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 | 16 |
Anime television series | |
Directed by | Yūichirō Yano |
Written by | Yūko Kakihara |
Music by | Takashi Ohmama |
Studio |
|
Licensed by | Netflix |
Original network | JNN (TBS) |
Original run | October 3, 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 16 tankōbon volumes as of August 2024. An anime television series adaptation produced by TMS Entertainment and animated by Telecom Animation Film is set to premiere in 3 October 2024.
Synopsis
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
- 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 girls' 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 rhythmic 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.
- Ryōsuke Nishida (西田諒介, Nishida Ryōsuke)
- Voiced by: Shogo Sakata[8]
- Nagisa Funami (船見渚, Funami Nagisa)
- Voiced by: Anna Nagase[8]
- Niina Shimazaki (島崎にいな, Shimazaki Niina)
- Voiced by: Asaki Yuikawa[8]
Media
Manga
Written and illustrated by Kouji Miura, Blue Box began its serialization in Shueisha's shōnen manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump on April 12, 2021.[9][10] Shueisha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on August 4, 2021.[11] As of August 2, 2024, 16 volumes have been released.[12]
On August 3, 2020, the one-shot version of Blue Box had been published on Weekly Shōnen Jump.[13][14]
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.[15] Shueisha also simulpublishes the series in English for free on the Manga Plus app and website.[16] 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.[17][18] The manga is also licensed in Indonesia by Elex Media Komputindo.[19]
Volumes
No. | Original release date | Original ISBN | English release date | English ISBN | ||
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1 | August 4, 2021[20] | 978-4-08-882731-5 | November 1, 2022[18] | 978-1-9747-3462-7 | ||
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2 | October 4, 2021[21] | 978-4-08-882794-0 | January 3, 2023[22] | 978-1-9747-3611-9 | ||
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3 | January 4, 2022[23] | 978-4-08-883007-0 | March 7, 2023[24] | 978-1-9747-3626-3 | ||
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4 | March 4, 2022[25] | 978-4-08-883063-6 | May 2, 2023[26] | 978-1-9747-3641-6 | ||
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5 | June 3, 2022[27] | 978-4-08-883149-7 | July 4, 2023[28] | 978-1-9747-3741-3 | ||
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6 | August 4, 2022[29] | 978-4-08-883192-3 | September 5, 2023[30] | 978-1-9747-4037-6 | ||
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7 | October 4, 2022[31] | 978-4-08-883259-3 | November 7, 2023[32] | 978-1-9747-4072-7 | ||
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8 | December 2, 2022[33] | 978-4-08-883389-7 | January 2, 2024[34] | 978-1-9747-4280-6 | ||
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9 | February 3, 2023[35] | 978-4-08-883433-7 | March 5, 2024[36] | 978-1-9747-4316-2 | ||
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10 | May 2, 2023[37] | 978-4-08-883539-6 | May 7, 2024[38] | 978-1-9747-4595-1 | ||
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11 | August 4, 2023[39] | 978-4-08-883591-4 | July 2, 2024[40] | 978-1-9747-4596-8 | ||
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12 | October 4, 2023[41] | 978-4-08-883690-4 | October 1, 2024[42] | 978-1-9747-4871-6 | ||
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13 | December 4, 2023[43] | 978-4-08-883790-1 | December 3, 2024[44] | 978-1-9747-4921-8 | ||
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14 | March 4, 2024[45] | 978-4-08-883848-9 | — | — | ||
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15 | June 4, 2024[46] | 978-4-08-884041-3 | — | — | ||
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16 | August 2, 2024[12] | 978-4-08-884133-5 | — | — | ||
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17 | October 4, 2024[47] | 978-4-08-884207-3 | — | — |
Chapters not yet in tankōbon format
These chapters have yet to be published in a tankōbon volume.
