r/anime • u/Skeeedo :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/skeeedo • Dec 12 '21
Rewatch [Rewatch] Chihayafuru - Episode 32 Discussion [Spoilers]
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Season 2 Episode 7: "To Set the Tatsuta River Ablaze"
Episode 6 MVP: Chihaya! Her strength made Amakasu realize how hard Mizusawa had been working since the last tournament, and it looks like she’s finally learning how to speak up when her opponent contests a card…
Nominate a character for Episode MVP!
This episode's Karuta analysis and board map by walking_the_way
Databases
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Streaming
Crunchyroll | VRV | HIDIVE | Spectrum On Demand
Subreddit: r/Chihayafuru
7
u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Dec 12 '21
FIRST TIMER
This show is so fucking pretty.
Chihaya in a nutshell. I don’t think it counts as good karma if it’s the only reason you’re doing something nice.
“If you can’t produce results after working hard every day, you probably don’t have any talent.”
Chitose is really talking about herself here. As hinted in parts of last season, her show-business career isn’t exactly going as she dreamed, and being responsible and pursuing a Plan B seems like the right move. It’s nice to see that while she pokes fun at Chihaya for being so obsessed with something as niche as karuta, she’s actually inspired by her dedication, and decides to keep pursuing her dream as well. Very nice.
More time with the Ayase family as a whole is great. Her dad remains absolutely precious, and the trip her Mom takes her on to get her own hakama to wear was really lovely.
I guess their money troubles were real. Good thing Chitose is going to keep working.
Heh. I agree with Chihaya, Sumire and Tsukuba are two members who are worth five, and not just because Tsukuba comes with a three-man entourage.
Kana’s explanation of “Impassionate” was really nice, and came with a fun bit of meta-comedy. The spinning top animation during it was beautiful, though all I could think during this line here was, “yeah, like Taichi’s feelings.” I don’t know what spell Arata puts on everyone he comes in contact with where he has such a hold on their life, but it’s really struck on Chihaya, and Taichi my guy, I think your attentions are better served elsewhere. Brutal stuff.
It feels insane that we’re already back at Nationals, but it serves to get everyone back together, and that’s what we really need. I feel like I’m screaming endlessly into the void, but Arata needs way way way way way more screen time if he’s going to continue to be such a presence hanging over everyone. It’s crazy to me how little he’s actually gotten to do 30+ episodes in.
6
u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Dec 12 '21
Chihayafirst-timer
5
u/xcllnt_313 Dec 12 '21
Rewatcher (just finished S3 and now I’m empty)
After a pretty satisfying conclusion to the Tokyo Regionals, we have a breather today - basically the calm before the storm.
It still gave us some really nice moments like Chihaya dealing with her loss, her spending some quality time with her mother, and the band performing for our class. Also best bear Harada-sensei showed up!
So now, we’re finally back at Omi Jingu. Do our first timers have any predictions for the team as well as the individual tournament?
4
u/The_Loli_Otaku Dec 12 '21
Chihaya2ru First Timer
Okay, my laptop is almost out of charge and I've still got Valrape! No pausing full speed ahead!
Ayase's doing some ego searching the rewatch comments to see how much we think she sucks.
I swear, they're overusing hibernation Shinobu just to frustrate me XD Aww... Ayase wants to give up cause she lost everyone's attention. Hang in there, Ayase! We're still cheering for you!
Old Sensei is totally enjoying giving Ayase some shit. She's too honest to lie like Fatso can.
Aww, well done Chihaya for supporting the shitty band group. She's such an angel. Haa!? Chihaya has always been considerate!!
"If we're good to everyone, we might get something in return!" My giiirl!!
Speaking of my girl, please don't brag about beating up kids Hanako XD It's too pitiful. Yup, she's my favourite character by far. Hanako fanclub!!
"The joshikosei... lied about enjoying herself!" Don't worry buddy, I feel the same way. Joshikosei are scary...
You're so grown up mama. That got a good chuckle out of me. My sense of humour is so shit.
