REVIEW: ‘Blue Box’ Episode 8 — “Score!”

Blue Box Episode 8, “Score!“, sees Taiki (Shoya Chiba) and Haryu (Yuma Uchida) attend the qualifiers for Nationals. The competition will be fierce, and Taki will need to learn how far he’s come to this point. Maybe a cheer from Chinatsu (Reina Ueda) will help get him across the line.

After Taiki took a game off of Haryu in the last episode, the protagonist got his first visible proof that he was improving. But Taiki isn’t one to rest on his laurels and a game win against Haryu guarantees him nothing. That’s why it’s unsurprising that when Chinatsu awakens the morning of the competition, she finds Taiki in the yard stretching so he can be at his best for the matches ahead. Feeling inspired by her friend, Chinatsu quickly joins him in his stretches.

As the duo go through some light calisthenics, Blue Box Episode 8 subtly showcases more growth for them. Without calling attention to it, we see Taiki and Chinatsu casually chatting about their mutual journeys to reach Nationals when their matches are, and we even get to see Chinatsu cheer Taiki up and give him a boost. Bathed in the soft morning light, this opening gets the episode off with gentleness. It’s always great to see this when the protagonists are together.

Once the good vibes have been established, the episode jumps to Taiki’s qualifiers as he and Haryu prepare for the doubles tournament. The approach to this element of the story unfolds at a fantastic pace. Blue Box Episode 8 feels purposeful in what it shows throughout the sporting event. It gives viewers a chance to understand the energy within the scene and gives them a good taste of the level of competition the duo faces.

During the sequence, when the duo is actively playing, it uses bystanders to explain to the audience who’s strong in which aspects of the game and where players are weak. This approach allows the tournament to feel like the important element in Taiki’s story its been built up to be, without drawing it out.

The episode also delivers on the intensity of the tournament and what it means to Taiki through its visuals. The great camera angles and fluid animation bring the gameplay moments to life as we see all the athletes push themselves to the edge to secure a win. Unfortunately, Taiki and Haryu find themselves beaten by a team that includes Haryu’s old rival, Hyodo.

That night, back at the Inomata household, we learn that Chinatsu won her matches that day. Upon discovering that Taiki is less fortunate, she searches for a way to support him in his down moment. When she finds him asleep in the living she considers the best way to help boost his spirits.

The way Chinatsu forces herself to stop and consider how to help Taiki is a fantastic moment of growth for the character. Rather than blindly encourage him, she considers what she knows about him and what would mean the most to him. Again, we find Blue Box Episode 8 purposeful in its approach. That Chinatsu doesn’t just want the intention of her action to be in the right place, but for the action itself to land is a beautiful example of how thought should go into supporting others. Her final conclusion is indeed the perfect choice to help lift Taiki.

With Taiki’s eyes fixed on the future, the episode returns to the tournament for the singles competition. The time at this event is cut much shorter. No sooner does it feel like it begins than it is over with Taiki being eliminated. However, rather than feel rushed, this “there and gone” approach to his match fits perfectly with the examination of tournaments that follow.

Just as Taiki’s match wraps up, Hina (Akari Kitô, Birdie Wing: Golf Girl’s Story) appears, hoping to cheer him on. She’s shocked to learn it’s over already. This prompts a discussion with Kyo (Chiaki Kobayashi) about how quickly tournaments can slip away. As they are both athletes themselves, they can easily grasp the concept. And their conversation is poignant thanks to Blue Box Episode 8‘s abrupt end to Taiki’s court time.

Hina soon manages to find Taiki, and she delivers some snacks and a friendly face to help bolster his spirit. Once again, we see Taiki focusing on the next steps in his journey, prompting Hina’s admiration of her childhood friend. And while the viewer knows Taiki well enough to believe in the sincerity of his determination, he quickly reminds everyone that he isn’t always as strong as he acts.

When Taiki arrives home, he overhears Chinatsu and his mom talking. It seems Chinatsu’s team made it through the qualifiers and is on its way to the Nationals. Taiki is thrilled for her, but at the same time, her success in Blue Box Episode 8 puts his setback in stark contrast for him. He wanted to go to Nationals with her. Now, part of him feels like he is being left behind. We see him begin to clutch his chest, seemingly having some degree of panic attack over the full impact of the day’s events hitting him. He flees from the house, running as fast as he can, retreating into the familiar embrace of physical exertion as the episode ends.

Blue Box Episode 8 covers so much ground while never feeling rushed. It delivers the pressure of completion and the deep emotional moments that are the series’ greatest strength. With this major setback in Taiki’s journey, it is time to see how the protagonist will overcome the greatest obstacle a person can face: their own failure.

Blue Box Episode 8 is streaming now on Netflix.