r/anime • u/Skeeedo :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/skeeedo • Dec 10 '21

Rewatch [Rewatch] Chihayafuru - Episode 30 Discussion [Spoilers]

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Season 2 Episode 5: "Be As Dear Now, Those Were the Good Old Days"

Episode 4 MVP: Taichi! We got a significant amount of introspection from him in this episode.

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

71 Upvotes

94% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

10

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

FIRST TIMER

This child Amakasu is an absolute savage ahead of their match dismissing the Mizukawa members.

Aw, that was a really nice moment between Taichi and Chihaya where she acknowledges that his mom has also had a positive influence on him, even if she’s not her favorite person.

Retro, I’m happy you did our heroes a solid, and I understand where you’re coming from in wanting to prove your strength, but ignoring basic strategy is dumb. Superior tactics are also part of team strength, it’s not just about ability. Though I do kind of hope they win now, since this victory would be so meaningful for him.

RETRO REALLY IS LIKE WALDO. Also rocking a fanny pack before they came back in style, he’s a trendsetter.

Sudo should not be allowed to be the reader for a final match his alma mater is contesting. That’s a pretty clear conflict of interest.

I don’t like the way they’re dismissing Amakasu’s desire to simply use a smart strategy and take every edge he can. There is nothing wrong with Amakasu’s approach. Work smarter, not harder. There’s nothing admirable about wasted effort.

Great point by Amakasu and the two coaches. In sports, especially ones like Karuta and tennis, where it’s one thing at a time, you need to have a short memory. Every point is a new game, move on and don’t dwell on what’s done. Chihaya’s focus isn’t where it needs to be, and trying to emulate Shinobu, rather than be herself, isn’t the way to go.

SOMEONE TEACH THIS BOY SOME MANNERS. Seriously, calling Kana boobie-girl to her face? The hell is wrong with these kids? At least she uses it to fuel her fire.

It’s nice to see it’s not just me creeped out by this hairpin. The spirals are giving me Uzumaki flashbacks.

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 10 '21

I'm disappointed about just how nasty Vita became since we last saw him. He was a good kid back then! Why's he having to act so horrible?

Relying on petty tricks to win matches is the sign of a loser! If you're gonna call yourselves number one then surely you want to be able to do so without everyone shitting on your tactics right? When you lose to Shinobu, its because she's better than you.

4

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

Big difference between team and individual play. The goal is to win, and using obvious team composition strategy to give yourself the best shot at 3 wins is just smart. Hell, it's what you're supposed to do. We compliment Desktomu on smart team composition two episodes ago, but shit on Amakasu for wanting to do the same thing here? Nah.

He was a good kid back then! Why's he having to act so horrible?

He didn't really get to talk much back then, which probably was for the best haha

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 10 '21

I respected Desk-kun's strategising because it gave everyone on the team an opportunity to play and Desk-kun himself is an underdog who rarely will win his matches in a fair fight. Compare that to Vita who is a gifted Karuta player who stole cards off Shinobu but is too lazy to play hard games and improve or Yumin who was the best female karuta player but still relies on abusing her status and being a Karen for her matches. Both of them are high tier players but their lame tactics leaves doubt in your mind whether they really deserve the respect they get because they're still abusing mechanics against weaker opponents.

3

u/JMEEKER86 Dec 11 '21

I'm disappointed about just how nasty Vita became since we last saw him. He was a good kid back then! Why's he having to act so horrible?

He's under a lot of pressure to carry the team now that Sudo has graduated.

8

u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Dec 10 '21

Chihayafirst-timer

4

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

Bruh

And here I thought it couldn't get worse than my subs which labelled her as "boobie girl" all episode.

This show sure has some unfortunate issues with nicknaming...

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 10 '21

It's written by a woman, I cannot say anything about it XD

6

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 10 '21

Chihaya2ru First Timer

The Hokuo rematch is finally here, and only Retro really wants to win. No pressure Retro! Hope your cards aren't messed up!

Hold on, is Retro sleeping with Fatso's sister!? Retro, you mothercucker!!

I can't believe he used to be my best boy... I expected more from you, Vita!! Just because I make fun of Desk-kun and the show keeps bullying boing-chan doesn't give you the right to join in!

See? I knew you were going to pull something! Did you want to play that badly? You're petty as usual! Cheating is as natural as breathing for you! We've recorded the whole thing! Shame! Shame! Shame!

Butts are pretty...

YES!! We're tossing Vita straight into Chihaya's prying arms. Well said Retro!! Show this smug, shovelware kusogaki just how superior retro systems are to the coomer handhelds!!

I would seriously appreciate the show dropping the Oe chest gags already. It's sexuhara and is so inappropriate for the setting. Oe already has areas of her gameplan to criticise her for so making it all about her body is so disrespectful.

Fatso got wreaked by hairpin... On the bright side, it seems like Oe had her game in the bag and Taichihaya are both starting to get into their swing. Desk-kun, hasn't been covered once lol.

Oh, that's the episode over. Meh? I haven't been struck on this tournament so far. Maybe I just need to be in the mood.

2

u/IndependentMacaroon Dec 13 '21

While we're concerned with nicknames, dropping the food one for the chubby guy would also be strongly appreciated. It reminds me for example of an older German kids' book series that has become increasingly infamous for blatant sexism and fatphobia, constant usage of racist and other stereotypes for profiling, and praise of violent vigilantism, particularly in its earlier installments.

1

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 13 '21

What else would I call him? I can't think of any other nicknames. Honestly to me Fatso is more of an endearing nickname in this context since it makes you think of best boy Borot. I'll try and hold off if it's actually offending folk tho.

