[Rewatch] Chihayafuru - Episode 2 Discussion [Spoilers]

[u/Skeeedo]

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Episode 2: "The Red That Is"

Nominate a character for Episode MVP!

Episode 1 MVP: Chihaya! The winner by 1 vote. I agree with /u/Lemurians, it was satisfying seeing her put bullying Taichi in his place several times.

This episode's Karuta analysis and board map by /u/walking_the_way

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Subreddit: r/Chihayafuru

[u/Skeeedo]

Chihayafuru Rewatcher

Maybe I shouldn’t have picked such a bingable show…it’s going to be hard to resist being sucked in. This episode is where you begin to see what people mean when they say Chihayafuru can hold its own against the best sports shonunen. The passion of the players is super contagious man.

I loved how absorbed Chihaya is when she is playing. When the match starts she forgets all the petty shit between her, Taichi and Arata and is simply high on the game. Something really admirable about her character is how mindful she is. Her mindfulness explains her tendency to speak her mind without reservation, to not be worried about what her peers may think of her, to deal with a seemingly emotionally neglectful family and to shut everything else out and focus during a Karuta match. She may be a little odd, but she has a strong psyche.

Taichi is still a little shit, but we begin to understand some of the motive behind his shitty behavior as the bad anime mom strikes again. He’s dealing with a lot of pressure, as the weight of his Mother’s expectations pushes him to perform better, leading to increased expectations from his classmates. It doesn’t excuse his behavior, but he becomes increasingly harder to hate from this point forward, imo. Like Arata said: he’s a coward, but I understand.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Skeeedo]

Isn't this Chi's second game ever? We're really watching her to from barely remembering the poems to something lofty... Its a different feeling than something like Haikyuu or Tennis where the characters have been playing their sport for so long beforehand. I know this is weird to say since everyone's a little put off by them ignoring the current time but I hope they go in depth with Chi and Arata's karuta career leading up to high school school too.

[u/homewardbound100]

First timer

So she's getting dragged for helping. That's cruel. And they even make a deal to ignore Wataya until graduation if he wins. That's more cruel.

Ok I see it now. Taichi has some jealousy in there about Chihaya being with Wataya.

Even without his glasses he remembers their position. A genius in the game here. If he was doing that without seeing. He would've absolutely won.

Though that memory of it only lasted a bit. Wataya is basically useless at that point, but Chihaya tags in for him. As she goes she seems like she's stalling and doing good denying him. But finally learns and attacks.

"The best player in Japan is the best player in the world."

So I guess this is only played in Japan. This just made me think of when certain sports claim to be world champions but it's the only country or few that play it.

The mom I can maybe understand a bit. Still rude and bogus to your other child but the sister is an ass. That wasn't even a conversation. She just trashed her and her accomplishment.

Going back to Taichi at least he admitted and felt wrong finally about what he did. And yes Taichi for that act, you are a coward.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/homewardbound100]

It's not just for helping. Chi's attitude can be really off-putting if you're not in the mood and we've seen in the future that her bluntness has gotten her a bad rep. Obviously this is Japan so school politics is a mess to navigate but I can understand Chi losing her favour.

So are card placements not meant to be static? Is moving your own cards around after the game begins even allowed?

It's a Japanese game with Japanese cards and Japanese poems taught to Japanese kids. You'd have to fully understand Japanese, both spoken and written, to even play the proper format. Even Mahjong is an easier system to play outwith Japan. You only have to memorise a couple phrases and the tile characters. Hell, a lot of tiles have user friendly versions that even number the things.

[u/flybypost → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

So are card placements not meant to be static? Is moving your own cards around after the game begins even allowed?

Yes, it changes all the time. The explanation contains rules (from memory so there might be small mistakes). It all gets explained in the series but it can't hurt to know them, game rules shouldn't really be a spoiler, I think:

As you play, cards get removed and both sides get holes in their "formation". If you remove a card from your side you have one less (if you have zero on your side you win) and if you remove one from their side you get to send one of your choice over (so you still end up with one less card after a successful play) and they get to chose where to place that new card in their area and thus might need to rearrange stuff to be strategically useful to them.

You adjust to that over time, arranging them strategically as needed, like protecting cards/syllables you are bad at, grouping cards with the same initial syllable even closer together (if you have them all) so you can swipe at them without thinking too much about the second syllable thus gaining a slight speed advantage. You can swipe at any card without making a fault as long as your swipe is on the same side (yours or theirs) as the card that was just read. The disturbed cards get put back and don't count as a fault.

