Summary
Quick Links
Warning: The following contains spoilers for Blue Box, Episode 25, “Even So”, now streaming onNetflix.
Blue Boxseason 1 just ended, and it was one of the most heartbreaking endings in a romance anime in recent memory, which is exceptionally rare, especially for such a fun and upbeat show. Well, technically, it endedwith Taiki and Chinatsugoing on their second date, so if you’ve been shipping them this whole season, the ending might not be as bad for you. But for a lot of people, even some of those who prefer Chinatsu to Hina, the scene where Taiki officially rejects Hina is just soul-shattering. It’s possibly right up there with the Subaru and Rem rejection scene fromRe:Zeroin terms of how heartbreaking it is.
Just in case you need a quick refresher, Hina Chono is Taiki Inomata’s childhood friend who started developing feelings towards him near the beginning ofBlue Box. Contrary to the anime trope of never confessing your feelings right away, Hina confessed almost immediately, even though she knew Taiki was in love with another girl, Chinatsu Kano. However, because Hina knew Taiki would be conflicted about her confession, she told him it was alright if he didn’t give her an answer right away. It took about half a season, but Taiki finally made up his mind and gave Hina an answer. Cue the tears.
The Impact of Taiki and Hina’s Rejection Scene
The Directness of It Is Refreshing for an Anime
Taiki gave Hinathe cold, hard truthinBlue Boxepisode 24, “A Roller Coaster”, during the training camp bonfire. The two of them had gotten some alone time courtesy of Ayame Moriya, who expected Taiki to finally say yes to Hina’s confession. Instead, he steeled his nerves and decided to tell Hina he wouldn’t and couldn’t reciprocate her feelings for him.
Despite being incredibly depressing, the scene was just amazingly executed. It was also really refreshing because you don’t often get a straight-up rejection scene in an anime, and certainly not in the first season.Usually, the main characterwould keep indecisively going back and forth between their love interests, or they’d just pick one without giving the other some proper closure. Sometimes, they’d keep it vague for multiple seasons before finally coming up with a conclusion, but not withBlue Box. The directness, the background music that started playing (Shade of Love by Takashi Ohmama), the beautiful visuals, and the agony behind Hina and Taiki’s voices make thisone of the bestrejection scenes ever. Or one of the worst; depends on how you look at it, really.
“Even though I like her (Chinatsu), I feel ashamed for still being drawn to you. I think my indecisiveness is only hurting you Hina. So let me draw the line here.” - Taiki to Hina
Additionally, the rejection being so cut and dry makes the series' future very interesting. Now that Taiki has shut down any possibilityof him and Hinaending up together, does that meanBlue Boxseason 2 is going to just be about Taiki and Chinatsu dating? Obviously, it can’t be that easy. Nothing ever is in a good, compelling anime, which is why you just can’t help but wonder what season 2 has in store. Only time will tell, asBlue Boxseason 2 has already been announced by the officialBlue BoxX account. However, there’s no release date yet.
Ayame and Hina’s Friendship
The Girl Who’s Never Loved and the Girl Who Loved Too Much
One unexpected outcome of Taiki rejecting Hina is that she became close friends with Ayame. InBlue Boxepisode 25, “Even So”, Ayame tries to cheer Hina up by spending the day with her in an arcade. That entire sequence was heartwarming, and itsoftened the blow a little; not only for Hina, but for any viewers who wanted her to end up with Taiki. It’s great timing that Ayame entered the show when she did because otherwise, Hina would’ve been all alone after Taiki dumped her.
The Ending Theme Hurts Even Worse Now
Ninjas Cutting Onions Everywhere
Blue Box’s second ending theme, Contrast by Tomoo, was already bracing fans for the inevitable ever since it first appeared in episode 13. Contrast is about unrequited love, and the visuals in the ending credits were all focused on Hina, unlike everyother opening and endingtheme so far, which featured the three main characters. The lyrics are all about the love of your life being so close yet so far; about Hina’s feelings for Taiki, making her happy, but also sad and lonely.
Contrast is also the only opening or ending theme with a melancholy, almost sad vibe. All the other songs were either super positive or energetic sinceBlue Boxispartially about sports too. The writing was on the wall, but watching the ending credits on the last two episodes of the season just made it hurt much more.
Blue Box is now available to stream onNetflix. Blue Box season 2 has been announced but has no release date set yet.
