Chihayafuru 02 – 09

DAT SHIT BRO MOMENT.

It’s past due that Arata should get his own episode, and here we are! Between him helping a guy he punched in the face in season one and then possibly being banned from playing later, there was drama to be had all around. Oh, plus we finally got a glimpse of how he knows Shinobu. Mizusawa was still present as well, but it looks like all of their problems are going to be dealt with in episode 10. Anyways, I’m sure you’re excited that Arata’s back, right Kyo?

Oh definitely, Kara! Whatever problems I might have with his distant character scenario, I love it whenever he gets a few lines or just appears on screen. After a long time, finally a rare episode in which he actually got to do something! Of course, Mizusawa is all ready to hit it out with their next opponent but let’s see how Arata’s surprise-visit affects all.

Everyone is too fighto-on to look all quality~ ─=≡Σ((( つ•̀ω•́)つ

// Misuzawa Angle //

So, Arata took over a HUGE portion of the episode, but Mizusawa was there as well. It’s not like they’re slacking off though since they need to prepare for a whoooole lot of A Class opponents in upcoming matches (of at least Taichi and Desk-kun have that to worry about, if anything, Chihaya would think that the challenge would be fun). I can see them winning since between Nishida, Chihaya and Taichi, Mizusawa has enough A Class members to win, but I doubt it will go as smoothly as it sounds. Plus Taichi is rather distracted by the thought of Arata being there. The possibility of his presence seems like it’s helping Chihaya focus, but for Taichi on the other hand, I can see where he’d be nervous. Arata is like that great Karuta wall that Taichi feels like he has to overcome and Taichi has yet to even make it to A Class. Oh well, this was Arata’s episode and I guess we’ll see how Mizusawa deals with it’s upcoming challenges in the next one.

(ﾉﾟ0ﾟ)ﾉ~

// Arata Effect //

Let me do some victory laps because HELL, I WAS RIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT! WOOOO. Even when Shinobu was specifically not scared of Arata per se but he did not let her win when they were kids. The whole Kyoto connection theory did work out with his grandpa taking him to prep matches and him facing off against her continuously. Even if the matches didn’t ruin her childhood or something, Arata has the upper hand over the current queen and that gives me A LOT of pleasure. Call me sadistic or whatever but someone needs to show her who’s the boss. I’m not sure if Arata’s the one at his current level but at least he’s been practicing and has gotten his swing back (all that end-game swishing made me swoon). I’m sure this is just the beginning of Arata/Shinobu re-kindling and I hope these two karuta crazies can bond over time. Yes, I’m shipping them even when the possibilities are pretty remote for now.

Now, pretending to be someone else is a big offence in any game. I’m reminded of recent Suits and how Mike Ross has to go over many hurdles to keep up the charade of being a lawyer; in the end, deception of any kind is not legit unless you are some secret operative. Of course, Arata agreed to play out of good faith but he’s too unique to be not noticed with double-trouble of a familiar overseer being present. Though, seeing how the teacher loved his movement and praised his stance, I think he’ll find a way to save Arata. I mean, dude, we are talking about a prodigy who has been out of the scene due to trauma. EVERYONE has been looking forward to his return in hopes of seeing a Meijin even greater than his grandfather also Suo getting his butt kicked. So, why not? I’m sure sensei will find in his good heart to recognize the fact that whatever Arata did was to support his old acquaintance in the game they love so much. They didn’t even qualify for the next round so there should be no problem of cheating for winning. I’ll remain optimistic and hope things turn out well.

// Fun with Chi //

Chihaya’s spider-sense is tingling! （゜◇゜）

Mitsuki Saiga reporting for trap duty! (｀・ω・´)”

(Some of her similar voice work was Kuranosuke in Kuragehime and Maria Ross in Fullmetal Alchemist)

Desk-kun had it rough ヽ(ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ when he listened on some girls discussing their favourite yaoi  ψ(*｀ー´)ψ

Best expressions of the episode~ ԅ(≖‿≖ԅ)

Shinobu, “You refuse my confession?! All I wanna do is make karuta babies!” o(╥﹏╥)o           Arata, “What nyaansence!”

Oh man, Arata. I guess you could have seen this coming, but it’s still a rather harsh penalty for him. There was the ‘might’ in there though, so maybe a miracle will happen and Arata will be allowed to play. Though I guess this is a good way to postpone Arata’s ascension in the Karuta world? We all know that he’s going to wipe the tatami mats with everyone when he starts playing (or at least surprise the hell out of everyone with how good he is), so this is a reasonable way of prolonging the inevitable. I’m worried for Mizusawa as well in here since they have that A Class challenge coming up. But between the pressure on Taichi to play at A Class level and the other pressure of having Arata watching, I think Taichi can do what it takes to win this for the team.

100 bonus points if you got the Arata reference from the last pic posted above. Coming to the episode, I’m pretty sure Mizusawa will clear the next round but their imminent opponent, Fujisaki peeps look pretty scary. They have five A-class in their team? I mean, these guys are rocks and no wonder as intimidating as the mount Fuji (their team logo). If Chihaya’s spidey-sense was tingling, jealousy and nervousness was dancing around Taichi (not referring to Retro-kun fo sho), so he definitely has to straighten up his act for the next matches. I have faith in him to perform under stress, just like I have faith that Arata would be allowed to play (hopefully!) in his individual matches. It would be NO FUN without him so even if I’m wrong, I don’t want to think of any other consequence.

So, did you go all (⊙﹏⊙) at the end of the episode like me? Share your thoughts and what might happen with Arata situation. Hopefully, we’ll be put out of our misery in the next episode but if the staff is feeling too sadistic, they might stall it to show the next Mizusawa match while we hang in there for another week for any kind of conclusion… Damn, that would be so soap opera, no? Let’s forget I even mentioned that. Ja ne~