Blue Box, Vol. 18

アオのハコ [Ao no Hako] #18

by Kouji Miura

To celebrate everyone’s hard work at nationals, Taiki and the rest of the badminton team head to the beach. As luck would have it, Chinatsu’s there too for the basketball team’s summer training camp! But instead of a fun, relaxing break, Taiki must endure the trials of an old friend to prove he deserves to spend time with Chinatsu!

Genres: Manga, Romance, Sports, Fiction, Graphic Novels, Slice Of Life, Young Adult

192 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 2024

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very good, if a little slow at points. A lot of the first chunk of the volume is clearing the decks as the third years take their last shot at Nationals before leaving the club and worrying about entrance exams.

Overall, it’s a decent examination of the seniors leaving, although it wasn’t anything that invested me as much as Taiki and Chinatsu ever have. Taiki’s improved his game, but still not quite enough.

The very loose feel of the volume might be part of why it felt a bit slower. Things happen of particular note, but minus a beach trip that happens to coincide with Chinatsu’s training camp at the same place, they’re a little all over.

Which is okay, but it does lack the aura of greatness that most Blue Box volumes exude with ease. The developments we do get are really good and interesting, just a little scattered.

There’s definitely not enough Hina being Hina, which always makes things better. Her developing relationship with the young new guy on the badminton team, not that she wants anything to do with him yet, is particularly funny.

Most of the drama feels zoomed in on Kyo and Ayame, who have been dancing around one another for ages now. This doesn’t come to the fore until the end of the volume, which is a shame because it’s my favourite part of the book.

Ayame is not used to this sort of waiting for a guy and slow burn romance, and, when Kyo says something to keep the guys off his back, it accidentally hits Ayame in all the wrong ways. This combination sends her off towards a different guy, with Kyo none the wiser and still interested in her. It’s drama that makes sense for these two, to say the least.

I was reasonably happy with the Taiki and Chinatsu stuff this time around too. They may be a little more reserved than I feel is realistic, but they’ve at least cleverly leveraged the story’s silly cohabitation premise to account for that.

Shout-out to Taiki’s dad for being no fool either. I really appreciated his frank talk with Chinatsu and his suggestion that Chinatsu might not be giving her dad as much benefit of the doubt as she should.

And, yes, the beach scene is terribly cute. I appreciate that this doesn’t go crazy with it, but also that Chinatsu knows exactly what to do to short circuit Taiki’s brain. Whenever Chinatsu gets a little more aggressive it’s a hoot. Taiki naturally turns the table afterwards, of course, with his birthday gift.

It’s a solid volume. I wasn’t enamoured of it at the start, but it’s definitely one of those volumes where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. I left myself to ruminate on it for a bit and came to really appreciate its vibe and generally wholesome romance. Same as always, basically.

4.5 stars - I feel I could have liked this a little more and I really do have massive expectations for Blue Box. Very, very good, but not perfect.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

the secret is out.....which should give this fun Manga some renewed life.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

What to say about this series? It’s so hard to describe. It’s not “just” a romance, not “just” a sports manga, not “just” a slice-of-life. It’s a beautiful combination of all those elements, resulting in a story that feels so realistic and heartfelt, with triumphs and failures and growth for *all* its characters. I cannot wait to see how these characters continue to grow, both as students and athletes.

When I started reading it a few weeks ago, I didn’t expect to love it this much. And now it’s one of my favourite manga ever. Highly recommend!

[Hisgirl85 · Rating 4 out of 5]

High 4 stars. Ending the nationals, summer, and looking forward. Two other potential romances are being brushed upon. I liked it. There were feet kicks, and some chest shots with swimsuits, but I laughed when the main girl put her tee back on after getting confirmation that her boyfriend thought she looked cute ("satisfied" was next to her as she put it back on). It's a genuinely sweet and slow manga. I like it. Just not a strong plot or pace here with the rebuild.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a clusterfuck of filler and actual important scenes. 5⭐️ for Taiki and Chinatsu’s beach chapter and for the chapter with Taiki’s dad and Chinatsu. 3⭐️ for everything else.

[Kristin DeGarmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really don’t like Saki. It seems like she’s basically using Kyo to make her ex jealous because he cheated on her. I feel bad for Ayame for misunderstanding what Kyo said. I’m frustrated with Kyo that he’s making Ayame misunderstand him. I hope Ayame holds out for Kyo. Also I’m glad that Taiki’s dad wasn’t upset when he found out that Chinatsu and Taiki are dating. I understand where Chinatsu is coming from about wanting to prove to her dad that it was worth her staying in Japan. It was funny how Taiki reacted to Chinatsu in a swimsuit and how he kissed her cheek. It is going to be a long time before they kiss, isn’t it? *sigh* The next volume isn’t available in English yet so I’ll have to wait to see what happens.

[MIL · Rating 3 out of 5]

11到18集花了半年才看完
說明了這部真的跟我很不合拍Orzzz
體感覺得都落入戀愛漫和運動漫的俗套當中
無法理解為何會大紅??

[Valeria · Rating 5 out of 5]

154-162. Ay, amé todo este volumen porque siento que tuvo tanto sjdflakbafj
Último partido oficial de Haryu y Nishida en dobles y aunque el partido fue todo en un mismo capítulo fue igual de emocionante por lo que conllevaba y el agradecimiento que sentían el uno por el otro además del equipo AAAHHH. Taiki también eliminado de las nacionales y tuvo una conversación con Yusa al final declarando sus intenciones para el próximo año (coso precioso). Como premio el club de badminton se fue a la playa, algunas chiquillas igual además del equipo de basquet pero que fue a entrenar. Coincidió con el cumpleaños de Chinatsu más playa, fue hermoso (y mi niña estuvo, aunque dos segundos, en traje de bañoooo afjhaskhgkjah) hasta un besito en la mejilla se dieron. De vuelta hicieron a Kyo el nuevo capitán, se le declararon a la manager y lo está pensando, se viene el festival cultural y más encima la amiga de la infancia de Kyo lo complica todo, que wen drama xd

[Latifah S Ningrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my experience after not reading manga for a while, blue box became the title of choice that I finally read. The moment I read the story when Haryu played men's doubles at the end was enough to make me realize that this match would be the last for the 3rd graders, automatically reminding me of my students at school. I also think Chinatsu and Taiki's relationship is quite adorable in this volume.

[Štěpán · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is so lovely it feels almost unrealistic in its cuteness, shyness and carefulness. I understand I am a grumpy old perverted man, and this is for twelve-year-olds, but bruh, they should at least kiss.

[catherine ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single chapter and every single volume continues to impress the hell out of me. The romance is adorable, the sports are really inspiring, and I just love all the characters.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ch 154-162, read on SJ app

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me molesta que suban un capítulo por semana o cada dos semanas, pero bueno, este último tomo se me ha hecho un poco lento aunque entiendo que después de 17 tomos ya tocaba algo de relleno.

[emma ♡ lvs evajacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

q monada

[Justin Perucca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chinastu and Taiki's is the only reason why I am here 😅

[Luke · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*

[Tommy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing!! Super fun book heheheheh