I’m finally dusting off the cobwebs and easing back into the swing of things here on the blog. I’m diving into the world of manga with a review of “Blue Box” Chapter 1. It’s been a while since I’ve done a deep-dive like this, so bear with me as I find my groove again. I may stick to just Chapter 1 for Blue Box for now, but if I stumble upon a fresh, exciting series that’s just starting out, I’ll definitely consider putting together more in-depth posts like this one. For now, let’s jump into the heartwarming and slightly awkward world of Taiki and Chinatsu!

“Taiki admires Chinatsu from afar, but he doubts that she sees him in the same way. Yet somehow, he musters up the courage to tell her to never give up on her dreams! After such a bold declaration, will Taiki’s fleeting high school romance finally begin?” Viz Media

I am reading Blue Box on the Shonen Jump app which allows you to read the first three chapters and 3 most recent chapters of the manga for free! The Shonen Jump app is available on Google Play and the Apple App Store.

Chapter 1: Chinatsu Senpai

The chapter translation is done by Christine Dashiell

Chapter Summary – Spoilers Ahead

The chapter and series kick off with a basketball to the face of our main character, Taiki Inomata – a fun opening indeed. We quickly learn that Taiki has a crush on Chinatsu Kano, who also happens to be the one who accidentally hit him. She shows concern and apologises, explaining that she’d been practising her elbow passes. As an apology, she hands him a ‘KotKat’ from her pocket.

We learn more about Taiki and Chinatsu – see character introductions below – very quickly. They’re usually the first two in the school gym, with Chinatsu arriving before Taiki. Seeing how tenacious and genuine she is, Taiki fell in love with her, dreaming of marrying her. His friend and fellow teammate, Kyo Kasahara, gives a harsh reality check, pointing out how great Chinatsu is and how average Taiki is. Going so far as to question what they have in common. Taiki points out they do share something – his mom is an alumna of the girls’ basketball team. Kyo encourages Taiki to talk to Chinatsu, get her to know his name, and exchange numbers.

Their discussion is interrupted by Hina Chono. We can see that the three of them have a good friendship as they joke around. Hina quickly realises that Taiki is having ‘love problems’. Her advice isn’t really helpful.

The next morning, Taiki arrives at the school gym and finds Chinatsu sat outside reading because the gym is still locked. He sees this as an opportunity to speak with her but decides to keep quiet when he realises she’s reading something about basketball and doesn’t want to bother her. When she sniffles, he offers her his scarf and flusteredly starts offering her a bunch of items to help warm her up, like his thermos with tea and his gloves. Seeing his flustered state, she teases him a little and thanks him. He sneezes and she returns his scarf, which leads him to daydream about being newlyweds and her as a wife helping him with his tie. The gym gets opened and she surprises him by saying his name. Startled, he asks her how she knew. She tells him that he has a good mom, and he realises his mother had written his name on the label of the scarf. He’s embarrassed but consoles himself with the fact she knows his name.

Taiki has made it to the second round, and next is the third round. He resolves to ask for her number. He sees Chinatsu talking to the girls’ basketball team coach when Hina asks what he’s looking at. She puts the pieces together and realises that Chinatsu is his crush. After team practice, Taiki realises he’d left his towel in the gym and goes back for it, only to find Chinatsu is still practising hard after everyone else has left. She catches Taiki watching her and offers up a game of one-on-one. He runs out of stamina, and she compliments him on his quick footwork. He explained that his mom had been on the basketball team and that they sometimes played together, and Chinatsu says she’s the same with her mom. He’s happy they have another thing in common. She wants to know why he didn’t play with the boys’ basketball team, to which he replied that he isn’t really cut out for team sports and that he really enjoys badminton. He likes that win or lose, the credit or fault only lies with him.

Taiki admits to seeing Chinatsu practising after they lost the last game of Junior High and that her determination inspired him to ‘work just as hard’. Looking back on it, he realises that was when he started liking her.

