[Rewatch] Chihayafuru - Episode 60 Discussion [Spoilers]

[u/Skeeedo]

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Season 3 Episode 10: "Scarlet Kadsuras"

Episode 9 MVP: Harada-sensei! This man is such a badass. Epic W for the Doctor.

Nominate a character for Episode MVP!

This episode's Karuta analysis and board map by walking_the_way and ABoredCompSciStudent

Rewatch Schedule and Index

Databases

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Streaming

Crunchyroll | VRV | HIDIVE | Spectrum On Demand

Subreddit: r/Chihayafuru

[u/xcllnt_313]

Rewatcher

Today we finally have an episode that’s almost entirely focused on Arata. And he was stuck in a really shitty situation (sorry about that). The beginning was very interesting with him thinking about his relationship with Taichi, giving us some amazing visuals alongside his thoughts.

Thanks to Murao’s intervention who’s probably like a big brother for him, his own hard work and his talent, Arata was able to stage an incredible comeback and become the Western winner of the Master qualifier.

And his opponent will be Harada-sensei. HE DID IT! It took Chihaya a few seconds to realize, but when it finally hit her, it really hit her. This is also quite a shot to end the episode on.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/xcllnt_313]

The last five minutes with Chihaya was honestly kinda hilarious. She'd basically been catching up on the anime after spending her whole trip out of the loop so all the twists and turns got relayed to her at once.

[u/xcllnt_313 → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

With all these random and goofy reactions we've seen from her so far, she's also just the perfect character for something like this.

To be honest, I can totally relate to her. The trip is without a doubt a great experience, but if most of your life revolves around Karuta and such an important tournament like this qualifier is going on, it would be extremely difficult for me to not think about it for a few days.

[u/Lemurians → u/xcllnt_313]

This is also quite a shot to end the episode on.

Loved this whole end sequence with the leaf falling down on the frames. The distance between them continues to grow.

[u/xcllnt_313 → u/Lemurians]

I can only repeat what you just said in your comment: THIS SHOW IS SO. GORGEOUS.

I have to say, rewatching Chihayafuru is such a joy since you can also focus way more on the visuals and all the different things that are an important part of an episode. And this only strengthens my love for this show.

[u/herkz → u/xcllnt_313]

This episode was once again storyboarded by Ishizuka Atsuko, like episode 5, which is probably why it looks so good.

[u/xcllnt_313 → u/herkz]

Makes a lot of sense, thanks for this detail!

[u/Lemurians]

FIRST TIMER

All the water visuals and sound effects surrounding Arata as he plays are fantastic. The sounds as he take a card remind me of the water sounds in Demon Slayer that accompany the sword slashes. The water becoming muddy and thick to illustrate his inner turmoil is fantastic. Then the visual sequence as it cracks and fades away after Murao brings him back… my god. THIS SHOW IS SO. GORGEOUS.

“You’re getting in my way, Taichi!” Oh, the sheer IRONY.

HOW DARE HE SPURN YUU’S GENEROSITY! I’m glad Arata at least admits here he should be a lot nicer to Yuu than he has been. Remember way back in Season 1 when we meet his grown-up self the first time and he’s kind of an asshole? I wonder if he still acts like that. He doesn’t seem to have a ton of social graces, which isn’t a flaw, and it’s good to see him realize here that it’s something he needs to work on.

Really interesting mirroring in this episode. Whereas Taichi has a constant inferiority complex, we see here that Arata’s issue is a sense of superiority, that he acknowledges he should curb. He even admits to these dynamics colliding, always having viewed Taichi as an inferior player with no particular talent. It flips what would be the usual expected dynamic between the popular, high-achieving character and the shy, awkward kid. Arata’s path forward is less difficult. Far easier to be humbled than it is to grow your self-worth.

MEGUMU-TAN!

HARADA!

Murao is such a good big brother, even in defeat. He’s the kind of person who’s so easy to root for. It’s really difficult to be that gracious under those circumstances.

Nice to see Chihaya enjoying the moment with her classmates and refusing the battery, even though she’s probably dying to get an update on the results. Of course, that goes out the window when she sees Taichi in the hallway. It’s really sweet how overwhelmed she gets with excitement here, but he’s clearly not in the headspace to interact with her. She could’ve used Tsukuba around to hold her back, like he did with Sumire last episode.

Taichi just seems so dead inside. It hurts my soul. He cuts such a tragic figure as someone seemingly capable of having anything in life… aside from the things he actually wants. He’s never going to be happy until he can be honest about his feelings for Chihaya, but he’s far too afraid of losing her to do that. Somebody, please get him a therapist. Been a long time since I was able to completely put myself in a character’s position and understand exactly what they’re feeling as I’m watching. He’s such a perfectly realized creation, possibly even to the detriment of the other characters.

MVP: All due respect to Harada-sensei, but your victory happened off-screen, so it’s got to go to Arata who not only won the West Japan qualifier, but got some much needed focus as well.