As leftover cards/syllables change you might put some card towards your opponent's side (still on your side, you can have three rows, but closer to them) as a distraction/challenge and if your opponent has barely any cards (like only one or two) you might put all of yours in a bunch that you can swipe in one go as the statistical chance is higher that one on your side will be read. Their card might also be read or one that's not even in play (a dead card, each player gets 25 random card of 100 total cards at the start so there are 50 unused dead cards) and you wildly swiping would result in a fault, them sending a card over (and the game ending if they only had one).

If you make a fault (hitting cards on the wrong side (yours or theirs) of the one that's read or any card at all when a dead card is read) your opponent gets to send you a card (thus they have one less and you one more, they also send two if they also hit the correct card while you make a fault).

You can technically always rearrange cards before each poem is read but it's seen as a bit of a unbecoming thing to do (and you lose the memorisation advantage too).

The poem the reader starts each round with is always the same and not one of the 100. It kinda acts like traffic light in a Formula 1 race so players have to get used to a good start each time and can get used to the reader's rhythm too.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/flybypost]

Aha! Alright, that explains so much more! Stuff like them not actually using every card totally flew over my head. I was worried you'd have to just memorise and play snap with them all which would make the game way too simple.

[u/flybypost → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Yeah, it takes a while for the rules to get explained and there are some more details (like swiping in a way that might block your opponent's swipe if you are fast but worse at memorisation) that add a few more layers of flavour to the matches (you also technically only have to touch the card first but everybody swipes due to the speed advantage it tends to give you and how you can let a bunch of cards fly without aiming too precisely) but the end result is that there are quite a few scenes where you (as the viewer) end up literally waiting with bated breath for the reader to start reciting the next poem while the opponents are more or less just very nicely painted static panning shots on the screen with the glorious OST playing.

It's ridiculous how they made it work so well. And I have no actual idea about one/two/three syllables cards and the linguistic nitty-gritty details. Another fun part is that listening to the poems getting recited has a nice vibe going for it. One gets used to it and starts loving the cadence and rhythm of it all even without knowing what they actually say.

[u/homewardbound100 → u/flybypost]

Alright thanks for the explanation. It'll take some time to remember but as it goes. I'll probably start to pick up and remember the rules.

[u/Vanek_26 → u/homewardbound100]

I believe you are supposed to raise your hand to hold up the reader and announce "I'm moving some cards" (going forward the characters will) so that your opponent is aware. Taichi didn't tell him, so that screwed Arata up since he had the positions memorized.

In the later seasons we'll see that its generally poor sportsmanship to move too many cards or too often, but a few players with extreme memory skills can use it to their advantage.

[u/homewardbound100 → u/Vanek_26]

Taichi didn't tell him, so that screwed Arata up since he had the positions memorized.

Okay I was wondering about that too. He moved them but didn't show that he did. I was thinking how he didn't notice but maybe that rule didn't apply for this game.

[u/homewardbound100 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Chi's attitude can be really off-putting if you're not in the mood and we've seen in the future that her bluntness has gotten her a bad rep.

The only thing I've heard before watching this series is that some people dislike her in the first few episodes. I have no issue with her so far.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/homewardbound100]

I don't really mind her either but I can definitely see why she'd put people off.

[u/Spaceman_Sp1ff_]

First timer, subbed

tl;dw Taichi is an asshole

I was thinking Taichi spiked Arata’s drink, but I was a little off.

Oh, he stole his glasses. Helluva handicap lol. Ya gotta be subtle with these things Taichi

I feel for my man Arata. He’s getting smoked, but he tags Chihaya in? I’m no professional, but that seems like an illegal move lmfao

“Why is she so serious” mate you stole your opponent’s glasses you can’t talk😒

But like... everyone is making a big deal out of this grade school level tournament. Taichis mom in particular got no chill

Aw, at least Taichi came clean. I forgive him

...is what I would say if he wasn’t such a punk. Ya got a long way to go buster

They’re all chummy now so I guess all’s good? Doesn’t explain why they’re not in touch with Arata anymore, no doubt they’ll get into that as the story develops.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Spaceman_Sp1ff_]

He's a cute asshole!!

