REVIEW: ‘Blue Box’ Episode 24 — “A Roller Coaster”

Blue Box Episode 24, “A Roller Coaster,” sees the night of the bonfire arrive. With the final moments of the training camp running out, Ayame hatches a plan to give Hina (Akari Kitô, Resident Evil 4) and Taiki (Shoya Chiba, High-Rise Invasion) a moment alone so Hina can win Taiki over. But life doesn’t always go according to plan.

This episode focuses exclusively on Hina and her evolving relationship with Taiki. As the athletes prepare for their final night at the training camp, the opening portion of the story follows Hina as she reminisces on everything that has passed between her and Taiki up until now.

Despite little new information coming from Blue Box Episode 24’s opening, the sequence establishes the timeline well. It sets up the emotional stakes for Hina as the episode approaches its close. Her feelings about individual events get explored, as well as how Taiki’s reactions impact her.

The delicate approach to the complex nature of Hina’s feelings is best displayed when she looks back at the culture fair and the “kissing incident.” As one may expect, Hina didn’t mind the rumors floating around her and Taiki. Having people talk about them that way was something Hina enjoyed, as opposed to Taiki, who tried to squelch them.

Blue Box Episode 24 is a reminder of how strong Taiki will stand up for Hina.

The situation gets interesting because, while Hina liked the talk, she also liked why Taiki sought to put a stop to it. His respect for her and both of their privacy was his key motivation. The reminder of how forcefully Taiki would go to bat for her is welcome, even if she isn’t as concerned about his cause as he is.

But despite so many positive things to look back on, like the title suggests, the walk down memory lane is not a smooth one for her. The knowledge of who she is to Taiki looms over everything. At one point, as she walks across the camp, she sees Taiki and considers approaching him, only to have the wind taken from her sails as she notices him gazing at Chinatsu.

The visuals throughout Hina’s ponderings are always soft but also bear a somber energy. Reminders of Taiki’s affection for Chinatsu make the choice plain. While Hina is loathe to admit it, both the visuals and the tone her dialogue takes on thanks to Kitô’s voice work heavily imply she knows she can’t win.

Her walk’s final destination sees her run into Taiki at the grills as he and others prepare for the coming cookout. He notices a leaf in Hina’s hair and, after some futile attempts to guide her in removing it, steps up to dislodge it himself. For a moment, it looks like Hina will once again confess her feelings to her friend. But she doesn’t.

This seemingly small choice in the cascade of emotional moments that make up Blue Box Episode 24 is huge for Hina. The reason for that comes from the motivation behind her choosing not to speak of her feelings. That’s her consideration for Taiki.

The romantic tension between Hina and Taiki comes to a head in Blue Box Episode 24.

In the past, Hina has happily put Taiki on the spot with her repeated proclamations of affection. Even though she knew Taiki would just get flustered and feel uncomfortable about them. The fact that she opts to pull back shows a level of consideration and maturity out of Hina and possibly acknowledgment of what she knows will eventually happen between them.

All of this musing and emotional turmoil sets up the back half of the episode: the bonfire. When Ayame (Kana Ichinose, Honey Lemon Soda) overhears Taiki mention that he’s cold and is headed to the gym to grab his jacket, she makes up an excuse to send Hina to the gym as well, hoping to give her friend the moment she needs to win Taiki over. The two inevitably run into each other, and Taiki predictably offers to help Hina pursue the made-up goal Ayame created.

Blue Box Episode 24 does a fabulous job of showcasing how amazing the duo are together. As they talk about the past and rib each other, there is a natural rhythm to their interplay that drives home the potential they have. That perhaps, in another life…

Just as the pair enjoy themselves, Hina slips out a comment about her feelings for Taiki. This accidental moment forces the conversation between them to a head, and Taiki gives Hina her answer despite her pleading with him to wait.

Blue Box Episode 24 is a reminder that life doesn’t always go according to plan.

Just as the episode did a great job displaying Hina’s feelings, it does no less a service for Taiki. The words he chooses, the way his body language is presented, and Chiba’s pained delivery all drive home how much it hurts Taiki to reject his friend. But Taiki is an honest kid, and he has to be honest. To both himself and Hina.

Hina’s final moments on screen follow her as she flees the painful discussion. Eventually stopping along a path outside, she runs into Ayame who tries to console her. Despite the masterful presentation done throughout the episode, this moment hits the hardest. How close the camera comes to Hina forces the full visual effect of her pain out. The animation forms her tears and lets them slide off her face with magnificent effect.

The part that truly drives home this emotional crescendo, though, is Hina wailing. People emit a unique style of crying when their heart is shattered. If pure despair could be given audible life, that cry would be it. Kitô delivers this sound perfectly. It will echo and resonate with anyone who has ever been felled by a broken heart.

Blue Box Episode 24 brings Hina’s time as competition for Taiki’s affection to a powerful close. It hurts to see such a wonderful character so pained. But like the show’s approach to every goal its cast sets, failure is always possible. Hopefully, Hina will pull herself up in time and find someone who can be what she needs them to be.

Blue Box Episode 24 is streaming now on Netflix.

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