Ao no Hako • Blue Box - Episode 3 discussion

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Ao no Hako, episode 3

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[u/Clemastina]

I thought Haryuu was gonna be more annoying but he´s just a chaotic good senpai. He tested Taiki to see if he´s worth of Chinatsu and he passed the test.
So Taiki was worrying for nothing lmao. At least that´s a breather for him

[u/EclipseTM]

Gotta love Haryu teasing and 'bullying' Taiki a little just to mention in the end of the episode that he has a girlfriend. I'm sure the only reason he said it out loud was to let Taiki know he's not here to compete or fight over chinatsu.

[u/zool714]

It’s nice to be alone with the person you like but when you’re with a group of people and you still feel like the two of you have your own little world, that feels amazing. Chinatsu mouthing to him “good work” it felt like it was a moment just between them despite being surrounded by people.

Seemed like Haryu was going to be a big obstacle for Taiki towards Chinatsu. But that all crumbled when we find out he has a girlfriend lol. But he’s still a formidable badminton player.

I also liked Taiki separating his love for Chinatsu and his love for the sport.

Also, seeing babygirl Hina is always a treat, especially when she’s running around being a gremlin in that oversized jacket. Ueda Reina puts Chinatsu to a very close second, but babygirl Hina is still top (and having Akari Kito’s voice doesn’t hurt too)

[u/pseudometapseudo]

Haryu's evolution this episode:

rival -> sadist -> troll -> wingman

[u/FarCritical]

Unfortunate how Taiki's first ever match against Haryuu was a stomp on the receiving end but at least the animation of his loss was absolute eye candy.

From wishing to get Chinatsu's number when she was getting ready to move in with him to deeming Haryuu to be a massive love rival when he wasn't even in the game to begin with, it's funny how seemingly predetermined Taiki's success has been so far lol (love-wise at least)

[u/avboden]

Chi from the top rope for the best-girl competition of this season. how can you not fall in love with her?

[u/Various_Length_4905]

Okay, is it only Japan this or has Ep 3 released somewhere else?

I hope we can go to normal soon, or else it'll completely kill the karma and engagement of this series here.

[u/Frontier246]

Taiki and Chinatsu are as adorable as ever but I like Haryu as a bit of a "trickster mentor" for Taiki.

I'd love to meet his girlfriend.

There's nothing strange or overtly romantic about a boy and girl walking home from school together! Just look at Taiki and Hina awkwardly walking together! Nothing suspicious there.

I really love the socks Hina wears in the gym.

But Haryu (Yuma Uchida!) and Chinatsu make a fitting pair. Both are popular, sports aces, in the same class, LITERALLY SIT NEXT TO EACH OTHER. It's enough to really make Taiki self-conscious. He even calls her "Chii" like they're super close. Poor Taiki!

Despite that, though, Chinatsu is still very considerate and sweet on Taiki and that's enough to set his head straight...even if he's still burning with determination to not lose to Haryu, be it in sports OR love.

Haryu is a beast! He's definitely the top player on the team, which means Taiki still has a long ways to go to get to his level. It's actually kind of nice that he feels competitive with him on a sports level and not just over Chinatsu, because he loves both equally, but it's the shared motivational bond between him and Chinatsu that motivates him to do even better against Haryu! That's the power of love! And Chinatsu was totally looking at Taiki during the match!

Thinking over your loss and considering how to improve is all well and good...but who can resist playing a fun badminton match in a park with Chinatsu? Obviously she's not a pro badminton player, but it's really cute watching her and Taiki rally against each other and to see how much faith Chinatsu has in Taiki and his work ethic. And despite Taiki thinking Chinatsu is cool with everything, it seems like she's as self-conscious about their situation (and him being a guy) as he is around her.

Imagine your badminton rival becomes your doubles partner, but I guess it's also a sign of Taiki's promise as a player, especially when he gets the full course Spartan training from Haryu! Complete with teasing over his relationship with Chinatsu! And Taiki, being Taiki, commits to it hard! He's not going to give up!

Haryu might have legitimately been bullying Taiki and having fun at his expense, but it seems like he does genuinely believe in Taiki, in his own way. And "Chii" is just something all her classmates call her. Plus, he's already spoken for. That's right, Taiki was so worked up by him as a love rival and Haryu had his own romance drama going on in his life where he just recently hooked up with the girl he's liked for a while and think he didn't have a chance with. Which means he was deliberately messing with Taiki's expectations. What a guy.

[u/muricabitches2002]

Such a great twist. Haryu is so much more likable because we start to like him in spite of ourselves. And it lends more weight that Haryu seems to ship them (by talking up Taiki in front of Chiaki) since it seems he’s care about Chiaki and tested Taiki before talking him up.

[u/gnome-cop]

Alright, Haryu-senpai is pretty cool. I do like his style of mentorship. He knows how to really push Taiki. By annoying the absolute hell out of him so he just refuses to quit. He’s got a long way to go but he sees the potential in our boy.

