Character number four: he too has his purpose. There were two big roles for him in this episode. First of all, to develop Taichi. The previous side character was meant to fuel Chihaya’s interest in Karuta even more than it already was. This guy is meant for Taichi, to show that there are other people in his league, other than Arata.
Purpose number two: show variations of Karuta. For me, this is another very interesting way to keep the karuta matches interesting. Chihaya has been completely involved in competitive Karuta, so that she has no eyes for the details around it. Karuta is the type of game which lends itself perfectly for variations, like what happened in this episode with the flipped down cards, which give you a totally different perspective on how you play the game.
Karuta still is a bit of a strange game to me. Especially the way in which players are given the opportunity to memorize the places of each card for 15 minutes. This to me seems to take away part of the fun of actually trying to look for the card that gets called amidst the forest of other cards. Right now, it’s a game with a very high emphasis on memorization and reaction speed, with hardly anything more.
If the creators can keep this focus on such a simple game consistently interesting throughout the entire series like what it’s currently doing, then they can even successfully make a series about rock paper scissors.
Rating: ** (Excellent)]]>
Chihayafuru – 07
That was another great episode….I swear it feels like it is over so fast and I can’t stand for it to end. Now I have to wait for the next one.
The flipped over cards…..what a great idea to also flip our viewpoint of the game itself.
This show has all of my top marks. Great Animation, Acting and the story pacing is just riveting. Ack! never thought a card game would be able to draw me in like a lamb.
I am sooo tempted to read ahead in the manga….and won’t
I agree wit you, @jzar, because when chihayafuru ends I feel like “what? it can`t be!! that was too fast!” !
i am always pulled into the story and can’t feel the time passing at all 🙂
i wish i could read the manga, but i can’t find the scans…
I third what @jzar and @nandab said. Chihayafuru always ends too soon!
Yes another excellent episode, I said previously that Taichi needed to step up a bit, and this episode did it. I guess I see a bit of myself in him, when he says he doesn’t mind losing, and then says he hates it.
The shadow of Arata has been over him for so long, and it’s good to see that it’s finally lifting a bit, I hope he continues to move forward. I also loved the moment when he tossed the desk.
As for the new member, if I was him I’d probably be raging with jealousy over Taichi, but they were subtle in showing his feelings and I liked that, it was also a great moment when Taichi identified with the feelings he expressed.
The way he looks has side character written all over it, it feels a bit like a caricature at the moment, what with the chibi square glassed-ness, however I hope that they do invest in him as a character, and show him coming out of his studious shell (or should I say from behind his desk?) more.
Also want to say that I liked the moment when the other girl, said that she was willing to step up if Chihaya didn’t want to play. Even though it felt in character. Less so the squeeing over the hakama (or was it kimono?). But Chihaya does look really good in the traditional clothing!
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I’m just wondering what part if any Arata will play? It’d be kinda sad if we don’t see him for episodes on end as nothing but a shadow figure. But would it be cheap if he moved back to Tokyo?
I can’t wait until the next Chihayafuru day!
Your comment about Rock Paper Scissors reminded me that there was actually a tournament for this in my city. So I wouldn’t be surprised in an anime for it was possible. 😀
Anyways another excellent episode Chihayafuru. I think it’s getting old how many times I can say that. But I love this series so much!
I never imagined i’d get properly interested in this show, but it’s one of my favourites of the new season. The ability to give so much intensity to an otherwise mundane-looking game is something pretty unique to Japanese media and anime/manga especially, so it’s a good thing to pick up.
Of course, if you made a show about Poker or something similar, it would still be a viable thing to base drama around.
The game if karuta still baffles me a bit too. I still can’t grasp the whole flinging the cards part. What point does it serve? Anyone, anyone? Hehe. Why is it necessary (at least for most players) to fling not only the chosen card but also to fling the surrounding cards. If a bunch if cards go flying across the room, how does anyone know if the correct card was actually touched/picked. It also just seems to interupt the game play and (to me at least) seems kinda rude. Karuta, reminds me (very distantly) of the card game Slap Jack.
I don’t know how, but for someone who loves fantasy, and even with so many solid fantasy series this season (Mawaru, Mirai Nikki, F/Z) Chihayafuru is (I think) my favourite of them all.
This episode was over before I noticed it, and all the episodes before haven’t wasted any time… if it keeps this up, I can see it easily getting 95+
Absolutely amazing.