Netflix anime has engendered some odd release situations. In the process it’s made my life difficult at times as a writer, though on balance I still consider Netflix a major positive for anime on the whole. But Ao no Hako is weirder than most – everywhere else in the world is exactly a week behind Japan. As such I’ve never been sure how best to cover it . I even asked on Twitter and Bluesky (which I encourage everyone to join, BTW – it’s the closest thing to Twitter before it got ruined and growing fast). Should I stay on Japan time, or wait a week? Feel free to weigh in here, there, and everywhere.
For now, Episode #8. And poor Taiki, really. Yeah he shares mutual affection (and a house) with pretty much a dream girl, and she’s not even a manic pixie. Lucky in that sense? Sure. But the truth is, he’s in a tough position. His living situation ties his hands to an extent, because he’s too considerate to ignore the pressure it places on Chinatsu. He’s behind Chinatsu in every way – in age most obviously, but also as an athlete (not that they’re unrelated). The Japanese ethos is all about patience. Defer to your seniors and wait your turn. But when you’re intensely competitive, that’s a tough sell. Especially when you feel you need to be on equal footing to justify your role in a relationship.
As she sets off for the final weekend of basketball prefecturals – semi-final Saturday, final Sunday – he sets off for the prefectural qualis. Doubles is Saturday (only the winning team goes to inter-highs), singles Sunday (the top two advance). And it’s here that Taiki learns that Haryuu – his white whale – has one of his own, Hyoudou Shouta (Ono Yuuki) is a third-year at powerhouse Sajikawa High School and an Olympic hopeful. And he’s the guy Haryuu has never been able to beat, a kind of badminton cyborg. Seeing Haryuu like this is good for Taiki – it humanizes his senpai – but the larger issue is Hyoudou himself.
The Hyoudou pair (does the other guy really matter?) winds up knocking Taiki and Haryuu out rather easily. Taiki is pretty bummed, but not discouraged – singles are still out there. And Chinatsu wins her semi-final, setting up a chance to move on. Haryuu warns Taiki that Hyoudou awaits him on his side of the singles draw, but it’s another Sajikawa player who proves his undoing – Yusa Shuji (Ono Kenshou – apparently only Onos play for Sajikawa). Taiki actually does a solid for him, letting Yusa-kun know he dropped his wallet as he was sleeping on a bench. But Yusa shows no mercy on the court.
Taiki is, in a word, dazed at being out of the tourney in the blink of an eye. And that it’s to a fellow first-year at that just makes it that much worse. We don’t see much of this match but it’s obvious Yusa must be something special to roll over Taiki after we’d seen him make such progress. Hina stops by to offer him some solace – and snacks – after the match, and Taiki seems to be coping emotionally. But Hina, as a pedigreed elite herself already, can’t really relate to what Taiki is going through.
Taiki is pleased when he overhears that Chinatsu’s team won, and advanced to inter-highs. And I think that’s genuine, but so is the conflicted reaction that follows it. It hurts to have her move ahead while he’s stuck in neutral. And the fact that he always seems to be looking up to her anyway just makes it that much more discouraging. It’s one of the challenges of being a year younger at an age when that year really matters. And when it’s really hard to step back and look at the big picture and play the long game.
Yann
November 18, 2024 at 5:50 amLooks like the “independent” subs have picked the series back up after the Netflix change, so Japan time works for me!
Guardian Enzo
November 18, 2024 at 6:51 amOh, good to hear. What did Netflix change?
MFF
November 24, 2024 at 8:05 pmThey removed all other subtitles besides Japanese from the JP release.
Fansubs have taken over the on-release translation again.
Simone
November 24, 2024 at 4:35 pmI always found Yusa’s comment that “badminton is not a sport for kind people” so hilariously edgy. Dude you’re flinging a feathered ball back and forth across a court with no physical contact allowed. I’m sure you can do fine being competitive in the sport while also being a decent human being off the court.
ahnold11
December 7, 2024 at 4:21 am“But kind people aren’t suited for badminton”. What a great quote. As a north american, you can’t help but be amused by this statement. But sports are sports, and competition is competition. I remember joining the badminton team in high school believe it or not. Two things stood out. One, that the “birdie” was actually referred to as a “shuttle-cock”, which caused immense giggles. But more importantly, that this casual game I’d play outdoors in the summer with family, could actually be completely different in a competitive setting. You didn’t just hit the shuttle high arcing over the net, letting play continue, but you smashed it down hard at straight angles trying to grind it into the floor before you opponent could move. I didn’t actually enjoy it that much, as it was ironically way too cut throat.
I’m shocked by the outcome. Taiki’s a first year, and wasn’t that great, but he is the protagonist and had worked so hard and improved, I was sure he’d see at least some success. His loss came as a startling gut punch. But in classic fashion, he handles it well and all the other competitors around him, those that are way better and more successful, still are able to learn a lesson from his resolve. His resolve and determination really do set him apart, those things that he considers natural to himself, really do set him apart from the typical athlete. But he’s no Naruto, no genius of hard work, and so his efforts still don’t pay off in success. I was impressed by his reaction to hearing China sempai win, a lesser person would immediately react bitterly, but he was genuinely pleased and proud of her result. But also, as impressive as character is, he can’t help but still feel that little pang, proving he is indeed human after all.
I’m not terribly worried about the romance though. His interest in a romance with China sempai, while definitely one of desire, seems to be tempered by at least equal parts admiration and aspiration. His reaction to her isn’t 100% infatuation, but at least half as much inspiration, a desire to improve himself and be more like her. That’s a take you don’t see to often, which is refreshing.
I suspect the ball may now be in her court pardon the pun. If Taiki can’t make it to her level as an athlete, it might be up to her to let him know that they do measure up in terms of people, and share the effects his effort has had on her.
Either way, after this episode, I want to see more badminton action. It was intense, and powerful, very engaging.