What do you think?
Rate this book
アオのハコ [Ao no Hako] #21
アオのハコ 21 [Ao no Hako 21]
白熱のWC予選決勝戦。大喜や千夏の父が見守る中、千夏を中心に着々と得点を重ね、栄明高校のリードでいよいよ終盤を迎える──。ベンチに控えていた彩昌高校のエース 夢佳もコートに戻り、最後の力をぶつける! 千夏VS夢佳 幼馴染対決の行方は──!?
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2025
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 9, 2026
Any given volume of Blue Box is very good; it starts from there since it is generally well written and has strong characters. But most volumes also end up having some wonderful moments that just make it sing. No change this time, I’m happy to report.
Chinatsu’s big game versus her former teammate turned rival, Yumeka, continues and this is a competent and exciting storyline that ties into the series’ sports leanings and the general respect it has for the dedication and commitment required to be a competitive athlete.
What really made this for me, however, was the flashback (I know, I can’t believe I said that either…). Chinatsu and Yumeka used to practice early in the mornings and then it becomes just Chinatsu on her own once Yumeka bows out.
But soon Taiki is there early as well and that leads to Chinatsu noticing him, and his similar dedication, earlier than we had been lead to believe, which is a nice touch and a believable one. I really loved that little angle - it changes things, but doesn’t require us to reconsider the entire series like some great twist.
Yet the best part of this volume comes when a pair of tickets to a movie become up for grabs and Ayame decides that the only way to deal with them is to have a doubles badminton tournament. A tournament that she and Chinatsu end up playing in.
This whole section is just a chance for everybody to let their hair down and maybe also sneaking some romantic bits in. It captures that adolescent energy of just running with an idea because why the hell not and Ayame gets way, way too into it (her grrr during a match is literally a panel I would put on the wall, the art is so evocative and well-realized).
Needless to say, she and Kyo are on the same team and if this series ends without them getting together I am absolutely going to scream. I recognize the current situation with Ayame having a boyfriend is an obstacle, but she and Kyo have such good chemistry.
There’s a lot of feeling that the end is nigh for these characters, with Chinatsu’s final appearance as a basketball player looming as we bring the volume to a close. Yes, there’s a ton of ground to cover still, but school life doesn’t last forever (something Chinatsu’s dad aptly summates).
I’m forever impressed at how Blue Box managed to be a good sports story, a good romance, and a good school story, without letting any of those sides down. It always feels like it never sacrifices one thing for another and has had ample time to develop each of these aspects.
4.5 stars - rounded up because the badminton mini-arc is just that fun and the writing is fantastic as always anyway. The rare long-running series that hasn’t worn its welcome out.
Chinatsu’s big game versus her former teammate turned rival, Yumeka, continues and this is a competent and exciting storyline that ties into the series’ sports leanings and the general respect it has for the dedication and commitment required to be a competitive athlete.
What really made this for me, however, was the flashback (I know, I can’t believe I said that either…). Chinatsu and Yumeka used to practice early in the mornings and then it becomes just Chinatsu on her own once Yumeka bows out.
But soon Taiki is there early as well and that leads to Chinatsu noticing him, and his similar dedication, earlier than we had been lead to believe, which is a nice touch and a believable one. I really loved that little angle - it changes things, but doesn’t require us to reconsider the entire series like some great twist.
Yet the best part of this volume comes when a pair of tickets to a movie become up for grabs and Ayame decides that the only way to deal with them is to have a doubles badminton tournament. A tournament that she and Chinatsu end up playing in.
This whole section is just a chance for everybody to let their hair down and maybe also sneaking some romantic bits in. It captures that adolescent energy of just running with an idea because why the hell not and Ayame gets way, way too into it (her grrr during a match is literally a panel I would put on the wall, the art is so evocative and well-realized).
Needless to say, she and Kyo are on the same team and if this series ends without them getting together I am absolutely going to scream. I recognize the current situation with Ayame having a boyfriend is an obstacle, but she and Kyo have such good chemistry.
There’s a lot of feeling that the end is nigh for these characters, with Chinatsu’s final appearance as a basketball player looming as we bring the volume to a close. Yes, there’s a ton of ground to cover still, but school life doesn’t last forever (something Chinatsu’s dad aptly summates).
I’m forever impressed at how Blue Box managed to be a good sports story, a good romance, and a good school story, without letting any of those sides down. It always feels like it never sacrifices one thing for another and has had ample time to develop each of these aspects.
4.5 stars - rounded up because the badminton mini-arc is just that fun and the writing is fantastic as always anyway. The rare long-running series that hasn’t worn its welcome out.
January 4, 2026
Remove the scarf 🫵
August 9, 2026
High 4 stars. No Hina, the best girl, in this volume. And, the badminton guy with glasses was a bit of a jerk. After taking his time and being wishy washy, he is now lamenting and kind of feeling sorry for himself. When the girl he likes, who liked him but since he didn't like her and was hanging out with another girl decided to give another guy a chance, acted like she normally does as the manager and said he looked cool, glasses guy reprimanded her saying she shouldn't say another guy looks cool when she has a boyfriend. Like what? She wasn't being effusive or touching him, giving him extra special attention. She has said other people look cool, and other girls have told the lead he looks cool when he has a girlfriend. Immediate ick. I was feeling for the guy, even though he is in a mess from his own inactions and actions, but gross.
