REVIEW: ‘Blue Box’ Episode 6 – “Wish Me Luck”

Blue Box Episode 6, “Wish Me Luck,” picks up where the last episode left off. Intending to give Chinatsu (Reina Ueda) her phone back, Hina (Akari Kitô, Birdie Wing: Golf Girl’s Story) stumbles upon the secret that she and Taiki (Shoya Chiba) are living together. How this discovery impacts the girl, her ability to focus on her upcoming tournaments, and her feelings for Taiki are all the central points of this episode.

One of the struggles that viewers face with romance stories is a tendency to drag plot points out. Feelings and concerns are kept bottled up for long periods, only being allowed to come out once a character, and likely the audience, can’t take any more. The dragging out of narratives is done to build tension, but it is often overused.

It would be easy for Blue Box Episode 6 to take a similar path. It would be understandable even for Hina to be unable to face her startling revelation head-on and confront the information she has discovered. Luckily, Hina is bold enough to turn and face the truth she has discovered, making the character even more likable than she already was.

After a brief moment of struggle over what to do with her discovery, Hina pops her head over the wall in front of Taiki’s house to demand answers. Her following confrontation with Taiki over his unwillingness to trust her with this secret is one mixed with emotion and comedy. While it’s clear that Hina’s feelings are a bit hurt, the young woman understands why Taiki did what he did. The moment plays out with the same dynamic the duo’s friendship has shown since the first episode, passively signifying that they will continue being friends.

While the duo remains friends, Blue Box Episode 6 spends the rest of its runtime showcasing how shaken Hina is by the unfolding events. Knowing that Taiki already liked Chinatsu, the discovery that they are living together makes Hina feel like any chance she has at furthering her relationship with her old friend is doomed. While this is hard enough to swallow, she also comes to another conclusion. One that is as understandable as it is flawed.

With all the new information and her feelings in disarray, Hina temporarily distances herself from Taiki. She doesn’t want to get in the way of Taiki’s pursuit of Chinatsu, so being so chummy with him may be problematic. Plus, she needs to focus on nationals anyway. This attempt to close her feelings and keep busy quickly impacts her routines as her results slip.

While Hina’s desire to avoid hindering her friend’s pursuits is admirable at their core, they also feel unnecessary and self-punishing. Taiki never gave her any hint that her friendship was unwelcome before she knew, so there was no reason to suspect that her presence would be a problem for him now. Rather, it feels like she thinks she needs distance from him, at least for a moment, but being “The Great Hina Chono,” she can’t admit it even to herself.

The visuals handle Hina’s moments of emotional conflict well. Hina’s facial expressions and body language deliver a realistic presentation of her internal struggles. A particular moment when the girl clutches her chest stands out for these reasons, as well as how much detail Telecom Animation Film puts into how her shirt pulls into her hand. Coupled with more of the series’ signature warm lighting, the audience becomes enveloped in Hina’s emotions.

Hina’s self-isolation is another element the series could’ve easily let drag on for multiple episodes. Rather than take the long-form approach, however, Blue Box Episode 6 puts it to rest as effectively as it introduces it. When an accidental collision knocks Hina to the ground, Taiki volunteers to help Hina to the nurse’s office. Hina initially resists, asking if he’s concerned about what Chinatsu will think if she sees them. Taiki brushes that aside, clarifying that Hina’s well-being is more important than that.

This moment snaps Hina back to reality as she remembers the kind of person Taiki is. Of course, he would be there for her, not even thinking about external concerns. This moment heralds the duo’s return to their familiar comfortability. While in the nurse’s office, they soon laugh and chat, even if Taiki doesn’t pick up on some of the subtext Hina slips into their conversation.

While the emotional exploration of Hina’s character enhances how the audience feels about her, it also adds much to the core story. It is inevitable that Hina will confess her feelings to Taiki. When she does, everything the audience has seen about her will make the oncoming choice Taiki will have to make all the more potent since Hina feels just as amazing of an option as Chinatsu, who Taiki will ultimately choose becomes a more exciting decision than if Hina was second class to her rival.

As the episode draws close, we get a moment with Taiki and Chinatsu at their home. When Hina comes up in conversation, Chinatsu is struck by how Taiki talks about her and comes to worry that her presence in Taiki’s house may get in the way of Hina’s pursuit of him. The fact that Chinatsu’s worries mirror Hina’s at this moment only strengthens how similar the two are in some key areas. Their drive and consideration for others speak highly of them, making it harder for viewers to pick one of the two girls to root for.

Blue Box Episode 6 quickly covers emotional ground while never feeling rushed. Its efficient and effective use of time delivers a strong episode that strengthens the focal character and the larger narrative.

Blue Box Episode 6 is streaming now on Netflix.