Why Bachira x Isagi (Blue Lock) is One of the Best Ships of All Time
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR UP TO CHAPTER 86 OF THE MANGA
I’ll be honest and say that while Isagi and Bachira’s dynamic in the first arc was cute, it wasn’t anything that stood out to me too much. It seemed like a very typical sports anime type relationship at first. The main character shoots. His friend is there for him and passes to him so he can shine. They have good chemistry. They achieve results together that would be un-imaginably amazing compared to when they were apart. We’ve seen it so many times before already. Kageyama and Hinata, Kuroko and Kagami, Mihashi and Abe; the list goes on.
That all stops when the second selection starts.
Bachira was forced to leave and suddenly Isagi has to fight on his own. He recognizes that up until now, he’s only been useful because of Bachira and in order to get him back, has to learn to fight without him. And, contrary to what we’re made to believe in the first selection that Isagi is better when with Bachira, the truth is that Isagi actually thrives without Bachira. In fact, he gets so powerful that even an outsider like Nagi who initially called him worthless without Bachira genuinely believed that Isagi would decide against stealing Bachira back by the end.
As for Bachira, he’s given a hard wake-up call when he finally sees Isagi again. He recognizes how much better Isagi is without him to the point of Isagi ignoring him on the field, and that sets the part of himself that can only feel alive when he’s with Isagi off. It’s only with this wake-up call that Bachira realizes everything he’s thought up until now was wrong. That’s when we get a parallel to what Isagi did for Bachira in learning to fight without him in order to get him back. In exchange for being able to stand on the same level as and not be left behind by Isagi, Bachira threw away his purpose of playing soccer as his way to connect with Isagi. He realized he shouldn’t do things for the sake of staying by Isagi’s side. He should be doing things for his own growth. Bachira did this fully believing and grieving that he was giving up on being with Isagi. So much so that in his head, Bachira says goodbye to him. And in a similar fashion to Isagi, that’s the moment we learn that Bachira is actually stronger without him.
They both had to get stronger out of desperation to stay together, and consequently abandoned that part of themselves that depended on each other in the first place.
I want to pause right here and just applaud the author. I know Blue Lock has been praised as being a subversion of a ton of sports manga tropes and this is probably one of the most fantastic examples. We’re so used to the protagonist-and-partner combination being put on a pedestal. But here, it’s deconstructed right in front of us to show how it actually hinders both Isagi and Bachira as strikers and as people. And honestly? It felt like that would be it. I remember my heart dropping when I reached that point in the manga. Logically they would go their separate ways in a mutual break-up.
But they don’t. In the final scene of the soccer match, we see that everyone hadn’t believed in Bachira’s ego since long ago while Isagi had never stopped believing in him. Isagi caught Bachira’s winning goal. I thought that was a perfect parallel to their first meeting when Bachira passed the ball to the monster and then Isagi became the monster. This time Bachira abandoned the monster. There was no monster anymore because Bachira left it behind but even when the monster was gone, Isagi was still there. It's symbolic of how he doesn't see Isagi as just a monster anymore. He sees Isagi as Isagi, signaling a new era in their relationship.
And that’s also when Bachira realizes that just because he’s grown away from needing Isagi, just because he doesn’t live to make Isagi stronger anymore, just because he’s embracing that part of him that plays soccer solitarily for himself, doesn’t mean Isagi won’t still be there with him and believing in him. Bachira could change as much as he wants and the other won’t leave. They don’t need each other anymore, but that’s exactly what allows them to realize that being together makes them so happy, makes soccer so much fun, that they want to stick together until the very end anyway.
(Or the official translation / scans)
This direction for their relationship seems bittersweet but I think that’s what makes it realistic. Relationships are multi-faceted and they change over time. Isagi and Bachira had to say goodbye to one aspect of their relationship but they also gained a new one. They both used to rely on each other a lot to be their very best. That mutualistic symbiotic relationship they had in soccer, that is the crutch in so many sports anime, is gone now. Bachira and Isagi aren’t necessary to each other in soccer anymore. Personally though, I think this new dynamic actually makes them closer than they were before.
To Bachira, Isagi used to be a person he needed to pass to because he’s a monster and someone who staved off his loneliness. To Isagi, Bachira used to be someone who made good passes to help him function in soccer. I think the fact that Bachira was so easily swayed to making Rin his new “monster” made it evident. As they continue to grow as strikers, they’ll be cycling through teammates most suited to their skillset. Teammates come and go. What Isagi and Bachira are to each other evolved past that, beyond the soccer field, and became something that would stay with them their entire lives. There is no “I’m with Isagi because if I can’t play soccer with him, I would die from loneliness” or “I’m with Bachira because he lets me be invincible on the field” anymore. They’re together because they want to be and because they love each other (platonically or romantically). That’s all.
