REVIEW: ‘Blue Box’ Episode 14 — “What’s the Connection?”

Blue Box Episode 14, “What’s the Connection?,” sees Nationals continue to play out as Chinatsu’s (Reina Ueda) team faces off with last year’s champions. Meanwhile, Taiki (Shoya Chiba) and Hina (Akari Kitô, Birdie Wing: Golf Girl’s Story) have a revelatory moment that will change their friendship forever.

As the episodes have come and gone, one of this series’ most enduring strengths has been how it juxtaposes the drama inherent in love and sports. It threads these integral elements of its cast together, allowing them to inform, build, and impact each other, keeping the series feeling like a single, whole entity rather than two separate plots that occasionally touch. Blue Box Episode 14 delivers one of the most visually poignant moments of this juxtaposition yet, leaving an indelible mark on the series as it moves forward from here.

The episode opens with Chinatsu as her team has a meeting before tomorrow’s big game. They are up against last year’s National Champions, so there is plenty of pressure to be felt. Further adding to the mounting tension for the character is the knowledge that two of their senior players will be quitting the team after nationals so they can focus on their studies. This revelation introduces a new theme to the series that will find its focus growing as the show progresses: The impermanence of youth.

When Chinatsu learns about her teammates’ imminent departure, she curls up in a ball, saddened by the thought. She walks through how the team plays, who passes, who sets a pick, and rebounds, and how she wants that rhythm and familiarity to last forever.

Reality crashes down in Blue Box Episode 14

The end of school life is the first major milestone many of us have in our evolving world. Friends part ways, and focuses change from fun pursuits to work or higher education, making the future seem far less certain than it was a mere year earlier.

Blue Box Episode 14 does a great job of presenting the impact of this revelation on Chinatsu in a way that fully commits to its importance without over-dramatizing it. With the support of her friend, she is soon back on her feet, but with a little less spring in her step for the moment.

From here, the episode returns to Eimei High School, where we learn that the gym is closing early due to construction. As Taiki does one last sweep around the gym before leaving, he discovers an errant basketball, which causes him to think of Chinatsu. As he thinks about her, he takes a few shots, hoping to land a basket to bring her some extra luck. As he finally makes a shot, he acknowledges to himself his love for Chinatsu.

While this moment is a sweet sequence that warms the heart, it is also perfectly placed within the larger narrative. Just as Taiki finishes his shots, Hina appears, having returned from her own nationals competition, and insists that Taiki treat her to a snack.

Chinatsu’s importance falls quickly into the background 

As the duo hang out, Hina reveals she came in third at her competition. Even though Taiki is thoroughly impressed, Hina is less than satisfied with the outcome. Nothing but first will do for her. However, what makes Hina’s attitude towards her results exceptional is that, despite not being satisfied, she is capable of acknowledging her growth.

Third is the best she’s ever done, which means she’s growing. Allowing herself to be proud of her progress is a critical element to a healthy competitive mindset that many series ignore. It’s fine to want to do better, but every step along the way is worthy of praise.

It is at this point that Blue Box Episode 14 hits its crescendo. Taiki and Hina eventually find themselves at a playground, where Hina challenges Taiki to a shoe-flinging competition. The loser has to admit an embarrassing secret they’ve never told anyone.

As the episode plays their little game out, it cuts back and forth between them and Chinatsu in the closing minutes of her game. The shots, angles, and moments that are chosen to pass between the two scenes are as seamless as the most perfectly planned passes in basketball. Coupled with emotionally resonating music, the sequence builds a ton of weight as the two events play out.

Simple yet effective scenes in Blue Box Episode 14 highlight how quickly things change 

Just as Chinatsu takes a last-second shot to win the game, Hina flings her shoe. Both fail, though Hina’s shortfall is clearly intentional. Struggling briefly with her words, Hina tells Taiki something she’s never told anyone before: I love you. This leaves Taiki completely flat-footed, never expecting those words to come from his childhood friend.

The follow-up conversation between Taiki and Hina is excellently crafted. Wanting to let Taiki off the hook, Hina tells him he doesn’t need to give her a response now. She also acknowledges his feelings for Chinatsu and states that she just had to say something. Otherwise, nothing would ever change.

This awareness on Hina’s part shines an extremely mature light on the young woman. She doesn’t expect to get the answer she wants, but she can’t let the question go unasked any longer. Her playfulness towards her friend in the follow-up discussion alleviates a lot of pressure from the scene, further emphasizing her wish to not unduly burden Taiki at the moment.

Blue Box Episode 14 also jumps back to Chinatsu one last time. Still standing on the court where she missed her shot, tears begin to form in her eyes as she feels like all her hard work was for nothing. Compounding these feelings, she discovers the ankle bracelet she’s worn for luck has broken. A final bit of salt in the wound.

A whirlwind of emotions takes Taiki by storm, reflecting the complications of youth

When Taiki heads home after hanging out with Hina, we get a moment of retrospect from him. We see him wonder how far back Hina’s feelings go, mortified at some of the things he realizes. Looking back on the fireworks festival and when she called him out for avoiding Chinatsu, Taiki realizes how oblivious he’s been towards her feelings. He comes to feel a strong sense of regret, fearing what he may have put her through. While this self-judgment isn’t fair to him, it does speak volumes about his compassion for others.

When he arrives home, he runs into his mother, who informs him that Chinatsu lost her game. The news saddens Taiki, as one would expect. His unreasonable expectations of himself once more crop up, as the character is visually upset that Chinatsu’s game hasn’t crossed his mind since speaking with Hina. Again, he is unfair to himself.

The closing moments of Blue Box Episode 14 see Taiki arrive at school the next day, only to run into Hina. The situation is awkward for Taiki, as he still hasn’t given her an answer. Hina playfully rubs it in, poking fun at him, claiming that his hesitancy is born of his heart being a flutter at her presence. Unbeknownst to either, Chinatsu is nearby and overhears their banter, including Hina’s reaffirming her confession to him, leaving Chinatsu shell-shocked.

Blue Box Episode 14 delivers a powerfully compelling entry as it explores crucial moments in its cast’s journey. The happiness, sorrow, and confusion that each moment brings are delivered with the care and detail they deserve.

Blue Box Episode 14 is streaming now on Netflix.