Look, I understand Isagi is the main character. And thus, his grow will be slower than the side characters, who seem already 10 steps ahead of him. And that’s where the issue comes. He seems so far behind everyone else because despite gathering small bits and pieces after each game he is still not as good as the rest. Or, for a lack of better terms, his ability of scoring and being a “good player” comes all from a shoot of luck and a bit of extra thinking. His physical abilities are in a normal range, no where close to people like Rin, Reo, Chigiri or even Bachira.
Reading 6 chapters back to back of Isagi trying to level up, but ultimately failing to do so, not only it’s extremely repetitive but also frustrating. The story feels stuck. You either level him up or he is good as gone.
Moreover, this volume was absolutely, ass. One way to destroy Reo’s character and the development he made. In whatever way you wish to see it, Nagi and Reo’s relationship always had romantic subtones to it. Their pull and push feel like the one of a toxic couple who has no boundaries. Once again, after Reo had made his mind up, here comes Nagi stealing his spotlight and making him his dog. It’s such a shame. Because his character is pretty much reduced to A) pretty rich talented boy or B) Nagi’s shadow. That’s it. He has nothing going on for him but that. It’s always “I need to level up to show *nagi* that I am better than him” or, even worse “I’m going to work to make *nagi* the best in the world”… I BEG YOUR PARDON? WHAT?
We just got a glimpse of what his capacity is. What he can archive if he pushes himself into the full “blue lock egoist mode” and what do you do? Bring him back to square one? Stop making them depend on each other.
That aside, Chigiri, I absolutely love you. He keeps slaying while looking pretty as always. You go king. 💅🏻