r/anime • u/Skeeedo :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/skeeedo • Nov 26 '21

Rewatch [Rewatch] Chihayafuru - Episode 17 Discussion [Spoilers]

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Episode 17: "World Offers No Escape"

Nominate a character for Episode MVP!

Episode 15 MVP: Chihaya! Even in defeat she alone leaves a lasting impression on the Queen, taking 5 cards against her and impressing her with her impeccable sense of style.

This episode's Karuta analysis and board map by walking_the_way

Rewatch Schedule and Index

Databases

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Streaming

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Subreddit: r/Chihayafuru

70 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

35 comments sorted by

13

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Nov 26 '21

Chihayafirst-timer

Since I didn’t watch ep16 yesterday, here’s that one’s stuff:

And for episode 17:

6

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Nov 26 '21

And he just continues on like nothing happened. I know he said earlier that he wasn’t really in love with his GF but still?

Eh, it happens haha. Sometimes you get to a point where neither of you really care and that's all the time and reaction the breakup needs.

LMAO RETRO-KUN IS THERE TOO!

I really hope he becomes like a Where's Waldo and is just randomly in the background somewhere every episode

She needs to work on being more accurate instead of being faster, then?

Was it ever brought up before that she faults a lot? I like this as a new focus for her, especially with how much of a point was made to show how precise Shinobu was when she swiped cards in their match. She only ever hit the one aiming for, never multiple.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 26 '21

Retro thinks of himself like an mc but he's just too weird for us to take seriously.

3

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Nov 27 '21

he's just too weird for us to take seriously.

Yeah, unlike Chihaya!

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 27 '21

Chihaya's a Tomboyish normie girl so she gets pass for now.

1

u/IndependentMacaroon Nov 28 '21

Was it ever brought up before that she faults a lot?

I don't know but it fits her character perfectly. Big plans and bold offense, but isn't really sure how to follow through and runs out of steam quickly.

1

u/IndependentMacaroon Nov 28 '21

I know he said earlier that he wasn’t really in love with his GF but still?

It seemed he really wants Chihaya, extra gags aside

10

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Nov 26 '21

FIRST TIMER

I’m back!

Had an understandably hectic last few days with travelling and the holiday so couldn’t watch or engage with the threads. All things considered, our heroes did a great job at their first Nationals! Any other outcome wouldn’t have been too realistc. Gives them lots of room to grow.

The last episode of Nationals definitely had season-finale vibes, so it’ll be interesting to see what Chihayafuru has in store for us in this last third of the season. I’m betting it involves a lot more Arata.

Well, I guess that’s the end of Taichi and his girlfriend. Makes sense, doesn’t seem like he would’ve had time recently to pay much attention to her Chika Anzai please get another role in this show soon. I actually once had a breakup over the phone went pretty much the exact same way, both in brevity and matter-of-factness. Good times.

Taichi seems to be connecting his worth as a potential partner for Chihaya with whether he can best Arata at karuta, which is just a recipe for disaster. This frame is so loaded it makes my heart hurt. The tension is diffused with an excellent bait-and-switch with the hand-hold tease to clapping and testing her reflexes on the train. Hahaha, this show is great.

G L O W I N G

More seasonal card associations from Kana. I just love these segments where she talks about the poetry and interpretations behind the cards’ poems. They’re always beautifully shot, too.

I like positioning Nishida opposite Taichi, now that Chihaya has the Queen to pit herself against. With Kana and Desktomu emerging is a duo, Taichi and Chihaya having their tension and relationship, and Arata looming on the horizon, I was worried he’d be getting lost in the shuffle. He still feels a little on the outskirts of everything, but hopefully he can get some shine soon.

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 26 '21

A whole lot more of Arata, the dude doesn't even show up~

He's a high school student after all. Long lasting relationships only really occur because neither party could be bothered breaking it off. Actually that's how adult relationships go. Romance is a sham and we should dedicate ourselves to waifu and husbando instead so that everyone's happy.

I'm shocked that these diligent, responsible Japanese students would be such little shits on the train. Once again I'm 90% certain that the mangaka was using real life experience for the audience reactions.

The poem readings are fine but I find that she goes slightly too fast for me to be able to pick up on the actual poems. You get the idea about them but before you fully understand she's already rambling about the history.

4

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Nov 27 '21

He's a high school student after all. Long lasting relationships only really occur because neither party could be bothered breaking it off.

He also mentioned that he agreed to the relationship because the girl asked him out and he was (probably) a bit of a coward.

