He’s the guy everyone loves to hate, or maybe just loves. Honestly, when Itoshi Sae first stepped onto the pitch in Blue Lock, he didn't just bring elite skills; he brought a level of psychological warfare that made the rest of the cast look like they were playing in a sandbox. We’re talking about a New Generation World 11 player who treats the sport like high-level surgery. Precise. Cold. Utterly detached.
But there’s a massive misconception floating around the fandom. People keep saying Sae "gave up" on being a striker because he wasn't good enough. That he got his ego "crushed" in Spain.
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That’s a lukewarm take.
If you actually look at the subtext of the U-20 arc and the flashbacks with his brother Rin, Sae didn't fold. He evolved. He looked at the world, saw the "monsters" lurking in the Champions League, and realized that being the world's best midfielder was the only way to truly control the destiny of a match. He didn't lose his ego; he refined it into something far more dangerous.
The Real Reason Itoshi Sae Switched Positions
Let’s be real for a second. Most players would kill to be a mediocre striker in Real Madrid's youth system. Sae wasn't mediocre. He was a prodigy. Yet, he returned to Japan with eyes that looked like he’d seen the end of the world.
The common theory? Leonardo Luna or some other Spanish monster humbled him. While it's true Sae encountered a wall, it wasn't a wall of skill—it was a wall of nature.
Sae is a "Shuusai" (a genius of effort and logic), not a "Tensai" (a natural-born miracle worker). In the world of Blue Lock, those born with the "striker's instinct"—that irrational, bloodthirsty hunger for the goal—are rare. Sae realized his brain was too fast and his technique too perfect for the chaos of the box. He’s a "Skilful Thread Master." His name literally implies it. By moving to the midfield, he became the puppeteer.
"I have no interest in a striker who can’t score a goal I’ve envisioned."
That quote tells you everything. He doesn't want to be the one who finishes the play; he wants to be the one who decides if the play is even allowed to happen.
That Infamous Sibling Rivalry: It’s Not About Hate
The "Night Snow" scene is probably the most heart-wrenching moment in the series. Sae comes home, tells Rin he’s becoming a midfielder, and then proceeds to mentally dismantle his little brother.
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Cruel? Yeah.
Necessary? Probably.
Sae knew that Rin’s entire identity was tied to being "Sae’s little brother." If Sae had remained the "hero," Rin would have always stayed in his shadow, playing a "lukewarm" version of soccer. By becoming the villain, Sae forced Rin to find his own ego. It’s a twisted form of brotherly love. He basically committed social suicide in his brother's eyes to ensure Rin didn't end up as another "half-baked" Japanese talent.
Why Sae Acknowledged Isagi Over Rin
In the aftermath of the Blue Lock vs. U-20 Japan match, Sae did something that sent Rin into a spiral. He ignored his brother and went straight to Yoichi Isagi.
He saw something in Isagi that he didn't see in the Japanese National Team or even in Rin at that moment: the ability to "change" the environment. Sae lives for "Beautiful Destruction." He wants to see soccer that isn't boring. He’s bored of Japan's "one for all" mentality. Isagi’s "Metavision" and his willingness to devour everyone on the field resonated with Sae’s own worldview.
Basically, Sae isn't looking for the best player. He’s looking for the one who makes the game interesting again.
Breaking Down the Skill Gap: New Gen 11 for a Reason
We haven't seen Sae play at 100% yet. Think about that. Even in the U-20 match, he was playing with a bunch of "mediocre" defenders and a striker (Shidou Ryusei) he had just met. And he still almost won the game single-handedly.
- Metavision: Sae was using this before Isagi even knew it had a name. He sees the field in 4D.
- Counter-Dribbling: He doesn't just run past you; he waits for you to move and uses your own momentum against you. It’s purely reactive and incredibly hard to stop.
- Passive Flirting (The Shidou Factor): Honestly, his chemistry with Shidou was the most chaotic part of the arc. He likes "demons" because they aren't predictable.
What’s Next for Itoshi Sae?
The story is currently deep into the Neo Egoist League, and while Sae hasn't been the focus, his shadow looms over everything. Rin is currently trying to "destroy" him, and Kaiser is out here proving what a New Gen 11 striker actually looks like.
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Eventually, Sae is going to have to suit up for the U-20 World Cup. When he does, he won't be playing for "Japan" in the traditional sense. He’ll be playing for himself. He wants to prove that his choice to become a midfielder wasn't a retreat—it was a conquest.
If you’re trying to understand Sae, stop looking for a "good guy." He isn't one. He’s a specialist. He’s a guy who realized that the world is bigger than a single dream and had the guts to pivot when everyone else told him to stay in his lane.
To really get a feel for how Sae operates, pay attention to the specific way he passes to Shidou versus how he used to pass to Rin. With Rin, he was a teacher. With Shidou, he was an accomplice. That shift is the key to his entire character arc. Keep an eye on the upcoming manga chapters for his inevitable re-entry into the story, likely as the final boss of the Japanese youth system.
Actionable Insight: If you're a manga reader, go back and re-read Chapter 124. Look at Sae’s face when he talks about the "world's best." It’s not the face of someone who gave up. It’s the face of someone who is waiting for a reason to care again. Isagi might just be that reason.