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アオのハコ [Ao no Hako] #14
Blue Box, Vol. 14
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!
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, an unusually stressed-out Ayame fusses over giving special chocolates to Kyo. Can she follow through despite her fear of rejection? Then, a new school year starts, bringing with it promising first-year athletes. The newest member of the boys’ badminton team makes a bold declaration that Taiki won’t soon forget
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!
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, an unusually stressed-out Ayame fusses over giving special chocolates to Kyo. Can she follow through despite her fear of rejection? Then, a new school year starts, bringing with it promising first-year athletes. The newest member of the boys’ badminton team makes a bold declaration that Taiki won’t soon forget
192 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
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March 19, 2025"but you have your hair in pigtails which is just what I needed" he's like saying "yeah there's other cute girls around but you are just what i need" let's go Kyo what a rizz
pls Taiki and Natsu just kiss already i know that you want to
pls Taiki and Natsu just kiss already i know that you want to
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2025
Blue Box is a delight and has been for a while now. I think my current favourite high school romance might still be Skip & Loafer, but it’s an incredibly close race. Luckily I don’t have to choose.
With Taiki becoming a second year, that means new first years, which form the biggest changes for this volume. The two that feature prominently are Akari, who is new to the girls’ badminton team, and Yusa, who is the little brother of THE Yusa that Taiki is keen to beat.
Before we go there, however, poor Ayame has to wrestle with being driven to pursue a boy for the first time in her life and also not wanting to admit that the feelings she’s been developing for Kyo are feelings at all.
The outcome of this Valentine’s Day spectacular is a real crushing blow. Not only does Ayame bottle it, but her kind gesture to noted dope Matsuoka is misinterpreted by everybody but him and gets seen by Kyo. Oh, the path of overflowing teenage hormones ne’er did run smooth.
Akari has a brilliant troll of an introduction where it looks like she’s about to fall right into Taiki’s arms while Chinatsu is practicing basketball and stops herself short. Now, she does end up crushing on Taiki, but I still got a great laugh from this.
Akari might be following in Hina’s footsteps, but she is her own character. If only because there is no stopping the bold nature of Hina, who gets all the funniest lines this volume. There’s no doubt she really is just this close to starting her own fan club.
Yusa is a bit more of a pain, being young and arrogant, yet with a real awkward streak. He definitely pays a hilariously unfortunate compliment to Hina, but we see earlier that he’s the only one saying what pretty much all the first years are actually doing.
Of the two, neither is better or worse than the other and I enjoyed their additions to the narrative. That’s pretty impressive, since Yusa is an utter jerk who shoots his mouth off about as hard as he fires off his shots. He at least apologizes here and there, but he can be a lot.
But he’s meant to be a lot. It gives Taiki both a new problem to wrangle with, as Yusa is his junior on the team, plus Yusa has no aptitude for fun and only for winning. Which makes his match against Taiki have some actual stakes. At least in high school terms, but at that age those are the only ones that count.
If there’s a problem here, it’s probably that poor Chinatsu once again is the more reserved of the newly minted pair of her and Taiki. But that’s just who she is; ironically, she’s the one who has to worry about Taiki’s burgeoning popularity instead of the reverse.
The highest praise I can give Blue Box is that it doesn’t do a darn thing new, but I still think it’s a fantastic manga. Even yet another sports day is fun and filled with various bits of character growth and side plot.
I’m also digging the quiet nature of the Taiki and Chinatsu romance, which is still getting out of its awkward phase. The near miss they have during sports day is good, but I especially enjoyed the random shoe business, which felt like an incredibly genuine moment.
Heck, even the dubious premise, which really made me fear for the series during that first volume, is neatly used as a fairly legitimate reason why these two can’t just say they’re dating. And that restriction really gets put through the wringer this time too.
5 stars - high school drama and romance and some good laughs, served up just the way I like them. A consistent favourite.
With Taiki becoming a second year, that means new first years, which form the biggest changes for this volume. The two that feature prominently are Akari, who is new to the girls’ badminton team, and Yusa, who is the little brother of THE Yusa that Taiki is keen to beat.
