Yoichi Isagi finally figures out his true ego.
In the previous chapter of the Blue Lock manga, Hugo and Loki showed off their strength, scoring another goal and getting ahead of Japan by one point again. In the latest chapter, Ego subs Eita Otoya into the field, replacing Reo. Isagi realises that most of the players have really good chemistry with Karasu, who seems to be in charge of Blue Lock right now. He wonders why he still feels so excited in such a hopeless situation, and finally realises the true nature of his ego.
Blue Lock
Author: Muneyuki Kaneshiro
Illustrator: Yosuke Nomura
Publisher: Kodansha
Where to read: KManga
What happens in Blue Lock Chapter 344?
Julien Loki and his teammates celebrate his explosive goal, which made the score 3-2 in France’s favour. Blue Lock players wonder if they’re fighting aliens since no human could have moves as perfect as Hugo and Loki. Ego decides it’s time for a new player and substitutes Reo with Eita Otoya. As Otoya enters the field, Isagi realises that Ego is sending in players who have a lot of play combinations with Karasu, with the clear intention of making a Karasu-centric attack pattern.
Even if they're lowering their defenses, with only 15 minutes left on the clock, there’s no path to victory unless Blue Lock increases their offensive options and takes France down with them. However, this means Isagi’s scoring ability is not being trusted anymore. He realises that only he and Rin are outside the Karasu system Ego is setting up for a comeback. Isagi starts to spiral, thinking if Ego has abandoned him, or if he has lost control of Blue Lock and if it belongs to Karasu now. He still can’t see a path to victory and Loki and Hugo are on a completely different level.
However, even in such a desperate situation, Isagi feels excited. He wonders if his senses have gone haywire since it has been like this ever since he realised how powerful Hugo is. He remembers other amazing players like Kira, Rin, and Kaiser, and recognises that he has felt this rush before. He realises that whenever he triggered something beyond his own abilities, there’s always been a No. 1 player more powerful than him present in the field whom he wanted desperately to surpass. But ever since the Neo Egoist League, he has been fighting with the mindset of “staying as no. 1” instead of “surpassing the no. 1”. He ended up in this situation because even though he isn’t the no. 1 in talent or mentality, he forced himself to become the no. 1.
Isagi says that Hugo’s theory is 99% correct, but he misjudged the remaining 1% of Isagi’s true aptitude. The match begins again, and Ego tells Blue Lock to live for their own goal till the very last moment. Karasu kicks the ball to Hiori, who sends it back to him after dribbling past a French player. Another French player bumps into Karasu and says they just need to crush him since all of Blue Lock’s attacks are centered around him now. But Karasu smiles and sends the ball to Otoya, who lives up to his shadow clone nickname and dribbles past a French defender easily. Other Blue Lock strikers ask Otoya to pass, but Karasu tells him to shoot. Otoya listens to him and kicks the ball, but it’s stopped by Loki, who catches up to him with his inhuman speed.
Loki says that Otoya’s abilities are a bit of a nuisance, but nothing France can’t deal with. The ball bounces back, and Hugo runs after it, likely gunning for another goal. But suddenly, Isagi is there, jumping in and taking the ball for himself. Isagi tells Hugo that he has settled their fate. Although he’s not no. 1, Isagi is not a true no. 2 either. But he is an egoist who can only shine by devouring the no. 1 in the field. With his aptitude finally aligned, Isagi gets ready to overpower Hugo.
What might happen in Blue Lock Chapter 345?
As per true Blue Lock trend, Isagi will likely go through another meaningful transformation in the upcoming chapter. I will be pleasantly surprised if Hugo is able to turn the tables on him again, but I don’t think that will happen. At this point, Blue Lock has become a bit too predictable. I would have liked to see some other Blue Lock players shine, but I guess that won’t be happening. Either way, I will be well and truly disappointed if Blue Lock somehow wins this match after Isagi’s awakening, but I won’t put it past the creators to make it happen.
When is Blue Lock Chapter 345 coming?
The next chapter of Blue Lock is likely coming out on Tuesday, 28 April, 2026.