Chihayafuru – 15
I don’t know how to tell you this Chihaya, but that’s a sign.
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I apologise for this extremely late post, but I’ve been feeling sick and unproductive for the past week. …It’s not just me either since Kyo isn’t here this post due to illness. Normally this would be where I band together with Kyo to blame someone for getting us sick, but it’s hard to do that when we’re on opposite ends of the planet. Ahaha… Anyways, on to Chihayafuru. |
So despite taking away 2 cards last episode, Shinobu keeps winning cards. However, instead of being depressed like last time, Chihaya keeps trying her best and wants to become stronger. …Chihaya ends up losing anyways, having only taken 5 cards in the entire match. However, not all is lost since Shinobu is now worried about Chihaya as a Karuta player and vows that next time they play, she won’t let Chihaya get any cards. Chihaya then compliments Shinobu’s t-shirt and you can practically envision a field of lilies blooming.
Taichi goes to check on Chihaya, only to find her crying and wondering what she can do to win next time. He realises that today was the first day for Chihaya that her dream felt real. However, he leaves without bothering her. The finals is Sudo against Shinobu, but Shinobu wins in a close game (well, closer than Chihaya’s. There was a 12 card difference).
Meanwhile, in B Class, Taichi has made it to the finals. Chihaya finally sits down to watch him with the team. Taichi has a revelation about how he’s grown from the guy who gave up on Karuta because he couldn’t beat Arata’s genius. However, he’s tired from a full day’s worth of card memorization and he loses the match. Taichi tries smiling through it, but the rest of the team doesn’t even try to hide their disappointment. In the end though, despite none of them winning, they’re all rather mature about it.
The team vows to train over the summer break and do things like running in the mornings to increase stamina. They all learned things that they lack during the tournament, so they decide to work on their weaknesses. To push the yuri subtext even further, Chihaya admits that she doesn’t dream of Arata (apparently because she wants to meet him in real life. Suuuuuuuuure.), but instead, of Shinobu. Meanwhile(?), it’s Arata’s episodic cameo and he’s joining the Fukui Karuta Society. Everyone pushes forward as Chihayafuru heads towards fall.
No episode is complete without the great Arata in the sky.
Screenshots that aren’t of people bowing:
Karuta: It turns people into zombies.
You can tell that Shinobu’s good at what she does due to her aura. Experts have auras.
FEAR THE SNOWMAN.
End Thoughts:
Well I wasn’t sure which direction this would take, but Chihaya lost. I’m glad that Shinobu seems to recognise Chihaya as a worthy rival since the two make for good opposites. Yet at the same time, the two are so similar in some spots (like being unable to keep a poker face (though Shinobu seems slightly better at it)), it’s adorable. I’m sure that if there wasn’t Karuta in the way, the two would be friends. …Then again, without Karuta, they probably wouldn’t have met in the first place… Well anyways, I hope they become friends once the whole Queen thing is sorted out. I love the character interaction the two have with each other.
Moving on, I guess none of the team won. …That’s depressing. Though I guess they all have something to work towards now. Taichi was SO CLOSE, but even though he didn’t win, it’s nice to see that he’s still growing as a character even after all that character development that he had between shota and when he met Chihaya again. It’s like he’s a completely different person from where he was in the first episode. That’s impressive. I hope Chihaya notices him soon, or else Arata is going to catch up again since he’s FINALLY taking a step forward.
So the anime can pretty much go anywhere Karuta related from here. While I’m a bit saddened by the fact that none of the team won (and even more saddened by the fact that none of the team minus Chihaya and Taichi even had a match of them playing shown), it just shows that they have room to grow. Maybe there will even be some romance…? AHAHAHAHAHAHA who am I kidding. Chihaya is 110% focused on Karuta right now. Maybe Kana and Nishida will develop. I don’t even know.
Preview: They’ll probably train or something.
It’s been fun, red building of redness. Farewell for now.
About Karakuri
University student and the one at Metanorn who's known for wearing glasses. Likes blood, insanity and plot twists, but also plays otome games and adores cute romance anime. It balances out... somehow.
