Ao no Hako
Blue Box

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This looks really good...

So first off, I really like the concept of a mix between romance and sports series and it feels fresh (although there are probably other series with the same concept). It looks like it's going to be more focused on the romance side. I don't mind because after We Never Learn was finished, I was waiting for a romance series from Shonen Jump, but it would be nice to be focused on sports also (60% romance and 40% sports) because after reading Haikyuu!!, I was craving a new sports manga.

I already like the characters. The two side characters that were introduced ... look funny and interesting and for the main characters, the girl is really cute and has a great personnality and the guy looks and acts like a lot of male shonen protagonists in a romance series, but somehow, I really like him. Maybe it's because I am also a badminton player, so I can relate to why he likes badminton and it's funny when he's flustered.

Also there was a one-shot of this and before the guy played volleyball, so maybe the author changed to the guy playing badminton because badminton is a one player sport, so there could be a clash of ideals between playing alone and playing with a team and by the end, the main characters could understand why the other likes to play alone and with a team.

The art kind of looks like a shoujo manga and it looks really good. There were few panels where they were playing sports, but it looks like the panels and the spreads where they'll be playing sports continuously in the future will be top-notch.

The only thing I'm kind of worried is how the author is going advance the plot forward. Having read the one-shot, even though I wanted more, I thought there was no need to have more than a few other chapters, but still, I'm optimistic.

Other than that, it looks really wholesome and cute and I'm really excited for the future of this series. If it goes the way I think it will, it could easily be one of my favourites series.

P.S.: Sorry if it sounds a bit clunky, I don't really speak or write that great in english.

This manga would be decent, if not for the fact that one-shot of it exists.

The one-shot sets up high expectations for what is to come, which had me in high hopes and overflowing excitement. Characters were brave, the story was very enjoyable and the romance, oh my god, let me tell you. The romance had actually accomplished more in those 40 pages than the whole manga in 91 chapters. One may say that the one-shot was a huge success. Only to be baited by another long-ass slugfest romance shounen, but this time with a sports setting, which constantly goes back and forth and nothing ... really happens.

Well that is not completely true, 'cause on some occasions, when something is finally happening and you think the story is progressing forward, you will get hit by the enemy called 'story trope' followed by a huge sigh of despair.

But not all is gray, because when this manga hits, it hits right, you just need to wait for it and wait some more.

So would I recommend it? Ehh, I guess maybe for the art and two or three side characters, otherwise no.

TL;DR - Read the one-shot and be happy with your life

Btw its my first time writing a review so please have mercy.

Minor Spoiler!!

Story 9/10
Now to sum it up. We have our two main character first we have Taiki Inomata he's a third year in junior high and a badminton player he lives with her mother who was a basketball player in her young age. second we have Chinatsu Kanoa a basketball player she's in her first year of high school. But in unfortunate circumstances her parent were moving abroad but she decide to stay. And that's were the lovely disaster start.

For the first chapter the author made a great job introducing us to the manga ... every panel are fun to read and the pacing is great.

Art 9/10
Ohh man! the art looks clean, our main female character she looks beautiful and, every panel looks solid. Not only that i see even the shooting style for basketball they made it looks good/correct form.

Character 8/10
For the character i love both of them they have good chemistry together. It's pretty interesting to look forward to see them grow more with each other.

Enjoyment 9/10
I did enjoy the first chapter and i really like the concept but, i cant say for the future chapter and how the author advance with the story.

Overall 9/10
If you are having a doubt if this manga is good go for it. Or waiting for the manga to have a higher score i would say give it a try enjoy it if it didn't fit your taste you can skip it.

PS.. sorry if my English is bad but i tried my best to deliver every sentence. Hope you enjoy the series!.

This manga is a masterpiece, no doubt about it, and pushed me to write my first ever review. I will keep my review more general as to not spoil the story as I want everyone to go into this manga with an open mind.

Many of the romance manga I have read have felt, to put it simply, fake.
However, for this manga, reading how each character carried themselves, consistently, and realistically was what kept me interested and constantly admiring the authors craft. My favourite example of the authors storytelling is the balance between keeping the reader in the dark about some of the characters emotions. ... That might sound like every romance manga ever, but this one executes it brilliantly, as it also executes other trends in romance manga perfectly. One of the factors that may stop one from reading this may be the intertwined sports theme; however, I will say that not only does the sport theme NOT distract from the romance, but they both compliment each other beautifully.

