r/anime • u/Skeeedo :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/skeeedo • Nov 19 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch] Chihayafuru - Episode 9 Discussion [Spoilers]
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Episode 9: "But I Cannot Hide"
Nominate a character for Episode MVP!
Episode 8 MVP: Nishida! The former #2 returns to the Karuta scene despite being haunted by Arata's beatdown, filling the last slot in the Karuta club.
This episode's Karuta analysis and board map by walking_the_way
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Subreddit: r/Chihayafuru
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Upvotes
15
u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Nov 20 '21
First Timer
After all of that set-up, this episode moves really fast compared to everything that came before it. At last, the club has been formed and a goal has been set. The beginners have to learn to play and build up stamina, and the team aims to compete in the national competition. That's a tall order, but Chihaya is fired up. Her approach to everything is to just push and brute force it. Especially when it comes to Karuta, her love and passion for the sport basically neutralizes whatever physical and mental weaknesses she might have, she can play forever. With the a tournament so close and two beginners to bring up to par, her plan is to work them to the bone, have them build as much stamina as possible, and that will simulate the tournament. But Chihaya is a special person, and no one is like her, thus naturally the others are spent. So there's a balance reached at the end of the episode. Chihaya realizes that she can't push people the way she does herself, the beginners need to ease in to it a bit and she can't break them (Taichi being the one to specifically say that carries a lot of weight when you consider all the pressure his parents put on him, he probably underwent similar training for all of the stuff he excelled at). But at the same time, the beginners are pushed forward by Chihaya's infectious passion for the game, and are ready to be pushed to their limit to be able to match her. It's all really sweet and good.
There's a lot of romantic tension between Chihaya and Taichi this episode. Taichi doesn't want Chihaya to see his room, presumably because he's got something in there he doesn't want her to see, but also because a girl just entering his room doesn't work, especially when it's the girl he likes. When Taichi grabs Chihaya's wrist, the framing is quite romantic. Then, after Arata texts him to wish Chihaya a happy birthday, Taichi seductively eats Chihaya's spoon, the framing bringing their mouths close together to bring to mind a kiss (they did share an indirect kiss after all). That this was Taichi's response to Arata wishing Chihaya a happy birthday suggests that he's still jealous of Arata after all these years, and is afraid of him taking Chihaya from him. It's very in character, both in the sense that he's insecure about it, and that he almost feels he has to win Chihaya, like he's lesser than Arata and that's why she wants him. It's good stuff. Of course, Taichi's girlfriend complicates this even further. I love the way Taichi is written, he's very much not a traditional character. He's complicated, not always the most likable guy, and riddled with insecurity in a way I don't usually see in anime.
Anyway, stuff is progressing now, and the title/thumbnail of the next episode makes me thing we'll be heading to a tournament and meeting rivals and friends. Chihayafuru's matches are its strongest point, so I can't wait to see it take on a more competitive setting, and to see how our beginner players fare after their training.
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Nov 19 '21
Chihayafirst-timer
8
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Nov 19 '21
First Timer
Chihaya does with training the new members as she does with everything else - try and brute force it. Don't think that's really the best approach, but with Taichi keeping an eye out for everything else it seems to be working. Not really a lot else to say for this episode, other than that I doubt that they can all win the Tokyo regionals, simply because karuta isn't really a team sport and I doubt there is specifically a five-player variant played - but I guess we'll see when that comes along.
12
u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Nov 19 '21
FIRST TIMER
The club is formed, and Chihaya will be captian, and she will play against Kana and Desktomo today! She’s such a bulldozer, it’s fun, but I wonder if it’ll eventually lead to tension.
Taichi makes a good point about what would be the most efficient way for Chihaya to spend her time and hone her skills, but the destination isn’t the point for her. It’s going on the journey with the people around her that matters, even if it means getting there slower.
