The great thing about this series is that it doesn’t leave you hanging at all. This episode fulfilled all of the things it promised last week: we got to see why Arata went away from Karuta, and more importantly how he changed and what he had turned into. the characters actually immediately went to visit him. This also shows that this series doesn’t necessarily need to have a karuta match in every episode, and that it can also deliver in these kinds of episodes.
The real key in this episode was the moment in which Arata was chasing the train on his bike. It’s nothing new, but that point revealed a lot about what he turned into. Before that he kept hiding into this emo shell of his, but it all came together when he couldn’t keep up with the train and it turned out that he was very ashamed of his own inability to get over his grandfather’s death.
I like how these first five episodes didn’t dilute themselves with too many side-characters, but instead really focused on the three leads. It lead to some wonderful drama, and this feels like a good point to introduce them. They will really be necessary to keep the Karuta matches interesting, because seeing nothing but Chihaya’s style over and over for 26 episodes will very likely just get boring. The side characters will be key in spicing up the rest of the series, although they also need to know when to give the stage to the main trio, because the fact remains that these kids are really, really well portrayed.
Rating: ** (Excellent)]]>
Chihayafuru – 05
What an excellent episode!
I don’t think I can do anything but gush about how emotional it all got and how awesome it was. These characters are just so vivid.. I love Chihaya especially in how she forges ahead and does her thing!
It’s the kind of anime that makes me want to SQUEEEE
A lot of good moments too
When Chihaya just grabs arata off the bike, at exactly the moment Taichi wanted to hold her hand.
When Taichi lies about being as tall as Arata (lol) and Arata knows immediately.
Snot nosed Chihaya
And even the bit when Taichi is giving the gifts to the girl next door.
They’re all tiny things but, they all add up in a way to show us the characters.
I just hope they take all these nice details and grow the characters a bit more substantially over the next ep or two. This feels more like a simple shoujo story wrapped up in josei dressings.
I’m getting Hanasaku Iroha vibes.. promising drama that proves to be overwrought, with less savvy characters stuck in a typical love triangle scenario. The execution is nice, but the greedy part of me is still hoping for more.
It was a very nice episode and the bike scene was both dramatic and hilarious (I was like wtf, assault??)
Also Taichi’s words when leaving the house were pretty sweet.
Chihaya easily overpowering Taichi was also pretty funny to me.
Is it just me or is the whole thing quite well acted? With the possible exception of…Chihaya?
I can’t believe it. I’m a 28 year old man who finds a josei awesome, and it will probably end up as my favorite anime of the new season. Never thought i would see the day
this is easily my favorite show of the season. i love it more and more with every new episode. the only other show to have me this emotionally invested period, is anohana and thats saying alot for me!!!
also is it just me or does it seem like arata blames himself, as well as karuta for his grandfathers death? they didnt state it exactly, but the way his friend phrased how he was “suposed to be home” that day, but was at a karuta tournament instead gave me that impression
@sarain
Yeah, I think he was definitely blaming himself.
And it made more sense.At first I didn’t get why his death would make Arata stop playing, but if his grandfather died while he was busy playing karuta, then I can see why he’d feel guilty about playing karuta again.
I just loved this episode! Everything 🙂
Also, I love Chihaya and her strong straightforward personality. This is my favorite show of the season!
Fine story telling, if only more shows would do this. It really is a great tale and it worked on so many levels. A true gem.
Taichi =
Taichi = love
Chihaya’s so pretty. No wonder they both like her. Taichi was a bit aggressive and controlling in this episode – but I still like him despite his flaws. Arata on the bike was cute. I love this anime – it turned into a really surprisingly good one. 🙂
@sarain & kero:
I’m thinking that rather than blaming himself for his grandfather’s death, Arata might just be avoiding karuta because it reminds him of his grandfather. I don’t know.
Anyways, awesome episode. Only, I was hoping that Arata had a much more interesting reason for quitting karuta. Seems like most of the time reasons why characters quit something they love was because of someone’s death.
At first..i was so into Arata’s character..well,for Chihaya’s love interest. But as the story goes…I guess I’m loving Taichi more;)They’re all adorable. This is the best anime for me this season, too!