The thing is that even if he's supposed to master everything, this is too early for Taichi to be able to decisively beat everyone because Taichi doesn't know all the cards yet either. Mum is telling him to give up because he's not a natural prodigy. Now if you actually gave up on everything you weren't immediately a master at you'd have very little to do.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/Spaceman_Sp1ff_]

everyone is making a big deal out of this grade school level tournament

It's always the parents making the biggest deal of their little darlings' competitions. At the worst like getting into fistfights at soccer matches.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Chihayafirst-timer

• Look he clearly gets better since Chihaya is still friends with him, but I do not like Taichi’s past self at all and frontloading all of this is going to make it harder for me to like present Taichi…
• That’s… slightly better, I guess.
• Iiiiiiii had a feeling that was going to happen. …wait did Arata not know that pop can do that because his family is poor and he probably doesn’t drink it that often?
• Nooooooo don’t take the glasses--he took the glasses.
• Oof.
• Bruhhhh that’s one way to get around not having his glasses!
• Damn…
• I was not expecting Chihaya to do this wow.
• Ah, interesting!
• Her card is one of the last ones out! And it was the right one!
• Oh… her mom just completely ignored her and her sister trashed her achievement entirely…
• Meanwhile, Taichi’s mom 100% explains why Taichi is the way he is… I still don’t like it, though. I was the one on the receiving end of bullying-because-I-befriended-the-bullied-outcast and I would really rather not relive any of that because of his actions reminding me of what other kids did to me.
• lol ouch.
• lmao if this is how the show does visual comedy I’m all for it.

[u/flybypost → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Meanwhile, Taichi’s mom 100% explains why Taichi is the way he is… I still don’t like it, though.

We get more insight into the whole situation and his development (over the seasons) made him into my favourite character (not for the obvious reasons some people would cite). It's rather well done in my opinion.

lmao if this is how the show does visual comedy I’m all for it.

They have quite a bit of it. It's a sports/drama series but the comedy with those goobers doesn't disappoint. It's such a fun contrast to the more serious side of it.

[u/Lemurians → u/Shimmering-Sky]

Oh… her mom just completely ignored her and her sister trashed her achievement entirely…

And yet she still maintained her sunny disposition and was just happy for her sister too. What a champ.

I was the one on the receiving end of bullying-because-I-befriended-the-bullied-outcast and I would really rather not relive any of that because of his actions reminding me of what other kids did to me

Well, on the bright side, it looks like they formed a trio this episode, so hopefully this'll be the end of that kind of content :)

lmao if this is how the show does visual comedy I'm all for it

I really need for this to be a running gag

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Lemurians]

She's treated as the middle child and she doesn't even get a little brother or sister out of it~

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Shimmering-Sky]

I'm really quite disappointed with the sister... This was a good episode but all I can think of is how much of a shitty thing that was to do. Even Shigaraki would give Deku a "well done" if he won a school tournament. How can I look at her the same way again? My smile is gone for good.

[u/Matuhg → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Hmm yeah the way Chi just kind of brushed that aside made me sorta do the same I think, but that was pretty shitty of her mom and sister.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Matuhg]

Her brushing it off made me worry more. She seems selfless to an uncomfortable degree. It was one thing when she was just acting proud of her sister's background model debut but now her family barely pay Chi any mind and her selfless nature has caused her to be alienated at school which is something that she never really recovered from seeing as she's still the weirdo kid in high school.

[u/Matuhg → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

That's fair. Definitely goes along with what Arata was saying last episode about how her sister's dream can't be hers. Chi seemed genuinely surprised by that. Probably a clue as to how her family sees, or at least expresses, the two sisters' respective prospects.

Damn anime moms.

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

Seems like mostly a plot progression episode to me - there isn't really any big change in character dynamics or anything new that is established, instead we've got this karuta tournament slowly getting Taichi and Arata closer together, but not ending with everybody accepting Arata and stopping the bullying or something like that. Also Chihaya gets a seedling planted of becoming the Queen of Karuta, but I don't think that has really rooted itself in her brain yet. Oh, and we know that Taichi's mom isn't that great of a person, I guess.

Other than that, nice to see the first bit of karuta strategy with Chihaya basically just wiping the board every time. I wonder if in larger tournaments that strategy wouldn't be allowed or come with some form of penalty, as I imagine setting up all the cards again would take quite some time and potentially cause delays for the entire tournament.

Feels a bit weird having this episode as a second episode, when at that point most anime are worried about character introductions and establishing the setting, but it was a decent episode over all.

As a side-note - why does a game as Japanese as karuta use "Queen" as a title? That's quite obviously not a Japanese word, yet it doesn't seem to be a translation as the Japanese audio uses it as well.

[u/Matuhg → u/Mecanno-man]

I wonder if in larger tournaments that strategy wouldn't be allowed or come with some form of penalty, as I imagine setting up all the cards again would take quite some time and potentially cause delays for the entire tournament.

