The highly anticipated Blue Lock stage play 4th STAGE officially opened on May 15 at THEATER MILANO-Za in Tokyo. Prior to the premiere, a press conference was held following the final dress rehearsal (genepuro), featuring lead cast members Ryohei Takenaka, Ryono Kusachi, Nobunaga Sato, and Hiroki Ino, who spoke passionately about their roles and the production.

Cast and Characters: Bringing the U-20 Match Arc to the Stage

Ryohei Takenaka reprises his role as Yoichi Isagi, leading the cast once again following the previous installment. He is joined by Ryono Kusachi as Rin Itoshi, Nobunaga Sato as Meguru Bachira, and Hiroki Ino as Sae Itoshi. Reflecting on opening day, Takenaka expressed his confidence:

“We made the most of the limited rehearsal time and did everything we could. Now, it’s just about delivering it to the audience.”

Experiencing “FLOW” On and Off Stage

The concept of “FLOW,” or heightened focus and immersion in performance, is a major theme of the play. When asked about their own experiences with this state, Sato shared:
“During long performances, there was a moment when I realized my movements and cues became automatic—that’s when I knew I was in FLOW.”

Kusachi recalled a personal moment from his club activity days:
“Everything around me seemed to move in slow motion, and I felt invincible. Learning about FLOW in Blue Lock made me realize, ‘That was it!’”
Ino added that he witnessed Gaku Matsuda, who plays Ryusei Shidou, enter a FLOW state during rehearsals, marking a powerful moment behind the scenes.

Takenaka admitted he hasn’t fully experienced FLOW himself, but emphasized:
“The idea of ‘aggressive concentration’ is essential for actors too. Like Nobu (Sato) said, not overthinking and simply challenging the role is key.”

A Match Worth Watching: From Page to Stage

Takenaka also spoke about the significance of the U-20 Japan National Team arc:

“It’s one of my favorite storylines from the manga, and I’m thrilled to perform it on stage. This time, we even have official cheering goods, so I hope audiences enjoy it as both theater and sport—‘watching’ and ‘spectating’ combined.”

Performance Schedule

Blue Lock 4th STAGE runs at THEATER MILANO-Za in Tokyo until May 25, and will then move to Higashi Osaka’s Dream House Grand Hall from May 30 to June 1.

Source : ORICON NEWS