Blue Lock: Will Ryosuke Kira return to the story?

Kira after his elimination as seen in the Blue Lock anime
Kira after his elimination as seen in the Blue Lock anime (Image credit: Studio 8bit)

Blue Lock is an exciting series that subverts every traditional belief surrounding the sport of football. In the pursuit of creating a monstrous striker, Jinpachi Ego instills an egoistic, “every man for himself” ideology in the participants of his project.

While the protagonist, Isagi, and many other characters are quick to adapt to their surroundings’ ruthless atmosphere, not everyone is capable of doing so. This was shown in the very beginning through the elimination of Ryosuke Kira. Despite his lack of presence for hundreds of chapters, several Blue Lock fans are convinced that Kira will return to the story.

Ryosuke Kira was one of the most exciting prospects selected for Jinpachi Ego’s project. As a forward playing for Matsukaze Kokuo High School, he had beaten Isagi in an inter-school tournament and was considered the crown jewel of Japan. Having led his school to nationals, a lifetime of fame seemed guaranteed for him.

Kira, as seen in the Blue Lock anime (Image credit: Studio 8bit)
Kira, as seen in the Blue Lock anime (Image credit: Studio 8bit)

Isagi, who was still disappointed after his performance against Kira’s team, was invited to participate in Project Blue Lock and ran into Kira once again. Initially, Kira seemed to be a kind and approachable individual who cared about those around him. During Ego’s speech, he disapproved of the mentor's selfish manner of playing football, sticking up for Japan’s team-based approach.

Wishing to prove Ego wrong, Kira was assigned to Team Z along with Isagi in the first round of selections, where a game of tag began. From that point, his true personality began coming out. Throughout the intense competition, Kira failed to display any of the ideals he vouched for, even encouraging Isagi to shoot at an injured Igaguri.

However, by the end of the round, Isagi and Bachira’s teamwork resulted in Kira’s elimination after having a ball brutally kicked at his face. Unable to accept his loss, Kira ranted that the test was not relevant to football and insisted he was a better player than Isagi and Igaguri.

In response, Ego taught Kira about the importance of the game of tag and highlighted the young footballer's failure to bring out his egoism. Angered and still feeling cheated, Kira left Project Blue Lock with a terrifying expression. He has not returned since, but there are countless fans eagerly awaiting his return.


How can Ryosuke Kira return to Blue Lock?

Kira’s early elimination was to emphasize the dog-eat-dog world of Project Blue Lock, where those who couldn’t accept Ego’s teachings would be ruthlessly defeated. While some fans believe he served his purpose and made a well-timed exit from the story, others think that Kira’s role is not done.

Kira was the most talented and popular player of Japan at the beginning of Blue Lock, and it is unlikely that his entire career would be completely halted because of his elimination from the project. While he has no chance of making the national team, other opportunities exist, such as going to another nation or playing for a foreign club.

Kira, who harbored resentment against both Isagi and Ego during his exit, appeared more vengeful than defeated. Hence, as the protagonist’s first rival in the series, it would be fitting for him to return to the story and face Isagi again. As Ego has brought back many characters who were supposed to be permanently eliminated from his project, Kira could be yet another wild card.


There is no confirmation on whether Ryosuke Kira will return to Blue Lock at this point, but there are several ways for him to reappear. A part of the fandom is also looking forward to him facing Isagi again, which would help in highlighting the protagonist's growth since their first match.

Edited by Priscillah Mueni