Summary
Weekly Shonen Jumphas been on a roll lately with hit adaptations of its most popular properties.BlueBox, an underrated sports romance still waiting to get more recognition, has found its streaming home onNetflix. Announced by Netflix Anime on X, theBlue Boxseries by Telecom Animation Film will head to the streaming service in 2024.
TheBlue Boxanime series already had numerous teasesearlier in the year, with trailer drops and key visuals teasing a faithful adaptation of Kouji Miura’s gorgeous sports romance manga. The series is set to explore Taiki Inomata and Chinatsu Kano’s unexpected blooming high school romance as the pair balance love and ambition as rising star athletes.Blue Boxwill broadcast first in October 2024 on JNN in Japan and join Netflix internationally.
Netflix Secures Another Anime for an Acclaimed Series
Blue Box Is the Latest Win for the Streaming Giant
While Netflix isn’t the same anime streaming juggernaut as Crunchyroll, it’s amassing a formidable presence with streaming exclusivity rights over numerous tentpole releases each season. This includes the Winter-Spring 2024 hitDelicious in Dungeon,and another Shonen Jump hit to followBlue Box,Sakamoto Days, in January 2025.This, in addition to Crunchyroll’s acquisition of The Elusive Samurai for streaming in the Summer of 2024, means the next several seasons will have some Shonen Jump representation.
Blue Box Anime Will Be a Standout Netflix Program
Blending Sports and High School Romance Boosts Chances of Success
The main factor differentiatingBlue Boxfrom other major releases of the year from Shueisha is its grounded, shojo-esque storytelling, focusing on character development and coming-of-age plotlines. With a long line of sports hits, includingPrince of TennisandSlam Dunk, and seminal romantic hits likeI'’s, theBlue Boxanime blends unique elements of both and is a unique appeal for the streaming giant. Given previous years' Netflix anime likeMy Happy Marriageproving a hit among the shojo crowd,Blue Boxcould easily gain new fans despite already performing strongly in Weekly Shonen Jump, according toJajanken.net.
Given Netflix’s proven track record showing itself again withunorthodox hits likeDelicious in Dungeon’sstreaming success,gaining 2.2 million views within two weeks of its debut, the service proves its potential to garner mass viewers and acclaim.Despite boasting two familiar genres,Blue Boxshows similar promise, especially when coupled with its elegantly drawn source material and vivid colors, helping this adaptation stand out.However, some added glimpses at its featured characters will also help Blue Box’s appeal.
Anime Expo 2024 Debuts New Blue Box Character Preview
A Glimpse at the Main Characters for the Latest Netflix Anime
Blue Box’sproduction team released a new teaser trailer for the anime on June 01, 2025, and despite it featuring many of the same shots as before, it fleshes out more of the premise. Taiki Inomata is introduced as the young junior high school badminton player who has a crush on Chinatsu Kano, the star basketball player. But that’s not all the characters introduced in this teaser, withHina Chono of the school’s gymnastics team, Taiki’s fellow badminton player Kyo Kasahara, and Taiki’s senpai and rival player, Kengo Haryu.
Taiki’s romantic aspirations won’t be simple with Chinatsu; she’s his senpai and a highly popular student-athlete at Eimei Junior and Senior High, so Taiki will also rely on help from friends like Hina and Kyo. Love triangles will soon form, with friendships tested, while beautiful relationships will blossom as Taiki and Chinatsu chase their ambitions to play at the national level in their sports.Blue Boxholds a special place in manga fans' hearts, a welcome respite from the usual action stories to showcase a funny, brilliant romance that’ll hitNetflixin the Fall 2024 anime season.
Blue Box
Cast
Taiki Inomata, a junior high student at Eimei Academy, is a dedicated badminton player with a crush on Chinatsu Kano, a star basketball player. Their paths intertwine in unexpected ways when Chinatsu moves in with Taiki’s family. Balancing sports, school, and budding feelings, Taiki aims to prove himself worthy of her admiration while striving for Nationals.