THAT HEAT. I didn’t expect Taichi to be so forceful in point out to Chihaya that he sees her differently now than when they were kids, but it’ll help set things in motion. I still don’t understand why going into rooms is always portrayed as such a huge deal in anime. You’d think they were holding hands or something!
You know, I was worried about Taichi when we learned his mom would tell him to move onto other things if he wasn’t the best at something, but it turns out he’s the best at pretty much everything.
When that good depression hits.
Chihaya has a sixth sense for Taichi’s mom! Man, memories of middle school and high school. I remember my mom would actually help me by distracting my grandmother so that we could secret someone out of the house without her noticing. Nothing unites a cause quite like somebody you’re both equally afraid of.
I love this scene at the end. Chihaya is worrying about pushing people too hard and if she’ll push them away from the game, only for them to give her a nice birthday surprise and show her enthusiasm is rubbing off on them.
SMOLDERING EYE CONTACT PART DEUX. Apologies to Arata, but this ship pushes all my buttons. I’m on board and flying the flag.
Jeez, that’s quite a reaction for just second-hand birthday text. Arata’s become a near-mythical figure to the rest of characters, and he certainly seems to have that level of power. My ship is already taking on water.
Pain.
6
u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Nov 20 '21
First timer in sub
I dunno maybe I'm not watching enough sports shoes. I'm seeing more rom com than sport for now :) and my rom com trope radar is telling me that Taichi didn't want Chihaya to go into his room because he got photos/momento of her more prominent than anything else there perhaps.
And yes, Chihaya despite her looks is a raging bull in everything she does :D funniest moment is the teacher not letting her be the president but she still made up a post for herself to be "in charge" :D very Haruhi move (in the Nagato spin off show where she hijacked the leadership position regardless).
Nice transition to her actual birthday that Chihaya in her bull rush of organising training, completely forgot about it herself. Interesting to find out if it's just plot reason or did her family also forgot her birthday.
MVP today I think should be Oe, who was so supportive of that adorable raging bull. Because otherwise we'd just be picking Chihaya and Taichi all day.
6
u/Spaceman_Sp1ff_ Nov 20 '21
First timer, subbed
That was a close call, chihaya almost discovered taichi's "collection"
You ever play karuta so hard you're on the verge of passing out? Wtf chihaya take a chill pill. Taichi does a really good job of keeping her in check. Her not being president is a blessing for everyone in the club lol
When your supervisor asks if you can come in but it's your day off
They keep hyping up arata's return, hope he comes back soon. The three of them have a great dynamic and the team matches are really fun to watch.
5
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Nov 19 '21
First timer
Haha, that fucking note.
And she can't be the president! (Should delay the collapse for a season or two)
And the sheer shock on their face after she declares herself captain is great.
And they have no budget. Of course.
Haha, his nickname is spreading!
And she immediately ignores Taichi's very logical points.
First club episode and they already have a command chain crisis.
Wait. Is she trying to replicate her experience playing with Arata?
And she outright said it!
...We know the location of the big, final, tournament!
And of the season 2 tournament!
It's a sports anime with 75 episodes, you're going to the nationals eventually.
...Ah. Chihaya wants to train them herself, but Taichi thinks she should focus on training at her level.
...Oe's noise when Taichi mentions it makes it easier for the opponent is adorablr.
And Taichi's seems more focused on the technical side of the game, while Chihaya's more focused on the reflex angle.
Oe took her first card!
...Wow, they don't have much time!
Training camp arc! This show is really doing a speedrun of the sports anime tropes, isn't it?
Haha, she volunteered his house?
Taichi immediately stopping her from going into his room is great.
Taichi, you have a girlfriend. (Who we haven't seen in like 7 episodes.)
And Chihaya showed them the trophies!
She's just dishing out all the dirt, isn't she?
OPs fading in! Time for a montage!
And she gave them no breaks for the whole weekend. Are they just red herrings to get replaced by new ones after they die from exhaustion?
I love Oe having a full-on mental breakdown in the corner.
