The Geniuses and the Average Joes (天才と凡才 Tensai to Bonsai?) is the 14th episode of the Blue Lock anime series.
Synopsis[]
Isagi's team has lost to Rin's team, who has incredible skills and an overwhelming ego. Isagi and Nagi lose to Bachira, and they are sent back to the second stage of two-on-two games. Showing up before them is the team of Baro and Naruhaya. Losing means disqualification. With that pressure, Isagi and Nagi think hard on their individual strengths to win a one-on-one situation. The new match that decides their fate starts with no answer in sight.
Summary[]
Isagi wanting to prove he can play without Bachira
Isagi and Nagi end up in the 2nd stage room, waiting for other 2-man teams to show up. There is a breakroom and Nagi wonders if Isagi wants to go and rest, but Isagi states there is no time to rest since if they loose next game, they are done. Nagi states they will win it as this time their opponent was just too strong. Isagi states he is different than Nagi and he couldn't do anything against them. Nagi reminds him that he scored a goal, but Isagi states it was a result of their team play. If their team play breaks, Isagi has no weapon to fight with and can't trigger a chemical reaction like Nagi and Bachira. Isagi is sure that if they lose next game, they will pick Nagi as no one would take Isagi. Nagi gets angry and grabs Isagi by the hair, asking him what he is supposed to do when he is like this. Nagi joined Isagi because he believed Isagi will make him stronger, so he can't have Isagi acting all negative. Isagi needs to do better as Mikage wouldn't whine like that. That annoys Isagi, who tells Nagi to not compare him to Mikage and if he likes him that much to go and team up with him. Nagi explains he compares him to Mikage because he never played with someone else. Isagi then wonders if Nagi can't do anything without Mikage, but Nagi states the same for Isagi, who can't do anything without Bachira.
Isagi agrees, which is why he is frustrated, but wants to prove that he can fight without Bachira. Nagi then figures that may be the point of this selection. Nagi explains that up until one if someone can turn zero into one, the rest of the team could use team play to turn that one into 100. However, second selection takes places on a smaller fields with less players and individual skills have bigger influence. Nagi guesses they are being tested about their individual skills. Isagi then realizes that's why their team play didn't work and that the key to surviving the second selection is winning one-on-one. Nagi asks Isagi how to get rid of the feeling of frustration and Isagi states its by winning.
Baro find Nagi an amateur who can control the ball
Moments later Shoei Baro joins their room. Isagi realizes he will need to beat Baro to survive. Baro looks around wondering if there is anyone strong here. Nagi didn't expect to see Baro here as he was supposed to be the strongest and wonders if Baro wants to play against them since right now he doesn't seem that strong. Hearing that, Baro states that Nagi is just an amateur who is good at controlling the ball and if he wants to be personality crushed by the King. Nagi states that Baro talks a lot for a "king" who just lost and when he beats him he will make him his servant. Isagi is still unsure he can beat Baro and wants to calm down Nagi. Naruhaya enters the room too and tells them that the rules state that you need to wait for 24 hours before choosing your next match. Isagi is surprised that Naruhaya teamed up with Baro and Naruhaya confirms it, saying their third player was Hajime Nishioka. Baro went and scored four goals, but the other team scored five first and they lost. They didn't take Baro as they found him too selfish and that would have upset their balance, so they chose Nishioka and left Naruhaya with Baro. Baro then states they lost because Nishioka and Naruhaya were useless. Naruhaya wants Baro to calm down as they have 24 hours and they don't need to choose Isagi's team. Before going to the breakroom, Baro states he won't be hiding and if they want, he will crush them.
Isagi and Nagi go into a separate two-man breakroom. Nagi wonders why Isagi didn't say he want to play against Baro and since they need another teammate, they should pick him. Isagi agrees, but states their level isn't at his. Isagi states that in their last game it became apparent that their weapons only work when they receive passes. Isagi states that to shine, they need someone who understands their weapons and is good at passing like Bachira or Mikage. Nagi wonders how they can use their weapons without passes. If they come at them one-on-on they can't stop the opponent and without such passes they can't win their one-on-ones. Nagi feels tired and falls asleep. Isagi remains thinking what individual strengths you need in a one-on-one.
Next day, Isagi and Nagi go to the cafeteria, but Nagi is disappointed as they only have natto and pickled radishes, however Isagi is used to that. Nagi wonders what team Isagi wants to play against. Isagi states that if they play against a weaker team, they will win, but they will have to add a weak player to their team, which won't help them the next stage. At that point they will return again here, but this time Isagi fears that they would have taken Nagi. Isagi states its better to play against stronger team to get a strong player, but that increases their chance of loosing. Nagi guesses that everyone else is also thinking the same.
Naruhaya challenges Isagi
Isagi is training with Blue Lock Man. He notes that his skills are improving, but to be able to play against other monsters who can create opportunities by playing one-on-one, Isagi needs to move forward and gain similar skill. He guesses that if he experience it again against someone like Baro, he may get a clue. Naruhaya enters the training room and sees Isagi. He wonders if he chose a team yet, but Isagi states he haven't as they don't want to take some weak teammate. Naruhaya notes its indeed a hard decision since if you loose you are done for. Naruhaya has been thinking about it, but they need to take some risks as he and Isagi aren't players who will be picked if they lose. He himself wants Nagi and not Isagi. If they are serious about becoming the best striker in the world, they can't play it safe and need to get someone strong. Naruhaya asks Isagi to play against him and put their dreams on the stake. Isagi agrees, stating he also wants to play against them.