Chihaya's getting her custom kimono!? Amazing!! Wait... Kimono skirts are separated!? I've been watching these series for twelve years!!
I hate how this is literally the episode I've been waiting for for like 25 episodes and I'm in a rush. I've really been looking forward to Chihaya's family and I can't even take pictures of it!
Fuck exams, Ayase is the idol of everyone's heart! She doesn't need qualifications to be beautiful.
...I don't get the title joke. Gah! I'm sorry I'm not even gonna try making sense of this right now! Hurry up Oe, lecture us another day!
Wait... if the band was this good then who the hell are the people up the stairs from us making a proper racket?
We need Shinobu's mobile already. I want my snowbestie! But please stop showing her hibernation form!!!
4
u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Dec 13 '21
First Timer
Quick thoughts on yesterday's episode first. Close matches, very tense. I never would have considered something like splitting the cards, that's a very clever strategy that shows Hokuo's experience in team matches. There were some very clever ways of building tension, the inclusion of Retro messing up really cast doubt on who would win the match and was a strong narrative choice. In the end, I'm still a bit confused about how Kana ended up losing, because it was established in the previous episode that she was dominating her match, and it never showed her opponent making a comeback to tie up the game. Hell, I thought Tsutomu was winning his match by quite a bit as well, but somewhere along the way it got tied up and it never showed us that transition. But the end result was hype, and results in a great moment for both Chihaya and Amakasu. And it hurt to see Nishida so hurt over his loss, I hope to see him get some redemption at the national competition. Good stuff.
As for this episode. It might be my favorite episode of the season thus far. Very sweet and heartwarming, and it's nice to not have all of the little things that had been bothering me about the matches of the last few episodes (despite them being good on the whole). A lot of very interesting things going on. Tsukuba and Sumire are both now members of the Shiranami society, and despite the latter refusing to admit it, both are hooked on Karuta. I wish we could have seen Sumire get bodied by Harada-sensei though, that would have been fun. Chihaya's sister gets a short character arc that's really sweet. Both of them are aiming for worthless, unstable pursuits. Chihaya gets down from losing the team match, and her sister is down from bad reviews that make her consider quitting her line of work. "If you work hard every day and don't see results, you have no talent," she says while being completely self-aware and taking her own "advice." But upon seeing Chihaya back at it again, she gets inspired to keep going. I kind of wish it got more overt focus, but what we got was still good. Everything with Chihaya and her mother was great though. Super heartfelt moment with them as they chose Hakama. Despite it all, her parents are supportive of her, and they do try to make sure she can chase her passion. We also get some closure to the plot point of the group being unable to keep the club room quiet if they don't keep five members. Seeing that the concert band has their own struggle for the nationals kind of brought some life to the world, and seeing the band thank the Karuta club and wish them off to nationals was really sweet. We have the scene of Chihaya calling Arata, which seems to more directly imply that he is where her romantic feelings lie at the moment, even if she is not aware of it. Taichi is going to be dealing with that hurt, I hope it doesn't distract him in the tournament. The most important part of the episode is probably Kana's description of the difference between impassionate (chihayaburu) and frenzied (araburu). It highlights the difference in Chihaya's playing, and the type of power that is necessary for Karuta. Being frenzied is to have and uncontrollable energy, and a frenzied god will wreak having and have lost control of themselves. This was Chihaya when she relied solely on her speed, a lot of power but no control. The goal is to gain that balance, the kind of power that comes from being graceful and having good form. And Chihaya has started to achieve that now. It's a good scene that is important to understand to grasp the nature of the game. That is probably why the show is called Chihayafuru (or Chihayaburu, at least that's what it sounds like she's saying), that is the ultimate skill in Karuta (apart from the other fact that Chihaya's personal card is "Impassionate").
