Blue Box (manga)
Blue Box | |
アオのハコ (Ao no Hako) | |
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Genre | |
Manga | |
Written by | Kouji Miura |
Published by | Shueisha |
English publisher | |
Imprint | Jump Comics |
Magazine | Weekly Shōnen Jump |
Demographic | Shōnen |
Original run | April 12, 2021 – present |
Volumes | 14 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Yūichirō Yano |
Written by | Yūko Kakihara |
Studio |
|
Original network | JNN (TBS) |
Original run | October 2024 – scheduled |
Blue Box (Japanese: アオのハコ, Hepburn: Ao no Hako) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kouji Miura. It has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump since April 2021, with its chapters collected in 14 tankōbon volumes as of March 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by Telecom Animation Film and TMS Entertainment is set to premiere in October 2024.
Synopsis[edit]
The series focuses on Taiki Inomata, a student at Eimei Junior and Senior High who is a member of the boys' badminton team. Every morning, he trains alongside his upperclasswoman and fellow crush Chinatsu Kano, who is on the girls' basketball team. However, Chinatsu moves in with Taiki's family when her parents leave Japan to work abroad. With Chinatsu now living with him, Taiki aims to slowly develop his relationship with her as they both strive to make it to the national championship with their respective teams.[5]
Characters[edit]
- Taiki Inomata (猪股 大喜, Inomata Taiki)
- Voiced by: Shōya Chiba[6]
The Main Protagonist an avid Badminton player who strives to succeed despite setbacks. He greatly admires Chinatsu Kano for her dedication to Basketball and harbors a huge crush on her. While often awkward and emotional his unwavering determination and sincerity slowly earns him respect from others. His goal is to reach the National Championships a dream he shares with Chinatsu in their respective sports.
- Chinatsu Kano (鹿野 千夏, Kano Chinatsu)
- Voiced by: Reina Ueda[6]
The main Female Protagonist she is the star player of the Girl's Basketball Team. She is one grade above Taiki and is often the first person at practice. She was once a terrible Basketball player but her dedication has helped grow into a strong player who hopes to make Nationals. She moves in with Taiki's family when her parents leave to work abroad, and her and Taiki slowly become friends supporting each other.
- Hina Chono (蝶野 雛, Chōno Hina)
- Voiced by: Akari Kitō[4]
Taiki's friend who is on the Rythmic Gymnastics team. She is quite theatrical and loves to tease Taiki. She slowly develops feelings for Taiki despite encouraging him to go after Chinatsu.
- Kyo Kasahara (笠原匡, Kasahara Kyō)
- Voiced by: Chiaki Kobayashi[7]
Taiki's best friend and fellow Badminton player. Quiet and observant he often understands more than anyone else. Though sarcastic (especially with Taiki) he is a genuinely caring and wise person.
- Kengo Haryū (針生健吾, Haryū Kengo)
- Voiced by: Yuma Uchida[7]
A skilled Badminton player in Chinatsu's grade who ends up becoming a mentor and rival to Taiki. Though he is often hard on Taiki he slowly grows to admire his tenacity and growing skill.
Media[edit]
Manga[edit]
Written and illustrated by Kouji Miura, Blue Box began its serialization in Shueisha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump on April 12, 2021.[8][9] Shueisha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on August 4, 2021.[10] As of March 4, 2024, 14 volumes have been released.[11]
On August 3, 2020, the one-shot version of Blue Box had been published on Weekly Shōnen Jump.[12][13]
Blue Box has been licensed for simultaneous publication in North America as it is released in Japan, with its chapters being digitally launched by Viz Media on its Shonen Jump website.[14] Shueisha also simulpublishes the series in English for free on the Manga Plus app and website.[15] In February 2022, Viz Media announced that they had licensed the series in print format; the first volume was released on November 1 of the same year.[16][17] The manga is also licensed in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo.[18]
Volumes[edit]
No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | ||
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1 | August 4, 2021[19] | 978-4-08-882731-5 | November 1, 2022[17] | 978-1-9747-3462-7 | ||
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2 | October 4, 2021[20] | 978-4-08-882794-0 | January 3, 2023[21] | 978-1-9747-3611-9 | ||
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3 | January 4, 2022[22] | 978-4-08-883007-0 | March 7, 2023[23] | 978-1-9747-3626-3 | ||
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4 | March 4, 2022[24] | 978-4-08-883063-6 | May 2, 2023[25] | 978-1-9747-3641-6 | ||
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5 | June 3, 2022[26] | 978-4-08-883149-7 | July 4, 2023[27] | 978-1-9747-3741-3 | ||
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6 | August 4, 2022[28] | 978-4-08-883192-3 | September 5, 2023[29] | 978-1-9747-4037-6 | ||
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7 | October 4, 2022[30] | 978-4-08-883259-3 | November 7, 2023[31] | 978-1-9747-4072-7 | ||
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8 | December 2, 2022[32] | 978-4-08-883389-7 | January 2, 2024[33] | 978-1-9747-4280-6 | ||
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9 | February 3, 2023[34] | 978-4-08-883433-7 | March 5, 2024[35] | 978-1-9747-4316-2 | ||
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10 | May 2, 2023[36] | 978-4-08-883539-6 | May 7, 2024[37] | 978-1-9747-4595-1 | ||
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11 | August 4, 2023[38] | 978-4-08-883591-4 | July 2, 2024[39] | 978-1-9747-4596-8 | ||
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12 | October 4, 2023[40] | 978-4-08-883690-4 | — | — | ||
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13 | December 4, 2023[41] | 978-4-08-883790-1 | — | — | ||
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14 | March 4, 2024[11] | 978-4-08-883848-9 | — | — | ||
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15 | June 4, 2024[42] | 978-4-08-884041-3 | — | — |
Chapters not yet in tankōbon format[edit]
These chapters have yet to be published in a tankōbon volume.
