Blue Box is currently one of the most anticipated anime to come out this year, proven by how full the panel room was when the series hosted a special panel at Anime Expo 2024. Adapted from the lauded Shonen Jump title of the same name, Blue Box is known for its nuanced dive into romantic youth, illustrious art, and ability to mix sports with romance. This year, TMS Entertainment gave Anime Trending and Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi the amazing opportunity to interview the three guests who attended the Blue Box panel: Shoya Chiba, the voice behind protagonist Taiki and Anime Trending Awards voice acting three-time nominee; Akari Kito, the voice behind protagonist Hina and also known for her role as Nezuko from Demon Slayer; and Shu Murakoshi, the editor of the Blue Box manga over at Shonen Jump.

Anime Trending: Thank you everyone for taking the time to speak with us today. To Murakoshi-san, what was your reaction when you first heard that Blue Box would be getting an anime adaptation? How about the reaction of Kouji Miura-sensei and their assistants?

Shu Murakoshi: Sensei was at first happy to hear that it was going to be animated, but they were also a little worried. The manga art has really fine lines when it comes to the art, and it’s kind of hard to depict that in the animation form. Because of that, Sensei was a little unsure how that would look when adapting to animation. However, once Sensei saw the teaser for the first time, they thought it looked so beautiful, and I felt that Sensei finally felt completely happy about the anime, which in turn, also made me feel very happy.

Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi: For Chiba-san and Kito-san, for those who want to go into the series blind, can you tell us a little bit about Blue Box and who your character is?

Shoya Chiba: I play Taiki, the main male lead from Blue Box. Taiki is a really positive boy, and in my voice acting career, I haven’t done a character like him yet. I’m usually cast as characters who aren’t very confident and can be rather naive. On the other hand, Taiki is just such an optimistic boy from the bottom of his heart. To me, it’s a 180-flip of what I usually do. Taiki is not just nice to Chinatsu, the girl who he has a crush on in the anime. Taiki is also nice to everyone. He’s just a very energetic person who is kind and supportive of everyone.

Akari Kito: So, I play Hina, and Hina’s a very, very bright girl. However, she’s also a very prideful girl. She works really hard in her sport, but she also really hates to show her weak side to other people. She hides that side of herself from others, and that’s the type of character Hina is.

Anime Trending: Can you describe your journey to being cast in your roles? For example, if you can perhaps describe what it was like to audition, whether you auditioned opposite other cast members, or how you felt leaving the audition.

Shoya Chiba: Auditioning for roles in anime has two steps. The first step is to send in a recording. If the staff likes it, then you get called back for a secondary audition, where then a decision is made on being cast or not.

Specifically for Blue Box, though, I remember seeing the manga on the shelf in a store and thinking to myself, “Out of all the books in this bookstore, this is the one I can play. I want to be the main character of this series!” That’s why when the audition finally came, I thought to myself, “This is it. This is my chance!” In Blue Box, Taiki doesn’t know what Chinatsu, his crush, is thinking. When I read Blue Box, I also didn’t really understand what Chinatsu was thinking and felt the same way as him. Through these shared feelings, I found a connection with the character.

Akari Kito: When I sent in my first audition, which was the tape audition, I wasn’t confident. I didn’t think I was going to get it. Yet, I was called back for the second audition. Getting called back made me feel Hina was a little easier to act as.

However, I still wasn’t completely confident. During the second audition, I got to audition together with Chiba-san and Ueda-san, who plays Chinatsu. Even though I still didn’t feel confident in my acting, Ueda-san became my number one hype man. She was saying things like, “You were so good. I love your Hina.” It was Ueda-san’s words that made me finally confident in my acting as Hina. From then on, I actually got the character. And after that, every time, even during the recording, if I say under my breath, “Oh I don’t know if this was very Hina. I don’t know,” Ueda-san would always tell me, “No, you were great!”

Anime Trending: Sounds like cast chemistry.