(Manga panel taken from an AMV on youtube)
And I think that’s beautiful. It’s beautiful because this is what true unconditional love looks like. I know what the manga did to them might not be the “popular” thing. Ships that are super dependent on each other and need each other to live are the ones that get views because it’s seen as romantic. But Bachisagi / Isabachi abandoned that to instead become one of the healthiest relationships you could possibly get not just in a sports anime but in general.
I mean, wow. I wish I had someone who wanted to be with me and had the emotional capacity to always believe in me no matter how much I changed, disappointed, and grew away from centering my world around them. I wish I had someone who could say that they don’t need me anymore but that’s exactly why they can say in full confidence that they still want me with all their heart. Bachisagi is seriously #relationshipgoals more than most married couples.
In conclusion, Bachira/Isagi deserves way more recognition and I will happily scream into the void with the other 6 of you out there who ship them /j
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Candy Heart Valentine Event 2024 Masterlist (A-N)
Here's the first half of the Candy Heart Valentine Event Masterlist :D
Big Windup
"Is this a bad spot?" (Lee!Abe, Ler!Mihashi)
Black Clover
"Come over here and make me!" + "What a brave thing to say for someone so ticklish." (Lee!Finral, Ler!Yami)
"Oh that is IT! Come here!" (Lee!Leopold, Ler!Yuno)
"Oh? Is someone ticklish?" + "You like being tickled, don't you?" (Lee!Charlotte, Ler!Yami)
"I didn't know you were ticklish here." (Lee!Noelle, Ler!Asta)
"No way! I didn't know you were ticklish." (Lee!Julius, ler!Marx)
"What happens if I do this?" (Lee!Fuegoleon, Ler!Yami)
"You're being extra annoying today! What do you want, kid?" + "You like being tickled, don't you?" (Lee!Asta, Ler!Magna)
Blue Lock
"Do you want me to tickle you?" + "Don't stop? If you say so!" (Sae x Reader)
"Hey, what are you- give that back!" + "Look how red you are, how cute!" (Lee!Reo, Ler!Nagi)
"Keep your arms up!" + "When's the last time you smiled? (Lee!Chigiri, Ler!Bachira)
"Oh? Is someone ticklish?" + "Don't stop? If you say so!" (Bachira x Platonic!Reader)
"Oh that is IT! Come here!" + "I know all your weaknesses!" (Lee!Rin, Ler!Sae)
"What happens if I do this?" + "What a brave thing to say for someone so ticklish!" + "I didn't know you were ticklish here" + "Is this a bad spot?" + "Look how red you are, how cute!" (Chigiri x Reader)
"What happens if I do this?" + "What's so funny?" (Lee!Isagi, Ler!Bachira)
"What's so funny?" + "Brave thing to say for someone so ticklish" (Rin x Reader)
"You can't hide from me, I can hear you laughing!" (Lee!Rin, Ler!Bachira)
"You can't hide from me, I can hear you laughing!" (Lee!Chigiri, Ler!Kunigami)
Bungo Stray Dogs
"Do you want me to tickle you?" (Lee!Tanizaki, Ler!Atsushi)
"Hey, do you like raspberries?" (Lee!Chuuya, Ler!Dazai)
"I haven't even touched you yet!" (Lee!Atsushi, Ler!Dazai)
"I haven't even touched you yet!" (Lee!Fyodor, Ler!Dazai)
"Look how red you are! How cute!" (Lee!Kunikida, Ler!Dazai)
"Oh? Is someone ticklish?" (Switches!Chuuya, Dazai)
"Oh that is IT! Come here!" + "Stop squirming!" + Come over here and make me!" (Dazai x reader)
"Not there? What about here?" (Fyodor x Reader)
"What a brave thing to say for someone so ticklish!" (Lee!Dazai, Ler!Fyodor)
"You can't tickle me without Rashomon helping you!" (Switches!Atsushi, Akutagawa)
Chainsaw Man
"Do you want me to tickle you?" + "You like being tickled, don't you?" (Angel Devil x Reader)
"Do you want me to tickle you?" (Lee!Angel, Ler!Aki)
Danganronpa
"Come over here and make me!" + "Oh that is IT! Come here!" + "Look how red you are! How cute!" (Lee!Kiibo, Ler!Kokichi)
"Five more minutes!" (Korekiyo x Reader)
"I haven't even touched you yet!" (Lee!Shuichi, Ler!Kokichi)
"I just want a hug!" (Lee!Korekiyo, Ler!Koichi)
"Is this a bad spot?" (Lee!Shuichi, Ler!Kokichi)
"Oh that is IT! Come here!" (Togami x Platonic!Reader)
"What happens if I do this?" (Gonta x Reader)
"Where are those giggles I love so much?" (Korekiyo x Reader)
"You're so squirmy!" (Nagito x Reader)
Demon Slayer