- "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)
- "Hello" (こんにちは, Kon'nichiwa)
- "Because It's So Precious" (大切だからこそ, Taisetsudakara Koso)
- "Don't Eat Ice Cream" (アイスクリームを食べない, Aisukurīmu o Tabenai)
- "Into That Box" (あの箱には, Ano hako ni wa)
- "Could It Be" (もしかして, Moshikashite)
- "Winning" (勝つ, Katsu)
- "The Beach in Summer" (夏のビーチ, Natsu no Bīchi)
- "Ten Challenges" (10本勝負, 10 pon Shōbu)
- "Guest of Honor" (主賓, Shuhin)
- "A Wish" (願い事, Negaigoto)
- "Thanks for Taking Care of Us" (お世話になりました, Osewa ni Narimashita)
- "It Might Work Out" (うまくいくかもしれない, Umaku iku Kamo Shirenai)
- "Show Up When Someone's in Trouble" (誰かが困っているときに現れる, Dareka ga Komatte iru Toki ni Arawareru)
- "Socially Awkward" (社会的に不器用, Shakai-teki ni Bukiyō)
- "The Haunted House" (お化け屋敷, Obake Yashiki)
Anime
An anime television series adaptation was announced in November 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 3, 2024, on TBS and its affiliates.[7][48] The opening theme is "Same Blue" by Official Hige Dandism, and the ending theme is "Teenage Blue" by Eve.[48] In July 2024, it was announced that Netflix will be simulcasting the series.[49]
Reception
Popularity
In August 2021, the first volume of the manga had over 170,000 copies in circulation in less than a week after its release.[50]
In June 2021, Blue Box was nominated for the seventh Next Manga Award in the Best Print Manga category;[51] it placed eighth out of 50 nominees, but won the Global Prize.[52][53] The series ranked fourth on the Nationwide Bookstore Employees' Recommended Comics of 2022.[54]
Critical response
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".[55] 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.[56]
Notes
References
- ^ Donohoo, Timothy (July 9, 2021). "Shonen Jump: Why Witch Watch Is Hexing Its Magical Competition". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 25, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ Collins, Hannah (May 13, 2021). "Shonen Jump Round-Up: Every New Winter/Spring 2021 Title". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. 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. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. 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. Archived from the original on July 4, 2024. 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. Archived from the original on March 23, 2024. Retrieved March 23, 2024.
- ^ a b c Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 21, 2024). "Blue Box Anime Reveals 3 More Cast Members". Anime News Network. Retrieved September 21, 2024.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (April 4, 2021). "Shonen Jump Magazine Launches 2 New Manga as Phantom Seer Ends". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 5, 2021. 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. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. 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. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 3, 2021.
- ^ a b アオのハコ 16 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on June 17, 2024. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
- ^ 三浦糀 [@Amzk0303] (August 3, 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 20, 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. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ Hazra, Adriana (April 10, 2021). "Viz Media Releases Blue Box Manga in English (Updated)". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 28, 2022. 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. Archived from the original on February 18, 2022. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "Blue Box, Vol. 1". Viz Media. Archived from the original on August 2, 2022. Retrieved February 20, 2022.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (March 15, 2023). "Elex Media Licenses Arakawa Under the Bridge, Blue Box Manga". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 1 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
- ^ アオのハコ 2 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 2". Viz Media. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
- ^ アオのハコ 3 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 3". Viz Media. Archived from the original on November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ アオのハコ 4 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on July 27, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 4". Viz Media. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved January 28, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 5 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved May 29, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 5". Viz Media. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 6 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on July 28, 2022. Retrieved June 18, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 6". Viz Media. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 7 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on October 3, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 7". Viz Media. Archived from the original on November 8, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 8 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 8". Viz Media. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 9 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 2, 2023. Retrieved December 27, 2022.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 9". Viz Media. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved November 23, 2023.
- ^ アオのハコ 10 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 10". Viz Media. Archived from the original on March 17, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ アオのハコ 11 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 11". Viz Media. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ アオのハコ 12 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved August 18, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 12". Viz Media. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
- ^ アオのハコ 13 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
- ^ "Blue Box, Vol. 13". Viz Media. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
- ^ アオのハコ 14 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
- ^ アオのハコ 15 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ アオのハコ 17 (in Japanese). Shueisha. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (September 7, 2024). "Blue Box Anime's Main Promo Video Reveals Theme Songs, October 3 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
- ^ Mateo, Alex (July 6, 2024). "Blue Box TV Anime Unveils New Trailer, Key Visual (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved July 7, 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. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. 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. Archived from the original on August 24, 2021. 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. Archived from the original on January 27, 2022. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
- ^ Gramuglia, Anthony (June 18, 2021). "Shonen Jump's 5 Newest Manga, Ranked". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 19, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ Donohoo, Timothy (September 15, 2021). "Shonen Jump's Newest Goldmine Is Awkward Romances". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on February 3, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
External links
- 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
- Netflix original anime
- Shōnen manga
- Shueisha manga
- TBS Television (Japan) original programming
- TMS Entertainment
- Upcoming Netflix original programming
- Viz Media manga
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