It’s the most crucial match of Taiki’s life! Taiki versus his biggest rival, Yusa!

Video Review

What Stands Out About This Episode?

After an episode where Taiki is confused as to what to do over his feelings between Chinatsu and Hina, it is now the biggest match of Taiki’s badminton career. Can he prove that he can beat one of the favorites to make it to nationals? Or is he still kilometers behind goals?

Classic Shonen with Nuance

Ahh yes, the quintessential shonen arc of overcoming an obstacle, by way of your hard work, dedication and drive to prove your capabilities. It’s a shonen trope that never gets old and it Blue Box has it’s own nuance for its version for the MC Taiki Inomata. It is Taiki and Chinatsu that share the same story arc of failure and overcoming their losses. From basketball to badminton losses, it would seem like that these two were destined for each other from the very beginning and this episode continues to help drive that narrative with some key elements that adds to the romantic plot, Hina Chono.

Ahh yes, the quintessential romantic third wheel, destined for failure, but drives one of the most compelling plots within the story. We live in a monogamous society, so keep your harem fantasies to yourself and keep your hands above your waist.

Besides the classic “love triangle” that includes the sports theme, it is also a classic “winners and losers” setup for a story. What Blue Box heavily focuses on is the realistic nature of all the characters that win AND LOSE. You see that? Bolded and in caps as “AND LOSE.” Taiki provides this protoypical shonen protagonist, while his number 1 romantic interest shares the same goals with similar trials and tribulation, but within a different sport. Chinatsu’s basketball future may not have the same triumphant win like Taiki just experienced in his practice match against his biggest rival, Shuji Yusa. Hina may not have the same triumphant “romantic win.” Even Taiki’s senpai, Haryu Kengo, may not have the same triumphant classic shonen arc as well— with him losing to Taiki’s rival that he just beat.

This episode showed that with a great balance of action through badmintion SMASHES— bringing along each character’s internal conflict and what it means for the MC, pays off the satisfying feeling when he does eventually beat Yusa. Although Taiki’s character arc is classic shonen, the weaving of his conflict over his romantic feelings is one that also helps confirm that it has always started with badminton first. Focus on yourself first they say.

Overall, that is the sweet, sweet nature of reality that the Blue Box story is genius at telling. While the young guys and gals may find the romance to be the most appealing part of the story, it’s the combination of all of the characters and their unique character arcs striving for similar goals that is most appealing. From the MC, that has a predictable shonen arc, to a larger roster of characters that find themselves on a different path that is currently, starting to play out differently within the story. That is the compelling “nuance” of the Blue Box Story.