The appeal and reputation of "Chihayafuru": A moving story depicting the world of competitive karuta

"Chihayafuru" - The charm of competitive karuta and the brilliance of youth

Overview

"Chihayafuru" is a TV anime series based on the popular manga of the same name by Yuki Suetsugu. It aired on Nippon TV from October 4, 2011 to March 27, 2012, and captivated many viewers as a youth drama themed around competitive karuta. It is directed by Morio Asaka, who has worked on hits such as "Cardcaptor Sakura" and "NANA," and animation is handled by Madhouse. The 25-episode series depicts young people growing up through competitive karuta, fully conveying the brilliance of youth and the charm of competitive karuta.

■ Story

The story begins when sixth grader Ayase Chihaya meets transfer student Wataya Arata. Arata advises Chihaya that "you shouldn't dream about something that isn't about you," and explains that his dream is to become a master of competitive karuta. Chihaya is shocked to see the normally quiet Arata take the cards seriously, and is drawn into the world of karuta, dragging her childhood friend Mashima Taichi along with her. Chihaya and her friends remain passionate about karuta even as high school students, and the story depicts them struggling to make it to the national tournament.

■Explanation

"Chihayafuru" is based on the manga of the same name by Yuki Suetsugu, which is currently being serialized in Kodansha's "BE・LOVE". It has won the Manga Taisho Award in 2009 and Takarajimasha's "This Manga is Amazing! 2010 Women's Edition", and has garnered support from many manga fans. Although the story revolves around the minor sport of competitive karuta, it has attracted many readers with its story of youthful passion, friendship, and romance. Under the direction of Morio Asaka, the anime adaptation carefully depicts the intense competitive karuta matches and the psychological portrayal of the characters, bringing out the charm of the original work to the fullest.

■Cast

The voice actors for the main characters are as follows:

• Chihaya Ayase - Masami Seto
• Arata Wataya - Yoshimasa Hosoya
• Arata Wataya (elementary school student) - Yuka Terasaki
• Taichi Mashima - Mamoru Miyano
• Taichi Mashima (elementary school student) - Ayahi Takagaki
• Oe Kanade - Ai Kayano
• Nishida Yusei - Nara Toru
• Tsutomu Komano - Tainaga Tsubasa

■ Main staff

The following staff members are involved in the production of Chihayafuru:

• Original author - Yuki Suetsugu
• Director: Morio Asaka
• Series Composition - Naoya Takayama
• Character design: Kunihiko Hamada
• Art Director: Tomoyuki Shimizu
• Director of photography - Kenji Fujita
• Color design - Masaru Hashimoto
• CG Director: Saito Tsukasa
• Edited by Yoshiko Kimura
• Music: Kosuke Yamashita
• Sound Director - Masafumi Mima
• Animation Producer - Takuya Kado
• Animation Production - Madhouse

■Main Characters

The details of the main characters are as follows:

• Chihaya Ayase
  When she was in sixth grade, she met Arata and was introduced to the world of karuta. She is honest with her feelings and moves forward in a straightforward manner. Her natural hearing is her weapon, as evidenced by her incredible reaction time to the cards that are read. She is a member of the Fuchu Shiranami-kai, 167cm tall (as a first-year high school student), and has type B blood.
• Arata Wataya
  A boy who transferred from Fukui to Tokyo when he was in elementary school, and introduced Chihaya and Taichi to the world of karuta. Influenced by his grandfather, a perpetual master, he was a talented player who won the national tournament for his grade every year from the first to sixth grade of elementary school. After graduating from elementary school, he returned to Fukui to care for his grandfather, and was separated from Chihaya and the others. He is an A-class player belonging to the Fukui Nagumo Association, 173 cm tall (as a first-year high school student), and has O blood type.
• Taichi Mashima
  He is Chihaya's childhood friend and has a crush on her. He hates to lose, and started playing karuta out of a sense of rivalry with Arata, who became close to Chihaya through karuta. He went on to Mizusawa High School, where he reunited with Chihaya and founded the competitive karuta club. Unlike Chihaya, he does not have natural hearing, but he has an extremely high memory. He is a member of the Fuchu Shiranami-kai, and his master Harada calls him "Eyelash-kun." He is 172 cm tall (as a first-year high school student) and his blood type is A.
• Kanade Oe
  Nicknamed Kana-chan. The daughter of a kimono shop owner, she loves Japanese clothing. She has a deep knowledge of the classics and values ​​elegance and style. She joined the Mizusawa High School Karuta Club because she wanted to wear a hakama. Her dream is to become a full-time reader. She is a member of the Suihoku Karuta Club.
• Yusei Nishida
  Nicknamed Nikuman-kun. He played against Chihaya when he was in sixth grade, which led him to join the karuta club. He has the longest history of playing karuta among the club members, and was a very talented player when he was young, even competing with Arata for the championship at the national tournament when he was in elementary school. He is a member of the Suihoku Karuta Club.
• Tsutomu Komano
  Nicknamed Desk-kun. He is in the same class as Chihaya and is the second most intelligent student in his grade after Taichi. He felt inferior because he thought his only talent was studying and that his place in the world was only at his desk, but he was moved by Taichi's passion for karuta and decided to join the club. He is a member of the Suihoku Karuta Club.