I also want to mention the cast of side characters. Some of I do want to see more, but they all have roles to play and are all impactful to the main cast and the story (justice for Hina!).

Story: 10/10

The gentle and warm art style is perfect for a romance, yet when the sports scenes appear, the art style shifts to a fast paced and more rugged feel, which I absolutely adore. Some manga have a brilliant story yet lacklustre art, and others vice-versa, but this one is not one of them.

Art: 10/10

To be honest, I started reading this manga 1 year ago but dropped it after 3 chapters. However I plead with whoever reads this to give it a try and to not drop it like I did. This is one of the best if not the best romance manga I have ever read.

The only person who gave a not-recommended review on Blue Box: @mutosui is someone who gave "Death Note" a rating of 3... seriously 3... One of the best anime in anime history... he gave "Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? IV Part 2" a rating of 1... which is the best-rated Danmachi season so far with a rating of 8.24 on MAL as of writing... and he gave SAO a rating of 1...yes 1... he watched all 3 seasons and gave each season a rating of 1... I guess he is a retard single male in his early 30s ... cause he likes watching ecchi anime... he loves shit anime like kissxsis and gives it a rating of 9... for those who are still reading and going to start reading Blue Box... It's good... The plot is interesting... the character development is smooth... Dont let someone stop you from reading a good manga just cuz a random person named mutosui read up to chapter 83 and didn't like it at that particular moment...

So far only the first chapter has been released, and it's amazing. The premise of the story seems like an interesting one (although it is kind of similar to other romance manga/anime) and I like where it's headed. The characters seem pretty interesting and funny, especially the two side characters that we have met. The art also seems quite clean and smooth, definitely nice to look at. Overall, the enjoyment of this manga is something that I haven't felt in a while, and it's only just the beginning. I definitely recommend giving this manga a shot, as this could be a classic romance in the ... making.

I just bingeread the first 123 chapters in 3 days, so it's easy to say that I recommend this manga to anyone that likes romance stories.


Ao no Hako's strengths :

- The story as a whole is rather interesting. While not being groundbreaking, there's always something happening, you'll always want to read the next chapter in order to learn the outcome of the current situation etc... The romance is quite wholesome, it's probably the best thing this manga has to offer, every character is lovable and you'll root for them. The comedy/gags work too, there's nothing cringe, and this manga also has the merit ... not to fall into fanservice bait.

- The drawings were neat, the sports scenes feel dynamic, the panels are detailed enough. Regarding the character designs, once again, they aren't that original, but they get the job done, I believe that the art's quality is above average.

Ao no Hako's weaknesses :

- There might be a slight overuse of deux ex machina to prevent or further the story. Although it's rather common to have convenient things happen in slice of life stories, I think that it's too frequent in this manga, up to the point where it almost feels like a running gag ? Now, it's not hurting the story that much, but it does feel like a lazy way to tell a story.

- Even if this story has sports as a main theme, the story focuses way more on relationships than on the sports themselves. Sports are involved in the story because the daily lives of the main characters are built around them, and many, if not every event in the story is linked with sports in some way, but you shouldn't expect technical or strategy moments regarding them. I guess it might be harsh to talk about this as a weakness considering that the story isn't misleading the readers into believing that such aspects of the different sports will be talked about, but I still think it's important to warn some potental readers that this isn't that kind of manga at all.

To conclude, I think that this story will please every reader that likes romance, because it has many green flags for this genre. The main characters are as lovable as it gets, the story is captivating enough, the drawings enhance the story. Basically, if you are searching for a cute love story, this romance will fulfill your needs. Be aware that while sports have a big place in this manga, it remains a "shallow" approach as it focuses more on training, the mindset needed, life goals linked with sport & competition rather than sports strategies.

This is a pending review but so far im in love.Blue box takes the classic boy meets girl romance and flips it on its head and adds a spice of sports in it. Watch the two main character is a joy and their both lovable in their own right. I hope this manga succeeds and keeps going strong I plan to buy the volumes if it does. Seeing them both motivate each other because they respect one another and want the others approval is so cute our mc has a lot of work to do to become the best to get the respect of the ... girl he dreams of and I'm hear for the ride!