"I know all your weaknesses!" (Switches!Sanemi, Genya)
"I know all your weaknesses!" + "Come over here and make me!" (Sanemi x Reader)
"No way! I didn't know you were ticklish!" (Lee!Giyu, Ler!Mitsuri)
"Oh that is IT! Come here!" + "Do you want me to tickle you?" (Lee!Mitsuri, Ler!Obanai)
"This is the part where you run" + "You can't hide from me, I can hear you laughing!" (Lee!Sanemi, Ler!Tengen)
"What's so funny?" (Lee!Muichiro, Ler!Genya)
"When's the last time you smiled?" (Genya x Reader)
"Where are those giggles I love so much?" (Lee!Mitsuri, ler!Obanai)
"Where are those giggles I love so much?" (Tengen x Reader)
"Where are those giggles I love so much?" (Lee!Kagaya, Ler!Amane)
"Where are those giggles I love so much?" + "You have a lovely habit of creating snow when you get too giggly. I wish to witness it again." (Lee!Douma, ler!Kokushibou)
Dr. Stone
"Come over here and make me!" (Lee!Senku, Ler!Gen)
"No way, I didn't know you were ticklish!" + "What a brave thing to say for someone so ticklish!" (Lee!Nikki, Ler!Kohaku)
"What a brave thing to say for someone so ticklish" (Lee!Ryusui, Ler!Tsukasa)
Free!
"Hey, what are you- give that back!" + "I didn't know you were ticklish here." (Ikuya x Reader)
"Not there, what about here!" (Rin x Reader)
Fruits Basket
"I know all your weaknesses!" (Lee!Yuki, Ler!Hatsuharu)
Given
"Look how red you are. How cute." (Lee!Mafuyu, Lers!Uenoyama, Akihiko, Haruki)
"Oh that is IT! Come here!" + "You like being tickled, don't you?" (Lees!Uenoyama, Mafuyu, Lers!Akihiko, Haruki)!
Haikyuu!!
"Brave thing to say for someone so ticklish" (Lee!Yamaguchi, Ler!Tsukishima)
"Come over here and make me!" (Lee!Suga, Ler!Asahi)
"Do you want me to tickle you?" (Atsumu x Reader)
"I could do this all day" (Miya twins x Sibling!Reader)
"I could do this all day." + "I just want a hug!" (Kenma x Reader)
"I haven't even touched you yet!" + Keep your arms up!" + "What a brave thing to say for someone so ticklish!" (Lee!Kuroo, Ler!Bokuto)
"Keep your arms up" + "You can't hide from me, I can hear you laughing!" (Lee!Tsukishima, Ler!Yamaguchi)
"You like being tickled, don't you?" + "Look how red you are, how cute." + "Oh? Is someone ticklish?" (Suna x Reader)
Hell's Paradise
"What? Can't handle it? It's just a feather!" (Lee!Sagiri, Ler!Yuzuriha)
Hunter x Hunter
"Hey, what are you- give that back!" (Lee!Gon, Ler!Killua)
Jojo's Bizarre Adventure
"Come over here and make me!" (Lee!Okuyasu, Ler!Josuke)
"Hey, what are you- give that back!" (Lee!Joseph, Ler!Caesar)
"I just want a hug!" + "I didn't know you were ticklish here." (Lee!Ermes, LerJolyne)
"When's the last time you smiled?" (Lee!Jotaro, Ler!Kakyoin)
"You like being tickled, don't you?" (Rohan x Reader)
Jujitsu Kaisen
"Hey, can you...you know?" (Lee!Megumi, Ler!Yuji)
"Hey, do you like raspberries?" (Switches!Gojo, Geto)
"Hey, do you like raspberries?" (Switch!Megumi, Itadori)
"No way! I didn't know you were ticklish!" (Lee!Geto, Ler!Gojo)
"No way, I didn't know you were ticklish!" + "Stop squirming!" (Lee!Gojo, Ler!Geto)
"Oh? Is someone ticklish?" (Nanami x Reader)
"I'm gonna get you!" "Hey, Do you like raspberries?" "You can't hide from me, I can hear you laughing!" (Gojo x Reader)
"When's the last time you smiled?" (Lee!Megumi, Ler!Gojo)
"When's the last time you smiled?" + "Hey, what are you- give that back!" + "I just want a hug!" + "What's so funny?" (Lee!Yuji, Ler!Megumi)
"You can''t hide from me, I can hear you laughing!" + "I haven't even touched you yet!" (Megumi x Reader)
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9 people to get to know better
Tagged by @meatmensch
List 3 ships you like- spirk (star trek TOS)(and I'm seeing Janeway/Seven now tht I'm on Season 4 of VOY👀), abe takaya/mihashi ren (big windup), Xena/Gabrielle,
Honorable mentions: I haven't read BNHA in forever but like midoriya izuku/todoroki shouto and haven't read or watched an jojo's bizarre adventure recently but LOVE okuyasu/josuke
First ship ever- Bubbline is the first one I sought content for, and it brought me to tumblr. First I was insane abt was the main romance for the main character girlie in Inkheart
Last song you heard- the last song from this samba bossa nova album I was listening to it while drawing earlier :^D
