REVIEW: ‘Blue Box’ Episode 23 — “Spinning”

Blue Box Episode 23, “Spinning,” sees Taiki (Shoya Chiba, Bungo Stray Dogs) attempt to sift through his feelings as he tries to figure out where his heart truly lies regarding Chinatsu (Reina Ueda, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name) and Hina (Akari Kitô, Chained Soldier). But love is more complicated than he expected, and he grows more confused the deeper he dives into his own emotions.

Picking up where the previous episode left off, Taiki faces the choice to name the person he loves. After an agonizingly long moment, he is rescued by Kyo (Chiaki Kobayashi, Wuthering Waves), who claims he heard Taiki talking in his sleep about Yusa. He then concludes that Yusa is Taiki’s love, placing him in a love triangle with Ayame (Kana Ichinose, Love After World Domination).

This opening for Blue Box Episode 23 once again gives a fleeting moment of spotlight to Kyo. The friend who is always in the background, Kyo is always looking after others, even when they don’t know it. From his asking Chinatsu to go to the aquarium with Taiki, to his bailing on the fireworks festival so Hina could have Taiki to herself, he’s always there when his friends need him, and never seeks anything in return.

It’s easy to overlook how much Kyo does, despite how differently the story would likely play out without his presence. His calm observations and patient support have provided a place of security for Taiki all season. Hopefully, someone will recognize all he does before the show wraps up.

Taiki is left to contend with his conflicting feelings in Blue Box Episode 23.

Kyo’s diversion manages to derail the focus of the game until the group is told to head to bed. Once everyone separates, Taiki is left with his feelings and the confusion they bring. Not knowing what to make of the multitude of things rolling through his head, the rest of the episode comes to focus on his attempts to make sense of it all.

Blue Box Episode 23 differentiates Taiki’s musings here from similar moments in previous episodes by shifting the focus of his confusion. Rather than framing his emotional exploration as simply “Chinatsu or Hina,” the young man’s internal search for clarity focuses on the confusion that comes from the many things he can feel for just one person.

External observations prompt Taiki to consider his different feelings and why they exist. One student observes that Taiki admires Chinatsu. This hurts Taiki at first, as it makes him feel like his affection for Chinatsu is less than love and more like fandom. But can it be both?

It is difficult to understand the concept that a person can occupy multiple roles or be seen in more than one way. Chinatsu can be a support while also needing support from Taiki. She can be admired for her strengths and appreciated for her imperfections. Such things do not have to be mutually exclusive. The same is true for Hina.

People can represent many things, and Taiki’s introspection reveals the multifaceted nature of love.

Hina is a close friend, and that friendship is important to Taiki, but does that have to be sacrificed for whatever direction he chooses to take with Hina’s confession? Can they be in love and best friends? Or the most complex of scenarios: can he love both Hina and Chinatsu at the same time? Throughout all the back and forth in Taiki’s mind, the only idea that seems bedrock constant is that he loves Chinatsu. This consistency brings good and bad with it, as it colors the episode’s narrative.

The depth of Taiki’s musings is interesting, and the fact that Blue Box Episode 23 provides the young man with no easy outs helps to present the situation with all the confusion, strain, and uncertainty that love can entail. However, it also makes the internal conversation feel moot, as his eventual confession to Chinatsu feels assured.

Near the end of the episode, Taiki’s feelings are reaffirmed when he learns that Chinatsu has gone for a run by herself in the dark. Worrying about her well-being, he heads out to make sure she gets back safely. He eventually catches up with her, discovering she has been held up helping an old lady home. The woman twisted her ankle, requiring Chinatsu to carry her.

Seeing the object of his affection once more showcasing the caring and compassion she has demonstrated time and again leaves Taiki in his usual state of wonder towards her. He instantly offers to help and takes a turn carrying the woman back to her home.

Chinatsu’s caring nature continues to captivate Taiki and reaffirms everything he feels. 

This final scene between the two seems to solidify Taiki’s feelings in an unspoken way. Just as he has doubts, he sees her once again as a kind-hearted person who is constantly dazzling him. Despite nothing new being said between the two, the pair feels closer after their shared moment of assistance. That they can be both helped and helper here highlights that there can be space for dual roles between the two. Seemingly answering some of the episode’s questions.

As the story closes, we learn that the end of training camp is nearing, and the bonfire is fast approaching. With the rumors about love confessions coming true there, it will be interesting to see if any new proclamations are made as the season finale plays out.

Blue Box Episode 23 delivers a deep dive into its lead character’s thoughts, providing thought-provoking discussions about the complexities of human emotions and how multi-faceted a person’s views and feelings can be for another. While it delivers for its character, it stumbles a bit as the narrative implications feel unimpacted, as where the core plot is headed already feels set in stone.

Blue Box Episode 23 is streaming now on Netflix.

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