Blue Lock is my first sports-based manga I've dived into blindly, knowing nothing advanced about Soccer and it did what a sports manga should do fairly well. It balances (atleast up to latest chapter I read) between actual sports and fantasy sports well, leaving enough room to explore actual skills and having room for fantasized skills

The story isn't exceptional but it does intrigue on first sight, a training camp that is made solely to produce an egoistical star after kicking every other participants. Following our MC, we continue the story in his perspective to better himself, passing trials and meeting new challengers. It is not too cliche but it isn't too exceptional neither. If I had to choose a gripe it'd be the lack of focus on other characters in match - 11vs11 match but most of the time they're only focused on the key characters on opposing side, not every player could stand out but it'd feel more appropriate had there been random characters popping in & out to guard/push/etc.

The art is the main attraction of the manga imo, characters close-ups are amazing and detailed, actions and movements flow well between panels and it is easy to follow along the actions in a game.

Character designs for the manga could vary, on one hand the series tried hard on expanding team Z characters (the MC's team) and also introducing new rivals from other teams. With the former, those that aren't given enough screen time are basically forgotten while with the latter aren't interesting beyond their "weapons". It doesn't help too when the only design-able part are their faces considering most of the characters' physique are jacked, making some characters indistinguishable on first glance.

It is a series worth checking out if you want to dip into sports shonen as I believe it does most that should be, well. The "fights" could be repetitive at times (MC clutches every dire moment) but the sky high hype moments are worth the read.

Story : 6/10
Art : 8/10
Character : 5/10
Enjoyment : 9/10 on peak moments
Overall : 7/10