Oliver Aiku 

Oliver Aiku (オリヴァ・愛空アイク Oriva Aiku?) previously served as the captain and center-back of the Japan U-20 team. He now occupies the center-back position for Italy’s Ubers in the Neo Egoist League.

Oliver’s given name, “オリヴァ” (Oriva), signifies “descendant of the ancestor.” His surname, “Aiku” (愛アイ空ク), holds the meaning of “sky love” or “empty love.” “Ai” (愛アイ) translates to “love” or “affection,” while “Ku” (空ク) refers to “sky” or “emptiness.” Phonetically, it can also sound like “Ike,” a name originating from Hebrew, signifying “laughter.”

Appearance:

Aiku possesses a striking appearance, characterized by his tall and muscular physique. His shaggy purple hair, adorned with green ends, adds to his distinctive look, complemented by light facial hair. Since his youth, Aiku has been a sizable figure, gradually developing even greater bulk as he matured. While his facial structure remained consistent, it became more defined with the addition of facial hair over time. Notably, Aiku’s heterochromatic eyes add to his unique charm, with his left eye being green and his right eye being purple.

During the Japan National Representative match, Aiku wears the official U-20 jersey and shorts in white with red trim, adorned with the captain’s band on his left sleeve. Beneath his jersey, he sports a black shirt and gloves for added protection. Aiku completes his attire with black cleats featuring pink edges, adding a touch of style to his ensemble.

Personality:

Aiku dreamed of becoming the best striker in the world, but adults who preached “playing for others” shattered his determination. He shifted his focus to becoming the best defender in the world, defying those who discouraged him. Despite abandoning his dream, he vowed to support struggling “true strikers” in Japan, protecting them from disillusionment.

In matters of romance, Aiku has been depicted as a womanizer, as evidenced by an incident where he invited two girls on a date to karaoke without their knowledge of each other’s presence. This act of deceit and rudeness resulted in both girls slapping him and leaving, understandably offended by his behavior. Despite this, Aiku appears unperturbed by his romantic mishaps, displaying a nonchalant attitude towards women.

Aiku embodies his role as captain by serving as both the defender and peacekeeper of the Japan U-20 team. He demonstrates his leadership qualities by intervening to prevent conflicts, such as stopping Ryusei Shido from harming their Ace, and maintaining order among the players through his charisma. Despite his affable demeanor off the field, Aiku undergoes a dramatic transformation when he steps onto the pitch, evolving into a formidable and highly skilled competitor.

At times, Aiku’s determination to succeed can lead him to act recklessly, as seen when he gambles the fate of himself and his team for the opportunity to defeat the Blue Lock Eleven and prove his worth. However, after reflecting on his actions during halftime of the Japan National Representative match, Aiku acknowledges his recklessness and apologizes to his team. He then makes the decision to utilize their trump card to avoid defeat.

Aiku’s blunt nature is evident during halftime of the Japan National Representative match, where he openly admits his desire to test the team’s strength and criticizes their performance as “weak” compared to the talented players at Blue Lock. This straightforwardness highlights Aiku’s commitment to excellence and his willingness to push his teammates to improve.

Aiku demonstrates his respect for those who impress him, evident in his constant acknowledgment of Blue Lock’s abilities during the U-20 match. Despite being on opposing sides, Aiku shows sportsmanship by congratulating and shaking hands with Yoichi Isagi at the conclusion of the match, recognizing Isagi’s remarkable performance and the incredible goal he scored. Despite the outcome of the game, Aiku harbors no hard feelings and maintains his competitive spirit, showcasing his ability to separate personal feelings from the game’s outcome.

Libro:

Aiku serves as the key libero for the Japan U-20 team, embodying the versatility and agility characteristic of this position. As a libero, his role is more fluid compared to traditional defenders, allowing him to sweep up the ball if the opponent breaches the defensive line. Aiku’s speed and agility set him apart, as he is typically faster and slightly smaller than other players on the team.

The libero’s ability to read the game is paramount, and Aiku excels in this aspect, possessing a keen understanding of the flow of play. Additionally, he is confident on the ball, boasting strong passing and vision skills that enable him to initiate plays from the backline. Aiku’s defensive prowess is unmatched, as he can effectively shut down opposing offenses with his ironclad defense.

Skills:

Aiku is hailed as one of Japan’s top talents, evident from his captaincy of the U-20 team and a lucrative offer from an unspecified Italian Serie A club. His professional technique is commendable, transitioning seamlessly from a respected center-forward to a skilled defender. The U-20 team revolves around him, earning them the moniker ‘Diamond Generation’, with Aiku hailed as its standout player.

Moreover, Aiku possesses remarkable physical prowess, enabling him to execute high-level plays effortlessly. His strength was showcased when he effortlessly subdued the powerful Ryusei. Aiku’s exceptional jumping ability allows him to reach impressive heights for interceptions. Additionally, he traverses the pitch with remarkable speed, swiftly sweeping up loose balls and covering defensive gaps, while also swiftly transitioning back to the center when required. This combination of technical skill and physical dominance cements Aiku’s reputation as a formidable force on the field.

Spatial Awareness:

Aiku possesses exceptional spatial awareness, allowing him to monitor the entire field and assess the conditions of every player in front of him. His wide field of view enables him to detect threats to the U-20 goal and react swiftly, predicting movements and surprise plays. Despite not specifically marking him, Aiku intercepted a pass to Isagi by gauging Isagi’s speed, the pass’s source, and the positions of every player.

In addition to his spatial awareness, Aiku exhibits lightning-fast reflexes, enabling him to identify the greatest threat to the goal instantly and move there without hesitation. This combination of reflex and spatial awareness makes Aiku a highly effective defender, as he not only sees all player positions simultaneously but also anticipates and intercepts the ball ahead of the strikers.

By leveraging these attributes, Aiku forms an impenetrable barrier in the U-20’s defensive lineup, predicting, reacting to, and intercepting any balls played into the defensive third. His role as a critical safeguard solidifies his position as the cornerstone of the U-20’s ‘Diamond Generation’, showcasing his indispensable contribution to the team’s defensive prowess.

Flow State, ‘Flow’ is a state of heightened focus and complete immersion in an activity, as defined by Ego. During a match against Blue Lock, Aiku experienced this state, which improved his defensive capabilities. In this state, Aiku had a heightened awareness of critical areas in his team’s defense, allowing him to anticipate and cover weak points proactively. His one-on-one defending also improved significantly, and he could shut down opponents’ offensive strategies effectively. However, Aiku’s defense may weaken when faced with skilled opponents, requiring support from his teammates.

Metavision, also known as Transcendence Sight, refers to a player’s evolved vision that grants them an all-encompassing perspective of the field. Aiku utilizes his eyes to continuously gather data from both his central and peripheral vision, capturing information on every player, their actions, and their positions on the field. This constant data collection allows Aiku to maintain a comprehensive understanding of the game’s dynamics, empowering him to make informed decisions and react effectively to unfolding situations on the field.