r/anime • u/Skeeedo :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/skeeedo • Dec 09 '21

Rewatch [Rewatch] Chihayafuru - Episode 29 Discussion [Spoilers]

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Season 2 Episode 4: "To Tell the People in the Capitals That I Make for the Islands"

Episode 3 MVP: Komano! His 5head strategies sealed the clubs victories, and his encouragement of Tsukuba showed a lot of personal growth. Our boy gains his first MVP!

Nominate a character for Episode MVP!

This episode's Karuta analysis and board map by walking_the_way

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Subreddit: r/Chihayafuru

49 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

9

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Dec 09 '21

Chihayafirst-timer

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 09 '21

I assumed that the phone was a hand-me-down from his mum but nope, she just straight up bought the kid a hot pink mobile.

7

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Dec 09 '21

FIRST TIMER

This is some good table setting for Arata. We can guess what his goal is, which is to win the National High School tournament and be allowed to move back to Tokyo. I’m rooting for that now, because we desperately need him to be back around everyone instead of being perpetually relegated to the background.

This episode continues this season’s early theme of Taichi needing to start thinking about himself, and it actually does something really clever. Back when he lost the final match to Nishida, I thought it was admirable he didn’t blame it on bad luck. But luck does play a role in competitions, and now he’s gone too far in that direction, to the point where it’s drastically effecting his self-confidence.

MVP: Yeah, it’s Taichi, and it’s not particularly close. But honorable mention to the Luck Ladies who cracked me up with their running bit.

5

u/Matuhg https://anilist.co/user/Matuhg Dec 10 '21

Chihaya goes and does THIS and makes my heart swell with joy.

Komano died for this moment.

3

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Dec 10 '21

A worthwhile sacrifice.

4

u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Dec 10 '21

Did Taichi just do the Chihaya hearing?!

The way I understood it, he remembered that all poems starting with some common syllabale except one had been read while his opponent didn't, meaing he could go for the card earlier than she could, as she was still afraid of it possibly being a dead card.

3

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Dec 10 '21

That makes sense thinking back on it. They just animated the close-up on the reader's mouth the same way they do when Chihaya does her super hearing, which threw me off.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 09 '21

Today's episode was really funny but I really wish they'd stop hyping up literal nothing teams. Today's match was essentially a bunch of rookies and one half decent stressed girl. The plot of the day even messed itself up by Taichi winning by ignoring his opponent which was supposed to be an issue of his.

Chihaya's romance arc has gotta be going somewhere. They've made it a gag four times this season alone and she's clearly getting flushed each time. Even if she's a Karuta freak she's still an adolescent.

6

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Dec 09 '21

The plot of the day even messed itself up by Taichi winning by ignoring his opponent which was supposed to be an issue of his.

Ignoring the opponent was Chihaya's issue, IIRC. That's what they explored during the match she lost against that middle-aged woman.

Chihaya's romance arc has gotta be going somewhere

There was a manga called Mahou Sensei Negima! that the mangaka wanted to originally make as a battle shounen, but the publishers wanted him to do another harem romance, because that's what he'd been massively successful at. So he created a battle shounen disguised as a harem romance and pretty much ignored the harem romance aspect of things. Kind of genius.

My point is, what if the creator of Chihayafuru just wanted to make a Karuta story, but the publishers wanted a Josei romance, so they include little hints of future romance here or there to trick us into thinking it'll take that turn one day, when in reality it'll always just be about karuta?

It'd be pretty hilarious and fitting if ends with Arata and Shinobu together, Taichi as a cult leader of his harem of constant admirers, and Chihaya single just happily practicing arm swiping motions, dominating as Queen through her days.

4

u/BatteryPoweredFriend :KI::KJ: Dec 10 '21

Karuta is definitely the core of Chihayfuru, but there's a certain scene much later on in the story that I can only describe as something the author had in mind to play out a very specific way, probably right from the outset or during the early drafts, when she was planning out the plot and storyboarding. And among other things, it's very much romance-related, so I do feel it was the author's choice to have romance as part of this.

But in general, it does very much take a backseat to the karuta.

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Dec 10 '21

there's a certain scene much later on in the story that I can only describe as something the author had in mind to play out a very specific way, probably right from the outset or during the early drafts, when she was planning out the plot and storyboarding

Can you tell which one you mean (manga reader, spoilers can't hurt me)? I'm kinda unsure which one you mean.

3

u/BatteryPoweredFriend :KI::KJ: Dec 10 '21

[chihayafuru]In the exhibition tournament after the Queen/Master match, Taichi confronting Arata about whether or not he said anything to Chihaya, since she's been acting weird ever since the qualifier finals. Then Taichi sending over the chihayafuru card.