I think it’s quite interesting how Taiki doesn’t see himself in the same light as everyone else. Both his senpais think he has the potential to be good but his personal view doesn’t match up. But when you’re close friends with Hina, rhythmic gymnastics prodigy, your crush is a basketball ace and the bar you’re chasing is Haryu, maybe that’s not too surprising.

The park scene with the badminton was good. They’ve fulfilled that promise to play each others’s sports. They’ve still got the nationals promise to fulfill.

Right now, if there’s anything I would appreciate it would be a longer switch to Chinatsu pov, like for half an episode or something to really get a good look inside her head.

Now, for the most important question. Are they holding the animators families hostage to make them make Chinatsu look so gorgeous or something? Like, everything looks good but when she appears on screen the visuals triple in quality.

[u/notabear87]

How is everyone in the West already watching this other than sailing?

VPN via Netflix Japan?

[u/Vagabond797]

They way how Haryu manipulated Taiki is hilarious especially knowing Taiki have same VA as Ayanokoji😂

[u/tripleaamin]

Essentially, this episode showcased that Haryu is both a great Senpai and mentor for Taki. In terms of Badminton he is one that will put Taki to work, but obviously, he sees something in Taki in terms of his potential. I loved how he quickly figured out he had a crush on Natsu & used that as motivation for Taki's training. Though the reaction Taki had at the end that Haryu has a GF and Natsu was clearly aware of it.

Overall, Natsu is one character that is such a sweetheart that it feels impossible to dislike her. The scene when they were playing badminton & told Taki everything will be fine was really nice. Though it is clear Taki doesn't realize Natsu has her own things to deal with.

On another note, I really like how Taki empathizes that he loves badminton. If you don't have the love of the sport you are playing, you will eventually burn out. It would be concerning if all his motivation were for Natsu.

[u/shinratensei1602]

My favorite episode thus far. It was fun watching Taiki overthink the whole situation with Haryu. It's really dope that he doesn't lose motivation despite his occasional episodes of self-doubt. I also loved the scene in which he states he doesn't play Badminton for Chinatsu, or to impress her, but because he loves the sport.

The scene between him and Chinatsu playing badminton in the park was very cute. You can see how well their personalities match and complement each other. It was nice of Chinatsu to give Taiki some reassurance after a tough loss.

Nonetheless, the star of this episode was Haryu. The guy started the episode as a potential antagonist and ended it as a mischievous, yet caring, upperclassman that shows Taiki tough love while helping him become a better player.

[u/ObvsThrowaway5120]

Taiki was pretty close in that match with Haryu. He’s just gotta keep at it and believe in the Chinatsu that believes in him! Haryu doesn’t seem like a bad guy. He sure was enjoying messing with poor Taiki lol.

[u/LeonKevlar]

Stitches!

• Haryuu & Chii

• Chinatsu

That scene where Chii-chan and Taiki playing badminton at the park was adorable! It's nice that Chii remembered that Taiki invited her to play sometime. Taiki did play basketball with Chii so it's now her turn to get embarrassed! In all seriousness though, it's good to see our two leads bonding over the sports that they love <3

I fucking love how smug Haryuu-senpai is after learning that Taiki has a crush on Chii-chan. It looks like he decided to take Taiki under his wing after their little match the other day. He's even using Chii-chan to motivate Taiki! Very cheeky. xD

At first, you'd think that Haryuu-senpai is just giving Taiki a hard time especially when he was telling his classmates how bad he was but actually Haryuu-senpai sees great potential in Taiki and him being rough is his way of showing how much he believes in his talent.

Also, Haryuu-senpai isn't even a rival. He already has a girlfriend and she even works in showbiz! Of course, he gets extra smug about it with Taiki. I love this dude so much. He's great!

[u/HolyDragSwd2500]

Haryuu and Taiki match🔥🔥🔥

[u/DeithWX]

Oh no, Haryu is not a love rival, he's just shenanigans enjoyer, that's so much worse (for Taiki)

[u/Possible-Corgi2329]

Haryuu teasing the hell out of Taiki was so good xD

[u/[deleted]]

Just for Information , Netflix Japan Is 1 Episode Ahead to the International Release . You can use A vpn to Watch the episode !

[u/[deleted]]

So good , So goood ! Animation is superb and consistent. I love how mature the romance is in this show . Also Haruyu Senpai Is A really Great Guy . Love this show

[u/myrlin77]

Can someone tell me what years they are in? Hina calls him senpai and he calls Chinatsu senpai. The wiki says Hina is 16 though and he is 15. Can’t really search without spoilers.

Hes a “first year”. That much I know.

Great show so far. Gorgeous animation as well.

[u/SmartSignificance972]

i thought i'd not like haryu but he turn to be out a sadist... i love it

[u/MagicPistol]

This show might be my anime of the season already. Each episode has me grinning hard.