When a show is focused on a kid and their sport, chances are, the main character holds a passion for the sport itself. They saw it, they thought it was cool, and they tried it out. Blue Box, however, takes an unconventionally depicted, but no less honest, motivation– the energizing power of having a crush. The way Taiki goes about it feels reminiscent of that first childhood crush, with the excitement, the determination, and the pure mortification each time he perceives to have jumped the gun, but it’s all made endearing with the characterization, writing, and the beautiful render, and it’s easily driven by the familiar device of having to share the same residence. Blue Box is just so darn cute.
Taiki Inomata loves badminton, but he has a long way to go before he can reach nationals. When Taiki sees upperclassman Chinatsu Kano practicing her heart out on the girls’ basketball team, he falls for her hard. After an unexpected turn of events brings the two closer together, sports might not be the first thing on their minds anymore!
Third year junior high school student Taiki Inomata joins the badminton team for one reason– to make it earlier to the school gym before his crush, first year senior high student and basketball star Chinatsu Kano. However, when she ends up living in his house, Taiki hopes to become a worthy match for Chinatsu by training harder to reach the same dream of playing in the Nationals.
Okay, maybe it’s because I used to play badminton, but I’m amazed and horrified by the shuttlecocks because the detail in the art is beautiful, but the way the kids store it would be terrible for the feathers.
I love that Taiki’s crush on Chinatsu stems not purely because of her looks, but because of her work ethic and perseverance, which hopefully inspires Taiki to do the same.