[The guests laugh and agree]

Chiba Shoya: So, in-person auditions are usually only five minutes long. But I was actually paired up with a lot of different groups of voice actors for the in-person audition. I spent like an hour on just auditioning for my part. When I finally finished the in-person audition, I remembered how exhausted I felt but also happy with what had happened.

Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi: Did you know anything about the series before being cast for the role?

Akari Kito: I like to go into the audition fresh. I don’t want to know too much about the series prior to auditioning. I knew the existence of Blue Box, but I wanted to audition with a fresh mind. Anytime I see a manga that’s popular that I think might get animated, I’ll deliberately not read it for that reason.

Anime Trending: For Murakoshi-san, have you heard Akari Kito and Shoya Chiba as their respective characters? If you haven’t, what are you most looking forward to? And if you have, what do you think the audience should look forward to?

Shu Murakoshi: I have heard them, yes. I’ll speak about Taiki first. Taiki isn’t like your typical “shonen” boy. He’s not a cool boy, and he’s also not like protagonists such as Deku [My Hero Academia] or Hinata [Haikyuu!!], who are shonen boy protagonists. Taiki is an extremely straightforward character, and when I first heard Chiba-san’s voice, I thought, “He has a very straightforward voice.” A perfect voice for a pure and realistic high school boy such as Taiki.

For Kito-san’s case – one of the lines for Hina’s audition is just one word. She’s just going, “Eh.” It might only be one word, but this one word carries a lot of emotions. During the audition, her voice just had so much emotion in this one line that it became a deciding factor for the people choosing the cast. This emotion in Hina’s “eh” is so important in the series that it ensured Kito-san winning the role.

For the audience looking forward to the anime, don’t expect any crazy lines. Instead, look for the simpler lines that come with a lot of emotions – even if it sounds like there’s not a lot to it. I hope you can feel the emotions in these lines.

Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi: To Chiba-san and Kito-san, did you play any sports in school and did playing or not playing affect your performance?

Shoyo Chiba: Actually in high school, I did band as a club. However, I did also learn tennis and swimming. Tennis is a sport that also uses a racket, which is similar to badminton, and I feel a little bit more confident in playing Taiki, who plays badminton, compared to people who haven’t touched a racket before. I’ve also been in another sports anime before, so I feel like I’m getting a hang of the vibe in sports anime – especially when the students are in the gymnasium. I also find that badminton being a solo sport is interesting, since the one-man aspect of it helps Taiki get his head in the game.

Akari Kito: I didn’t really do any sports, and I’m not very good at them either. However, when I started as a voice actor, I got cast for an idol series where I would stand on stage and sing and dance. I find the dancing to be similar to gymnastics, such as memorizing choreography. I’ve also had to practice the choreography on my own, just like how Hina also practices gymnastics on her own. Through the feeling from my idol life, I also understood Hina.

Anime Trending: How about you, Murakoshi-san? Are you a sports fan? Have you done sports before? And how has that contributed to your enjoyment, your opinions towards the story?

Shu Murakoshi: I did baseball for all three years of high school. I enjoy both doing sports and watching sports. So during my meetings with Sensei, we would actually discuss the memories from these club activities in the past, and we find that it helps create the story based on our own experiences. Miura-sensei [the mangaka] was a badminton player.

Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi: Recently online there’s been a lot of fun debates on what genre a series should be categorized. Without knowing the series is currently published in Weekly Shounen Jump, what genre would you have categorized the show?

Shu Murakoshi: As one of the creators of Blue Box, I would categorize it mostly as a romance. Sports is just an instrument for the story. However, even as a romance, I think Blue Box is different from a typical shonen romance manga where the female lead would just be like, “I love you.” This story really cheers on the people who are really trying their best, so I would also categorize this manga as “seishun” manga. A manga about youth for youth.

Anime Trending: To Kito-san and Chiba-san, what has the story of Blue Box meant to you personally?

