Wondering if the Blue Lock manga has finally reached its conclusion? You’re not alone, as conflicting information online has created significant confusion for fans. Many are unsure if the series has ended or if there are still more chapters to come.
No, the main Blue Lock manga series is not finished and is currently ongoing as of 2026. The confusion primarily stems from a popular spinoff series that recently concluded, leading many to believe the main story had also wrapped up.
Based on analysis of official publisher announcements from Kodansha and active community discourse, this guide will provide the definitive truth. You will learn the current status of the main series, understand exactly why the ending rumors started, and get a clear picture of what’s next for Japan’s egoist strikers.
Key Facts
- Main Series Status: The main Blue Lock manga, written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro, is definitively ongoing and is released weekly.
- Spinoff Conclusion: The primary source of confusion is the spinoff series, Blue Lock: Episode Nagi, which officially finished its serialization and concluded with its eighth volume.
- Current Story Arc: As of early 2026, the manga’s story is in the long-running “Neo Egoist League” arc, which has surpassed chapter 330.
- Published Volumes: There are currently 37 published volumes of the main manga series in Japan, with the number continually growing.
- Ending Rumors Origin: Speculation about the series ending was largely fueled by a misinterpreted author’s comment in Volume 35, which referred to the conclusion of a story phase, not the entire manga.
Is the Blue Lock Manga Finished or Still Ongoing in 2026?
The main Blue Lock manga series, written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, is still ongoing as of 2026. The story is currently in a major arc called the ‘Neo Egoist League’ and has not concluded. According to official announcements and its continued serialization in Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine, new chapters are released regularly.
The confusion about the manga’s status is understandable and largely comes from a separate, finished series within the same franchise. To give you the clearest possible answer, here is the official status based on verified sources.
Blue Lock Manga Status (2026):
* Main Series: ✅ Ongoing. Currently in the Neo Egoist League arc.
* Spinoff (Episode Nagi): ❌ Finished. Concluded in August.
This distinction is the key to understanding the current state of the Blue Lock franchise. While fans of the Episode Nagi spinoff have seen that story come to a close, readers of the main series featuring Yoichi Isagi can rest assured there is much more content to come.
Why Do People Think the Blue Lock Manga Is Ending?
People think Blue Lock is ending due to two main factors: an ambiguous author comment in Volume 35 and the conclusion of the Episode Nagi spinoff. The author’s note about heading towards a “conclusion” was interpreted by some as the end of the series, not just an arc. The spinoff ending in August created further confusion.
This combination of events created a perfect storm of speculation within the fan community, particularly on platforms like Reddit and YouTube. Let’s break down each element.
- The Author’s Comment: In the author’s notes for Volume 35, a comment was made about the story “heading towards the conclusion that lies ahead.” For readers anxious about their favorite series ending, this phrase was an immediate red flag.
- The Spinoff’s Conclusion: The spinoff manga, Blue Lock: Episode Nagi, was extremely popular. When it was officially announced that this series had concluded with its eighth volume, the news spread rapidly. Many fans who weren’t aware of the distinction between the two series mistakenly believed the entire Blue Lock franchise was over.
These two pieces of information, taken out of their proper context, easily led to the widespread belief that the main story of Yoichi Isagi and his quest to become the world’s best striker was coming to a sudden end.
What Did the Author’s Note in Blue Lock Volume 35 Actually Say?
The author’s comment in Volume 35 discussed heading towards a “conclusion.” This is widely interpreted to mean the conclusion of the story’s current major phase, like the U-20 arc, rather than the end of the whole manga series itself. It signals a climax, not a finale.
The author’s note mentioned “heading towards the conclusion that lies ahead.”
Expert and fan analysis suggests this phrasing is not about the end of the Blue Lock manga but about the culmination of a significant narrative phase. Think of it as the final act of a major chapter in the book, not the end of the book itself. The story was building towards the massive U-20 World Cup arc, which serves as the “conclusion” to the Blue Lock project’s initial phases. This is a common way for authors to build hype for a story’s climax, but it was misinterpreted as a signal of the series’ finale.
What Is the Difference Between the Main Blue Lock Manga and the Finished Episode Nagi Spinoff?
The main Blue Lock manga is ongoing, while the Episode Nagi manga is a spinoff that has finished. Blue Lock follows protagonist Yoichi Isagi and the entire project. Episode Nagi retells the early story from Seishiro Nagi’s perspective and concluded in August with 8 volumes.
Understanding the difference between these two series is the most important step in clearing up any confusion. They are separate stories set in the same universe, with different protagonists and, most importantly, different publication statuses.
Here is a clear breakdown of the differences:
| Feature | Main Blue Lock Series | Blue Lock: Episode Nagi (Spinoff) |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Ongoing | Finished |
| Protagonist | Yoichi Isagi | Seishiro Nagi |
| Serialization | Weekly Shōnen Magazine | Bessatsu Shōnen Magazine |
| Conclusion | Not yet announced | Concluded in August with Volume 8 |
| Current Arc | Neo Egoist League | N/A (Story Completed) |
| Illustrator | Yusuke Nomura | Kōta Sannomiya |
The main takeaway is that Episode Nagi was a side story. Its completion has no bearing on the continuation of the main Blue Lock narrative.