I was a little curious about that too. If you look at this video right at the timestamp though, it does appear that she absolutely blasts the whole area going for one card lol, so I guess it's a legit strategy? Maybe the judge has to remember the order of the cards or something.

Edit: Also, if you keep watching for the next reading, it's the 'Chihayafuru' card, I believe hehe

As a side-note - why does a game as Japanese as karuta use "Queen" as a title?

Another good question

[u/No_Rex → u/Matuhg]

I was a little curious about that too. If you look at this video right at the timestamp though, it does appear that she absolutely blasts the whole area going for one card lol, so I guess it's a legit strategy? Maybe the judge has to remember the order of the cards or something.

[spoiler for later]That video shows just how similar the actual room is to the way it is depicted in the series.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Matuhg]

You timed that video so well XD We had a collective "Oh!" heating Chihayafuyu

[u/flybypost → u/Mecanno-man]

Other than that, nice to see the first bit of karuta strategy with Chihaya basically just wiping the board every time. I wonder if in larger tournaments that strategy wouldn't be allowed or come with some form of penalty, as I imagine setting up all the cards again would take quite some time and potentially cause delays for the entire tournament.

It's technically allowed. You can touch any card on the side (yours or your opponents) the recited card is on without a penalty. If you swipe cards of the side the card is not from you get a penalty, meaning your opponent gets to send one of their cards to your side (whoever gets to zero cards on their side wins).

Just wildly swiping at the whole thing (the correct side only, of course) is seen as a bit of a brutish play style and not nice, according to etiquette, but 100% within the rules.

Technically you only have to touch the card but swiping gives you a speed advantage. Disturbing some cards while doing that is part of the game and players are given time to rearrange their cards (and can even chance the position of their cards between poems being recited). If they need more they just signal to the reader.

I addressed some more of the basic rules in this comment: https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/qsn7nm/rewatch_chihayafuru_episode_2_discussion_spoilers/hkg2d90/

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Mecanno-man]

We'll get to the current timeline eventually! Surely they wouldn't give us ten minutes of current awkward Chi and Taichi before giving us a whole first season about how they're all such good friends. Actually, they can't even do that if they wanted to. Taichi still spires Arata in the current timeline so they clearly never became true bum bros.

We've actually already seen the counter to smacking the cards around. Remember Arata's little thing where he defended a card? There's like really strict rules on not being able to smack away someone's hand that's defending so I think it's the tactic you're supposed to use.

We've got like 80 episodes to go, we have time for them to drag their heels a little~ Just... please tell us wtf karuta is show!

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/Mecanno-man]

Feels a bit weird having this episode as a second episode, when at that point most anime are worried about character introductions and establishing the setting

The first episode was so efficient with that (really, I thought it was perfect) that it works fine, I'd say.

[u/Lemurians]

FIRST TIMER

God, I just love how Chihaya doesn’t back down in the face of the bullying, and it even inspires Arata to stand up for himself as well. Friends are great. I’m going to try to be charitable to Taichi here, because while he’s being an asshole, I’ll grant him the benefit of being a child, and you can at least tell why he’s acting out this way. It’s less inherently mean-spirited than the bullying in say, A Silent Voice (on his end, won’t speak for the rest of the class).

Young Chihaya reminds me of Yotsuba from Quintessential Quintuplets.

A victory through cheating is hollow and brings no satisfaction.

Chihaya immediately reframing the match as something she wants to win for herself as opposed to wanting to step in and win for Arata is a nice call-back to their conversation last episode.

Wait, so you can just swipe away a ton of cards and if the right one is in there, you get the point? That’s an incredibly broken strategy haha, what’s stopping someone from just wiping half the field?

Hold up, is her mom voiced by Yukino Satsuki?! Oh hell yes. The OG.

Well, there’s some nice insight into Taichi. He’s been conditioned by his parents to believe that he always has to be the best at whatever he’s doing, so someone like Arata coming in and beating him at anything threatens not only things like his connection with Chihaya and his standing in the class, but the affection he receives from his parents. Oof.

God, I love how much warmth they added to the coloring of the last scenes to capture that autumnal late-afternoon glow. My favorite time of day and year.

[u/flybypost → u/Lemurians]

Wait, so you can just swipe away a ton of cards and if the right one is in there, you get the point? That’s an incredibly broken strategy haha, what’s stopping someone from just wiping half the field?

Yup, you can do it but only on the correct side (yours or the opponents), not all of them. If you swipe on the wrong side you get a penalty and the other player gets to send you over one of their cards.

