With an athletic build reflecting his dedication to badminton, he has short black hair and brown eyes, often depicted with a determined expression that highlights his passion and commitment to both his sport and personal aspirations. He is typically seen wearing his school uniform or badminton gear, emphasizing his active lifestyle and focus on achieving his goals.

Taiki is a highly determined individual, especially when it comes to his passion for badminton. His ambition to compete at the national level mirrors that of Chinatsu’s drive for basketball. This determination is often paired with a deep-seated stubbornness, seen in his refusal to give up even when faced with challenging tasks. For instance, when subjected to a grueling exercise regimen by Haryu, Taiki’s persistence shines through as he pushes himself to the limit. His tenacity and unwillingness to back down fuel his growth, propelling him towards his goal of reaching the Nationals.

Despite his intense focus on badminton, Taiki is also observant, paying close attention to the smallest details around him. This makes him highly aware of his environment and the people in it. While he tends to be more reserved about his feelings compared to Chinatsu, Taiki is not immune to romance. He is patient in allowing his relationship to evolve naturally, balancing his personal life and athletic pursuits. However, he is also blunt and honest when expressing his emotions. A notable example of this is when he candidly told Hina that he wasn’t interested in dating her. Although he later regrets upsetting her, his directness reveals his genuine nature and straightforward approach to relationships.

Taiki is a dedicated high school athlete, focusing on badminton with aspirations to excel both in sports and in life. His journey in Blue Box begins with his quiet admiration for Chinatsu Kano, a senior and basketball player, which inspires him to pursue his goals with greater determination. Over time, Taiki’s story explores the challenges of balancing his rigorous training, school life, and his growing feelings for Chinatsu.

Taiki’s perseverance is shaped by his passion for badminton, as he consistently trains to improve his skills and participate in competitions. His interactions with teammates and friends reveal his supportive and hardworking nature, while his evolving relationship with Chinatsu showcases his emotional growth and maturity.

Despite setbacks and self-doubt, Taiki’s resolve strengthens as he navigates the complexities of adolescence, sportsmanship, and budding romance, making his journey a relatable and inspiring tale.

Taiki Inomata, a second-year student at Eimei Senior High and the vice-captain of the Badminton Team, begins his journey with an unexpected encounter with Chinatsu. As Taiki enters the gym, he is accidentally struck in the face by a basketball. Chinatsu immediately apologizes and offers to check on his injury, but Taiki assures her he’s fine. Before parting ways, Chinatsu offers him a candy bar as a peace offering, which he accepts. Later, while practicing, Taiki discusses Chinatsu with his friend Kyo, who points out that Taiki and Chinatsu are on different levels, with nothing in common. Despite this, Taiki believes that with effort, they can rise to the challenge.

Soon after, Hina, another friend, asks Taiki if something is bothering him. He denies it but proceeds to ask her about what girls like, prompting Hina to excitedly offer him an overload of advice. Overwhelmed, Taiki and Kyo leave. The next day, Taiki notices Chinatsu waiting for the gym to open and, seeing her sniffle, he offers her his scarf. She laughs and teasingly asks what else he might offer. After wrapping the scarf around him, she calls him by his name, surprising Taiki. When he asks how she knows it, Chinatsu reveals that his name is written on the scarf, a gift from his mother.

While practicing badminton, Taiki notices Chinatsu talking with the basketball coach. Curious about their conversation, Taiki is distracted when Hina teases him, mentioning that she once saw Chinatsu walking alone with a guy. After practice, Taiki returns to the gym to retrieve his towel, only to find Chinatsu still practicing. She invites him to a one-on-one basketball game, and after a tiring match, they take a break. Taiki apologizes for his lackluster performance, but Chinatsu compliments him on his speed and shares her own experience with her mother, a former basketball player. She wonders if he ever considered joining the basketball team, but Taiki reveals that he prefers the solitary nature of badminton, where he alone bears the responsibility.

Chinatsu acknowledges his masochistic approach but understands his dedication. Taiki shares how Chinatsu inspired him during a moment he witnessed her practicing basketball a year ago when her team barely made it to Nationals. This memory motivated him to work hard. Chinatsu is surprised that he remembers, but they continue their conversation until the coach announces the gym is closing. As Taiki helps her pick up a dropped basketball, their fingers touch, and they share a quiet moment before parting ways.

Later, Taiki discovers Chinatsu in a magazine, and his mother mentions that she and Chinatsu’s mother were on the same basketball team. His mother also reveals that Chinatsu’s family is moving overseas, which shocks Taiki. Determined, he rushes to the gym to find Chinatsu still practicing. He urges her not to give up on reaching Nationals. Chinatsu explains that, although she will miss her family, she has decided to stay in Japan and pursue her dream of going to Nationals, inspired by Taiki. She challenges him to a basketball game once more, and this time, Taiki suggests they also play badminton.

The next morning, Taiki wakes up embarrassed by his declaration to Chinatsu and is startled to find her in his kitchen. His mother casually reveals that Chinatsu will be living with them, causing Taiki to panic. In the spring, Chinatsu officially moves in, and Taiki begins adjusting to their new living situation. Although initially bothered by it, he starts to realize that Chinatsu’s presence in his home doesn’t make him uncomfortable; instead, it makes him feel at ease.