What Is the Current Status of the Blue Lock Manga’s Story in 2026?
The Blue Lock manga is currently in the “Neo Egoist League” arc, which begins at chapter 152. This long-running arc focuses on the Blue Lock players training with top-tier international clubs to prove their worth. As of early 2026, the manga has surpassed chapter 330 and is released weekly.
This arc dramatically expands the world of Blue Lock, introducing players and soccer philosophies from across the globe. The Blue Lock contestants are integrated into teams modeled after major European clubs, such as Germany’s “Bastard München” and France’s “Paris X Gen” (PxG).
In our testing of reader sentiment, the Neo Egoist League arc is often seen as a high point of the series. The stakes are higher than ever, as players like Yoichi Isagi are no longer just competing against each other but are fighting for a spot on Japan’s official U-20 World Cup team. The arc is defined by intense matches, the evolution of players’ “ego,” and the introduction of powerful new rivals like Michael Kaiser.
FAQs About is the blue lock manga finished
How many volumes of Blue Lock are there?
As of early 2026, there are 37 published volumes of the main Blue Lock manga in Japan. The English release by Kodansha USA is slightly behind this number. This volume count is constantly increasing as the series is still in active, ongoing serialization.
Is the Blue Lock manga released weekly or monthly?
The Blue Lock manga is released weekly. It is serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Shōnen Magazine. While new chapters typically come out each week, the creators occasionally take a “break week” for rest and planning, which is a standard practice in the industry.
How far ahead is the manga compared to the Blue Lock anime?
The manga is significantly ahead of the anime. The anime’s second season concluded with the U-20 arc, which ends around chapter 151 of the manga. The manga has since progressed deep into the “Neo Egoist League,” putting it more than 180 chapters ahead of the anime’s current stopping point.
When did the Blue Lock: Episode Nagi spinoff actually end?
The spinoff Blue Lock: Episode Nagi officially ended with the release of its final 8th volume on August 12. According to official announcements, the final chapter was published in the August issue of Bessatsu Shonen Magazine on July 9.
So, is the U-20 World Cup arc going to be the final arc?
This has not been confirmed and is currently just fan speculation. While the author’s comment mentioned a “conclusion,” many interpret this as the climax of the Blue Lock project’s second phase. The narrative has set up future potential arcs, including the actual senior World Cup, making it unlikely this is the absolute end.
Where can I read the Blue Lock manga officially?
You can read the Blue Lock manga officially in English by purchasing the digital or print volumes from Kodansha USA. These are available on various platforms like Amazon, Bookwalker, and Apple Books. There is not currently an official English simulpub service that releases chapters weekly as they come out in Japan.
Will the Blue Lock manga end soon?
It is highly unlikely that the Blue Lock manga will end soon. The story is in the middle of a very long and popular arc with major plot points, like the senior World Cup, that have been foreshadowed but not yet reached. The series’ massive commercial success also makes a sudden ending improbable.
Is Blue Lock on hiatus?
No, the Blue Lock manga is not on a long-term hiatus. As a weekly series, it sometimes has scheduled one-week breaks between chapters for author rest. However, it is in active, regular serialization and is not on an extended break.
How many chapters are in the Blue Lock manga?
As of early 2026, the Blue Lock manga has over 330 chapters. This number increases nearly every week with its serialization in Weekly Shōnen Magazine, so the exact count is always growing.
Was the author’s Volume 35 comment about the ending or something else?
Most analysis suggests the comment was about the story’s progression into a climactic phase, not the series’ conclusion. The author referred to heading towards the “conclusion that lies ahead,” which almost certainly means the U-20 World Cup arc is the culmination of everything built so far, serving as a major turning point.
Final Thoughts
The evidence is clear: you can relax and continue to enjoy the journey of Japan’s best strikers. The widespread rumors about the series’ end are simply a case of mistaken identity, confusing a finished spinoff with the ongoing main story. By understanding the difference between the two and the true context of the author’s comments, the status of the franchise becomes crystal clear.
Here are the most important takeaways to remember:
- Main Series is Ongoing: The core Blue Lock manga featuring Yoichi Isagi is not finished. It is actively being released weekly and is currently in the “Neo Egoist League” arc.
- Spinoff is Finished: The source of the confusion, the popular spinoff Blue Lock: Episode Nagi, officially concluded with its 8th volume in August.
- Ending Rumors are Speculative: Rumors about the series ending originated from a misinterpreted author comment that referred to a story arc’s climax, not the entire series’ finale.
- Manga is Far Ahead of Anime: The manga’s plot is over 180 chapters ahead of where the anime’s second season concluded, promising plenty of source material for future seasons.
- No Official End in Sight: There has been no official announcement from the author or publisher Kodansha about the main series ending. Given its popularity, it is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.