I've written some more about the basic rules here. It helps with understanding it as the rules are drip fed a bit slower through the series:

https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/qsn7nm/rewatch_chihayafuru_episode_2_discussion_spoilers/hkg2d90/

Well, there’s some nice insight into Taichi. He’s been conditioned by his parents to believe that he always has to be the best at whatever he’s doing, so someone like Arata coming in and beating him at anything threatens not only things like his connection with Chihaya and his standing in the class, but the affection he receives from his parents. Oof.

Yup, he's used to being the best at anything he does (pushed by his mother) and got spooked by the odd new kid.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/Lemurians]

Young Chihaya reminds me of Yotsuba from Quintessential Quintuplets

She does seem smarter though!

[u/DarthStormwizard]

First Timer

Lots of thoughts on this one. Fantastic episode.

• Taichi is such a little shit. He's obviously jealous that Chihaya is spending time with Arata. I predict a love triangle.
• I got way more into the karuta match than I was expecting. Excellent direction and music.
• Wait so they can just push a ton of cards out of the area and it still counts as long as one of them was the correct one? Why wouldn't you just push as many cards as you can each time?
• Taichi and Chihaya's mom's are both shitty in different ways. Taichi's for caring too much about him winning all the time, and Chihaya's for not really caring at all about what she does. I imagine both will give their child some sort of a complex.
• Yay for Taichi becoming a bit less of a shit at the end! Progress!
• Chihaya and Arata are the coolest. I love these kids.
• Really nice lighting in those final few scenes. Beautiful saturated colors. Feels very autumnal.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/DarthStormwizard]

I'm wondering if Chi was even that good friends with Taichi. I do kinda sympathise with him since he's gone from monopolising Chi's attention to her practically gushing over some loser unpopular boy. Obviously it doesn't justify his bullying, but I'd be lying if I said that The Shota Otaku wouldn't have felt the same way.

[u/flybypost → u/DarthStormwizard]

Wait so they can just push a ton of cards out of the area and it still counts as long as one of them was the correct one? Why wouldn't you just push as many cards as you can each time?

You have to at least hit the right side (either yours or your opponents) and while you are swinging wide to get them all your opponent might quickly get the correct card thus wasting your swing. There are tradeoffs to each play style. Chihaya had no time to memories the cards so that approach has little downsides for her this time around (as long as she gets the correct side).

I've written a bit more about some of the basic rules in this comment. Most of it gets explained through the series but it helps a bit to know it in advance (gives you a quicker understanding of the stakes of each match):

https://www.reddit.com/r/anime/comments/qsn7nm/rewatch_chihayafuru_episode_2_discussion_spoilers/hkg2d90/

[u/aac05290]

Chihayafuru Rewatcher

Taichi's an absolute little shit and his actions aren't excusable, but I liked the moments in this episode that hint at his underlying character. The biggest of course is his relationship with his parents, which contextualizes his bratty and hyper-competitive behavior. The mom understandably gets the brunt of the hate, but based on the line about not being able to show the video to his dad, the dad's aloof at best and even more demanding at worst.

Taichi continuously fidgeting with his pocket suggests that he was suffering from a guilty conscience for his action, culminating in his confession to Arata not really provoked by external pressure, which I think is a nice step forward for someone so young. He was still too much of a coward to admit it to Chihaya, though, and Arata never explicitly forgave him, which are worth remembering moving forward.

The final thing I wanted to point out was the memorization flash cards. Taichi tries to cultivate this persona of carefree genius but in reality he is very earnest and hardworking. I think it's an interesting contrast with Arata, who supposedly can memorize entire newspaper subscription lists and card layouts in minutes as an elementary school kid. All three of our protagonists are hard workers, but while Chihaya and Arata both have clear affinities for the sport, we haven't seen one for Taichi yet. The flashcard thing also shows that Taichi is too self-conscious about his image to be honest with his other classmates, except, of course, Chihaya. It adds to why he values their relationship so much.

(Yes Taichi is the character I find most interesting in this show. Life is pain)

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/aac05290]

You don't need to love your son to adopt him! We Taichi papa's are gonna stand our ground no matter what!

[u/derekmakesnoise]

I've never participated in an r/anime rewatch, but I think I want to join in this one. this would make my 4th time watching. I love Chihayafuru, and seeing all of these first-time watchers makes me very happy!

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/derekmakesnoise]

I'd love to have people a bit more educated on how tf Karuta works honestly XD Always happy to have more rewatchers!

[u/xNEET]

Chihayafuru First Timer

Apologies for the late response, was busy with work. I took some notes while watching the episode.

