The BLUE LOCK franchise continues to strengthen its global footprint with the official announcement of a live-action film set to debut in Japanese theaters in August 2026. This new strategic milestone further expands the brand ecosystem and reinforces its cross-media positioning.
The announcement was supported by a high-impact communication campaign, including the release of the first official visuals and the gradual reveal of the 12 Team Z cast members – a strategy that helped maintain strong fan engagement and drive online buzz.
Watch the live-action trailer here: https://youtu.be/IFMtatOlEQA
Production and creative team
To bring the intensity and spectacle of the matches to the big screen, the production relies on top-tier talent: the film is directed by Yūsuke Taki, with a screenplay by Tetsuo Kamata.
The project is produced by Shinzō Matsuhashi through studio CREDEUS, a company widely recognized in Japan for its production quality and faithfulness to the original source material.
An increasingly strategic IP
BLUE LOCK continues to establish itself as one of the most influential next-generation sports franchises of the decade, capable of reaching broad, cross-demographic audiences and generating new opportunities across licensing, merchandising, and brand experiences.
Created by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, Blue Lock is one of the most successful sports manga of recent years. First published in 2018, the first anime season (24 episodes) launched in October 2022 and was distributed internationally. A second 14-episode season premiered in October 2024, streaming in Italy on Crunchyroll, with a third season currently in development. The anime feature film BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE – EPISODE NAGI was released worldwide in 2024.
Thanks to its unique mix of dynamic characters – led by protagonist Yoichi Isagi – a compelling storyline, and striking visual style, BLUE LOCK has already attracted millions of fans and has sold over 40 million copies globally. The franchise is also gaining increasing visibility in Italy, supported by a rapidly growing fanbase.
The story follows 300 high school students competing to become the world’s best striker and lead Japan’s national team to victory. They enter the BLUE LOCK program, an intense and highly competitive training project where elimination means permanent exclusion from the national team. By pitting the country’s most talented young players against each other, only the most driven and skilled will emerge as winners.
BLUE LOCK licensing rights in Italy are managed by Starbright Licensing
