Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai” is a rather odd Shonen Jump manga when you think about it. All because it’s more of a shojo romantic comedy anime with sports as the backdrop for it. However, this is also one of the most adorable love stories I’ve ever seen. It’s why I’m a fan of that manga by Kouji Miura, and why I’m a fan of this lavishly animated anime adaptation from Telecom Animation Film and TMS Entertainment.

Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai”: Details

I’m not kidding when I say this anime has lavish animation.

Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai” is the very first episode of the very first season of this romantic comedy and sports anime. Said anime is the anime adaptation of the manga of the same name by Kouji Miura (I Love You, My Teacher). Telecom Animation Film (Tower of God, Shenmue: The Animation, Astro Note) and TMS Entertainment (Detective Conan, Lupin the Third, Anpanman) are both responsible for the anime, with them doing the animation, production, and planning, respectively.

Production Cast

Keiko Oyamada is the director behind Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai”, with Yūko Kakihara as the writer, and Yūichirō Yano as the storyboarder. As for Blue Box as a whole: Yūichirō Yano is the director behind the anime. Yūko Kakihara is the writer, with Takashi Ohmama responsible for composing the music.

Speaking of music: the opening theme song for Blue Box is “Same Blue” by Official Hige Dandism. Meanwhile, “Teenage Blue” (ティーンエイジブルー) by Eve is the ending theme song for the same.

Voice Cast

Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai” features the voices of Shōya Chiba as Taiki Inomata, Reina Ueda as Chinatsu Kano, Chiaki Kobayashi as Kyo Kasahara, and Akari Kitō as Hina Chōno.

When and Where to Watch

Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai” made its airing and streaming debut (aka. simulcast) on October 3, 2024. You can watch episode of the anime only on Netflix. In fact, you can only watch this entire anime on Netflix due to it being an exclusive there.

Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai”: Synopsis

Whatever else you have to say about this anime, you have to admit: it looks stunning.

Alas, Blue Box only just made its official debut. In fact, Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai” only just made its own debut just six days ago as of this writing. Thus, I will present to you Netflix’s official synopsis for this episode instead of a spoiler-filled plot summary. You can read that synopsis below:

Despite a few heart-fluttering encounters, Taiki doubts his crush Chinatsu even knows his name. Later, shocking news forces him to make a bold move.

That’s not all, folks! Since this is the first episode, I shall also give you the official synopsis of the Blue Box anime as a whole, also from Netflix. You can also read that synopsis below:

Badminton player Taiki has always admired basketball star Chinatsu from afar. But one spring day, a surprising turn brings them unexpectedly close.

Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai”: The Good

Blue Box Ep. 1 "Chinatsu Senpai" image from TMS Entertainment.
Seriously, the animation is just pure eye candy.

Just so you all know: I have been a fan of the Blue Box manga ever since it made its debut on Shonen Jump all the way back in April 12, 2021. It’s because I’ve been following Kouji Miura’s story since the very beginning that I can firmly tell you that the best part of Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai” is that story. Mostly because it is most definitely not the traditional shonen story.

Yes, the story does feature action in the form of sports, from basketball for Chinatsu to badminton for Taiki. However, the main focus isn’t solely on the sports. In fact, the sports story is heavily intertwined with the romantic comedy, with the romcom even taking the focus at various points in that story. I would honestly say that this anime is more of a shojo anime than it is a shonen anime, and that’s perfectly fine with me. A well-done romantic comedy intertwined with a sports story is, to me, a lot more entertaining than a pure sports story.

It’s not just the story that makes this anime great though. It’s also the animation. Wait, let me rephrase that: it’s the jaw-droppingly gorgeous eye candy that Telecom Animation Film and TMS Entertainment that helps makes this anime great. Seriously, this is one of the most beautifully animated anime series I’ve seen in a long while. It’s feature-length anime film levels of animation here. On par with Black Butler -Public School Arc-, really. That’s a pretty uncommon level of animation quality, and one that makes this anime a treat to watch even disregarding the story.

Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai”: The Bad

Blue Box Ep. 1 "Chinatsu Senpai" screenshot showing Chinatsu flexing as Taiki watches on.
Chibi animation is never bad, especially not here.

Honestly, if you like the traditional shonen action stories, then Blue Box Ep. 1 “Chinatsu Senpai”. This is essentially a shojo love story with sports as a backdrop to it. Nothing more, nothing less. If you’re the action junkie type, then may I suggest Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Solo Leveling, Kaiju No. 8, DDDD, and/or DAN DA DAN? Those anime series should have more than enough action to satisfy any junkie.

Tune back in to THS to find out more about Blue Box and other anime when we do.