Before we go there, however, poor Ayame has to wrestle with being driven to pursue a boy for the first time in her life and also not wanting to admit that the feelings she’s been developing for Kyo are feelings at all.
The outcome of this Valentine’s Day spectacular is a real crushing blow. Not only does Ayame bottle it, but her kind gesture to noted dope Matsuoka is misinterpreted by everybody but him and gets seen by Kyo. Oh, the path of overflowing teenage hormones ne’er did run smooth.
Akari has a brilliant troll of an introduction where it looks like she’s about to fall right into Taiki’s arms while Chinatsu is practicing basketball and stops herself short. Now, she does end up crushing on Taiki, but I still got a great laugh from this.
Akari might be following in Hina’s footsteps, but she is her own character. If only because there is no stopping the bold nature of Hina, who gets all the funniest lines this volume. There’s no doubt she really is just this close to starting her own fan club.
Yusa is a bit more of a pain, being young and arrogant, yet with a real awkward streak. He definitely pays a hilariously unfortunate compliment to Hina, but we see earlier that he’s the only one saying what pretty much all the first years are actually doing.
Of the two, neither is better or worse than the other and I enjoyed their additions to the narrative. That’s pretty impressive, since Yusa is an utter jerk who shoots his mouth off about as hard as he fires off his shots. He at least apologizes here and there, but he can be a lot.
But he’s meant to be a lot. It gives Taiki both a new problem to wrangle with, as Yusa is his junior on the team, plus Yusa has no aptitude for fun and only for winning. Which makes his match against Taiki have some actual stakes. At least in high school terms, but at that age those are the only ones that count.
If there’s a problem here, it’s probably that poor Chinatsu once again is the more reserved of the newly minted pair of her and Taiki. But that’s just who she is; ironically, she’s the one who has to worry about Taiki’s burgeoning popularity instead of the reverse.
The highest praise I can give Blue Box is that it doesn’t do a darn thing new, but I still think it’s a fantastic manga. Even yet another sports day is fun and filled with various bits of character growth and side plot.
I’m also digging the quiet nature of the Taiki and Chinatsu romance, which is still getting out of its awkward phase. The near miss they have during sports day is good, but I especially enjoyed the random shoe business, which felt like an incredibly genuine moment.
Heck, even the dubious premise, which really made me fear for the series during that first volume, is neatly used as a fairly legitimate reason why these two can’t just say they’re dating. And that restriction really gets put through the wringer this time too.
5 stars - high school drama and romance and some good laughs, served up just the way I like them. A consistent favourite.
August 8, 2025
This series is really making me happy right now. I can’t help but smile at pretty much every chapter. However, I can’t help but feel it will take a turn at some point. I don’t want to be pessimistic, but everything just seems too good. 😅
October 18, 2025
I really hope we aren't going to have more love rivals that could have an effect on Taiki and Chinatsu's relationship.
May 12, 2025
4 stars. It's a building volume. New characters, discussions on new directions, new feelings, but nothing too productive in inidivual characters moving forward. People being pushed forward with time ratger than more active progress. Like new characters creating new dynamics instead of solid new changes or obvious progress.
March 2, 2024
Hoy caché que ya estaban cuáles eran los capítulos correspondientes a este volumen (118-126). El festival deportivo y que casi los pillan mientras almorzaban juntos, terminó con un abrazo y casi beso, solo por eso son las 5 estrellas xd
July 8, 2026
tenemos nuevos personajes, el hermanito de yusa (que es el apellido) haruto y una chica del club femenico; ambos en badminton.
haruto es inseguro por su hermano y que siente que nunca lo alcanzará, eso lo hizo cambiarse de colegio. El man es engreído y ve mal a los que "no juegan bien", entonces no responde bien a nadie. Piensa que taiki es de su año y el otro no lo corrige.
Hasta que juegan y taiki le gana. Un momento de reflexión para haruto y quiere esforzarse más.
también chi tiene celos de la chica de badminton, le llamaremos kohai. taiki le expresa que no es así.
La manager prepara chocolates para los del club, y hace unos especiales para el bff de taiki.