Shoya Chiba: Acting-wise, Taiki is one level above the roles I usually play. As Murakoshi-san said earlier, I have a very straightforward voice, which matches how Taiki is as a character. Because of that, I needed to find a natural way of acting, unlike other times. So, I gave it my 100% to be as natural as possible when acting as Taiki. In the anime, Chinatsu-senpai looks very appealing to Taiki, and I would need to portray that in a way that feels real. When acting for Blue Box, to be natural, I felt like I needed to forget everything I’ve learned in the past, but it leveled up my acting to me personally.

Akari Kito: Similar to Chiba-san, I also find this work to involve a lot of natural talking, and I haven’t done that kind of work before. Talking with everyone and creating a story through this conversation, it’s just been so fun for me. When I was young, I didn’t really get to experience that “seishun,” that youthful life. Through Blue Box, I feel as if I finally got to experience it. It’s like I’m in the midst of my youth with Hina, and I’m very thankful for that. It’s so fun – finally enjoying “seishun.”

Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi: Are there any funny stories during the recording process that you can share with us?

Shoya Chiba: I have a memory with Ueda-san. We like to talk about how we did right after our recording sessions. So the way anime is recorded, we record the first half, we have a little break, and then we record the second half. During that middle, we’d have a conversation, asking each other how we did, and then we’d finish the conversation and go back right into recording the second part. We’re like, “I don’t know how I did in the first part, but I’m going to record the second part now.” Even after we finish recording the second part, we’ll stay in the booth and discuss how it was. In my 10 years as a voice actor, I’ve never done something like that. It’s a little bit awkward, a little bit embarrassing, but it’s also really helpful and fun.

Akari Kito: My memory is with Ueda-san as well. Hina is a really hard role to play, so I’m always asking, “How did I do?” When recording other series, usually the people around me are like, “Yeah, you did fine.” But specifically for an anime like Blue Box, I really want it explained in detail. Not just, “You were fine.” I want, “Because you said this line, and this way you were really good.” That’s what many people want in a recording. When I ask, “How did I do?” to Ueda-san, Ueda-san will always explain in detail. It’s so different from other series I’ve worked on, but it’s very fun, and I’m so thankful that someone is listening to my acting and helping me to improve.

Also, prior to recording, Ueda-san and I would have a few minutes before to chat. During that time, we can just be fans of Blue Box and talk about the episode. We’ll say, “I like this part of the episode.” That’s another fun part about the recording.

Shoya Chiba: Also – Uchida Yuma, who plays Haryu, is also always listening as a third party. He’ll explain how his heart dropped at some scenes, and how he felt listening to us. So hearing that from Uchida-san is also very helpful in these situations.

Anime Trending: The focus of the manga is on its relationship rather than the sports, exactly as Murakoshi-san said. However, typical sports anime often feature dynamic and exciting matches to draw the viewer in. Murakoshi-san, do you want Blue Box to have more sports anime-style scenes? Or do you think the quiet, romantic moments of the manga will translate well to the TV?

Shu Murakoshi: In the manga, you don’t need to draw every frame of the sports so it’s easier to portray. For the anime, you actually have to draw every single movement. But what’s important in Blue Box is not very much the match itself but the emotions that the characters are feeling while they’re playing their match. I don’t think it’s necessary to have long sporty scenes of the match itself – as long as you can feel what the characters are feeling.

Regarding the romantic scenes, the anime has, compared to other Shonen Jump’s manga and anime, very quiet scenes. For example, the scene has just a curtain waving, but there’s so much emotion put into that quiet moment. I want to make sure that everyone stays excited for these kinds of moments. The soundtrack is also excellent. The romantic scenes are going to be even more romantic than you think because of that.

Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi: Of the cast, who is most like your character? How do you feel compared to them?

