The official Blue Lock manga Twitter account released an artwork by Attack on Titan creator Hajime Isayama, which was drawn during the theatrical release of Blue Lock: The Movie -Episode Nagi. The art features Blue Lock protagonist Yoichi Isagi sketched in Isayama’s distinctive art style, and the illustration serves as a major public acknowledgment for the Blue Lock live-action film surpassing the 1 billion yen checkpoint at the box office.
🎊実写映画『ブルーロック』大ヒット公開中🎊興収10億円突破を記念して、劇場版アニメ『ブルーロック-EPISODE 凪-』公開時に寄せられた豪華クリエイター陣によるイラストを特別公開！TODAY’S CREATOR IS…◤ 諫山創（@anime_shingeki）◢全国の映画館へ急げ！最高のエゴを今こそ劇場で。… pic.twitter.com/o6zFp0ZVSB— ブルーロック【公式】 (@BLUELOCK_WM) September 2, 2026
This is not just promotional hype. Behind Isayama’s sketch lies a professional relationship with Blue Lock illustrator Yusuke Nomura, a shared history under Kodansha’s editorial wing, and a box-office surge that has pushed Blue Lock past major milestones across anime and live-action film.
Hajime Isayama’s Surprise Blue Lock Artwork
Yoichi Isagi from Blue Lock | Credit: 8bit
The newly posted illustration shows the protagonist Yoichi Isagi mid-air, clad in his Bastard München kit as he locks into his trademark mid-air volley. Rather than polishing the lines, Isayama focused more on speed and impact, mirroring how the ODM Gear combat looked in the Attack on Titan manga.
Isagi’s facial expression bears the unmistakable hallmarks of Isayama’s signature style. If you zoom in on just the face, it looks like Isagi is picked up straight from the Attack on Titan manga. Furthermore, at the bottom left of the art, Isayama has written “Blue Lock is the best!!” with his own signature.
The Box Office Triumph Driving Blue Lock‘s Modern Success
Bachira from Blue Lock (2026) | Credit: TOHO
Hajime Isayama’s high-profile tribute actually comes at a high point for the franchise. The live-action film adaptation officially crossed 1 billion yen (approximately $6.28 million USD) at the Japanese box office within its first 19 days of release (as per the official Twitter/X post).
Crossing the 1-billion-yen threshold in under three weeks solidifies Blue Lock as a mainstream box-office powerhouse instead of just another live-action adaptation. This success shows that the franchise is loved despite the problems it faced during the broadcast of Season 2, proving that its high-intensity sports resonate heavily with the fans across Japan.
The History Between Hajime Isayama and Illustrator Yusuke Nomura
Credit: MAPPA
Credit: 8bit
Credit: 8bit
Blue Lock artist Yusuke Nomura began his professional career as an assistant to Hajime Isayama during the serialization of Attack on Titan. Working under Isayama provided Nomura with firsthand experience in drawing intense high-stakes physical action involving many characters, and expressive character dynamics – all of which are part of both manga’s visual identity.
This dynamic reflects a long-standing tradition within the manga industry, where established creators mentor assistants who go on to launch massive hits of their own. In fact, we can take many more examples here; Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, worked under Nobuhiro Watsuki, who made Rurouni Kenshin.
Furthermore, Tatsuki Fujimoto (Chainsaw Man) mentored Tatsuya Endo (Spy × Family), Yukinobu Tatsu (Dandadan), and Yuji Kaku (Hell’s Paradise). If you know about Blue Lock, chances are you’re familiar with these titles as well.
Isayama’s public support for Nomura highlights the impact of this mentorship. Rather than a simple promotional crossover, Isayama’s artwork celebrates an assistant who developed under his guidance and evolved into a primary force behind one of Kodansha’s best modern manga.
What do you think of Hajime Isayama’s raw take on Yoichi Isagi? Would you love to see him draw other sports manga characters in his signature style? Let us know in the comments.
Blue Lock is available to read on K MANGA.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
