As the Japanese national football team competes at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the first two seasons of BLUE LOCK – 38 complete episodes in total, all dubbed in Italian – are now available on Netflix. The Japanese manga and anime series set in the world of football continues to expand its presence across the leading international streaming platforms.
A third season is currently in production, with a release date yet to be confirmed, further testament to the enduring momentum of a property showing no signs of slowing down.
Also announced for 2026 is a live-action film, set to hit Japanese cinemas in August.
BLUE LOCK‘s arrival on Netflix marks a further step in the series’ international growth, enabling broader and more far-reaching distribution that continues to attract new audiences worldwide.
BLUE LOCK, written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, is one of the most successful sports manga of recent years. This manga began to be published in 2018; thanks to its unique mix of dynamic characters, including the protagonist Isagi Yōichi, an engaging plot, and captivating graphics, BLUE LOCK has already won millions of fans and had a total worldwide circulation of more than 40 million copies to date.
The anime series season 1 (24 episodes) was broadcasted worldwide in 2022; the season 2 of 14 episodes has just started broadcasting in October 2024, in Italy by Crunchyroll. An anime film, “BLUE LOCK THE MOVIE – EPISODE NAGI” was released all over the world in 2024.
In Italy, BLUE LOCK enjoys rising visibility and a steadily expanding fanbase. The manga is published by Planet Manga (Panini Comics), while streaming rights are held by Crunchyroll. Strong viewership data and consistent manga sales confirm the property’s popularity, particularly among the 14-30 demographic.
BLUE LOCK is an intense and compelling story with action, drama and sports psychology, able to create an engaging experience. The series is focused on current topics, inclusing the pressure of expectations, rivalry among teammates, personal growth, and the pursuit of excellence in one’s field. BLUE LOCK has gained increasing visibility worldwide and now has a growing fanbase.
These attributes make BLUE LOCK particularly appealing for high-impact licensing opportunities, extending well beyond the traditional anime sector.
The Italian Market and Starbright Licensing Agency
The licensing rights for BLUE LOCK in Italy are managed by Starbright Licensing, a leading agency in the Brand & Entertainment licensing landscape, with a particular focus on the Anime and Kidult segments. The agency has already initiated brand development across key categories including apparel, accessories and collectibles, with agreements already in place – among them a capsule collection with OVS Group – and further collaborations currently in the pipeline.
BLUE LOCK‘s arrival on Netflix confirms the property as one of the defining sports anime franchises of the next generation, opening significant new opportunities in the world of licensing.
