Beloved sports manga wraps up just in time for the anime’s October comeback.

The 250th and final chapter of the beloved romance/sports manga *Blue Box* was released yesterday in Weekly Shōnen Jump and the Shonen Jump app. Kōji Miura’s manga started as a one-shot before launching into serialization in April 2021, and it has since been collected into an impressive 26 volumes, with two more on the way to conclude the series.

Fortunately, unlike many recent final chapters in Weekly Shōnen Jump, the response to this conclusion has been largely positive, with fans appreciating the sense of closure and the series overall.

“When you’re enjoying life, you never realize when it’s the last time you might be doing something,” a user on Reddit shared. “Miura, thank you so much for capturing the burning passion of a fleeting youth.” Another added, “What a run! But it is not the end yet. See you guys in October!”

The anime adaptation of Miura’s work is set to continue on October 4. The first season streamed from October 3, 2024, to March 27, 2025, and it was a hit. Telecom Animation Film’s consistent animation effectively showcased the central romance and sports rivalries, making this unique genre blend work. The show gained momentum over its 25-episode run, developing its core characters and a complex love triangle. Plus, the opening theme is a total banger.

The story follows high school freshman Taiki Inomata as he aims to become the best badminton player while getting to know his crush, Chinatsu Kano, the star of the basketball team. So far, the anime has adapted the first 81 chapters of the manga across 25 episodes, suggesting it will take over 50 more episodes to complete the adaptation.

One notable change for the anime is that a new studio will be handling the second season. TMS has recently shut down and absorbed Telecom Animation Film, which produced the first season. *Blue Box*’s second season will now be animated by the newly established Electric Circus, formed by former animators from Telecom Animation Film.

Returning staff for the second season includes Yuuko Kakihara for series composition and scripting; Miho Tanino as chief animation director and character designer; Yuuki Kawashita as director of photography; Takashi Oomama as music director; Jin Aketagawa as sound director; and Narumi Konno as color designer.

Key changes in the team include Daisuke Sakou (Lupin Zero) stepping in as director, replacing Yuuichirou Yano, Yumika Okazaki (Tougen Anki) as editor, and Anri Ishida as the new art director (Weathering with You, Drifting Home). Despite the studio change, there seems to be a strong continuity in the production team. We’ll see if the series maintains its high production quality later this year.