Blue Box strikes a fine balance between romance and personal ambition, making it a standout for those looking for something beyond typical high school romance manga. Each element is carefully crafted, adding up to an immersive and heartwarming read.
Characters: 9/10

The characters are realistic, with nuanced personalities and relatable struggles. Taiki's and Chinatsu's character development is subtle but meaningful, especially as they balance sports and personal growth alongside a developing romance.
Storyline: 8.5/10

The storyline is straightforward but well-paced, especially for fans of slice-of-life. The slow-burn romance keeps readers invested, though some might find the pace a bit too gradual.
Romance: 9/10

The romance is the highlight, with a natural ... progression that doesn’t feel rushed or forced. The tension and chemistry between Taiki and Chinatsu are built up beautifully, giving readers just enough to keep them hooked.
Sports Element: 8/10

While it’s not as heavily focused on sports as other sports manga, the balance between romance and sports is refreshing. The sports scenes are solid and enhance the characters' development without overpowering the story.
Artwork: 9/10

The art is clean, expressive, and particularly good at conveying emotions. The sports scenes have fluid motion, while the more intimate moments between characters are subtle and well-drawn.
Pacing: 8/10

The slow-burn approach is intentional but may not be for everyone. While the pacing fits the story, some readers might wish for a bit more progression in certain arcs.
Emotional Impact: 9/10

The manga tackles relatable themes of ambition, self-doubt, and the complexities of young love. The emotional moments resonate well and add depth to the story.

Blue Box is one of those rare gems that hits all the right notes from the very first page. It’s quickly become a fan favorite, and I’m definitely on that bandwagon! With its perfect mix of sports and romance, it offers a refreshing take on a genre that sometimes leans a bit too hard on the cliché train. And let’s not forget the artwork—it’s so stunning, you might just swoon right off your seat!

What sets Blue Box apart is its masterful balancing act between sports and romance, like a skilled gymnast on a beam. The story follows Taiki Inomata, our determined badminton hero, and Chinatsu ... Kano, the basketball star who’s definitely giving him a run for his money. Their romance feels as natural as a morning coffee—no forced drama or over-the-top antics here! It’s refreshingly grounded, unlike many other high school romances that make you roll your eyes harder than a gymnast after a bad landing.

The characters? Absolute highlights! Taiki and Chinatsu each have their own dreams and ambitions, and watching them work toward their goals adds depth that’s often missing in typical romance plots. You’ll find yourself cheering them on like a sports commentator with a caffeine buzz, genuinely invested in their growth as athletes and individuals. Their relationship develops like a slow-cooked stew—full of flavor and oh-so-satisfying.

If you’re a fan of slice-of-life romance that doesn’t feel like a soap opera, Blue Box is a breath of fresh air. It’s not just about the romance or just about sports; it’s about how these two worlds intertwine to shape their lives. You’ll be rooting for them not just in love but also in their personal ambitions—talk about a power couple!

The art in Blue Box is clean and expressive, capturing every subtle emotion without the need for flashy action or dramatic shenanigans. Each panel pulls you in with intimate moments, whether it’s a quiet exchange between the leads or the nail-biting tension of a sports match.

So, if you’re fed up with the usual high school love stories that feel like a dramatic soap opera, Blue Box is your welcome change. It’s real, heartfelt, and wrapped in a slice-of-life setting that elevates it beyond just another romance manga.

For anyone seeking an authentic, motivating blend of sports and love, Blue Box is a must-read. Get ready to be hooked—and who knows, you might even find the motivation to chase your own dreams, both in love and life!

Ao No Hako is one of those gems that you definitely have to give a try. Even though it is a sure treat for all the rom-com lovers, fans of other genres would enjoy it as well.

I am an avid manga reader so I know how hard it is to find the perfect manga for yourself. The satisfaction you get after reading that type of manga can't be expressed. Some have great plot but poor art, while others may have good art but poor characters. Ao no Hako nailed all of it from the get go.

*Minor Spoilers*

Plot (8/10): The plot is ... simple and easy to interpret. It moves at a linear pace throughout the story. I generally prefer light and simple plots rather than heavy ones so it gets a +1 from me at this front. But even if the plot is simple, you never know what is coming next. It somehow keeps you hooked on it.
I don't want to spoil anything so go and read the story yourself.

Art (9/10): The art of this manga is phenomenal. The characters feel real, their emotions are captured perfectly. There are panels where you can clearly see the amount of work done in it. Sometimes I just stopped and stared at the beautiful art just to soak everything in.

Characters (10/10): Now this is the strongest aspect of this manga. The MC is not a simp. He knows his goals and clearly works on it to get better. The two main female leads are the main attraction of the story. Each of them has their own problems, feeling and goals. Their character development is done just right. The side characters are the cherry on the cake. The author clearly knows how to make use of each of the character in the story.

