combines a sporty aesthetic with a sophisticated, spring-like feel. It’s worth noting that this collaboration is organized by Animate, one of Japan’s leading anime specialty store chains.
The first phase of this collaboration is now live on Animate’s online store and will be available until June 22. A second phase of the event will then begin in Animate’s physical stores in Japan on August 16, 2025. Additionally, a line of exclusive T-shirts featuring the same illustrations will be released to accompany the merchandise collection.
A new way to look at Blue Lock players
The new items feature eight main characters from the Blue Lock anime wearing flower crowns. All in a completely new illustration style created especially for this campaign. The players included in this collection are Isagi Yoichi, Isagi Yoichi, Seishiro Nagi, Hyoma Chigiri, Reo Mikage, Hiori Yo, Sae Itoshi, and Ryusei Shido.
The illustrations feature both full-body and chibi versions (a smaller, cute design of the characters). This allows for a wide variety of products with different visual approaches.
Featured items include acrylic keychains, decorative stands, collectible badges, and postcards. These products not only celebrate the continued success of the anime and manga, but also allow fans to express their support for their favorite characters through visually appealing collectibles.
Featured Products and Key Dates
The product line includes:
- Decorative acrylics with full-size character illustrations.
- Acrylic keychains with exclusive chibi designs.
- Character badge collection featuring all players in floral versions.
- T-shirt Collection – Space A la Mode Edition, a new collaboration featuring T-shirts featuring floral illustrations, available starting August 16.
- Postcards with gold foil illustrations, given away as a bonus during the campaign in-store.
The first phase, active until June 22 through the Animate Online Shop, includes a special promotion. For every purchase or reservation of participating products worth 1,100 yen (tax included), buyers will receive a commemorative postcard. This postcard will include one of eight illustrations, randomly selected.
The second phase, which will take place in physical stores between August 16 and September 7, will follow a similar scheme. However, there will be cards with gold-embossed artwork as an exclusive incentive. This will be for customers who purchase Blue Lock-related products, books, CDs, or Blu-rays/DVDs for the same minimum purchase price.
The Blue Lock phenomenon continues to grow
Based on the manga written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, Blue Lock has revolutionized the sports genre with its competitive, individualistic, and psychological approach to soccer.
Since its premiere as an anime in 2022, the series has been a ratings and sales success. Its film adaptation, Blue Lock: Episode Nagi, has also contributed to expanding the narrative universe. This adaptation has given prominence to other characters in the cast. With more than 40 million copies of the manga in circulation worldwide and multiple awards, Blue Lock is one of the most influential manga and anime franchises of recent years.