Blue Box fans will need to wait just a little longer. Following the dramatic finale of Episode 12, which marked the end of Cour 1, the anime is taking a short break before returning with fresh episodes. Cour 2 begins with Episode 13, scheduled for an early January premiere.
Here’s everything you need to know about the release date, new key visual, and what to expect next.
Blue Box Episode 13 Release Date and Time
The highly anticipated Episode 13 of Blue Box will release on Thursday, January 2, 2025, as part of the anime’s global simulcast. Fans can tune in across different time zones:
| Time Zone | Release Time |
|---|---|
| Pacific Time (PT) | 7:57 AM, January 2 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 10:57 AM, January 2 |
| British Time (BST) | 3:57 PM, January 2 |
| Indian Time (IST) | 8:27 PM, January 2 |
| Japanese Time (JST) | 11:57 PM, January 2 |
| Australian Time (AEST) | 12:57 AM, January 3 |
Episodes air on JNN and TBS in Japan, while international audiences can stream them on Netflix every Thursday.
Blue Box Episode 12: The Love Triangle Intensifies
The rest of Taiki and Hina’s date, which takes up more than half the episode, is a wild rollercoaster of emotions. They did a really good job of portraying both sides of the love triangle, so, depending on who you’re rooting for, the date either went amazingly or horribly.
For the Hina fans out there, this episode was mostly a disaster. Sure, you could say that Taiki and Hina did grow closer, but not really in a way that bodes well for their future, especially for Hina. Throughout the date, Hina just got her hopes unreasonably high, thinking that a romantic relationship with Taiki might be in the cards now. Little did she know, he practically spent half of his time at the festival with her rival. Also, while Taiki was gone, Ito, a guy with a crush on Hina, saw her alone and asked to sit next to her, which she turned down. Hina turning down advances from other guys because she liked Taiki would have been cute, but it was like adding insult to injury, knowing that the guy she was saving a seat for was then hanging out with his crush.
The only bit of silver lining for Hina happened at the end of the episode, where Chinatsu finally came to terms with the fact that she has feelings for Taiki, but said that she would back down if it turned out that Taiki and Hina are dating. Sure, the situation is easily resolvable, but this is a romance anime; the protagonist being too dense to correct something simple like this happens all the time.
“There’s something I meant to ask you before. Are you dating Chono? Your answer… will change the way I feel as your housemate.” – Chinatsu to a sleeping Taiki
Chinatsu fans had it good for the first half of the episode. Taiki encountered Chinatsu at the festival looking after a lost little girl and helped her find her parents. Taiki and Chinatsu holding the little girls’ hands between them felt like two parents enjoying the festival with their kid. After returning the girl, they spend some more time and even get to watch some fireworks together. Also, it’s been heavily implied in the last few episodes that Chinatsu is finally developing feelings for Taiki, but fans get to actually hear her say it in this one. In a flashback conversation, Karen asked Chinatsu if she ever sees her housemate as a man, rather than a friend. Chinatsu answered with a clear yes, which probably melted the heart of every Taiki x Chinatsu fan everywhere.
Ao No Hako Cour 2 Announcements at Jump Festa 2025
During Jump Festa 2025, exciting updates about Cour 2 were revealed:
- Key Visual: The visual’s tagline, “The one I like is -”, teases the emotional tension and romantic conflicts in the upcoming episodes.
- New Theme Songs:
- Opening Theme: “Saraba” by Macaroni Empitsu
- Ending Theme: “Contrast” by TOMOO
- New Character: Ayama Moriya, voiced by Kana Ichinose (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End), will make her debut. Her role promises to add fresh dynamics to the story.
What to Expect in Cour 2
The second cour of Blue Box will continue to balance its heartfelt romance and competitive sports elements. Fans can look forward to:
- Taiki’s Emotional Journey: The key visual hints at his inner conflict as he comes to terms with his feelings for Chinatsu.
- New Challenges on the Court: With nationals approaching, Taiki faces tougher challenges that test his skills and resolve.
- Ayama Moriya’s Impact: The new character’s introduction will undoubtedly bring fresh drama and opportunities for growth.
The recently released preview footage highlights the emotional stakes, ensuring that Cour 2 delivers the same blend of romance and sports that fans love.
About Blue Box
Based on Kouji Miura’s award-winning manga, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump, Blue Box debuted as a TV anime on October 3, 2024. The story follows Taiki Inomata, a first-year student at Eimei Academy, as he chases his dream of qualifying for badminton nationals. Along the way, his feelings for star basketball player Chinatsu Kano intertwine their fates in unexpected ways.
The series has been praised for its wholesome storytelling and has expanded Netflix’s anime offerings alongside titles like Dan Da Dan and Sakamoto Days.
FAQs
When will Blue Box Episode 13 release?
Blue Box Episode 13 will premiere on Thursday, January 2, 2025, at 11:57 PM JST.
Where can I watch Blue Box?
The series airs on JNN and TBS in Japan and streams internationally on Netflix every Thursday.
What’s new in Blue Box Cour 2?
Cour 2 introduces a new key visual, new theme songs, and a fresh character, Ayama Moriya, voiced by Kana Ichinose.