Overall Judgement (9/10): Even though the manga is not finished, it is worth your time. I enjoyed each and every panel of this manga. It is one of the better manga out there in the romance genre. I hope it gets an anime adaptation soon.

Found the manga at midnight, and before I knew it, it was 7am and I finally ran out of chapters. What an amazing manga, I wish I knew about it sooner. It’s such a heartwarming and wholesome romcom that anyone interested in the genre should read; it’s true that the middle is weaker than the beginning of the manga and the current state of manga, but it’s so good now thanks to how much has been overcome to finally get to where the manga is today. One day this is going to get an anime adaptation and go down as one of the great rom ... coms, but until then, do yourself a favor and read what’s out now!

I love this manga.

It's amazing in so many ways! The art is stunning and it is also really fitting for a romance manga and the story is really nice. I love how it's a romance and sports manga which is really interesting! (Although I would say it's 60% romance 40% sports)

I can tell why this is highly praised! I don't think it's the best romance manga but it's definitely not bad or anything like that.

First, the art is just stunning. The amount of details that goes into the characters expression, the atmosphere, and everything really makes the whole experience of reading it so vivid. Can't ... say how well the drawing is for the sport scenes especially since I don't know tennis or basketball so I don't understand what the characters are doing anyway.

Second, the story is great and the authors way of storytelling is something I love! The balance of showing the characters emotions while also keeping us the readers in the dark is perfect! Although many romance mangas do that this author really just hit the nail with it and the author overall brilliantly executed the romance. It keeps me on the edge of my seat and I have gone through a catastrophe of emotions while reading this. The sports theme really works well and intertwines with the romance and the two just compliments each other beautifully and its what makes this manga more special to me. I also really like the pacing and overall the author just did amazing in both the story and art department!

Third, good side characters! They all have their roles to play and are all in a way impactful to the main cast and I would like to see more of some of them.

Overall: 10/10! I personally enjoyed this one so much. I don't think Taiki is a bland character or bad character and the romance and sports isn't dull at all or that predictable as other people say. I can see why people won't like it, I guess it's just preference since I think the author did a great job.

I recommend reading the first 2 volumes or 13 chapters first. It should give you a gist of the manga but I really recommend just reading the whole first 2 volumes since things get really interesting from there.

I haven't read the oneshot though so this is coming from someone who only read the manga and it's really great anyway.

One of the few romance/sports series in the current Jump roster. Chances are you might have heard of this due to its consistently high spots in the Jump rankings or maybe since the art looks absolutely beautiful. Sports and Romance series are always a hit or miss though, but is Blue Box worth following?

As a heads up to Sports manga enthusiasts planning to read this series, This is likely not for you. The sports aspect of the series becomes very minimal later on in favor of the romance aspect (whether it shifts back to sports instead of romance later on remains to be seen). However, ... the romance aspect isn't necessarily the best I have seen either. The romance plot tends to get quite repetitive and a stereotypical love triangle even ensues early on. So if you're expecting the series to be a revolutionary and unique romance or sports manga then this series is not for you.

Though it constantly adheres to overused stereotypes, Blue Box executes these stereotypes in a very good manner. I have seen countless romance anime and mangas that have a similar romance plot to Blue Box, but for some strange reason, Blue Box is the one that grasps my attention most. It's as if the mangaka knows how to pull you in and keep you wanting more in the next chapters. The sports aspect, though it becomes a secondary focus in the later chapters, is quite good in its own right. The art perfectly encapsulates the dynamic movements of the athletes and it makes the sports competitions to be very intense.

In short, I believe the series is a great addition to the sports and romance genre. Both of which are really lacking in the current Jump roster. It isnt the best sports nor romance manga out there, but it certainly does decent enough in both genres to get you to keep wanting more every week.

This Manga doesn't do anything special as it's your typical love story between two people in high school. I think what makes this story so enjoyable to read is how these characters interact with one another and the overall direction of the relationship. This relationship pushes both people to be better versions of themselves while encompassing all the headache and heartbreaking moments that typical romances portray. It's fantastic and I love every page turn and adorable interaction they have with each other. If you go into this story looking for something thought provoking, I would look the other way but if you want the ... beautiful mess that is anime romance, your going to love every cringy second of it. I would personally recommend it for people looking for a nice roller coaster of a ride. Enjoy!

At first i wasn't really expecting anything in the manga. The one shot was indeed good but since its the manga we're talking about i was prepared for the long run.

