The latest episode of Blue Box did not start the practice match like I expected. Instead, the Cultural Festival Arc is still ongoing, and it looks like it will wrap up in four episodes (with two already out). The pacing is steady, with the newest episode covering just three manga chapters.
Taiki is going through a lot after his loss to Yusa in the qualifiers. It really hit his confidence, and even though he has gotten way better at badminton, he still does not see how much he has improved.
Now, the coach has announced the Sajikawa vs. Eimei practice match, and if Eimei wants to have any chance at Nationals next year, they have to win.
Shuji Yusa might be a first-year, but he is insanely skilled. This practice match is Taiki’s chance to prove himself and show how far he has come since the qualifiers.
But Hina is not making things easy for him, she keeps teasing him about her feelings whenever she gets the chance.
Taiki does not overthink the match, but when Hina and Chinatsu tell him they will be watching, things might change. Blue Box Episode 18 will finally bring the rematch between Taiki and Yusa.
Blue Box Episode 18 Release Date
According to the schedule shared by Netflix, Blue Box Episode 18 is scheduled to be released on 6th February 2025 on Netflix at 5 PM CEST (Central European Summer Time) on Thursday.
In the United States, the episode will be available on 6th February 2025 at 8:00 a.m. PT (Pacific Daylight Time).
Blue Box Episode 18 will be released on 30th January on Netflix Japan. Netflix Japan is one episode ahead. To watch the episode early, you will need to download a VPN, change your location to Japan, and then sign in to your Netflix account.
| Region/Timezone | Release Date & Time |
|---|---|
| Japan (Netflix Japan) | 30th January 2025. |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 6th February 2025, 8:00 a.m. |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 6th February 2025, 11:00 a.m. |
| British Time (BST) | 6th February 2025, 4:00 p.m. |
| Central European Time (CEST) | 6th February 2025, 5:00 p.m. |
Since Blue Box is a Netflix Original anime, the anime is not available on Crunchyroll, etc.
Major Spoilers From Blue Box Episode 18
Shuji Yusa vs Taiki Inomata Practice Match in Blue Box Episode 18
Blue Box Episode 18 will start with Yusa practicing for his upcoming match against Kengo Haryu. Everyone watching is shocked at how much he has improved, they even say that beating him will be tough even for a second-year, let alone another first-year. Taiki overhears students talking about Yusa and starts losing even more confidence in himself.
But then, out of nowhere, Taiki gets matched up against Yusa. Yusa recognizes him as the guy who showed him the way to the gym when he first arrived at their school.
Meanwhile, Hina is secretly watching the match from a distance. She wants to cheer Taiki up but does not know what to say.
Eventually, though, she starts watching the match properly. Chinatsu is also there watching the match with her friend Nagisa.
As the match goes on, Taiki starts realizing something, he won a set against Haryu before, but he let it get to his head. He thought he was improving, but then he lost badly to Yusa. Now, though, he sees things differently.
This match is not just about winning, it is about Taiki understanding how far he has actually come.
Will he finally be able to prove himself against Yusa this time? Let’s see what happens in Blue Box Episode 18!
Recap of Blue Box Episode 17
Blue Box Episode 17 picks up right where it left off, Hina suddenly tells Chinatsu that she already confessed to Taiki while she is photocopying papers for the upcoming festival.
Since Chinatsu and Taiki live in the same house, Hina wanted to let her know so things would not be awkward between them.
But Chinatsu already knew something was going on since she overheard them outside the school gym.
Then, Chinatsu reveals something too, she is not actually living with Taiki right now. Her mother is back in Japan because her grandfather has surgery coming up, so she is staying with her mom for the time being.
Blue Box – [Episode 17] #アニハコ
— dxnyl ✰ (@hollodinx98) January 25, 2025
Hina pic.twitter.com/qQeFoAFOrE
Meanwhile, Taiki is at practice, and the guys there compliment him, saying he has gotten really good at badminton. But Taiki does not feel the same way. In his head, he still thinks he is not good enough.
Later, the coach announces that Sajikawa will be coming for the practice match. That is when Taiki and Hina are running around the gym while Hina tries to memorize her lines for the festival play.
She brings up his match against Yusa, the guy who beat him before, and says she will be there to watch. But Taiki brushes it off saying it is just a practice match.
Of course, Hina does not let that slip she teases him again, saying she just wants the guy she likes to try his best.
Later, Chinatsu also finds Taiki at practice and tells him that she knows about the match too, and she will be watching. But Taiki dismisses her as well, saying again that it’s just practice.
Even though everyone keeps saying he has gotten better, Taiki can not shake off the loss against Yusa. And hearing everyone call Yusa a beast is not helping his confidence at all.
Later on, Taiki visits Hina again while she’s practicing for the play. He helps her by acting as the male lead, but then comes the tricky part, there is a kissing scene in the play.
Hina teasingly asks if he wants to do it for real, completely shocking Taiki. He immediately refuses, but Hina just laughs and says this is her plan, to keep making his heart race.
That night, Chinatsu has a chat with Haryu about Taiki. Haryu says that Taiki has improved a lot but just refuses to see it himself.
Chinatsu asks if Haryu can help Taiki with this, but Haryu just shrugs it off, saying he needs more help than Taiki does.
The episode ends with Yusa arriving at Taiki’s school, and asking Taiki for directions to the gym. Sajikawa vs. Eimei will begin this week on Blue Box Episode 18.