She blushes and mentions that she’d forgotten about that. The next morning at home, Taiki had overslept, and while chatting with his mom, he saw Chinatsu in a magazine that his mom was reading. She reveals that she’d been on the same team as Chinatsu’s mom and that they still keep in touch. His mom finds it sad that work is taking the family overseas. She tells Taiki that they’ll be moving in mid-March. Taiki remembers seeing Chinatsu talking with the coach and rushes to school. He wonders if she’s really okay with moving and whether she can leave everything behind.

He bursts into the gym and tells her she has to go to nationals. She interrupts his speech by telling him that she’s not going, that she’ll be staying at a family friend’s house. Extremely embarrassed, he tries to leave the gym, but before he gets out, she mentions that she’d had the opportunity to remember how the season had ended for her previously, and that made her realise she wants to go to nationals, that she didn’t want to give up. She says it’s all thanks to him. She then challenges him to another one-on-one, and he agrees as long as this time it’s badminton.

Back at home, he wakes up on Sunday and is relieved he won’t see Chinatsu due to his embarrassment. He heads downstairs and sees her in his kitchen. He’s completely confused to find her there, and his mom casually tells him that Chinatsu will be living with them.

Characters:

Taiki Inomata:

From Chapter 1, we learn that Taiki is a third-year student in junior high who is part of the badminton team. He practices diligently with the high school’s badminton team, showing his dedication to the sport. Taiki is portrayed as optimistic but somewhat self-conscious, especially regarding his feelings for Chinatsu Kano. His crush on Chinatsu is evident from the start, and his awkward yet genuine attempts to interact with her highlight his nervousness and admiration. We also see that he is thoughtful and kind, as shown when he offers Chinatsu his scarf and other items to keep her warm. Taiki’s determination is hinted at when he resolves to connect with Chinatsu, despite feeling average compared to her.

Chinatsu Kano:

Chinatsu is a first-year high school student and a member of the basketball team. She is depicted as dedicated and hardworking, often being the first to arrive at the gym and staying late to practice. Her commitment to basketball is further emphasized by her aspiration to reach nationals, a goal she takes seriously. Chinatsu is also shown to be kind and approachable, as she interacts with Taiki in a friendly and teasing manner. Despite her popularity and talent, she seems down-to-earth, which is evident in how she thanks Taiki for his kindness and reveals her own vulnerabilities, such as her previous disappointment in not reaching nationals. The chapter also reveals her independent spirit and determination, as she chooses to stay behind when her family moves overseas to continue pursuing her basketball dreams.

Kyo Kasahara:

Kyo is a third-year student in junior high and a fellow member of the badminton team. He is introduced as one of Taiki’s close friends, and his role in the chapter is to provide a reality check for Taiki. Kyo bluntly points out the differences between Taiki and Chinatsu, questioning what they have in common. This highlights his practical and straightforward nature. Despite his harshness, Kyo seems to care about Taiki, as he encourages him to take action and talk to Chinatsu. Kyo’s interaction with Taiki adds a layer of realism to the story, showing that while he may not be overly optimistic, he is still supportive in his own way.

Hina Chono:

Hina is another third-year junior high student and a member of the rhythmic gymnastics team. She is portrayed as perceptive and quick to pick up on Taiki’s “love problems.” Her interaction with Taiki and Kyo suggests that she has a close, playful friendship with them, often joking around and teasing Taiki. Hina’s advice to Taiki, while not particularly helpful, adds a touch of light-heartedness to the chapter. Her presence in the story adds to the camaraderie among the group of friends, and her perceptiveness may play a more significant role in future chapters. At 150 cm tall, she is noted for her small stature, which may influence how she is perceived by others and how she interacts with her peers.