- "Gives Me Goosebumps" (震えるね, Furueru ne)
- "With Hyodo" (兵藤さんと, Hyōdō-san to)
- "With the Right Effort" (正しい努力で, Tadashī Doryoku De)
- "I'm Borrowing One" (1つ借りています, Hitotsu Karite Imasu)
- "That Can't Be True" (それは真実ではありません, Sore wa Shinjitsude wa Arimasen)
- "I Get That" (わかります, Wakarimasu)
- "Why?" (なぜ?, Naze?)
- "Get On" (乗る, Noru)
- "That's Not True" (それは真実ではない, Sore wa Shinjitsude Wanai)
- "Go Eimei!" (ゴーエイメイ!, Gō Eimei!)
- "The Guy Who Carried Her" (彼女を運んだ男, Kanojo o Hakonda Otoko)
- "A Badminton Day" (バドミントンの日, Badominton no Hi)
- "I've Done My Fair Share" (やってきたこと, Yattekita Koto)
- "A Senpai's Love" (先輩としての想い, Senpai to Shite no Omoi)
- "You Can Do It!" (がんばれっ, Ganbare Tsu)
- "Final Game" (ファイナルゲーム, Fainaru Gēmu)
- "Forehead Flick" (デコピン, Dekopin)
- "Let's Replace It" (上書きしよっか, Uwagaki Shi Yokka)
- "She Really Is Tough" (やっぱり強ぇ, Yappari Tsuyo ~e)
- "The Feeling's Mutual" (お互いさまです, Otagai-sama desu)
- "Secret Someone" (ひみつのだれか, Himitsu no Dare Ka)
- "If We Hadn't Broken Up" (別れてなきゃ, Wakare Tenakya)
- "Deck of Kindness" (優しさの手札, Yasashi-sa no Tefuda)
- "Last Fireworks" (最後の花火 Saigo no Hanabi)
Anime[edit]
An anime television series adaptation was announced in the 51st issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump of 2023 on November 20, 2023.[6] It is planned and produced by TMS Entertainment[a], animated by Telecom Animation Film and directed by Yūichirō Yano, with Yūko Kakihara handling series composition, and Miho Tanino designing the characters.[4] It is scheduled to premiere in October 2024 on TBS and its affiliates.[7]
Reception[edit]
Popularity[edit]
In August 2021, the first volume of the manga had over 170,000 copies in circulation in less than a week after its release.[43]
In June 2021, Blue Box was nominated for the seventh Next Manga Award in the Best Print Manga category;[44] it placed eighth out of 50 nominees, but won the Global Prize.[45][46] The series ranked fourth on the Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2022.[47]
Critical response[edit]
Anthony Gramuglia of Comic Book Resources (CBR) stated, "Blue Box is a sentimental story about human connection. It's beautifully drawn, at times resembling a shōjo manga more than a typical shōnen. If Blue Box continues, it will likely become an earnest, sincere entry in Shōnen Jump's romantic catalog".[48] Timothy Donohoo of CBR compared Blue Box to Kenta Shinohara's Witch Watch and Shigure Tokita's Don't Blush, Sekime-san! due to both series having concepts and romantic aspects similar to Blue Box's.[49]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Donohoo, Timothy (July 9, 2021). "Shonen Jump: Why Witch Watch Is Hexing Its Magical Competition". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ Collins, Hannah (May 13, 2021). "Shonen Jump Round-Up: Every New Winter/Spring 2021 Title". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ 『アオのハコ』恋愛×部活で描く“ジャンプの新風” ピュアが満載のこんな漫画を待っていた (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. August 12, 2021. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ a b c Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 15, 2023). "Blue Box TV Anime Reveals Teaser Video, More Cast". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
- ^ 気になる先輩との距離が一変し…ジャンプの青春ラブストーリー「アオのハコ」1巻 (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. August 4, 2021. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ a b c Cayanan, Joanna (November 19, 2023). "Kōji Miura's Blue Box Manga Gets TV Anime (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved November 19, 2023.
