Sae Itoshi
Sae Itoshi is a major supporting character in Blue Lock. A prodigy playing for the youth setup of the prestigious Spanish club Real, he is recognized globally as one of the New Generation World 11. He is also the older brother of Rin Itoshi. Initially harboring utter disdain for the level of Japanese football, Sae decides to temporarily stay in Japan after learning about the Blue Lock project to evaluate the emerging talent for himself.
Overview
Sae Itoshi is a major supporting character in Blue Lock. A prodigy playing for the youth setup of the prestigious Spanish club Real, he is recognized globally as one of the New Generation World 11. He is also the older brother of Rin Itoshi. Initially harboring utter disdain for the level of Japanese football, Sae decides to temporarily stay in Japan after learning about the Blue Lock project to evaluate the emerging talent for himself.
Appearance
Sae has short reddish hair, green eyes, and distinct lower eyelashes. He is depicted wearing long-sleeved collared shirts.
Personality
Sae is extremely arrogant, blunt, and highly analytical. He harbors a cold, pragmatic view of the sport and openly expresses contempt for weak players and low-level environments. However, he possesses a deep professional respect for genuine talent and ego, willing to assist anyone who meets his high standards. Off the field, he operates strictly on his own terms, unbothered by media opinion or societal expectations.
Abilities
As a world-class midfielder, Sae possesses extraordinary vision and flawless passing capabilities that maximize his teammates' performance. His dribbling style focuses on passive counter-moves that exploit the opponent's rhythm and body language. In addition to creating scoring opportunities, he displays high-level striking techniques, including powerful drive shoots. When fully concentrated, his pursuit of absolute rationality is visually symbolized by streams of numbers.
Background
Recognized as a prodigy from a young age, Sae originally shared a dream with his younger brother Rin to become the world's best striker. After moving to Spain to join Real's youth system, his experiences abroad led him to shift his ambition toward becoming the world's top midfielder. This decision, along with his harsh treatment of Rin upon returning, shattered their relationship. He later joined the Japan U-20 team for their exhibition match against the Blue Lock Eleven after personally recruiting Ryusei Shidou.
Relationships
Sae shares a bitter and estranged relationship with his younger brother, Rin Itoshi. During the U-20 showcase match, he handpicked Ryusei Shidou to serve as his primary attacker, forming a lethal offensive pairing. Following the match, he acknowledged Yoichi Isagi as a striker capable of transforming Japanese football. On the U-20 team, he played alongside captain Oliver Aiku.
Trivia
Sae enjoys salted kelp and kelp tea, utilizing them to reset his mindset. Conversely, he dislikes French fries due to health concerns despite enjoying their taste. He spends his days off gazing at the ocean and admires Nicolaus Copernicus for challenging the established understanding of the world.