Shoya Chiba: Taiki is someone completely opposite to me as a person! I’m a person who can explain my emotions very well, and that’s something I consider my strong suit as a voice actor. Taiki, on the other hand, doesn’t have a reason for being nice. He’s just a nice guy. And I understand him, but I’m not him. The only thing is, I’m a man too, so I do understand his feelings towards Chinatsu as a man. Yet, in many ways, there are still a lot of things I can’t understand because we’re opposites. I guess to conclude, we are opposites but we’re also the same.

Another big difference is that I can explain my feelings and understand why I feel, but Taiki doesn’t understand what he’s feeling. Despite that though, Taiki just goes for it. He acts without understanding. It’s the small details like that, and the more I read the story, that just makes me grow more invested in Taiki. Especially when it comes to doing something for Chinatsu, all of Taiki’s options he was considering suddenly become one option. Chinatsu is a factor that helps him decide, which is very Taiki-like of him.

Akari Kito: Hina and I are very similar. Hina’s really proud of the things that she does. Behind that pride though, she tries really hard. She tries her best to be good at what she’s doing so she can be confident. I really understand that part of Hina. People around me have asked, “Why are you so confident in yourself?” I want people to understand that behind my confidence, I’ve also been working really hard. I work hard to be confident in myself. I not only relate to Hina in that aspect but also respect her.

Anime Trending: Murakoshi-san. Any words of encouragement to Chiba-san and Kito-san as they embark on their Blue Box journey?

Shu Murakoshi: [to Chiba-san and Kito-san] So, Miura-sensei actually wrote on their Twitter, on X, that when they’re drawing the characters, they can actually hear the character’s voices as the cast members. Be confident because even the author has approved of you guys as the voice of these characters. To the point that Sensei felt so strongly to tweet it on X.

Shoya Chiba: I have it bookmarked. Not just liked. Bookmarked.

Kawaii Kakkoii Sugoi: So, is this your first time at Anime Expo? And how has it been meeting fans? I know the panel is tomorrow, but if you’ve had the opportunity to meet any of the fans, what are your thoughts on that?

Shoya Chiba: This is my first time in the States! I haven’t really had a chance to go around yet, but just getting from the entrance to here, I saw so many cosplayers. Everyone looked like they were having so much fun, and I felt so proud as a Japanese person. I see my culture spread all the way across the world.

Akari Kito: Yes, it’s my first time. I just arrived today, so I haven’t had a chance to go around yet. But after the panel tomorrow, I think I’ll be able to go around.

Shoya Chiba: There are Nezuko cosplayers at the convention.

Akari Kito: I saw. It made me very happy.

Anime Trending: To all the fans who are waiting in anticipation for the anime, can you give them some final words?

Shoya Chiba: I’m going to talk a lot, so you guys go first.

Shu Murakoshi: Not a lot of people got to experience this sweet but sour youth. I hope that the manga will inspire people to want to experience this kind of youth. For the younger generation and the younger readers who haven’t yet gone through middle school or high school, I want them to read the manga or watch the anime and be like, “I really want to experience this part of my life.” To the people who have experienced this kind of romantic youth, but also to the people who haven’t, please look forward to the anime.

Akari Kito: Blue Box is a story that really delicately depicts the “seishun,” the youthful romance. So, just by watching it, you will be able to experience it. Please look forward to the anime, and then make sure to reminisce on your own youth. Engrave that feeling and experience into your heart.

Shoya Chiba: Japanese people love the kind of stories where characters can’t explain their emotions well. They feel it’s more beautiful that the emotions are left kind of unclear. Because of that, it might be hard for a global audience to understand at first, because everyone around the globe is just so honest. However, it ultimately doesn’t matter where you’re from or what gender you are. I truly believe Blue Box is a story that everyone can enjoy. It will be a hit for sure. Don’t be late boarding the hype train! 

Blue Box will be airing on Netflix this Fall 2024. With encouragement from the special guests we interviewed, relive or discover your seishun by watching the series this year.