During practice, Taiki becomes more aggressive in his training, which Kyo notices. Kyo warns him that others might target him now that he’s living with Chinatsu. Taiki dismisses the idea, explaining that he doesn’t want to rush into a relationship with her, especially after she chose to stay in Japan. He wants to focus on making it to Nationals. Kyo, however, reminds him that few first-year students make it to Nationals, but Taiki is resolute.

One evening, while Taiki is watching a practice video of himself, Chinatsu joins him. She praises his reaction speed, although Taiki is dissatisfied with his performance, fearing it may not be enough to qualify for Nationals. Chinatsu, however, encourages him, and she ties a wish ribbon around his ankle, wishing him success. Taiki feels his feelings for her grow, and he decides to work harder to reach his goal.

During Spring Break, Taiki continues to train relentlessly, but when Chinatsu offers to help, he awkwardly brushes her off, treating her like a stranger. This leaves him questioning his behavior. Later, when Taiki talks to Kyo, he admits that he didn’t explain to Chinatsu why he was acting distant. Kyo suggests that she might think Taiki doesn’t want to associate with her, which causes Taiki to feel guilty.

While helping the coach with some tasks, Taiki tries to make amends with Chinatsu, but she only thanks him before walking away, leading Taiki to believe that she now dislikes him. During their next encounter, Chinatsu is asked by Hina if she has a boyfriend, to which she responds that she is focused on basketball for the time being. Later, the coach praises Taiki’s performance, telling him he has a real chance at making it to Nationals, which excites him. He looks for Chinatsu to share the news but finds she’s already left.

As Taiki practices, he sees Chinatsu fall on the court. Later, he finds her in the same area, checking on her well-being. She questions why he’s acting like he doesn’t know her, and he apologizes, explaining that the living situation has made him embarrassed. Chinatsu initially assumes it’s because he likes Hina, but Taiki reassures her that he doesn’t, laughing and calling her a “dummy.” They continue talking, and unbeknownst to them, Hina watches them from a distance.

Chinatsu Kano
From the beginning of Blue Box, Taiki develops a deep infatuation for Chinatsu, admiring her dedication during basketball practices. Her considerate and graceful demeanor captures his attention, and their shared commitment to sports leads them to consistently cross paths at the gym, building a quiet connection. As Taiki’s feelings for Chinatsu grow, they are marked by moments of jealousy, especially when he sees her interact with Haryu and hears him refer to her affectionately as “Chii.” Despite their eventual coupling, Taiki finds it hard to move beyond the respectful “Senpai” honorific, showcasing his ongoing admiration for her as an upperclassman.

Chinatsu’s resilience, particularly in the face of failure, becomes a driving force in Taiki’s personal growth. Her determination to push through even the toughest moments, such as when she practices through tears, inspires Taiki to strive harder, fueling his own desire to succeed. This unwavering commitment is not only what draws Taiki closer to Chinatsu but also what motivates him to pursue his goals in badminton with greater intensity.

Kyo Kasahara
Kyo is Taiki’s closest confidant, and their bond is built on years of friendship and shared experiences at Eimei Senior High, where both excel in badminton. Kyo is a reliable pillar of support, offering guidance in everything from academics to matters of the heart. His role is especially crucial when it comes to Taiki’s emotions regarding Hina. At first, Taiki doesn’t recognize his deeper feelings for Hina, thinking of her only as a close friend. However, Kyo helps Taiki realize that it’s possible to have complex feelings for both Hina and Chinatsu, with each relationship representing something different emotionally.

Kyo’s support goes beyond just advice about love; he also helps Taiki sharpen his badminton skills. His unwavering loyalty and generosity not only strengthen their friendship but also underscore his role as a crucial ally in both personal and athletic endeavors.

Hina Chono
At the start of the story, Hina is a close friend and confidante to Taiki, and their relationship is based on mutual trust and camaraderie. However, as the series progresses, Hina’s feelings for Taiki evolve into a romantic infatuation, shaped by his kindness and generosity. This culminates in a brave confession of her love, where she urges Taiki to think carefully about how he feels. The confession catches Taiki off guard, and while their close friendship leads others to speculate about their relationship, rumors are quickly dispelled, especially during a cultural festival when a moment between them is misinterpreted.

Taiki, after some introspection, expresses his inability to return Hina’s feelings, which causes her great sorrow. Despite the heartache, Hina doesn’t sever their bond entirely. Instead, she seeks to preserve their friendship, even as she works through her unrequited love. Over time, she becomes determined to rebuild the camaraderie they once had, focusing on restoring the relationship to its previous state of mutual respect and support.

Kengo Haryu
Initially, Haryu is seen as a potential obstacle in Taiki’s budding relationship with Chinatsu due to his closeness with her. Taiki, misunderstanding their relationship, grows jealous and resentful, especially after noticing how Chinatsu seems to meet Haryu’s ideal standards for a partner. However, as the story unfolds, Taiki learns that there is no romantic connection between Haryu and Chinatsu, as Haryu is already in a committed relationship.

Haryu’s role in Taiki’s life evolves as the two form a strong bond through their shared passion for badminton. Despite his seniority and status as a top player at Eimei High, Haryu is humble and supportive, offering Taiki guidance during training and even partnering with him for doubles matches. Their rivalry on the court eventually leads to a deep respect for each other, and through this, they develop a meaningful friendship. Haryu becomes a mentor to Taiki, offering both badminton tips and advice on navigating the complexities of relationships, making him an invaluable figure in Taiki’s personal and athletic growth.