Sae Itoshi (糸いと師し冴さえ Itoshi Sae?
) is a prodigy football player who is known as the
best player in Japan. Sae is also a member of the New Generation World XI, as well
as the Re Al youth team. He is the older brother of Rin Itoshi.
At the start of the series, he is in Japan only to renew his passport but after
hearing about the Blue Lock, he decides to stay. He later joins the Japan U-20 to
face off against the Blue Lock Eleven in the Japan U-20 match. After the Japan U-20
match concluded, he returned to Spain but is joining the newly constructed Japan U-
20 team in the U-20 World Cup, so he can challenge Spain and beat Bunny Iglesias.
Appearance
Sae is a tall, lean young man with reddish-brown/magenta hair and slim teal eyes
that are framed by an array of long underlashes just like his brother, Rin. During
the National Representative match, he wears the Japan U-20 White #10 jersey with a
black shirt underneath the jersey and some black gloves.
Personality
Since a young age, Sae has been cold, blunt, and serious. He has only ever cared
about becoming the best Midfielder in the world and has only had time for things
that get him closer to his goal. Sae can also be arrogant and condescending,
looking down on others even if they are older than him and wield organizational
authority. He is egotistical in his football play but has shown to be able to
restrain himself and play his position, not trying to outshine others
unnecessarily.
Sae is prideful as a football player, looking down on Japanese football and all who
participate in it. Sae states that he would much rather die or play in Europe with
a bunch of college students than play in the J-League or play on the Japan National
Team. He is very confident in his skills and wholeheartedly believes that nobody in
Japan is worthy of his skills as a teammate. He dislikes the fact that he was born
in Japan, saying things like he was simply born in the wrong country.
Though Sae is a difficult person, he is not impossible to work with. He, out of
pure interest, decides to stay in Japan on a whim after hearing about the Blue Lock
Project and even joins the Japan U-20 for the match against the Blue Lock Eleven.
But when his interest is satisfied, he has no problem abandoning those he deems
unworthy of his time.
Despite Sae's arrogance, he does not mind staying in his role as a midfielder and
key passer. During the Japan National Representative match, Sae gave the Japan U-20
forwards every opportunity to score, and only after repeated failures did he decide
to score himself. After the game between Japan U-20 and Blue Lock Eleven, Sae is
not above admitting when he is wrong, as he tells Rin that he was wrong about
Japan; they are capable of creating good strikers and that their football can still
change.
During Rin's past, Sae is shown to be much friendlier, more caring and loving
towards his brother. He even took responsibility for Rin destroying his toys. Sae
was concerned when Rin said he wanted to fight a stronger opponent, destroy them
and die.
