The popular sports romance anime Blue Box has finally received its English dub, much to the delight of fans. TMS Entertainment announced the immediate availability of the English dub on Netflix as of today, April 18, 2025. All 25 episodes of the first season are now streaming with the new dub, alongside other language options.
What Blue Box is About
Blue Box, originally a manga series written and illustrated by Kouji Miura, has captivated audiences with its blend of sports, romance, and slice-of-life elements. The story revolves around Taiki Inomata, a dedicated member of the boys’ badminton team at Eimei Junior and Senior High, a school renowned for its athletic programs. Taiki harbors a secret crush on Chinatsu Kano, a star basketball player who is a year older than him. Their lives take an unexpected turn when Chinatsu’s parents move abroad for work, leading her to live with Taiki’s family.
This sets the stage for a unique and heartwarming story as Taiki and Chinatsu navigate their feelings, pursue their athletic dreams, and support each other through the challenges of high school life. The anime beautifully captures the intensity of sports matches and the fluttery feelings associated with first love, creating a relatable and engaging experience for viewers.
The English Dub Cast
The English dub cast features talented voice actors who bring the characters to life for English-speaking audiences:
- Taiki Inomata: Zach Aguilar
- Chinatsu Kano: Xanthe Huynh
- Hina Chono: Kayli Mills
- Kyo Kasahara: Caden Shaffer
- Kengo Haryu: Daman Mills
Production Team
The anime adaptation is produced by TMS Entertainment and animated by Telecom Animation Film. The key members of the production team include:
- Director: Yūichirō Yano
- Series Composition: Yūko Kakihara
- Character Design: Miho Tanino
- Planning and Production: UNLIMITED PRODUCE by TMS
Where to Watch
The English dub of Blue Box is now available for streaming on Netflix.
Reception and Popularity
Blue Box has garnered significant popularity since its manga debut in April 2021. The manga has been praised for its sensitive portrayal of emotions, relatable characters, and the balanced integration of sports and romance themes. The anime adaptation has been equally well-received, with many viewers appreciating the stunning animation and faithful adaptation of the source material.
Critics have lauded Blue Box for its ability to evoke nostalgia for the high school experience and its refreshing take on the love triangle trope, where characters are considerate and thoughtful, making the emotional stakes even more impactful. The series has been described as a sports anime without the overwhelming bravado and a romance anime without the melodramatic excess.
Second Season Announced
Fans of Blue Box have even more to look forward to, as a second season of the anime has been announced.
Story and Characters in Detail
Taiki Inomata
Taiki is the main protagonist, a third-year junior high student (first-year high school student in the anime) dedicated to badminton. He’s known for his diligence and early morning practice routines. His admiration for Chinatsu fuels his determination to improve his skills and achieve his goal of competing at the national level. Taiki is generally a relatable character, quietly struggling with his feelings and ambitions.
Chinatsu Kano
Chinatsu is the female lead, a first-year senior high student (second-year in the anime) and the star player of the girls’ basketball team. She is dedicated to her sport and dreams of playing in the national championships. Chinatsu’s initial “cool” demeanor hides her own vulnerabilities and insecurities, which are slowly revealed as she bonds with Taiki.
Hina Chono
Hina is Taiki’s childhood friend and a member of the rhythmic gymnastics team. She’s a cheerful and energetic girl who harbors unrequited feelings for Taiki. Hina is a key character in the love triangle, but subverts typical tropes by remaining supportive and kind, even as she grapples with her own emotions.
Kyo Kasahara
Kyo is Taiki’s best friend and fellow badminton player. He is observant and perceptive, often providing Taiki with advice and support.
Kengo Haryu
Kengo is a skilled badminton player in Chinatsu’s grade who becomes both a mentor and a rival to Taiki, pushing him to improve his game.
Themes
Blue Box explores a number of themes relevant to adolescence and young adulthood:
- First Love: The series delicately portrays the excitement, awkwardness, and vulnerability of first love, capturing the universal experience of developing feelings for someone.
- Pursuit of Dreams: Both Taiki and Chinatsu are driven by their passion for their respective sports and their desire to achieve their goals. The anime highlights the dedication, hard work, and sacrifices required to pursue one’s dreams.
- Support and Friendship: The characters in Blue Box rely on each other for support, encouragement, and understanding. The series emphasizes the importance of friendship and the value of having people who believe in you.
- Emotional Growth: The characters undergo significant emotional growth as they navigate their feelings, face challenges, and learn from their experiences. The anime explores themes of self-discovery, resilience, and the importance of staying true to oneself.
Manga
The Blue Box manga is available in English through Viz Media’s Shonen Jump website and app. The manga continues beyond the events of the first anime season, offering fans a chance to delve deeper into the story and characters.
Blue Box is a heartwarming and engaging anime that appeals to fans of sports, romance, and slice-of-life genres. With the English dub now available, a wider audience can experience the charm and emotional depth of this acclaimed series.
