Blue Box Episode 6 Review: Exploring Hina Chono’s Five Stages of Grief

Major Insights from Blue Box, Episode 6

Hina’s Emotional Arc: Episode 6 delves into Hina’s path through the five stages of grief: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
Acceptance of Feelings: Hina finally acknowledges her feelings for Taiki after a heartfelt exchange that encourages her to confront her emotions.
Chinatsu’s Misconception: Chinatsu comes to terms with her feelings for Taiki, viewing him primarily as a friend. However, she mistakenly believes he may have feelings for Hina.

Disclaimer: Spoilers ahead for Blue Box, Episode 6, titled “Wish Me Luck,”currently streaming on Netflix.

Title	Blue Box, Episode 6 “Wish Me Luck”
Studio	Telecom Animation Film
Air Date	November 7, 2024

Exploring Hina’s Emotional Journey

Episode 6 of Blue Box, titled “Wish Me Luck,”provides a unique vantage point as it primarily unfolds through Hina’s eyes rather than Taiki’s. This perspective shift allows fans to connect more deeply with Hina, despite much of her screen time reflecting confusion, hurt, and feelings of isolation.

The episode picks up right from where “Aquarium”left off, showcasing Hina’s determination to return Chinatsu’s phone instead of evading confrontation. This commitment to face her emotions leads to a rapid character development arc, taking Hina from uncertainty to eventual acceptance within the span of a single episode.

However, some viewers may feel disappointed that Hina’s journey focuses on her preparation for rhythmic gymnastics qualifiers without showing the actual event. While this may be seen as a lost opportunity to display her routine, it serves to highlight her internal struggles rather than just her athletic performance.

Hina’s Five Stages of Grief

In reality, the five stages of grief are not linear. Similarly, in the show, Hina varies between stages, sometimes revisiting earlier feelings.

Stage 1: Denial

When questioned about her emotional state, Hina often deflects, attributing her discomfort to minor issues. She attempts to persuade herself that Taiki and Chinatsu’s relationship could be beneficial, even believing it might lead Chinatsu to back off.

Stage 2: Anger

While Hina’s display of anger is subtle, moments of annoyance directed towards Taiki and Chinatsu emerge, usually masked by her teasing demeanor. Her frustration peaks when she expresses her annoyance at a judge, although her true feelings reveal deeper turmoil.

Stage 3: Bargaining

Hina rationalizes her emotional suppression by framing it as a necessity for success in her gymnastics. By insisting on perfection in her performances, she finds a way to bypass her emotional struggles.

Stage 4: Depression

Hina subtly masks her pain with humor and smiles, acknowledging her heartbreak as she grapples with her feelings for Taiki, who sees her only as a friend. Her perception that she could hinder Taiki and Chinatsu further complicates her feelings.

Stage 5: Acceptance

The pivotal moment for Hina arrives in a touching conversation with Taiki, who reassures her after confirming her injury isn’t severe. This dialogue allows Hina to unburden herself about the pressures she faces, leading her to fully accept her feelings for him, despite the odds stacked against her.

Hina’s request for Taiki’s encouragement signifies her readiness to embrace her emotions, revealing her determination to make her feelings known. She humorously hints that she has yet to showcase her full potential, indicating that she’s not ready to give up on her aspirations or Taiki.

It’s important to remember that while these discussions offer entertainment, they are not a substitute for professional psychological evaluation. If you’re navigating grief or emotional challenges, please seek appropriate help.

Unveiling Chinatsu’s Feelings

And They Aren’t Romantic

The conclusion of Episode 6 redirects attention to Taiki and Chinatsu, who engage in a discussion about Hina’s victory in the qualifiers. Chinatsu’s inadvertent insight into Hina’s perspective on Taiki leads her to suspect that there may be romantic feelings involved, prompting her feelings of unworthiness and concern.

Intriguingly, it appears that Chinatsu does not harbor romantic feelings for Taiki; she views him merely as a friend and fellow housemate. This raises questions about her perceived emotional investment and whether she could be in denial about her feelings.

Catch Blue Box and the upcoming Episode 7 on Netflix, set to release on November 14, 2024, at 8:30 AM PT.

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