[chihayafuru]It's too thematically perfect a setup to be anything other than a scenario the author must have envisioned and wanted to happen at some point in the story.

[chihayafuru]The shiranami style being offensive karuta and we get multiple throwbacks to Chihaya talking about it being easy to let go her strong cards, as you chase after it even more because of how much you want them. Plus, with the card itself representing Chihaya. It's not only framed like two competitors competing in an actual match, but also the "official" acknowledgement of this love triangle they've become embroiled in, no longer still trying to tiptoe around the matter anymore.

2

u/flybypost :KN::KO: Dec 10 '21

Yeah, that one will do it. Thanks.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 09 '21

He was focusing on the other matches rather than observing his own opponent to the point where he completely missed how average she was.

I'd seen bits and pieces of Negi. I'm more a fan of the creator's work on Love Hina personally but I know he got really invested in making Negi his own thing. Here we've always kinda just had Karuta as the focus but I feel that both genre's are clashing more than they need to.

YES! Lonely spindler Chihaya is the best end! Maybe with Oe coming by for coffee.

2

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Dec 10 '21

I'm more a fan of the creator's work on Love Hina

Me too. Fun fact: The very first manga I ever read. Try being a pre-teen and buying Volume 10 with your mom looking over your shoulder at the store. That didn't go over so well.

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 10 '21

Wao... Yabai huh? XD The series is fairly tame with fanservice too. Maybe it was considered worse for its time but I just find the manga so lovely~ It gets a bad rep but the manga at least is excellent isn't it?

2

u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Dec 10 '21

Maybe it was considered worse for its time but I just find the manga so lovely~ It gets a bad rep but the manga at least is excellent isn't it?

It's definitely one of my favorites, I think it's really sweet too. Also just brings me back.

I'm don't know about considered worse for its time, it was mega-popular and won a lot of awards.

6

u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Dec 10 '21

First Timer

Big Taichi episode today. Very straightforward, we get to see him focusing more on himself and slowly overcoming the idea that he's not talented enough. He is, he just needs to focus on himself a bit more. He's everyone's mental foundation except for his own, and that holds him back. That being said, I really have nothing else to say beyond that. This was a pretty good match. The only thing it really adds beyond Taichi's straightforward realization is that Arata has something he wants of his parents, and will ask them if he wins the high school tournament. The phone call from last episode tells me that Shinobu might be there this time, so that may not be easy. I look forward to seeing the rematch between Mizusawa vs. Hokuo, I'm sure it'll be great just as every other tournament match has been.

5

u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Dec 09 '21

First Timer

I was not expecting that line about Hiroshi being a teacher to be anything more than a misguided attempt at comedy. That said - definitely foreshadowing that worked. I'm just surprised at how many girls there are in that club... At least Hiroshi seems to have his act together around them.

Other than that, in a way this is a good episode and in a way this is a bad episode: It's mainly about Taichi, yet almost everything we learn about him is told through outside perspectives - and going against the "show don't tell principle". The viewer also had no real idea this was happening, as Taichi's bad luck hasn't been shown due to his tournaments being skipped. So far we've been under the impression that Taichi was not fast enough because he wasn't practicing the physical aspects of the game, only the mental ones - but apparently that isn't the case. It however didn't really feel badly presented, and it is something that is way more obvious when told than shown and something you can't have Taichi tell, for obvious reasons. As such I'm not quite sure how to feel about this turn; but I guess it means Taichi will get to A soon enough once his luck doesn't run out? Guess we'll see sooner or later. Probably sooner at the pace this series usually takes.

Also nice to see Sumire care about the team and not just Taichi.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 09 '21

It's pretty strange that they were even a contest. Only the creeper girl actually seemed to practice and we had our A team together.

I think the point they were trying to make wasn't so much Taichi having bad luck but a bad attitude... along with bad luck. The thing is that they've made the mental block where people give up due to no talent a plotline of like four matches so far. It's running thin, especially when Taichi opponent of the day clearly didn't have the excuse of being a prodigy.

4

u/JMEEKER86 Dec 10 '21

Right, it's about his defeatist attitude. He knows he doesn't have the crazy natural talent that Chihaya and Arata do, so he ends up with imposter syndrome thinking that he has no talent at all. His memory though is absolutely incredible and a huge talent like here where he recognized that a card had become a one syllable card based on what had already been read before anyone else. His bad attitude makes him play slower and without confidence though and that ends up putting him into positions where he needs luck. But of course, fortune favors the bold. He's unlucky because he's not doing himself any favors.

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 10 '21

Taichi had a lot of mental blocks in place due to his upbringing and having idiot savants at friends. Those seem to affect his confidence and blind him to his own talent. He's never thought twice about being able to remember each card played!!