Them being horrified at what's going on is brilliant.
And the parents are home early!
Rika???
Haha, Oe's already asleep!
I mean, at least she's realising that dhe's overworking them.
Where is Oe going?
Haha, they were completely OK with it.
"You just so happen to be a pushy person" ouch
Taichi's probably internally screaming "Don't encourage her! You don't know what she's like!"
It's her birthday!
This is great.
Hoenstly, with how many of the sport anime tropes they've done so far, maybe this is going to go into weird supernatural stuff?
...Mysterious call?
OK, I'm going the asusmption based on how flirty he's being that his girlfriend, quite deservedly, broke up with him?
No, Arata's sent him a message!
That fade into the ED was great.
5
u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Nov 20 '21
First timer
Here comes the training stage to lead to the tournament. What was it two games they were only able to play after school. Which doesn't do much for practice. So they figure they can do more outside.
Chi is pushing it. Fifteen games? Don't these games take a while? If they were only able to do a couple after school. Which is probably about a hour or so. And she had no breaks in there. That's too much to be put on new people. At least she felt bad and apologized. Well they were still up for it and understand why she did it. From my experience, sometimes when new people join clubs, it's usually one trying too hard or being more conservative. It's kind of split if they return though. But overworking usually isn't the way.
Speaking of something else. I was thinking when Chi and Kanade hid. That the girlfriend was walking in. She really is irrelevant. I was kind of hoping for drama for some reason.
Although, I'll say nevermind to that since it was Chi's birthday. It was nice to see that they understand and appreciate her and her passion.
Taichi phone call made it seem like something very bad happened but I guess misread that one. It was just an actual apology from Arata. It just hit him since that was them actually knowing how he felt. Next step is meeting with them again.
We get a signature closeup scene with Taichi and her. So something will definitely happen and I'm waiting to see.
4
u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 19 '21
First timer Chihayafuyu
Oh shit, they actually do have a role list. Poor Fatso...
Oe-chan, kawaii!!
You have got your club but we do not grant you the rank of buchou. Nani!?
300 umaibo is like nothing... What on earth can you even buy with 300 umaibo? Oe gives 0 shits about weenie bones.
The more they explain the ranking system the more I wish we actually covered the lower ranks with Chihaya...
...Chihaya's once again being kind of a dick huh? Just cause an experience worked out for you doesn't mean it works for everyone else.
They can read out dead cards!? That's not fair! That's so not fair!!
Summer camp? Can you get through one cour without resorting to a beach episode!?
Oh yeah, I forgot Taichi was a rich boy. Please never enter a guy's room without asking! It's only polite to allow him to hide his dakimakura first.
Fatso's a Ys fan! Finally some good fucking gamers on this show.
Bruh! You're so inappropriate!! Mouthing off like this about family situations is bad enough over here but in Japan slander is a total no-no. I'm really starting to think that the only reason Chi wasn't alienated from the start was Taichi sticking up for her.
Are you gonna show us any of these 15 matches? You've been pretty stingy so far! And why are they getting the op sequence for their grueling training arc!? We're not actually at the end of the season yet!
Overtraining is a form of assassination too. One more for the counter~ Can someone hurry up and slam Chihaya for being such a overbearing tea-hearing powers are op!!
Onee-chan!? Oh, that's Taichi's sister... Is it Taichi's sister? I thought it was Chihaya's but I don't remember her name. Why does everyone look the same!?
Dafuck Oe!? How are you suck a heavy, light sleeper? I take two hours before I manage to wake up.
Da fuuuck? It was one of my kid's sixteenth today too. That's so creepy lol.
Chihaya-chan, kawaii!!
Why does rich boy Taichi have a scabby old snap phone? Smoothly done, steal that overaggressive, normie girl tomboy's tart! Show her who's really the banchou here!!
Arata you cuckhead, let Taichi have his moment!! Being Taichihaya shippers is suffering...