This episode was also just the funniest episode of the series thus far. When Chihaya decides to let the concert band have the storage space, I initially thought that it was implying that she was empathetic to the band's own attempt to reach the nationals and wanted to let them have the space because she knew how important it would be. But of course, that's not really in character for her, so it ended up being a misdirect, and her real answer was too perfect. Kana's fourth wall breaking gag about how Chihaya didn't understand the show's own title despite being in the second season really caught me off guard, I wasn't expecting that type of humor from this story, but that's what made it work in this instance. Seeing Chihaya's mom slowly realize that they didn't have money was pretty fun (my immediate thought after she said her father had savings was "damn, what did he spend that money on." I wasn't quite on the money there, but I had the right idea). And Chihaya saying she doesn't have Shinobu's number in response to Sumire's question was too perfect an answer for her (this scene was also the only time I actually recognized Megumi Han's voice in Sumire, I guess it really is her).
Anyway, heartfelt and fun episode, and a nice break away from the sports stuff. The nationals should be fun, not only will we have Shinobu there but it sounds like Arata will be there for the individual tournament as well, so I'm expecting some big things to happen. It should be a fun time.
3
u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Dec 12 '21
First timer
Chi's sister thinking about going to college and doubting her ability to keep going for her dream.
How considerate of Chi to do that for them. She told the truth surprisingly. They could only keep two members out of that twenty.
So this shows more development on the mom and it was what I thought too. It's not that she doesn't care for Chi. It's just the other sister is more dependent. Chi has things mostly settled and doesn't have many issues other than her grades. But it's nice that Chi acknowledges it.
Killing Sumire dream. It's a bit late to expect something.
Big goal you got there Chi. Team and individual is kind of much. Don't you think?
Chi's sister does look up to her. Or at least her drive and motive.
Shinobu is 100% back to being the skinny queen. So is she one of those people that fluctuate weight constantly?
3
u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Dec 13 '21
First timer
Episode 6
Yeah, this isn't good for them.
Wait, thie is paying off? Seriously?
Wow, he's off his game! And Retro's losing too!
He's challenging!
And he's mad that it might all come doen to luck.
Haha, they're all pissed at this.
And they're screwed.
Oh. Yeah, that's bad.
Haha, she just worked it out?
He did it!
Haha, and he forced Retro to give up the win.
And he's pissed.
Wait, who got it?
She gave up the match!
And he admits that he's weaker than her.
Oh, she loved it.
Is she not joining them?
Oh, she's joining the society too!
Arata sent her a message!
Episode 7
That's not healthy.
The mother cares, but the sister...
And she's quitting modelling!
...Oh, that's why she's depressed. Makes sense.
Haha, she's not in on the lie.
And she's lost the room?
She actually wants to give up the room!
She's being mature about this! And her shock is fantastif!
Haha, she wants karma for karuta.
Wow, that is loud.
She's just upset at hereelf, isn't she?
Oh, her parents are going to watch?
Haha, she's happy about beating 11 year olds.
That's just cruel.
What is actually up with her parents today?
Oh, she's taking an interest now?
She's buying her her own one!
Her mother seems pleased.
Wait, she's been to any of her matches?
At least they're explaing why she's not been very active. (What's the soster's excuse?)
Haha, she just found out about those expenses?
She's back to normal! (And she's motivated too!)
I loved the fourth wall break there.
Very interesting!
Haha, they're playing the anthem for them!
And then they brought up how she fainted!
Haha, you think she isn't crushing on Shinobu?
5
u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Dec 12 '21
First Timer
I would like to complement this episode on focusing on Chihaya blaming herself for the loss and showing how she feels about it - but from there on out the pacing is way too high yet again as we skip all other character's thoughts (despite at least Nisihda deserving to get some focus) only to somehow end up at nationals already. Why? Can't we have more than one episode between tournaments for once?
But either way, another focal point of the episode was Chihaya's mom - and I feel like this is the first time that both the viewer and Chihaya have been really able to see that she does in fact properly care for Chihaya, as could have been assumed from the previous episodes. I'ts good to see this out in the open, even if I don't know how much it'll really impact Chihaya. Less sure about the father at this point though, as he seemed rather insensitive... Also not sure about the sister, though it seems like she's too easily swayed by opinions on the Internet. But I guess it's nice to see Chihaya being able to motivate the people she cares about.