REVIEW: ‘Blue Box’ Episode 22 — “Inota!”

Blue Box Episode 22, “Inota!,” sees Ayame (Kana Ichinose, Honey Lemon Soda) try to set up Taiki (Shoya Chiba, Anyway, I’m Falling in Love with You) and Hina (Akari Kitô, A Girl and Her Guard Dog) once she learns that the latter has confessed her feelings for the former. However, things get uncomfortable when an innocent game leads to a painful situation during a training trip for the athletes.

The episode opens with Ayame and Karen (Karuka Shiraishi, Stellar Blade) as the two sisters relax at home. As they chat, Ayame inquires about Chinatsu’s love life, knowing that if anyone would know, it’s Karen. For her part, Karen is unfaltering in her respect for Chinatsu’s privacy, going so far as to lie to keep Ayame off the scent of the truth.

Blue Box Episode 22‘s opening perfectly sets the central focus of the coming narrative while still keeping the viewers on their toes with a twist. Ayame’s inability to keep out of other people’s business always feels well-intentioned, even if it’s misguided. Her unwillingness to accept that other people don’t approach love in the manner that she does sets all her good intentions on ruinous paths.

As the episode continues, the narrative jumps to school where Ayame performs her role as the badminton team’s manager. When she observes an interaction between Taiki and Hina, Ayame quickly realizes Hina has feelings for her childhood friend. A chance run-in between the two girls catches Ayame up on Hina’s situation with Taiki. Appalled that Taiki hasn’t given Hina an answer, despite Hina telling him not to, Ayame declares that she will set the two up, out of support for Hina’s boldness.

Aymae has the right heart but the wrong idea in Blue Box Episode 22.

Again, Ayame is operating out of a place of kindness, but she still doesn’t know some important elements of the situation. Most critical is Taiki’s feelings for Chinatsu, which Hina left out of her explanation. The omission is understandable and highlights Ayame’s over-focused nature. That there could be a reason she is unaware of for Taiki’s position never even crosses her mind. She knows she doesn’t like Hina being left hanging, so she’s going to intervene. However, whether or not Taiki has left Hina without an answer can be debated.

Blue Box Episode 22 presents the core situation as being unresolved, but that’s not true. Sure, Taiki never told Hina “no,” but he did tell her that he was going to continue pursuing Chinatsu. If you confess your feelings to someone and they tell you they intend to pursue someone else, that feels like a no. Especially given Hina’s knowledge of Taiki. The guy can barely pursue one girl and keep up with his training, there’s no way he’s making time for two.

Once at the training camp, Blue Box Episode 22 spends a little time highlighting the continuing efforts of the students. The training is rigorous, and the series’ animation continues to do a great job of bringing the hard work of its cast to life. The sore muscles and exhaustion worn by all feels authentic and well-earned.

Once evening comes, a group of students including Ayame, Hina, Taiki, and Chinatsu end up congregating for some fun. A game full of challenges and dares gets brought out, promising embarrassing moments and fun laughs. Just like with the grueling training earlier, this sequence’s humor and warmth are brought to life wonderfully through its skillfully implanted visuals.

When it comes time for Taiki to be in the hot seat, however, things go from fun to awkward. In a classic high school love triangle twist, his task is to name the one he loves. Just as he prepares to answer the question, the episode ends, creating the series’ biggest cliffhanger yet.

Blue Box Episode 22 puts the spotlight on Ayame, allowing the story to explore her personality and motivations. She manages well, though some elements of the plot feel misconstrued to create tension and situations for Ayame to interfere with.

Blue Box Episode 22 is streaming now on Netflix.

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