Thoughts on Chapter 1 of Blue Box

Narrative Flow:

The pacing of Chapter 1 is smooth and engaging. The chapter manages to introduce the main characters, their relationships, and the setting without feeling rushed or dragging. Each scene transitions naturally, allowing readers to absorb the information while keeping the narrative’s momentum. The mix of light-hearted moments, character interactions, and the twist at the end ensures that the chapter maintains a balanced flow, making it easy to stay invested.

Growth and Change:

While Chapter 1 primarily focuses on introducing the characters and setting, there are hints of character development, particularly with Taiki Inomata. We see Taiki’s initial crush on Chinatsu, his hesitations, and the small steps he takes towards interacting with her. His determination to connect with Chinatsu and his moment of embarrassment when she recognizes him suggest the beginning of his growth. Chinatsu also reveals her resolve to stay behind and pursue her goal of reaching nationals, indicating her commitment and setting the stage for her development.

Character Interactions:

The interactions between Taiki and Chinatsu are central to this chapter. Their exchanges are filled with awkward yet endearing moments that reveal their personalities. Taiki’s nervousness and Chinatsu’s playful teasing add depth to their budding relationship. The brief interactions between Taiki and his friends, Kyo Kasahara and Hina Chono, also highlight the camaraderie and light-heartedness that contrast with his more serious feelings for Chinatsu. These interactions help establish the dynamics between characters and push the plot forward by deepening the connection between Taiki and Chinatsu.

Story Advancement:

Chapter 1 does an excellent job of setting the foundation for the story. It introduces key elements such as Taiki’s crush on Chinatsu, their shared history, and Chinatsu’s decision to stay behind while her family moves overseas. The chapter introduces potential conflicts and future storylines, such as Taiki’s desire to grow closer to Chinatsu and her goal to reach nationals. The surprise reveal at the end, where Chinatsu will be living with Taiki’s family, adds a new layer of complexity to the plot, ensuring that readers are eager to see how this situation will unfold.

Foreshadowing and Clues:

Subtle hints are dropped throughout the chapter that could impact future events. Chinatsu’s mention of her desire to go to nationals and the emphasis on her dedication to basketball suggest that her journey towards this goal will be a significant part of the story. Taiki’s resolve to connect with Chinatsu, coupled with the revelation that they will be living together, hints at future challenges and growth in their relationship. The chapter also foreshadows potential conflicts, such as Taiki’s struggle to bridge the gap between his feelings and Chinatsu’s focus on basketball.

Emotional Tone:

The emotional tone of Chapter 1 is a blend of light-heartedness, awkwardness, and a hint of melancholy. The chapter starts with playful interactions and humorous moments, particularly between Taiki and Chinatsu. However, it also carries a subtle undercurrent of longing and uncertainty, especially with Taiki’s unspoken feelings and Chinatsu’s decision to stay behind. The final reveal adds a sense of surprise and anticipation, leaving readers curious and excited about what’s to come.

Predictions and Hopes for the Next Chapter:

In the next chapter, I hope to see how Taiki and Chinatsu’s relationship evolves now that they’re living under the same roof. I expect more awkward and endearing moments as they navigate this new dynamic. It would also be interesting to see how their shared living situation affects Taiki’s feelings and whether it will push him to be more honest about his emotions. Additionally, I’m curious to see how Chinatsu’s goal of reaching nationals will play out and whether Taiki will become more involved in her journey.

Overall, Chapter 1 of Blue Box provides a solid introduction to the main characters, giving readers a glimpse into their personalities, relationships, and motivations. Each character is distinct, with their traits and interactions setting the stage for the development of the story.

Notable Chapter Quotes:

“You gotta rise to the challenge. Because you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” ~ Taiki Inomata page 15

“It’s not good to overwork yourself” ~ Taiki Inomata page 28

“You need to keep your eye on the goal and put in the effort every day” ~ Taiki Inomata page 47

What are your thoughts on Chapter 1 of Blue Box?

Did you enjoy the dynamic between Taiki and Chinatsu? What do you think about the twist at the end? I’d love to hear your interpretations, predictions, or favourite moments from the chapter!