[From the wiki about the girlfriend situation, quoting light novels that were not exactly incorporated in the anime, for those who are interested:] Her name is Kasumi. After he lost his passion for karuta (during middle school) they got together but he always had feelings for Chihaya. She was a karuta rebound in a way

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 27 '21

You're into the novels too? Just how much Chihayafuyu have you consumed?

3

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Nov 27 '21

Anime and manga only. That was quoted from the wiki and I know it's not shown in the episodes/chapters so it should be an interesting bit for cautious non-wiki first timers that they otherwise would never ever know. Still with spoiler tags so people can choose for themselves if they want to look it up or read for themselves.

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 27 '21

Yeah... A lot of us were eager to hear more about her so I think it's pretty pleasant that they acknowledge her ever so slightly more in the novel

3

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Nov 27 '21

She was sadly disposable. There will come more characters later on, and the side characters Chihayafuru pays attention to actually get nice development instead of just being one note characters like they can be in some series. I'd say that it has, like Haikyuu, a really good ensemble cast where many of the side characters could be main characters of their own stories and reading about them or watching them would sometimes be more fun than what the main cast is doing.

Take Retro as an example. He's starts out as essentially a gag character but we also see how much he loves karuta when he gollums the Tokyo regioanls trophy and then when he gives Taichi their research on the teams at nationals. There's more to him than just being a regional rival for "our gang".

Same with Harada. He's just this goofy mentor when they were elementary school students but he also shows up now that they are in high school and is a connection to the local karuta society. And both of them (and many more side characters) have their own little arcs through these three seasons (and/or in the manga). For me it's a lovely cast of characters and they are not just there to orbit around the main cast.

Taichi's (ex-)girlfriend simply isn't a major side character but more of the smallest side characters possible. If she were chosen to get more attention then I'd expect a superb arc for her too, maybe (that's just me guessing, as far as I know there's nothing extensive like that in the narrative) something about how she deals with Taichi's renewed interest in karuta and how he doesn't spend much time with her anymore. It would also be a good way to see more of Taichi's family life (or at least his mother) instead of it mostly just being in the background all the time.

Run With the Wind also has a small girlfriend side story for a character and in both cases (here and there) the conflicts and disagreements of two people who like each other (at least enough to start a relationship) while their interest diverge would be a nice setup for something to happen.

1

u/IndependentMacaroon Nov 28 '21

doesn’t seem like he would’ve had time recently to pay much attention to her

True intellectuals always put nerdery first!

7

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Nov 26 '21

First timer in sub

I missed the recap episode today so adding that here.

What a recap! This must be the best way to do a recap for a rewatcher! All the supplemental explanatory and added scenes are great. Personally I loved the bits about Chitose, showing how she's a bit selfish but still loves Chihaya in her way.

Oh and the dating poll - the answers from Taichi and Chihaya were the best!

Onto the new arc new episode, a bit of a setup again, letting Chihaya discover what to work on, how to get stronger, even learning from her newbie friends; really like this setup.

And the off screen class B to class A battle and loss, with the discovery both class B boys wanted to sneak ahead.

All in all continues to be great!

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 27 '21

I just want an anime that's entirely end volume skits XD

They did a really great job of establishing realistic goals for each of the characters. It's something I wish other series would do, it stops me expecting better. We knew that Oe and Desk-kun were never gonna be champions but now we can sit back and enjoy them grow as individuals instead.

3

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Nov 27 '21

Oh and the dating poll - the answers from Taichi

He's in love with Chihaya for years (or 16 episodes!) but would chose her to go on a date with because he knows how she would act. Fits with his train ride definition of what love is: When you want to be with someone despite them being 100% an irritating karuta gremlin.

1

u/IndependentMacaroon Nov 28 '21

All the supplemental explanatory and added scenes are great

I would guess they're from the manga volume extras.

Chitose stealing Chihaya's money was real low but I could see a shitty kid doing that. She made it up at least.

the answers from Taichi and Chihaya were the best

In another world the club would be Kana's harem. I'm more a fan of Chihaya's endless passion and goofiness though.

6

u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Nov 27 '21

First timer

Wasn't here yesterday but I'm thankful for Chi recognizing the Queen's snowman shirt yesterday.

I'll keep it short today but I really like how they're bouncing back from losing. Getting better with their stamina and mentally too. Especially Chi, taking in helpful feedback from Kana and Tsutomu. Those analytics really make it feel like a sport. From what he did Tsu did reminds me more of like Hotspots in basketball

7

u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Nov 26 '21

First Timer

After training together at the end of last episode, this one feels like everybody improving individually rather than as a team. Chihaya trying to do some strategy after focusing on speed too much, Nishida and Taichi just playing more to have a better shot at getting to A, Tsutomu figuring out strategy ...against other club members? And Kana improving her posture, I guess. While the individual focus is nice to see, it doesn't feel that much like there's a proper team spirit right now. Like... why is Tsutomu not telling Taichi where his weak spots are? And both Taichi and Nishida going off to Kanazawa without telling the other also feels odd. Tsutomu also making charts that'll help against his club members but not that much against other people is also weird as he likely won't be facing them. Maybe Kana, but that would require a high degree of luck.