Isagi and Nagi are training one-on-one, however Nagi easily stops Isagi. Isagi tells Nagi what is Baro's weapon, but Nagi states he can't play like that to train Isagi. Isagi has no plan yet, but states the only way to defeat him is to play against him and figure it out. The two agree that they need to find individual strength good enough to defeat Baro and initially Nagi will try covering Baro. Meanwhile, Baro and Naruhaya are also training. Baro states its enough for today and as Naruhaya is weak, he shouldn't get in his way tomorrow.
The time for the game comes. Nagi teases Baro, wondering if he practice kneeling for him, but Baro states he will crush him and make him his servant. Isagi tells Naruhaya that he is serious and they shouldn't hold back. Isagi and Nagi start with the ball. Nagi faces Baro, who seeing Nagi's dribble is disappointed and easily takes the ball from him. Isagi sees Naruhaya moving, but decides to stay put and wait for Baro to reach his distance, however, Baro surprises Isagi and takes a shot from bigger distance and scores, which makes Isagi realize that Baro is also evolving.
Nagi figuring his one-on-one formula and passing Baro
Isagi starts with the ball and goes against Naruhaya, guessing that if he can beat him, they have some chance against them. However, Naruhaya is persistent and Isagi can't pass him. Isagi wonders if he should pass to Nagi, but notes his pass isn't as precise and that may give Baro a chance to intercept it. Nagi tells Isagi to just pass him. Isagi passes to the side and Nagi heads towards the ball. Baro chases him stating they can't pass him with such a bad pass. Nagi knows, but states he found a way to beat him. Nagi notes that when he paused, he couldn't avoid Baro's press and charge, so the trick is to keep making him chase him. He recalls doing similar things instinctively in their previous games, but now it all starts to make sense to him. Nagi comes up with a new formula that doesn't need him a good pass as he can breathe life into the ball with his first touch. With his first touch, Nagi slightly redirects the ball. Baro heads for it, but Nagi kicks it again, redirecting it one more time, passing Baro. Nagi then takes the shot and scores. Isagi can't believe how quickly Nagi is evolving and how he mastered his formula on how to win one-on-one in just one play.
Baro starts with the ball and Nagi tells Isagi that the two should cover him. Isagi wonders about Naruhaya, but Nagi states Baro is "King" and won't pass. The two manage to take the ball from Baro. Isagi realizes that with Nagi now being able to control the ball with his back, he took advantage of a tight pressing defender, by creating an unpredictable first touch, the defender doesn't have time to turn that fast. However, Naruhaya is now aware of that and is keeping his distance, but that gives Nagi a chance to face forward and play freely without a pressure from the defender. All that means that Isagi can give a straightforward pass to Nagi, like a shot, which Nagi will then easily fully stop with his control. Isagi passes such pass and Nagi fully stops it and takes a shot and scores while Naruhaya struggles to catch up to him.
Baro is angry, but states he can beat them both. He takes a shot directly from the mid-field. Isagi fears he will score just like Itoshi, but the goalkeeper manages to save it. However, Naruhaya manages to reach the loose ball before Isagi and then passes to Baro, who scores for 2-2. With Baro and Nagi being able to easily score, Isagi realizes the key to winning would be in his and Naruhaya's hands. Isagi starts with the ball and faces Naruhaya, who wonders if Isagi knows why they wanted to play against him. Isagi states its because they want Nagi and Naruhaya laughs, confirming that its indeed part of it, but the main reason is that they thought they can beat Isagi. As they played together, Naruhaya knows what Isagi can and can't do, and Isagi isn't the type who can fight alone and score alone. Isagi survived only because of others and both him and Naruhaya are just average. Annoyed, Isagi passes to Nagi, but Naruhaya intercept it and the ball ends up in Baro's feet. Baro charges and Isagi is fully focused on him, however Baro ends up passing to Naruhaya. Baro then asks Naruhaya to pass back, but Naruhaya refuses, noting that he wants to catch up to them, the geniuses. Isagi recalls that Naruhaya's weapon is getting behind, he chases Naruhaya, but is unable to stop him. As Naruhaya shoots, Isagi realizes he can't even beat Naruhaya.
Additional Time[]
The "Top 3" and Bachira[]
Tokimitsu welcomes Bachira, who just took a shower. Tokimitsu is shocked to see Bachira naked and wonders why. Bachira states he is human and is returning to the state of his birth. Tokimitsu thought he could make a new friend, but realizes Bachira is just another weirdo. Aryu acknowledges Bachira's free spirit, but tells him to at least cover the front or he will punish him for glam indecent exposure. Bachira apologizes, but states it feels good and Aryu should try it. Aryu then quickly starts undressing. Rin Itoshi wonders if there is at least one normal in the room, but the rest are shocked that he is the one who said that.
Characters by Appearance[]
- Yoichi Isagi
- Seishiro Nagi
- Shoei Baro
- Asahi Naruhaya
- Aoshi Tokimitsu
- Meguru Bachira
- Jyubei Aryu
- Rin Itoshi
Episode Notes[]
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