- ^ a b c Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 23, 2024). "Blue Box TV Anime Reveals More Cast, Staff in 2nd Teaser Video (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 4, 2021). "Shonen Jump Magazine Launches 2 New Manga as Phantom Seer Ends". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ スポーツ強豪校を舞台にした青春部活ラブストーリー、ジャンプで始動. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. April 12, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ <今週の新刊>テレビアニメ&劇場版も話題の「僕のヒーローアカデミア」 「ダンダダン」「空挺ドラゴンズ」も (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b アオのハコ 14 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ 三浦糀 [@Amzk0303] (August 2, 2020). 【宣伝】本日発売の週刊少年ジャンプに読み切り「アオのハコ」掲載させて頂いてます。 (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved August 18, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ 三浦糀 [@Amzk0303] (July 19, 2020). 【宣伝】8/3発売の週刊少年ジャンプに読み切り「アオのハコ」掲載させて頂きます! (Tweet) (in Japanese). Retrieved August 18, 2022 – via Twitter.
- ^ Donohoo, Timothy (May 2, 2021). "Blue Box Is Shonen Jump's Latest Bad(minton) Romance". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ Hazra, Adriana (April 10, 2021). "Viz Media Releases Blue Box Manga in English (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ Mateo, Alex (February 15, 2022). "Viz Announces Fall 2022 Book Releases Including Mission: Yozakura Family, Thus Spoke Rohan Kishibe Manga, Jujutsu Kaisen Novels". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "Blue Box, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 15, 2023). "Elex Media Licenses Arakawa Under the Bridge, Blue Box Manga". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 1 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ アオのハコ 2 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 2". Viz Media. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
- ^ アオのハコ 3 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 3". Viz Media. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ アオのハコ 4 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 4". Viz Media. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 5 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 5". Viz Media. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 6 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 6". Viz Media. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 7 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 7". Viz Media. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 8 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 8". Viz Media. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 9 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 9". Viz Media. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 10 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 10". Viz Media. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ アオのハコ 11 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 11". Viz Media. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ アオのハコ 12 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 13 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 15 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ 漫画「アオのハコ」コミックス1巻、発売即日10万部の重版が決定! 累計17万部突破で大躍進 (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
- ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (June 21, 2021). "Voting Opens for Tsugi ni Kuru Manga 2021 Awards". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 21, 2021.
- ^ Loveridge, Lynzee (August 24, 2021). "Kaiju No. 8, Oshi no Ko Win Next Manga Awards Web, Print Categories". Anime News Network. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
- ^ 「次にくるマンガ大賞2021」ノミネート作品発表 ウマ娘、【推しの子】、葬送のフリーレンなど話題作続々 (in Japanese). Yahoo! Japan. June 18, 2021. Archived from the original on July 25, 2021. Retrieved July 24, 2021.
- ^ 書店員が選んだおすすめコミック2022、第1位は龍幸伸「ダンダダン」. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. January 27, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ Gramuglia, Anthony (June 18, 2021). "Shonen Jump's 5 Newest Manga, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ Donohoo, Timothy (September 15, 2021). "Shonen Jump's Newest Goldmine Is Awkward Romances". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
External links[edit]
- Blue Box official manga website at Weekly Shōnen Jump (in Japanese)
- Blue Box official manga website at Viz Media
- Blue Box on Manga Plus
- Blue Box official anime website (in Japanese)
- Blue Box (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia
- Manga series
- 2021 manga
- 2024 anime television series debuts
- Upcoming anime television series
- Anime series based on manga
- Badminton in anime and manga
- Basketball in anime and manga
- Romantic comedy anime and manga
- Anime and manga set in schools
- Shōnen manga
- Shueisha manga
- TBS Television (Japan) original programming
- TMS Entertainment
- Viz Media manga