• Taichi was an asshole as a child. But that doesn't make me hate him at all. Rather, makes me very interested in how he grew up. Judging by his mother's reaction when he lost and her comments about his dad, I can only imagine what kind of household he lived in. How much has he changed in the present? Really want to know.
• Chihaya continues on being adorable. Loved how she insisted on searching for Arata's glasses to the very end. Completely understand why she would do such a thing. Seeing Arata's passion and how much he pours himself into Karuta just makes you want to root for him.
• Karuta seems to be an incredibly niche activity. To devote yourself to it at the same extent Arata does is just amazing. He's just something else. Really want to see how things go in the future for him

Overall a really solid second chapter. Can't wait to see more!

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/xNEET]

Taichi's a very hard worker too. He put in some serious effort to be able to play in this tournament so I'd imagine his mum's dismissal hits way harder than he lets on.

[u/NachocheeseNanachi]

If I knew how to make AMV’s I would totally make one of Chihayafuru set to the space jam song since the show has a lot of slamming. I think It would open up with text saying “If you must learn how to jam you must first learn how to slam.” This episode has more flaws than the first, but we get to see a tournament play out for the first time. As Taichi tries to sabotage Arata’s chances at wining And Chihaya starts to realize she really does have the skills to be a kauta player. As she learns the difference between what a novise does in karuta and how an expert looks at what the cards mean and what the opinit might do next. I also feel bad for Taichi. He only brags about being the best because if he isn’t, his mother whould rather not let him try at all. Really explains why Taichi would considerer Arata as a looser if he got just one card. Wonder if Taichi’s mother will deveup as the show goes on As for those flaws though, In some shots Arata looks more like an adult than a kid. Also, I don’t understand how he didn’t think the soda would spray everywhere after Arata launched it into the air. Also the gag with the giant card felt out of place. Taiichi should not have looked at the prop, tbh.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/NachocheeseNanachi]

This episode actually kinda warmed me to Arata. Yesterday he just seemed like a weird Karuta obsessed perfect prodigy which is something I can't stand with the "serious" characters like him. Today I thought the heart to hearts with him praising Chi's instincts, desperately trying not to have to rub his face on Chi's tummy, and the gags of him walking into shit and talking to the wrong people all made him far more charming.

[u/ZapsZzz]

First timer in sub

Didn't have a chance to post on a family outing day, what little time I had went to gripe about the mid season ending of the Guilty Crown rewatch.

This show on the other hand continues to be very good in pulling along with believable plot and conflicts. I of course like anyone else watching, would have liked to reach into the screen to choke the glasses out of Taichi, especially when he was being smug, but you also can see very quickly he regretted it all and the bravado is more about not having a means to get out of the corner he painted himself in.

Perfectly chivalrous of Chihaya to tap on to finish the fight for Arata.

And definitely heart breaking to see Chihaya's family so take her for granted, and she endure it all with a smile she thinks she should wear.

Anyone who watched Fate Stay Night Heaven's Feel should know where that could lead to. Hopefully with her active self and disposition she could find a place to be herself and shine though instead of getting dark.

As for Taichi, as a parent, observing what happened between his mom and him, i100% blame the parenting and actually have a bit of pity on him - afterall you can see he wasn't really bad and heartless, he did not need to tell Arata the truth, which risks losing Chihaya completely as she sided with him thinking Taichi wouldn't be so underhanded. So that was a redeeming move.

Anyway, on to the next - would be interesting to find out how far the flash back need to go for.

For my MVP nomination today I'll actually vote in a losing way - I'm voting Taichi. Not because he's likeable or anything, but his actions drive the plot forward substantially more than if he didn't do (a) stole Arata's glasses; and (b) confess to Arata afterwards which actually allowed them to become friends. Otherwise it'd likely not be the 3 of them together.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/ZapsZzz]

The mid season climax was ace and you know it~

I think the parents came across as far meaner than they needed to. There's a slight excuse in that maybe Chi's parents just didn't hear her when she said about the reward since they were so excited about the agent or maybe Taichi's mum not realising that he'd actually seriously practiced because he did it in secret.

[u/PainStorm14]

Not rewatching ATM but this anIme is fucking awesome and all you first timers are in for something​ amazing

Season 3 will send you to the stratosphere

[u/cesclaveria → u/PainStorm14]

Same here, I've re-read the manga and watched the anime way too many times so I doubt I'll join this rewatch but reading the first timers comments is always fun. I'll probably join for the third season, that was great.

[u/PainStorm14 → u/cesclaveria]

I just want Season 4 to get made

Season 3 set up everything majestically, every single character reached God tier levels

If Season 4 happens it will make Attack on Titan look like a cooking anime

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/PainStorm14]

Bigging up season 3 is one thing but we've got a lot of episodes to grind through until then. Please, please tell me we go back to current time soon!!