Everything else in the volume was great with the exception of a weird lecture/gratitude speech a girl gave the lead after sneaking him alone in a warehouse. But that's okay to do to a guy with a girlfriend. I raised my eyebrows at that whole thing...especially if saying a guy looked cool playing a sport you all were playing together (including the girl saying it) is something a girl shouldn't do if she has a boyfriend. Yeah, as excited as I was for this volume and how much I enjoyed most of it, having that element became a bad taste and there was no Hina to balance it.
Still looking forward to the next one, just not as excited as I was for this one.
Everything else in the volume was great with the exception of a weird lecture/gratitude speech a girl gave the lead after sneaking him alone in a warehouse. But that's okay to do to a guy with a girlfriend. I raised my eyebrows at that whole thing...especially if saying a guy looked cool playing a sport you all were playing together (including the girl saying it) is something a girl shouldn't do if she has a boyfriend. Yeah, as excited as I was for this volume and how much I enjoyed most of it, having that element became a bad taste and there was no Hina to balance it.
Still looking forward to the next one, just not as excited as I was for this one.
July 14, 2025
I have already finished it a month ago then the new cover just arrived in Goodreads 😅
I like the friendship in this volume although the experience reading it in the previously just too cheesy for my taste
But it‘s good quick reading
I like the friendship in this volume although the experience reading it in the previously just too cheesy for my taste
But it‘s good quick reading
August 14, 2025
Now onto the chapters that aren’t yet in volumes! I really must say…this has been one of my favourite pieces of media (both the series and manga) that I have ever consumed. I simply don’t have the words for it!
August 25, 2026
Cualquiera hubiese podido haber ganado, encestaba un equipo, contrarrestaba el otro.
Más momentos de reflexión con flashbacks del pasado.
Pensamientos de yumeka arrepintiéndose de los años q no practico.
Pero al final, el equipo de chi gano por una canasta.
Yumeka llora horrible, claramente. Alejada de todos.
Pero chi la acompaña y quedan para jugar el día siguiente.
Si bien hubiese querido no haber dejado el basket, no lo ve como arrepentimiento, sino aprendizaje de otras cosas. Y que si lo dejo, fue por su bienestar.
Momentos de chi con su papá, ni un abrazo pinches gentesssss. Y da permiso que vuelvan a vivir juntos.
La manager hace una mini competencia entre los del equipo y ella y chi; jugando bádminton para ganar unos boletos del cine.
Se nota el gustito de Kyo por ella, pero por ahora no toca eso.
Ahora lo que toca es la copa invernal. Varios juegos no va taiki por sus entrenos.
Y nos quedamos que en el próximo capitulo será un partido muy importante. Me imagino que si pierden ya no juegan.
Más momentos de reflexión con flashbacks del pasado.
Pensamientos de yumeka arrepintiéndose de los años q no practico.
Pero al final, el equipo de chi gano por una canasta.
Yumeka llora horrible, claramente. Alejada de todos.
Pero chi la acompaña y quedan para jugar el día siguiente.
Si bien hubiese querido no haber dejado el basket, no lo ve como arrepentimiento, sino aprendizaje de otras cosas. Y que si lo dejo, fue por su bienestar.
Momentos de chi con su papá, ni un abrazo pinches gentesssss. Y da permiso que vuelvan a vivir juntos.
La manager hace una mini competencia entre los del equipo y ella y chi; jugando bádminton para ganar unos boletos del cine.
Se nota el gustito de Kyo por ella, pero por ahora no toca eso.
Ahora lo que toca es la copa invernal. Varios juegos no va taiki por sus entrenos.
Y nos quedamos que en el próximo capitulo será un partido muy importante. Me imagino que si pierden ya no juegan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 1, 2025
181-189. Los primeros capítulos fueron el final del partido y ganó Eimei finalmente 🥹 Además de momentitos entre Yumeka y Chinatsu, pero más importante lo agradecida que estuvo Chii de la compañía de Taiki siempre en los entrenamientos matutinos 😭
Después entre relleno para los jajas con el "torneo" de dobles por las entradas al cine, pero también nos dio a Kyo y sus deseos de atreverse a "coquetearle" a la manager. Y mis bebés diciendo cosas bonitas del otro a sus parejas de doble mientras esperaban a jugar 🥰
La kohai de Chinatsu "descubriendo" que una de las razones por las que conectaron y se hicieron pololos fue la práctica matutina me pareció tan tierno fhkauaka Lo demás es casi todo entrenamiento hasta el beso con la bufanda y el te amo de Chinatsu 😭 al final cerramos con el inicio del próximo partido.
Después entre relleno para los jajas con el "torneo" de dobles por las entradas al cine, pero también nos dio a Kyo y sus deseos de atreverse a "coquetearle" a la manager. Y mis bebés diciendo cosas bonitas del otro a sus parejas de doble mientras esperaban a jugar 🥰
La kohai de Chinatsu "descubriendo" que una de las razones por las que conectaron y se hicieron pololos fue la práctica matutina me pareció tan tierno fhkauaka Lo demás es casi todo entrenamiento hasta el beso con la bufanda y el te amo de Chinatsu 😭 al final cerramos con el inicio del próximo partido.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2025
My glorious king Kyo, I’m on my hands and knees praying for you 🙏😭
August 6, 2025
Están empezando a meter una cantidad de relleno que no me gusta
October 31, 2025
love it
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
getting bored
August 26, 2026
This series can't get any cuter. It's an incredible slice of life.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews