After an incredible one-on-one birthday “date” between Chinatsu and Taiki, things start to align perfectly for Taiki—until..

Video Review

What Stands Out About This Episode?

In the latest episode of the sports-romance anime Blue Box, the love triangle heats up as Taiki ready for more “body heat” encounters with Chinatsu, while Hina’s feelings linger in the background, leading to another mic drop confession.

Hina CONFESSES.. Again?!

In a romantic triangle, you would think that the story would present the 2nd romantic pursuer, as more of a viable option, but I can’t help but sense doom and gloom emanating from her bleak situation. To be fair, there are plenty of episodes ahead of us that will have plenty of chances for the audience to feel better about Hina’s chances with the MC, but this episode like the previous, spells disaster for our “nothing is really wrong with this character,” pink-haired heroine.

The entire episode is constructed to continue this magnetic connection building between Taiki and Chinatsu. Most importantly, Chinatsu has gotten more blatant with her feelings with Taiki. Nothing capitalizes on this notion more this episode than the scene with her pulling his shirt down. Also, the contemplating in the bathtub over her feelings towards him and how it directly blocks Hina’s advances, makes everything vastly more complicated between the three. With Chinatsu’s mom showing back in town for a family emergency pulling Chinatsu away from Taiki for the time being, it just shows that Taiki and Chinatsu feels that much more inevitable, as they clearly miss each other. At the same time, this gives Hina an opportunity to intervene, while Chinatsu and Taiki don’t have as much time outside of school to continue building upon their bond.

Nothing screams “been there, done that” and “this is a massive warning,” than Kyo trying to be the ‘bestest’ of friends to Taiki and Hina. Although, the saying goes “homies before Hina.” The story teases that Kyo has been in this exact situation that Hina is in and it is basically fleeting. However, feelings are feelings and nothing is official until it’s official. Kyo’s character presents a massive red flag for Hina, which naturally supports this air of misery awaiting Hina’s future, as Taiki as yet to show romantic interest in Hina at this point.

Adding this Dynamic Would Have Been ‘BONKERS!’

When dealing with romance, it’s always fascinating to willingly put yourself in the state of happiness and misery at the same time in a love triangle. From a storytelling perspective, it would have made for an even bigger “soap opera” if Kyo showed more interest in Hina, whether it would be more of a “red herring” or not. It’s that one extra dynamic similar to that of a little plot twist of Chinatsu’s mother coming home out of nowhere, to have Chinatsu temporarily live with her—playing into this Kyo and Hina “love twist” would have made for a more compelling story. There were plenty of moments during this scene below that could have sold this idea.