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Why The Individualism of “Blue Lock” Is So Compelling to Me
As a runner, I relate to the tug of war between the ego versus the team
It’s no secret that Asian cultures are more collectivist than the West. For most people, you are responsible for your obligations to the family and those obligations to society above that of your own. You are expected to make a lot of sacrifices for your family. Everything you do must reflect well on the family’s image.
I personally have had a lot of friction, as an Asian-American who was torn between American and Asian cultures, with this expectation and this culture. I used to think this culture was inherently evil given its penchant for saving face and masking at the expense of dealing with real problems. Now, however, I just recognize that each person has their own values, and those values are not mine as someone who prioritizes individuality and independence more than devotion to the collective.
I have also always been a big fan of anime, and anime tends to be a reflection of this collectivism in many respects. Naruto and Dragon Ball Z are reflections of individuals with superhuman powers but who are only able to succeed with the support of their communities. Other sports animes, like Kuroko’s Basketball and Haikyuu!, which are basketball and volleyball animes…