Favorite childhood book- Dark Life by Kat Falls and The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
Currently reading: Behind The Pine Curtain by Gerri Hill and Skin Deep: Real-Life Lesbian Sex Stories by Nicole Foster
Currently watching- Voyager (Star Trek), was watching X files until recently, Dungeon Meshi, and Symphogear (which I'm obsessed with now btw)
Currently consuming- a boba fish ice cream :^)
Currently craving- more strawberries for my breakfast tomorrow, and a nice warm bath. I made a bunch of art earlier with friends which satisfied a craving.
Tagging mutuals in my most recent activity~☆
@welldressedfae , @creepingsenseofdread , @bluecherryfanta , @witch-of-agnesi , @dingoskidneys , @chronicdilf , @lucyflawless , @dogwoodbite , @dearbisexual, @plethodon-uncia
No pressure to do this if it doesn't seem fun :^) and anyone who thinks this would b fun can consider themselves tagged by me!
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Can I ask your top 10 fav fics ever (from any fandom, if you don't mind)?
Also, just curious, is there a story behind your name "apparently-artless"?
Top 10 fanfics, huh? Coincidentally, I have written 10 fanfics so that's my top 10. You gotta love your babies, right? XD But jokes aside, I don't think I've read enough that I would have 10 fanfics to share. I just recently started reading fanfics again, and my taste is... shall we say not written by many. Like I have to scroll 5-10 pages before I can find one. And with smaller fandoms, there's basically none. T_T
But here are some that I enjoyed reading a lot and still remember to this day despite reading a few years back:
An Eye For An Eye by dgalerab (The Umbrella Academy) - the first season of TUA was a total cliffhanger that I had to find a fanfic that would satisfy my cravings and this is the best TUA fanfic that caught my attention and I patiently subscribed to until the author finished it.
Strategize by princeoftheskies (Haikyuu!!) - This one has an original character added to the story. I read this fanfic many many years ago. I was so entrailed by the story that I couldn't stop reading it. I kept telling myself just one more chapter until I finished it and then it was already morning. I also failed to study for one of my final exams back then. Yes, I prioritize anime sometimes over important matters. XD
Hearts in Motion by BubblySage (Daiya no Ace x Oofuri Crossover) - this one features relationships: Miyuki x Sawamura & Abe x Mihashi. I am usually not reading fanfics with ships but if it's non-smut and the plot looks interesting, I sometimes give it a try. And I'm so glad that I did with this one. I also have a DnA x Oofuri story at the back of my head that I've always wanted to write. I always try to imagine what would happen if Sawamura & Abe and Mihashi & Miyuki become batteries instead. And this fanfic managed to give me what I am looking for.
And that's about it. I am trying to look for KRNKS fanfics but since it's such a tiny fandom, I couldn't find my preferred fanfic (non-smut and no slash because I want the characters to be just like me - aromantic and asexual XD). I probably would be looking at JJK fanfics too (Dad Nanamin & Son Yuuji AU), so if there's any you can recommend, feel free to send me a message! I would love to read them. ^^
As for my url, there is a story behind it. This has been my URL since I created my Tumblr account. I was still in high school back then. I read Angels and Demons by Dan Brown and I was fascinated by anagram. I wanted to create an anagram out of my real name but mine is only 5 letters so there's not much to go on. So what I did is find a word where all the letters of my real name are found. I literally searched for the word in a dictionary. lol And then I found the word artless which means lacking art but another meaning said without pretense, skill, or finesse. I thought it best describes me so I chose it. I just added the word 'apparently' because I needed another word that has the letter 'y' and it sounds nice. XD There's a chuuni feel to the name considering the story behind it but I still use it anyway. I am, as a matter of fact, quite attached to this name. (ღ˘⌣˘ღ)
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