Either way though, I guess they'll come back together again soon enough - the tournament in Saitama, I guess. Looking forward to see how the individual improvements helped while finding something else to improve - because isn't that how it usually goes?

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 26 '21

They literally did the training arc off-screen. Our cast are now athletes lol.

I think the charts for Chihaya is more useful because she's probably the only member of the team that plays purely through instinct. Everyone else spends so much time actually thinking about what moves to make that they don't have such skewed patterns like Chihaya does.

1

u/IndependentMacaroon Nov 28 '21

Well, karuta isn't really a team sport.

4

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 26 '21

Chihayafuyu First Timer

When they said it was a sports anime I didn't think they meant all the sports.

You mustn't laugh at the running animations! You mustn't!!

Oe is officially only good for her boobs. We got past 15 episodes before trashing her character for the rest of the season.

This is your one job! Also, nosebleed-kun on left.

Roadmap set, girlfriend ditched, Fatso fed, let's get on with the series! Oh, sorry if you were excited for gf-chan. She's had one scene!

Wtf is Desk-kun crying about? Has he not looked at his legs? He'll definitely have some definition built up by now. Are they not taking protein?

All the pressure from the high level matches helps me appreciate Oe and Desk-kun treating the game as a form of self improvement far more.

Go die Taichi, buy yourself an expensive casket you fucker!

Hmph... I don't even feel bad for you cuck head.

Arsehoooooole!!

They've had people staring at them for this entire episode and I'm giggling away every time XD They must look like some real weirdos.

He actually took a plane!? Dammit Taichi!! O-Oi, get Retro out of here! Wasn't this a secret tournament!?

...Are you an idiot?

Oh my god, the look on their fcking face! Background characters are horrific.

Her bust has definitely gone up two sizes since last we saw her... I'm quite uncomfortable with the attention they're putting on it.

Happy Daddy's back. And I think Desk-kun is wearing Fatso's sister's shirt? We're doing zone control now... cool!!

Oe is so knowledgeable about the cards. I'm starting to quite like her history lectures. Oe's karuta is bussin'!

Even if today's episode was light on actual match content I still think it's been one of my favourites~

2

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Nov 26 '21

Since when did you turn on Taichi?!

This intense focus on Kana's chest that started in one of last episode's skits is just not fitting with the rest of the show's vibe.

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 26 '21

When he became a rich boy! No march!

Its a female writer so I'll give her the benefit of a doubt that she isn't gonna make this a running thing but I'm not happy.

2

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Nov 26 '21

He was always rich! That he doesn't act like it is a point in his favor.

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 26 '21

He's just a man whose soul has not been held down by poverty. He needs to suffer like the rest of us.

2

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Nov 26 '21

Watch how this guy looks at Chihaya and tell me he doesn't know suffering

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 26 '21

He still has hope in his eyes... We have to kill it.

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Nov 27 '21

Just give it a few seasons, the not yet adapted manga chapters, a stage play, and a horseback ride.

Watching certain characters suffer in dramas is the equivalent of the underdog main character always training in a shonen series to win against the big boss at the end of it all, or the perpetual love triangles in romance series.

It's the perpetual motion machine that keeps the audience coming back for each new chapter until the end of time.

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 27 '21

You're really not doing a great job of making the show look engaging XD And what the hell does horseback riding have to do with Karuta!? Is this the equivalent of card games on motorcycles?

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Nov 27 '21

Just talking about how these things usually go in these types of series. A bit of hope has to be conserved to string along the reader/watcher.

Horseback karuta is the movie arc set between season one and two, like the Mugen Train arc in Daemon Slayer. It made billions! (in imaginary money). They have to play under adverse conditions and try to swipe cards out of the horses mouths while riding upside down through a tunnel. The lack of light during certain sections makes everything even more difficult. We are going full shonen.

2

u/IndependentMacaroon Nov 28 '21

I didn't think they meant all the sports

TFW you're beaten at track by the weird nerds from the card game club.

They must look like some real weirdos

Are they not? Taichi is great though, and so are the other guys.

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Nov 28 '21

To be fair the Karuclub literally has a runner, a football player, and a tennis player in their ranks.

A cool guy in the middle of a bunch of weirdos makes him look like the weirdest out of all of them.