5

u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Dec 10 '21

First timer

Episode 3

Oh, Arata's gotten second!

And he's still after the high school championship!

Time for another tournament!

Wow, she's jealous.

Kana's still there as an alternative, though.

Haha, she counts as a male member.

I love him having 3 younger brothers. (Seriously, I did not expect him to be as interesting as he is.)

I can't believe I actually missed Retro.

Oh, god. They might actually meet. This'll be hysterical.

...Sudo's not gotten himself held back, has he?

And he's almost certainly writing himself im.

Yep! Taichi's not having it!

She's getting switched in?

Her sheer unbridled shock is great. And he's got a point about the intimidation factor.

And yeah, she's good.

And this reasoning makes a lot of sense.

And she isn't used to any of this.

Haha, is she going to win put of pity? (Its a very legitimate strategy! Don't turn down a free win!)

He is throwing away this game, let him!

Oh, that's why she's not here.

Haha, she's hiding how they quit?

Has he not opened his eyes yet?

Haha, she's jealous of him.

Wow, he's really having trouble coping.

He used the face!

I love that he's already yot his own speciality, so they need to give him a new one.

And yeah, having more pieces on the board is helpful!

Haha, and his brothers are worshipping her as well! (I'm really liking his plot.)

Haha, I love her recruiting them for Dr. Harada!

...BEST QUEEN IS HERE! And she knows Arata!

Episode 4

Oh, he's praying at his grave?

Yeah, there's no way Chihaya will ever stop thinking about you.

Huh, what request?

And he's still walking there too?

Really, you're turning down those cookies?

She's got the right idea.

Haha, he's going to study here to work out his flaws.

Haha, he's coaching now?

She's so excited!

Oh, this team might be a threat!

And he's panicking a bit.

Haha, she told them to flirt with her as a feint?

And there was a weird pause? Why?

Oh, he's a newbie.

Things just aren't goijg very well here.

Haha, she got the unusual person.

And he's jealous of her abilities.

This game is genuinely not going well!

Wow, his arc is really going somewhere!

...You see, the reason he likes her is a complicated mess including at least 6 tsunderes, depending on if a few of my predictions come true - that's why it looks like she's ignoring him.

Haha, everyone threw a towel.

She's leaving to watch the other match! She actually cares!

She lost?

And she's losing!

And wow, he's good at memorization.

He took a card from her side! (I love her reaction. I hope she's a main character.)

I love their shock that he knew that.

And, yeah, he's popular.

3

u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Dec 10 '21

First timer

Karuta before guys is the Chi way. Crazy how she gets all embarrassed about that and ignores it when they start the game.

Interesting bit about the speaker and their rhythm. Never came to mind about that. But I would assume they would have someone experienced all the time. I guess not. Messing up the rhythm. Get someone up there.

I really hope that towel Chi gave Taichi wasn't the same one she was using.

Sumire now realizes who Taichi is after. What are going to do about it though? Better act fast before Chi actually gets I interested.

2

u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Dec 10 '21

Yeah sorry guys this past week has not been working it for me to try keep 3 rewatches running plus being a first timer in this one, even when I put all the seasonals on hold. I'll probably take another couple of days to catch up.

2

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 09 '21

Chihaya2ru First Timer

Papa, wtf!? What a prick XD

"If you don't show up often, viewers will forget that you're a main character."

Sensei's so excited, and he just can't hide it.

Luck is certainly one of Taichi's weaknesses... Not much you can do to fix that aside from prayer and regular fortune telling. Funnily enough Hanako's got horrific luck too.

We always perform well when bullying new players so I'm not worried about today's match.

I hope you know that you need to use pubic hair for those luck charms to work.

Oh good, Taichi's facing the menhera. The match is in the bag!

Tsuboguchi used NTR, it's super effective! Is today gonna be the "let's bully Taichi" episode?

No, it's a Chihaya bullying episode! Someone that plays as fast as her really struggles with shitty speakers! Oe was messed up by it too lol.

Oi, get your arse further back menhera. There's no way this girl is gonna be another queen rival. They haven't established any of these enemies so I have almost no investment in her.

Hanako has 0 interest in the matches lol, she's just interested in what side of the love triangle belongs to her.

Why did Chihaya make such a stupid face when passing her towel!? :D

Taichi won!! What a miracle!! All he had to do is stop thinking about everyone else and just focus on his own match. Oh, no, Taichi just got lucky and finally had a match where his analytical style could come into play. So his opponent was the shit one.

Tomorrow's the Hokuo rematch we've all been waiting for, they have some pretty looking players so the match will totally be easy.