The upcoming Blue Lock live-action movie is putting major focus on authenticity, with actor Fumiya Takahashi undergoing 18 months of soccer training to accurately portray protagonist Yoichi Isagi. According to a special interview featured in Weekly Shonen Magazine, Takahashi worked extensively to recreate one of Isagi’s most memorable techniques — his powerful direct volley.
The live-action adaptation of Blue Lock aims to bring the intense ego-driven football battles from Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura’s manga to the big screen. For Takahashi, playing Isagi required more than simply acting like the character; he needed to understand the physical demands of elite football and replicate the movements fans recognize from the original series.
Fumiya Takahashi’s 18-Month Training Journey for Blue Lock
During the interview, Fumiya Takahashi discussed the difficulty of recreating Isagi’s signature plays, particularly the direct shot technique that defines the striker’s evolution in Blue Lock. The actor explained that the training process focused on building the strength, timing, and body control needed to make the move look natural on screen.
Takahashi reportedly spent around 18 months practicing soccer before filming began, working on his skills to match Isagi’s playing style. The preparation included improving his shooting form and understanding how professional-level players approach positioning and decision-making during matches.

The actor also reflected on the challenge of capturing Isagi’s mindset. Since the character relies heavily on spatial awareness and reading the field, Takahashi needed to portray not only the physical side of football but also the strategic thinking that makes Isagi unique among the Blue Lock players.
The Blue Lock live-action movie is based on the popular manga series that follows Japan’s ambitious project to create the world’s greatest striker. With its focus on individual talent, competition, and extreme football philosophy, the adaptation has attracted attention from fans eager to see how iconic scenes will be recreated.
Takahashi’s dedication highlights the effort being put into making the movie’s football sequences believable. By spending more than a year training for the role, the actor hopes to deliver an Isagi performance that respects the original character while bringing a realistic version of the striker to live action.
| Started | August 1, 2018 |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Kodansha |
| Author | Muneyuki Kaneshiro |
