So if you've been in chat lately, you may have noticed me talking about this show. A lot.



Currently I'm halfway through the first season of Chihayafuru, and this show is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorites. The show follows a girl named Chihaya, who picks up an interest in the card game Karuta during her elementary school years after she and her friend Taichi meet the young expert-player Arata who recently transferred to their school. Unfortunately they all went on to different middle schools, and things have changed by the time they reunite in their highschool years. The show is largely about Chihaya's goal to reconnect with old friends, form a Karuta club in highschool, and eventually become the 'Queen' of Karuta (best female-player in Japan).

I honestly didn't think I would like it, but I quickly became hooked. You'll know if you like this show or not by the time you've finished the first episode. Karuta may seem boring at first, but this show manages to make it very interesting and engaging, kind of like what Summer Wars did with Hanafuda, and Spice & Wolf did with feudal economics. It's certainly not for everyone, though, and indeed this show has more of a cult-following than a big fanbase. So I won't say that this is a "must watch", but it's certainly a "must try".

Most or probably all of the shows we discuss in here are directed at teenage and young-adult males. Chihayafuru is actually directed at young-adult females, and so you'll notice some fundamental differences in how the show plays out stylistically and plot-wise because it is viewed through a female's perspective. It's not like Haruhi Suzumiya where while Haruhi is the central character, the series is viewed through Kyon's eyes and Kyon is the one with multiple love-interests. Chihaya is the central character and lead protagonist, and she is the one with multiple love-interests.

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And suddenly everything becomes clear. Jack is a 12-year old girl, we should've known.

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Epic sprite by Goatbro
Penguinguy told me what a signshur was.

Finished Chihayafuru 2 just a few minutes ago. Maybe it's just me, but I don't know of many shows (Western or Japanese) that are able to pull the viewer in as well as Chihayafuru. This season was excellent in showing a more expanded world of competitive Karuta, beyond the perspective of the Mizusawa club. Just about every notable opponent is given a background story, a reason for motivation, strengths and weaknesses, and a developed playing style. Sometimes I even found myself rooting for the opponents!

Everyone needs to give this anime a chance. It deserves way, way more attention and appreciation than most anime out there.

Season 2's ending really seems to hint at a third season, and there'll soon be enough material in the manga for that to be a real possibility. Here's to hoping!

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