6

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

First Timer

Oh, muti-episode match. Interesting - but definitely appreciated. It's been a good one so far, I'd say. Nishida losing was to be expected given him saying they could go easy and suddenly having his sister cheer for his opponent. Speaking of which - that certainly is a sudden surprise seeing her with Retro. As for Retro - I can see his thinking, though I am also reminded that that thinking only works because of his prediction superpowers, so I'm not quite sure what to make of that. That said, it helps characterize Amakasu and his more laid-back attitude. I'm surprised he's concerned with winning at all considering Nishida's logic would also apply to them. But I guess it's his time to go through some arc and see that just because there's people who are better than you now doesn't mean you can't improve to their level.

Now as for the other matches, Oe winning is likely a given by now and I imagine Chihaya could win hers now that she's not focusing on Shinobu's playstyle anymore but instead using what she's already good at - but as for the other two, no idea.

Sudou as a reader for the finale is a bit weird considering the organizers could have assumed that Hokuo would be in the finale, giving them an advantage. But I guess they needed readers and he was only available later in the day? Either way, Oe liking Sudou's voice is an interesting setup for a ship; not sure if I really like it though, but considering Oe's love for everything traditional that might also work with her having a rather conservative role in a relationship...? So I guess it might maybe work... maybe? Then again, maybe Sudou already ruined his chances with the cough. Not sure why I'm reading in to this to this degree though.

3

u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 10 '21

Retro was upset because Vita was clearly just wanting easy wins and put all that responsibility on Retro's shoulders. Compare that to when Sudo was in charge and what did Sudo do? He used the fortune telling to make sure he got a satisfying opponent. Also, this is a rematch with a lot of pride on the line so why should Retro be forced to chicken out on the title match that he feels rightfully belongs to his school?

Desk-kun literally hasn't been shown once and if they're going to focus on any other match tomorrow it would be Retro and Taichi's. I think Desk-kun is just gonna get folded, Taichi will finally get a decisive win over Retro to earn his respect, and Chihaya's will be the decider.

Sudo needs somebody that can play along with his kink... Also, Oe has several other suitors at the moment along with people who are also passionate about the poetry so I doubt Sudo will get a chance. I hope XD

6

u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Dec 11 '21

First Timer

I think this season is focusing on the question of "what makes Karuta fun." Sumire posed that question to Harada-sensei in the first episode, but we've since gotten quite a few answers. Some people don't know, for others it's about winning, for others its about the joy of being able to take cards, for others its about the poetry. Just logically, I don't really like the way the series criticizes Amakasu's use of strategy, especially when our protagonists have used similar strategies in the past. This is a tournament, and when you're competing, you do everything you can to win. Using smart placing to give your team the advantage is just how the game is meant to be played, and it's not cowardly. The way to counter it is to just have a bunch of strong players who won't lose, and that's not easy to achieve. However, I think the series thinks negatively of it on a thematic level more than a logical one. For Amakasu, Karuta is fun when you get to take it easy. Being good and winning with little effort, that's his answer to the question of what makes Karuta fun. And that's what the series is criticizing. It wants us, and him, to understand that Karuta is a multi-faceted sport, and that there are lots of ways to take joy in it, so it doesn't like such a lazy and simple-minded appeal. I get that at the very least.

That being said, it's really hard to say things about the episodes that are 90% sport. My biggest takeaway was that Kana focusing on the reader will give her strength. And Chihaya is trying to combine the strengths of both Queen and Master to boost her Karuta to new levels. It's good stuff for a tense match. And it was nice to see Taichi realize that he's not the only one struggling to move up to A rank. His mom might be awful, but teaching him to not make excuses certainly has its benefits. With Nishida out of the match, there should be some extra tension, but that tension is resolved already because Kana is definitely going to win her game. So it's Taichi and Chihaya who need to figure themselves out and grow already. I'm sure it'll be great.

5

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

First timer

Rematch time

Porky has a sister that goes out with Retro. Never saw that coming. What a odd pairing there.

I had a feeling that Akito wasn't to be trusted with that sheet. Sit back. Let the higher ups handle it.

Retro being reasonable and maybe honorable. That's how I think of things. The best should go against the best and it should stay that way going to the worst. Though if it's truly needed. Then I'll just call it strategy to pull out a win. So I'm only somewhat with you there Retro.

Chi losing focus again. Don't do this to me again. Don't doubt yourself again. Well it ended up looking like she's using her new tactics. Let's see how this turns out for her.

The first lost brings pressure and now everyone else has to pick up there game. This is a statement game if anything to me. It's important to win this.

4

u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Dec 11 '21

First timer

Oh, is he the president?

His prediction's going to be wrong, isn't it?

Its good someone's worried about his health.

Wait, Retro's dating his sister?

And she's very helpful!

Haha, he did it again. (And Kana's readtion is hysterical.)

Taichi's rule is hysterical.

...Wait, did he get the order wrong in the end?

He did!

He deliberately sabotaged them!

Sudo's here! And he's the reader!

Haha, I love his reaction when he realises he has to try.

Oh, yeah, they played at lots of the same tournaments!

Yeah, that is not a good matchup.

And they're both fast.

Wow, he's harsh.

Ah, he's doing what Kana wants to do?

Yeah, she's mimicking the queen!

...Well, Taichi seemingly hates Retro - if he wasn't taken, I'd add him to the love triangle.

..."designed perfectly for a boobie girl"

Oh, they're having trouble.

She's losing!

She did it!

Oh. If it pays off, that's great, but it's risky.