Pero como otro maje esta triste por no recibir chocolates (por sus decisiones: le rechazó el chocolate de la chica que gustaba un amigo y le rechazaba los chocolates a las demás; por que quería recibir de su crush, que no pasó y las probabilidades eran bajas ya de por si que se alineen, las chicas le dejaron de dar), el único que le quedaba era el especial y tiene sospecha que entre el bff y chono "hay algo"; entonces se los da al maje.
QUE PENDEJADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Ya se que lo hace por:
1. es una adolescente y hace cosas tontas
2. influencia de los demás para dárle chocolates a otra persona
3. se "rindió" con su crush (que está empezando a ver con esos ojos)
Pero no estoy a favor. No es momento de poner a los demás por encima de tus deseos y decisiones. Él provocó que no le dieran chocolates. Él no merecía ese trato especial (que ni sabe que era especial para tí). Y eso es lo importante. Era especial para ELLA. él que recibió los chocolates no tenía nada que ver.
Peor que empezaron las confusiones por que el bff los ve y "esquivé algo" (yo creo a que esquivo un momento incómodo por que creyó que la manager quería con él pero se dió cuenta que era otra persona, como le pasó antes como su primer amor).
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Más que taiki yo lo amo por que defiende su postura siempre. Tiene tacto pero esta pendiente de lo que él quiere. Remitamonos cuando rechazó a chono. Hasta se preocupó por ella, que esa relación la lastimaría. Que el gusta de otra.
Entonces cuando la kohai a travez de la amiga le preguntan si tiene novia el responde de manera con tacto "no puedo responder eso", de manera que no podían reaccionar mal con su respuesta. Que claro, no es responsabilidad de él buscar que todas sus palabras no dañen a nadie, eso es imposible Ó que le permita a los demás hacer lo que quieran con respecto a él "solo para que no se sientan mal".
Quiero ser como taiki.
Por otro lado con chi hablan de hacer pública su relación y que los regañan, sus padres (de él) se enojarían solo con él. PERO, lo que pasa, que chi no le menciona es que duda que su padre acepte la relación. Entonces dice que mejor guarden el secreto más tiempo, taiki respeta su decisión. Y se dan su abrazo y medio que estaban cerca de un beso pero no...
Esto de chi no diciendo sus sentimientos, ha mejorado. Por ejemplo taiki sabe que a ella le dan al menos, un poquito de celos por la kouhai; y él le aclara las cosas (por que realmente no hay nada, y él con la kouhai no fomenta nada más que el deporte). Pero, sigue no ocultando; pero no dicendolas. Esto llegará a colapsar en algún momento.
haruto es inseguro por su hermano y que siente que nunca lo alcanzará, eso lo hizo cambiarse de colegio. El man es engreído y ve mal a los que "no juegan bien", entonces no responde bien a nadie. Piensa que taiki es de su año y el otro no lo corrige.
Hasta que juegan y taiki le gana. Un momento de reflexión para haruto y quiere esforzarse más.
también chi tiene celos de la chica de badminton, le llamaremos kohai. taiki le expresa que no es así.
La manager prepara chocolates para los del club, y hace unos especiales para el bff de taiki.
Pero como otro maje esta triste por no recibir chocolates (por sus decisiones: le rechazó el chocolate de la chica que gustaba un amigo y le rechazaba los chocolates a las demás; por que quería recibir de su crush, que no pasó y las probabilidades eran bajas ya de por si que se alineen, las chicas le dejaron de dar), el único que le quedaba era el especial y tiene sospecha que entre el bff y chono "hay algo"; entonces se los da al maje.
QUE PENDEJADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Ya se que lo hace por:
1. es una adolescente y hace cosas tontas
2. influencia de los demás para dárle chocolates a otra persona
3. se "rindió" con su crush (que está empezando a ver con esos ojos)
Pero no estoy a favor. No es momento de poner a los demás por encima de tus deseos y decisiones. Él provocó que no le dieran chocolates. Él no merecía ese trato especial (que ni sabe que era especial para tí). Y eso es lo importante. Era especial para ELLA. él que recibió los chocolates no tenía nada que ver.
