The world of Blue Lock is expanding once again! Kōta Sannomiya’s BLUELOCK -Episode Nagi- manga, a spin-off of the wildly popular soccer manga Blue Lock by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yūsuke Nomura, is getting a stage play adaptation. Titled Butai “BLUELOCK” Episode Nagi, the play is set to premiere in November at the Theatre G-Rosso at the Tokyo Dome City.
What We Know About the Stage Play
Here’s a breakdown of what fans can expect from the Blue Lock: Episode Nagi stage play:
- Premiere: November 2025
- Location: Theatre G-Rosso at the Tokyo Dome City
- Director & Writer: Naohiro Ise, returning from previous Blue Lock stage productions
- Based On: BLUELOCK -Episode Nagi- manga by Kōta Sannomiya, a spin-off of the original Blue Lock manga
- Ticketing: Tickets were on sale between May 25-June 15.
A Glimpse at the Cast
The cast for the stage play has been announced, featuring a mix of returning and new actors. Here’s a look at some of the key players:
- Takamichi Satō as Seishirou Nagi
- Shūji Kikuchi as Reo Mikage
- Kenta Matsui as Zantetsu Tsurugi
- Nobunaga Satō as Meguru Bachira
- Ryō Saeki as Hyoma Chigiri
- Yū Imari as Shoei Baro
- Yūya Uno as Tabito Karasu
- Kento as Otoya Eita
- Yō Maejima as Ikki Niko
- Tomoya Nakanishi as Jin Kiyora
- Seki Hayata as Aiki Himizu
- Hiromu Sakata as Reiji Hiiragi
- Ryōhei Takenaka as Yoichi Isagi
- Ryono Kusachi as Rin Itoshi
- Shōjirō Yokoi as Jinpachi Ego
Production Team
The stage play is directed and written by Naohiro Ise, who has been involved in previous Blue Lock stage adaptations.
What is Blue Lock: Episode Nagi?
For those unfamiliar with the spin-off, Blue Lock: Episode Nagi delves into the backstory of Seishirō Nagi, a seemingly lazy but exceptionally talented soccer player, before he enters the intense Blue Lock program. The manga explores his initial disinterest in soccer and his relationship with Reo Mikage, who motivates him to pursue the sport.
Plot Overview
The spin-off manga Blue Lock: Episode Nagi focuses on Seishiro Nagi before he enters the Blue Lock facility. It shows his initial reluctance to play soccer, and how Reo comes up with ways to motivate him. Upon joining Jinpachi Ego’s project, Nagi gradually becomes more immersed in the matches and develops a desire to surpass Isagi.
The End of the Manga
Blue Lock: Episode Nagi is set to conclude on August 12, 2025, with its eighth volume.
Blue Lock: A Quick Recap
Blue Lock is a Japanese manga series written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura. It has been serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine since August 2018. The story revolves around a unique and radical soccer training program called “Blue Lock,” designed to create the world’s best egoist striker for Japan’s national team.
From Manga to Anime and Stage
The Blue Lock franchise has expanded beyond the original manga, with:
- An anime television series that aired from October 2022 to December 2024.
- An anime film adaptation based on the Episode Nagi spin-off, which premiered in April 2024.
- Multiple stage play adaptations, with the first running in May 2023.
Other Blue Lock Stage Plays
This isn’t the first time Blue Lock has been adapted for the stage. Here’s a brief history of the previous productions:
- First Stage Play: Ran in May 2023 in Osaka and Tokyo.
- Second Stage Play: Subtitled “2nd Stage,” ran in January 2024 in Kyoto and Tokyo.
- Third Stage Play: Ran in August 2024 in Osaka and Tokyo.
- Fourth Stage Play: Ran in Tokyo from May 15-25, and in Osaka from May 30 through June 1, 2025
Where to Find the Manga
Blue Lock and Blue Lock: Episode Nagi are available in English:
- Kodansha USA has licensed the manga for English digital release in North America.
- Print versions of the manga are also available.
- Kodansha publishes the series in English on its K Manga service.
What to Expect from the Adaptation
With Naohiro Ise returning to direct and write, fans can likely expect a faithful adaptation of the Episode Nagi manga, capturing the essence of Nagi’s character and his journey into the world of Blue Lock. The stage play will likely cover Nagi’s initial disinterest in soccer, his relationship with Reo, and his experiences in the early stages of the Blue Lock program. It’s a chance to see these beloved characters brought to life in a new and exciting way.