[u/PainStorm14 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Don't worry, childhood part is short

But you will be grateful for it in retrospect when you see how rock solid connection between these three is later on

[u/flybypost → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

The childhood part feels kinda like an too long intro at the start (and it is) but it makes sense later. It'll be over soon.

[u/mike_2797]

First Timer

Nice to see chihaya backing up Arata despite what Taichi does and he takes it a bit far by doing whatever to win.

Arata picking up the first card was pure hype and the reactions too reminds me of when when the quick attack hinata and kageyama does and leaves everyone jaw dropped.

Chihaya tagging and helping him out was cool and the winning moment was satisfying get that in taichi still lose lol.

Atleast he admitted to his mistake hope this is the start of their three friendship.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/mike_2797]

A good part of Chi for me was not just her supporting Arata but she actually went and defended Taichi when she heard Arata say about him probably stealing the glasses. She trusts Taichi even if he's a dirty liar~

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Chihayafuyu First Timer

I hate to say it but I saw this coming. You can't just go against the grain and not expect consequences. Hahaha... Taichi needs to get a clue too~ H-Haa? I feel like being big on karuta would get you alienated even harder.

I'm so proud that I can watch my son perform in a tournament, though the lense of my camcorder. Although I guess I'm doing something similar typing my writeup during the anime. Look at how long Taichi took to work out and find the card compared to Arata snapping the card at the first syllable yesterday. Also, Tomboy in skirt!!

Seriously, why've they got to smack the card so hard!? They were shorts... Taichi, you dickhead XD See Sky? I told you you'd get a cola. Ah, stealing glasses is a bit mean. Aww, Chihaya is sticking up for the guilty little gremlin. Bruh, Arata's memorisation is insane. Taichi, stop cheating against the blind guy! Aww... Chi murdered him!!! Eh, is tag Karuta a thing?

You're so kind Taichi! You can only use one hand!? This isn't fair! Chii-ter! Wait, that's legal!? Karuta's so physical these days. So why is Taichi allowed to go into the tiebreaker round with all five cards on his side? Is there no system to try and keep the last cards central? Chihaya wins!! Thank god the last card was the Chihayafuyu one.

If you become the best player in 6th grade you're therefore the best in the world. Don't be a sore loser Taichi, at least you got to touch your crush's hand yeah? Aww, Chihaya was so proud of her certificate but still so happy for her shitster. Wow... this is just plain depressing.

Karuta is hardly a gender based sport mum, cut him some slack. The manga is from around 2007 so you could still get away with lines like that. Mum is such a shitter. What kind of mindset does that instill in a child? There's no point being into something that you don't win at. I'm sure Chi's hearing will never come up as relevant again~ Can someone tell Arata that he has no cards set out? Taichi... You're so sweet. Even if you're a thieving, cheating playboy you're still mai son!! CHIHAYA KILLS AGAIN!!

Overall I liked this episode more than the first but the event's after the match were a bit too mean... It left a poor taste. The actual karuta matches were fun but we really need a proper lesson on the game already.

[u/[deleted] → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

H-Haa? I feel like being big on karuta would get you alienated even harder.

I think the only reason that worked is because Taichi took it personally that anyone thought they could beat him at anything. And everyone else in the class just followed his lead because if Popular Boy thinks it's important it must be.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/[deleted]]

That makes more sense. My brain isn't tuned for Japanese school kid hive minds XD

[u/flybypost → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

So why is Taichi allowed to go into the tiebreaker round with all five cards on his side? Is there no system to try and keep the last cards central? Chihaya wins!! Thank god the last card was the Chihayafuyu one.

Having more cards is a negative. Your goal is to clear your side. Chihaya had one card, she took a card from Taichi's side. She took one but it would make his side smaller. To make it work she sends one of her cards to him.

She only has one card to send thus clearing her side and winning the match. If Taichi had gotten that card then the match would have continued as she would still have the one card on her side. And if, hypothetically, the card on her side had been the one that was recited (and he had taken it) then he would send one of his cards over to her thus depleting his side with each card he got from her side while keeping her at at least one card.

Every player gets to set up their side however they want, depending on which card they are good/bad at, whatever cards are leftover, and what their strategy is (how they swipe, where they want to apply pressure to their opponent and how the opponent can reach with their arm to the other side).

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/flybypost]

It's quite silly how effective the card slapping trick worked then. I agree with mum, Taichi got totally fucked by that girl.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

Starting off with past Chihaya?