Peor que empezaron las confusiones por que el bff los ve y "esquivé algo" (yo creo a que esquivo un momento incómodo por que creyó que la manager quería con él pero se dió cuenta que era otra persona, como le pasó antes como su primer amor).
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Más que taiki yo lo amo por que defiende su postura siempre. Tiene tacto pero esta pendiente de lo que él quiere. Remitamonos cuando rechazó a chono. Hasta se preocupó por ella, que esa relación la lastimaría. Que el gusta de otra.
Entonces cuando la kohai a travez de la amiga le preguntan si tiene novia el responde de manera con tacto "no puedo responder eso", de manera que no podían reaccionar mal con su respuesta. Que claro, no es responsabilidad de él buscar que todas sus palabras no dañen a nadie, eso es imposible Ó que le permita a los demás hacer lo que quieran con respecto a él "solo para que no se sientan mal".
Quiero ser como taiki.
Por otro lado con chi hablan de hacer pública su relación y que los regañan, sus padres (de él) se enojarían solo con él. PERO, lo que pasa, que chi no le menciona es que duda que su padre acepte la relación. Entonces dice que mejor guarden el secreto más tiempo, taiki respeta su decisión. Y se dan su abrazo y medio que estaban cerca de un beso pero no...
Esto de chi no diciendo sus sentimientos, ha mejorado. Por ejemplo taiki sabe que a ella le dan al menos, un poquito de celos por la kouhai; y él le aclara las cosas (por que realmente no hay nada, y él con la kouhai no fomenta nada más que el deporte). Pero, sigue no ocultando; pero no dicendolas. Esto llegará a colapsar en algún momento.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2025
Finally got a chance to read this volume too, a bit surprised by the author's writing page about making a story about falling in love deeper after dating her. The emergence of new juniors, Kengo's and Yusa's younger siblings make the story even more exciting.
Moreover, Taiki becomes the favorite senior because of his friendly five-star attitude. Honestly, I'm still a supporter of Ayame × Kyo. The feud between the Red Team and the Blue Team at the sports festival is still exciting. Besides, I can't wait to see Taiki announce his relationship.
Moreover, Taiki becomes the favorite senior because of his friendly five-star attitude. Honestly, I'm still a supporter of Ayame × Kyo. The feud between the Red Team and the Blue Team at the sports festival is still exciting. Besides, I can't wait to see Taiki announce his relationship.
June 21, 2024
4.5/5
Blue Box continues to be a delight. This volume introduces some new characters that are adding new conflict and personalities to the group. This is a great way to add more tension to this story. This is balanced with some tender, cute moments as well.
Blue Box continues to be a delight. This volume introduces some new characters that are adding new conflict and personalities to the group. This is a great way to add more tension to this story. This is balanced with some tender, cute moments as well.
January 9, 2025
Odio el trope de "la falta de comunicación" pero esa subtrama fue la que me pego más en este tomo, ojala y se arreglen en algun punto esos dos porque creo que el potencial de pareja que tienen es bastante interesante, ademas de que siento cariño real por ese chico :(
December 14, 2025
Still so cute! I see that Ayame likes Kyo and I’m here for it. I thought it was funny that Taiki cheered on Chinatsu in the sports festival scene even though she was on a different team. On to the next volume!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2024
Ch. 118-126
November 7, 2024
Ch 118-126, read on SJ app
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November 27, 2024you don’t get it i love side couples so much kyo and moriya oh my gosh i love them
taiki cheering chi on 😭💞
taiki cheering chi on 😭💞
November 28, 2024
New characters and new personalities are added, and I'm still LOVING every single one of them.
April 27, 2025
Not as memorable as the previous volume, but there were a couple of cute moments. The hug near the end was nice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2025
愛看戀愛題材的我卻在這部作品卡關了...
January 21, 2026
Przyjemny tomik, który nie nudzi mimo tego teoretycznie główny bohater osiągnął już swój cel
June 23, 2026
Gregeeeet sama Ayame dan Kyo! Ayo! Buruan kalian jadian!
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