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
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.
BLUE LOCK licensing rights in Italy are managed by Starbright Licensing