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 338 comments
It was sad to see Taichi lose because you kinda expect him to be the rising star is Chihaya lost. And let’s face it she was battling the Queen we all knew that outcome.
What I thoroughly enjoyed was that fact Taichi did lose and it made him realize he needs more practice. Awesome chara development there. Its true, he had been just been sailing along thinking he was hot stuff.
Does anyone thing Porky will lose weight and turn into an attractive guy like Taichi from all the exercise XD Animes have been know to do this lol!
Glad you see you feeling better Kara we missed you *hugs and cookies*
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Yeah, I’m sad that Taichi lost. I was expecting a lot from him, but it’s good that he realises that he needs to improve.
!!! YES! I want Nishida to go bishie! That would be awesome. Or maybe Desktomu is bishie under those glasses. Hell, I don’t even know if he HAS eyes.
Aww~ thanks!
POWUH: Metanorn Lover with 243 comments
Nishida is already bishie, fools.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Oh, of course! Why didn’t I see that before!?
POWUH: Lovely-pyon~ with 323 comments
chihaya lost ..so what ?? big deal ..but Shinobu seems to recognise Chihaya as a worthy rival… well ,this make’s it very interesting and amusing to watch ..rewind ~~~
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I think that was my favourite part of the episode (seeing Shinobu recognise Chihaya I mean). I LOVE their interactions!
POWUH: 800-899 and Flying Sage with 856 comments
I’m glad to see Taichi motivated as well. For a time he seemed to be drifting. His almost sole reason for being in the Karuta club is to hang with Chihaya. Now he realizes there is something he needs to try to do.
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Yes, it seems like Taichi is moving forward at the same time as Arata. I hope he goes far with this. He’s a pretty great team leader.
POWUH: and Yaoi Fangirl~ with 2320 comments
Boo I didn’t know you’re sick! I’m such a bad friend. Hope you feel better!
As for Chihaya, I think Shinobu and Chihaya are so adorable with each other. They might not be friends now, but I have a feeling that they’ll be great friends later on in the future.
Nobody won, which is unexpected. I expected Taichi to win, but he didn’t. It was sad to see them cry, but I guess the loss is a good thing. Their loss will drive them to be better, and I’m sure they won’t be the same in next year’s Omi Jingu 😉
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
Ahaha I never told anyone, that’s probably why nobody knew.
I just need to find someone to blame for this now xDThey are! I want to see them have a great friendship! It would be cute (yuri implications aside).
Hmmm, yeah I wanted to see someone win. And I hope that this anime shows the next Omi Jingu. (How many episodes can they spend training, anyways?) Though that seems like a stretch. Maybe if there’s a season 2. I don’t even know if the manga is finished yet or not.
POWUH: 700-799 and Horror Expert with 701 comments
I can see how Taichi has changed too, for the better even. XD It was really sad to see him lose though, but at least he came out of it with confidence and maybe even more determination than he had before. My favorite scene was when he turned around after losing and the whole team was crying. I love how close they all are. (:
Every episode I have to stop myself from cheering for the team out loud. I feel so absorbed in their matches. >__<
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
He’s a character that just keeps getting better and better =3 (I put him above Arata now). The character dynamics in this show are pretty great despite the anime only focusing on the 3 leads.
Ahaha I don’t have that problem, (other than maybe sighing in frustration sometimes), but they are pretty interesting to watch.
POWUH: Meta Team and Ringleader Extraordinaire~ with 6433 comments
Let’s blame it on some pollen or something invisible for our sickness. >.> Hope you feeling better now. <3
I felt so sorry for Taichi. He could have won that match! Though the different forms of OTL his teammates did was hilarious indeed. I hope they train hard and get ready for the major leagues next time. :3
POWUH: Meta Team and Megane-chan with 3214 comments
I can’t blame it on pollen. I’m buried in 4 feet of snow.YES! Pollen! The bane of my existence! Aww, I do, Kyo! I hope you feel better soon too!He was sooo close! Though yeah, the team’s reactions are hilarious. I hope they go far next time, I really do.