■Subtitle

The subtitles and broadcast dates for each episode are as follows:

• 1st poem: Sakuya Konohana (2011/10/04)
• 2nd poem: In the dark (2011/10/11)
• Third poem: Touching Snow White (2011/10/18)
• The 4th poem: The flower that grows without any intention (2011/10/25)
• 5th poem: Yoha no Tsuki Kana (2011/11/01)
• The 6th poem: Today, the scent of this place is warm (2011/11/08)
• No. 7: I can't see anyone, I'm tired (2011/11/15)
• No.8: It's been a long time since I last saw you (2011/11/22)
• 9th poem: Shinoburedo (2011/11/29)
• No. 10: Going or coming back, we part (2011/12/6)
• 11th poem: Amatsukaze (2011/12/13)
• 12th poem: Purple snow, snow that stops snow (2011/12/20)
• 13th poem: For you (2012/1/3)
• No. 14: No one knows better than flowers (2012/1/10)
• The 15th poem: The stone that could not be stopped by piercing it was scattered (2012/1/17)
• 16th poem: Ogurayama (2012/1/24)
• 17th poem: There is no way (2012/1/31)
• The 18th poem: A riddle about a crab from long ago (2012/2/7)
• 19th poem: Nagareba (February 14, 2012)
• The 20th poem: The white waves that look like clouds (2012/2/21)
• 21st poem: Snow is falling on my clothes (2012/2/28)
• The 22nd poem: "I'm a fool" (March 6, 2012)
• The 23rd poem: When I see the white, I am already drowning (2012/3/13)
• 24th poem: Onohe no Sakura Saki ni Ker (2012/3/20)
• 25th poem: The brightness of the moon's shadow (2012/3/27)

■ Related works

The DVD and Blu-ray discs of "Chihayafuru" have been released. Details are below.

• DVD
  Release date: December 21, 2011 Price: 3,990 yen (tax included)
  Product number: VPBY-13621
  Specs: Color / Single-sided, single layer / 16:9LB / MPEG-2 / NTSC / Dolby Digital Recorded episodes: Chapters 1-3 Length: Approximately 70 minutes Bonuses: Jacket with original illustration by character designer Kunihiko Hamada, original illustration card, video bonus (HOW TO Competitive Karuta (Beginner's Edition), non-credit opening and ending), first press bonus (character charm (Chihaya Elementary School Ver.))
  *Please note that product specifications are subject to change.
• Blu-ray
  Release date: December 21, 2011 Price: 5,040 yen (tax included)
  Product number: VPXY-71175
  Specs: Color/Single-sided, single layer/16:9<1080p High-Definition>/MPEG-4/AVC/Linear PCM2.0ch
  Included episodes: First to third chapters Length: Approximately 70 minutes Bonuses: Jacket with original illustration by character designer Kunihiko Hamada, original illustration card, video bonus (HOW TO Competitive Karuta (Beginner's Edition), non-credit opening and ending), first press bonus (character charm (Chihaya Elementary School Ver.))
  *Please note that product specifications are subject to change.
• A rental DVD (VPBY-18891) was also released at the same time.

■ Theme songs and music

The opening and ending themes for "Chihayafuru" are as follows:

• Opening theme "YOUTHFUL"
  Lyrics: ko-ta, ko-hey
  Composer: ko-ta, ko-hey
  Arrangement: ko-ta, ko-hey
  Sung by: 99RadioService
• Ending theme "And Now"
  Lyrics: Yutaka Araya Composition: Yutaka Araya Arrangement: Yutaka Araya Singer: Masami Seto

■ Evaluation and impressions

Although "Chihayafuru" is based on the minor sport of competitive karuta, its storyline of youthful passion, friendship, and romance has attracted many viewers. In particular, the growth of the main character, Ayase Chihaya, and the human drama of the characters surrounding her deeply moved viewers. In addition, the careful portrayal of the rules and strategies of competitive karuta has also allowed viewers to experience the appeal of competitive karuta, which has been highly praised.

The animation quality is also high, with extremely realistic character designs, background art, and the movements in the competitive karuta scenes. In particular, the competitive karuta match scenes visually convey the tension and concentration of the players, drawing the viewer in. The music also plays an important role in adding excitement to the story, with the opening theme "YOUTHFUL" and the ending theme "Soshite Now" leaving a strong impression on viewers.

■ Recommendation points

Although Chihayafuru is based on the seemingly mundane sport of competitive karuta, it is an appealing work with a moving story that depicts the brilliance of youth, friendship, and romance. In particular, the growth of the main character, Ayase Chihaya, and the human drama of the characters surrounding her deeply move viewers. Another major attraction is that the detailed depiction of the rules and strategies of competitive karuta allows viewers to experience the charm of competitive karuta.

The animation quality is also high, with extremely realistic character designs, background art, and the movements in the competitive karuta scenes. In particular, the competitive karuta match scenes visually convey the tension and concentration of the players, drawing the viewer in. The music also plays an important role in adding excitement to the story, with the opening theme "YOUTHFUL" and the ending theme "Soshite Now" leaving a strong impression on viewers.

"Chihayafuru" is recommended not only for those who like youth anime and sports anime, but also for those who are interested in competitive karuta and those who are looking for a moving story. Please give it a watch.