The story for me was pretty normal pretty similar to some anime/manga that i have seen
and thought to myself that it will be another "Generic romance manga that stalls and had really slow development on both the ML and FL side" . But boy was i wrong. It has some slow pacing here and there, but the absolutely incredible story telling makes it worth it. As for the art i think its safe ... to say that its pretty average nothing much to say about it.
For the characters though they are all excellent. As someone who has read a lot of romance making side characters shine and have their own problems and background stories are pretty much what makes a good manga is.

Overall i think this one is a must read if you're looking for a really mildly serious romance to immerse yourself on.

Usually whenever I see a new manga get serialized in WSJ I read the first chapter and wait for chapters to accumulate before binging 50 chapters. However, when I read the first chapter of Blue Box I was so engaged that I’ve been reading it weekly and have enjoyed it thoroughly.
Story: 8
The premise isn’t the most unique but what makes the story special is its execution. Drama isn’t lingered on too long and forced in order to pad out the story.
Art: 9
The mangaka of Blue Box has one of the most appealing art styles I’ve seen in Shōnen Jump. When characters talk the emotions on ... their faces enhance to dialogue and although there’s only been a couple of badminton matches so far I can feel the intensity of the matches through the art.
Character: 9
My favorite part of this manga is the characters. As seen in every great romance manga better characters equals more success( Ex: Quintessential Quintuplets and Horimiya) and the characters in this manga are all very likable and well written(so far). Taiki and Chinatsu have great chemistry and I can’t wait to see their relationship blossom.
Enjoyment: 9
I have haven’t seen or read many sports/romance manga before. There have been Sports manga with a side of romance and Romance manga with a character who plays sports but I’ve never read manga which has given equal time to both sports and romance, and so far I’m loving it.
Overall: 9
If you like sports or romance check this manga out. Hopefully it has a long fruitful run in Shōnen Jump cause I’m loving it so far.

"I'm going to let it bother me, and then win"
Ao no Hako (or Blue Box) is a sports/romance manga which i have been following for about 12 weeks now.
I'll be updating this review every 20 chapters, so look forward to that.

First things first, this manga is still very much in its beginnings, and it's the first published work by Kouji-Miura Sensei, so keeping that in mind, let's begin.

Overall- 7/10
the story:- 7/10
The story is still very much in its beginnings but its pacing is superb.
The tropes are very similar to other sports manga, but I'm interested in seeing how it proves me wrong, as it ... is very much in its beginnings.

Art:- 9/10
The art is really, really good, from the backgrounds to the character designs, its all really well done as expected from a manga in its genesis.

Character:- 7/10
I will only be talking about the leads for now, ill update whenever possible
Taiki and Chinatsu, are two very relatable characters, who to some extent even motivate you to do what you love, as we see why these characters, do what they love, day in day out.

Coming down to the negative aspects (till now):- pretty much every character is a copy paste of some other character from a different series, what i wish to see is that the characters evolve in ways i did not anticipate.

Enjoyment:-8/10
Pretty self explanatory here.

I can't wait to see how this manga grows and changes stuff up, cause i do think there's something truly special in here, thanks for reading.

Even if this is another slice of life, school, romance manga, it has a great new twist, and a really imaginative concept. It's not another copy paste manga.

The story itself is really good. It is manga fashion for the male mc to be a bruh moment sometimes (kazuya from kanojo), but Taiki seems different and is willing to do what needs to be done.

I personally love the art style, it is very wholesome.

Characters themselves are really well put together, Taiki is amazing, Chinatsu is great, Hina is also really good, but Kyo, is my favourite. Kyo is just the friend everyone needs, ... he is helpful, can read the room, and is always there for Taiki.

I enjoyed it alot, coming from manga like Kanojo, Okarishimasu, both of them are really enjoyable.

Overall, this manga has a amazing story, the greatest art, good characters and is very enjoyable.

Should be a must read on everyones reading list.

Thank you

Awesome artstyle, captivating characters with many human traits with, unfortunally, little development, good plot, but kind of predictable, and both the sports and romance part is pretty good. It differs from most romances in my opinion, It shows romance in a more realistic way, with no stupid characters doing stupid things, but people with feelings, desires and confused about themselves, what is common when you're a teenager. I crave for romance and this satisfied just right, the only problem is that it has a love triangle during most part of it, and it made me gets so angry and anxious, but, at some point, ... everything works out, yes, love triangles sucks.

•9.5/10 artstyle•

•7/10 plot•

•8/10 characters•

•8/10 romance•

•9/10 sports•

•8.5/10 Overall•