One of Shonen Jump's Most Exciting Series Has a Painful Lesson on Maturity More Fans Need to See

Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Blue Box Chapter #170!

Kyo Kasahara has been Taiki Inomata's closest confidant since the start of Blue Box. His rational and level-headed persona often allows him to help his friends through their troubles throughout the series. However, despite his disappointments, Kyo's stoic attitude often keeps him from taking action, even if it means depriving himself of happiness in his youth. With the latest chapter of Blue Box being Kyo's most honest expression of heartbreak over missing his chance with Ayame Moriya, Kyo's maturity for his age shows its painful consequences.

Of Taiki's friends in Blue Box, Kyo is often thoughtful yet reserved, keeping Taiki's head in the game on and off the badminton court. If Kyo had not intervened, Chinatsu wouldn't have asked Taiki to go to the aquarium in Blue Box episode #5. But Kyo properly understands the feeling of finally moving on from Saki Kanaishi, with immediately saddening results as Ayame gets asked out by a boy just as Kyo falls ill.

Kyo's Maturity Makes His Heartbreak More Poignant in Blue Box

It's Okay to Not Be Okay

In Blue Box chapter #170, Kyo recovers from his stay at the nurse's office and returns to practice with Taiki, but upon spending time with Ayame, only for it to be cut short when her new boyfriend visits her, he quietly admits to Taiki that he's heartbroken. Throughout Blue Box, Kyo's character is defined by his willingness to help people, such as Taiki's bond with Chinatsu or Hina getting over Taiki. Still, his stoicism, galvanized by prior heartbreak, causes him to keep his defenses up. When Ayame was positioned to bring those walls down, Kyo stayed oblivious for too long.

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Kyo has shown frequently how good of a friend and sibling he is, directly observed by Ayame in Blue Box chapter #113, confiding in Hina about his previous unrequited feelings for Saki. With Ayame's situation mirroring Saki's, and the difference is that Ayame has feelings for him, Kyo is too unwell and entrenched in his guarded persona to reciprocate those feelings in time, like in chapter #161. Kyo's maturity helps him improve his friends' relationships, but he's too grown up for his own good in Blue Box.

Still, Kyo admitting his emotional state is the most painfully honest moment readers have seen from Taiki's friend, indicating that he is finally ready to lower his guard. In Blue Box chapter #166, witnessing how much Ayame cares about him, Kyo opens himself up to the possibility of liking her, only for those hopes to be dashed by a misunderstanding after Saki visits him in the nurse's office. However, confiding in Taiki was a big step for Kyo in Blue Box chapter #170.

Blue Box Shows Healthy Male Bonding Between Its Two Best Friends

The Manga Expands to Other Relationships

With Taiki and Chinatsu established as a wholesome and increasingly healthy relationship, Kyo's emotional struggles, Ayame's new connection with Yuta Takasago, and Hina's blossoming bond with Haruto Yuta, Blue Box is evolving as a romance series. When Kyo confides in Taiki, Taiki immediately glances at Ayame, understanding Kyo's heartbreak and knowing how close they've become. Yet, neither of them resorts to resenting Ayame, instead commiserating on this development, with Kyo still showing remorse for not being able to help when Taiki was locked in the shed in Blue Box chapter #169.

Kyo's confession to Taiki signals his character development while still containing shades of his personality once he gets the truth out. They show mutual understanding of recent experiences, yet they return to their usual selves while resolving to heal Kyo's heartbreak. Kyo's return to teasing Taiki about previous embarrassing badminton losses is a sign of Kyo returning to his usual self. Still, it's also a possible indicator of a latent coping mechanism. Still, it's clear that Kyo trusts Taiki more than ever with sensitive information, a nuanced side that boosts Blue Box's profile as an emerging top romance anime.

Kyo has always been a selfless friend, putting himself last for the sake of others at school, putting his feelings aside to protect Saki from past boyfriends, and effectively treating those close to him like his family. But as the story of Blue Box shifts more strongly to focus on Kyo, Ayame, Hina, and Haruto, it'll be interesting to see what happens next. Still, this development is hard for young Shonen Jump readers enjoying its current hits, who only wish for Kyo Kasahara to be happy in Blue Box.

Taiki Inomata, a junior high student at Eimei Academy, is a dedicated badminton player with a crush on Chinatsu Kano, a star basketball player. Their paths intertwine in unexpected ways when Chinatsu moves in with Taiki’s family. Balancing sports, school, and budding feelings, Taiki aims to prove himself worthy of her admiration while striving for Nationals​.

Cast Reina Ueda , Akari Kitō , Shoya Chiba

Seasons 1

Creator(s) Kôji Miura