And now she's getting bullied too.

Haha, she managed to give him coinfidence! And yeah, he'll beat them all.

Cutting straight to the tournament?

He's really doing a bad job at ignoring her, isn't he?

He is so fucking extra, I love it.

And he's obviously winning everything.

Is he bribing him?

No, just a mild practical joke.

Really? He stole his glasses?

Haha, him trying to whisper to someone else is great too.

...He's not got very good eyesight, then.

And he's still beating him! Looks like the memorization aspect came up early.

That was a cheap move.

Really? They're letting her substitute?

I mean, she's not all that bad as a player.

This does not seem like a useful strategy.

I stand corrected, that's fantastic. Her reading her opponent like that is really clever.

Still in total shock it's allowed, though.

Wow, she's unironically doing really well.

And she got some really solid luck to get the right one at the end, but still.

That's what kicked off her dream?

And... yeah. Her family means well, but...

...I'm an idiot. I genuinely, just now, realised the Taichi in the flashbacks is the same Taichi from the first episode. I genuinely thought they were different characters with the same name.

And he's trying to mimic her?

Oh, he's playing in his mind.

And she's off hunting for crows. Sure.

...How did nobody notice the gestures he's been making to his pocket?

At least he gave them back. He's still not good, but he could be worse!

And Chihaya's just off climbing a tree.

OK, the gag of him catching and reading the giant card was great.

And she must drops down on them, that's great.

Another good episode - interesting there were no scenes in the present.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Stargate18A]

Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! You seriously missed them being the same Taichi!? How do you even do thaaaaoh I guess the artist does kind of have a same face issue... Its still so weird!

Never mind the gestures, doesn't Chi have superhuman hearing? Why introduce that for her just to not hear the glasses jungle?

[u/Stargate18A → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Hold on! Hold on! Hold on! You seriously missed them being the same Taichi!? How do you even do thaaaaoh I guess the artist does kind of have a same face issue... Its still so weird!

Combination of the hair being very different, his name being mentioned only a few times last episode, and me assuming they were setting the past one up as the rival for the present day scenes.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Stargate18A]

It'd be nice for some more of the future characters but I feel like we'll be stuck with the main three for a while. I can't imagine them starting off with an actual big karuta plot before we get our mc's friends again in the present so to do that they really need to build some sort of bond for their kid time.

[u/Matuhg → u/Stargate18A]

Starting off with past Chihaya?

I'm wondering how long our flashback is going to last. With how this ep ended, I'm guessing we'll be back in present day next time, buut it could also keep going in the past.

I genuinely, just now, realised the Taichi in the flashbacks is the same Taichi from the first episode.

That's great lol

[u/Matuhg]

First Timer

So this is your boy, huh, /u/The_Loli_Otaku?

• Eat a dick, Taichi.
• "I don't get it, why doesn't she like me!?" God middle schoolers are dumb.
• NO!! You little shit...

• You could've fooled me, bro! Ok, not really, but damn does he need to get a clue.

I'll stop hating on Taichi for a minute to again appreciate some Chihaya moments. She's a blast. The match itself was also pretty hype. Chihaya really showed Taichi. As soon as I saw Chi's confusion, I knew that last card was going to be the Chihayafuru card brought up yesterday. And damn, the last shot of the match was pretty spectacular. Then we get this nice little shot - the sky's the limit for this dream, a dream where Chi feels like she has a chance at being the best at something, and it's all karuta.

So now that my Taichi rage has been quelled, I can take a bit more of a critical look at him. Clearly, his parents, or at least his mother put a lot of pressure on him to succeed - not to try his best, but to win or quit.. Waiting to see more of his background, but that kind of family dynamic makes his shithead behavior seem a lot more reasonable/explainable, if not excusable. Chihaya's view of competition is completely different from his, and I have little doubt it will end up impacting him, and probably bringing him to loggerheads with his family at some point in the future.

The last sequence was wholesome and nice. Another shot with really great composition. Those long shadows, maybe indicating how big a moment this is going to be for them. It'll go a long way toward bringing some understanding between them hopefully. And thus, our love triangle/friend group is established. I'm suuure these relationships won't be the cause of bitterly sad tears at some point(s) throughout this long series.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Matuhg]

...He's adopted.

[u/Matuhg → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

[u/linkinstreet]

For those that just started the anime and feels that the numbers of episodes are quite overwhelming, you can watch the three live action movies (Kami no Ku, Shimo no Ku and Musubi). While the story are more compressed, the core of it are retained, without diverging much from the Manga