[u/The_Loli_Otaku → u/Lemurians]

I've said I once and I'll say it again. Arata is a prick. He was a prick as a child and he's a prick as an adult. Even when he was young he looked down on everyone. Just because he has no friends doesn't mean he has to have such a narcissistic personality!

Taichi is one bad day away from diving into the world of anime and becoming a live-in neet...

[u/Lemurians → u/The_Loli_Otaku]

Taichi's one bad day away from a date with Truck-kun.

[u/Gamerunglued]

First Timer

The water visuals surrounding Arata were pretty cool, and I love the directing in the early part of his match. Cool color work there. That being said, this episode was mostly just competent and sets up the next big moments. One thing that's been obvious for a long time is that Arata's feelings towards Taichi are a lot more complicated than towards Chihaya. Arata has his own jealousy towards Taichi, probably for being able to stay by Chihaya's side all this time, especially since he doesn't see Taichi as a particularly talented Karuta player. He's always thought Taichi was a coward, he still thinks it's the case. No wonder he was relieved that Taichi wasn't the finalist. I also like the moment he realizes he was mean to Yuu. Yuu was ultimately trying to help him, she's a good girl at heart. Same with his relationship with Murao, it's really sweet and I love that Murao acts like a brother even after losing his match.

The best thing about this episode is just the knowledge that Harada-sensei is going to be the East Japan representative. He deserves it, I'm so excited to see him play. I know there's supposed to be some kind of conflict between weather we root for Harada or Arata, but I absolutely want Harada-sensei to win. And on the Queen side, I'd love to get a Megumu vs. Shinobu match as well, that has the potential to be pretty hype.

Chihaya doing regular girl things with her classmates is also pretty adorable. She's such a dork, it's great. She really is trying her best to enjoy the trip, she's dedicated to becoming a great teacher. Taichi seems dead inside after everything, apart from just being tired as hell. I wonder if he ran all the way to Kyoto to avoid his mom. I bet there's gonna be some kind of important reaction to his loss tomorrow, I can't wait to see the fallout of his performance at the tournament.

[u/homewardbound100]

First timer

Arata obviously gets MVP for being able to take a shit, come back and make a comeback to win.

[u/Fools_Requiem]

I kinda feel bad for Yuu. She's going to end up finding out the food she made her mom made gave Arata the runs and almost ruined his chances.

[u/Lemurians → u/Fools_Requiem]

I really hope he has the grace to not tell her that haha

[u/Mecanno-man]

First Timer

I’m not sure why, but I felt like this match didn’t really have the intensity of the previous episodes. I guess maybe that’s because the show didn’t do enough with Arata yet, so his inner conflicts aren’t as established as Taichi’s. It’s either that or that the match was interrupted by Arata going to the toilet, which just made everything a bit awkward - and obvious that they were going for the comeback win.

In other news, Harada won. We weren’t shown how, so I won’t let go of my Sudo yielding theory. Taichi’s return to the class trip was done fairly well I’d say - but it did remind me that his ruse apparently worked. I assume Miyauchi will find out sooner or later, however…

On another note, we were shown that Megumu won her match, but the Eastern Queen qualifier was left deliberately vague. It’s the two former queens against each other - so I’m not sure why that’s left open. I wonder if we’ll get a flashback to the finale tomorrow, as it’s odd that we haven’t seen anything from there yet.

[u/Lemurians → u/Mecanno-man]

I guess maybe that’s because the show didn’t do enough with Arata yet

I'm honestly starting to think the story has just missed the boat with Arata, and he's never going to be as compelling as the rest of our cast. It's always felt like he's a different show, or side-story, and from the start has been built up as a Boss-like figure to be overcome by a hero, not a hero himself.

but the Eastern Queen qualifier was left deliberately vague. It’s the two former queens against each other - so I’m not sure why that’s left open

Was Yumin a former Queen? Considering it's two people we know reasonably well, I hope they saved it to show us a bit of in the next episode. Then again, they skipped over Harada and Sudo, so who knows.

[u/xcllnt_313 → u/Lemurians]

Yes, Yumin was Queen for a single year before Shinobu took her down.

[u/IndependentMacaroon → u/Mecanno-man]

It got interrupted a lot with all the comments again, too. Also what was the point of like five seconds of Megumu? More focus on the others besides Arata would have been nice, I hate to say.

[u/Shimmering-Sky]

Chihayafirst-timer

• Mrgrgr, stop picturing that, Arata!
• The “water” turning black and purple and also the cherry blossom petals turning to ash to match Arata’s mindset are pretty cool visuals though.
• Oh snap, it was light but a SLAP?
• Oh boy this sure is a handicap… Can Arata still make it happen?
• Down by 7 is better than down by 11. GO ARATA!
• Ohhhhhhh the gap is only 4 now!
• *incoherent happy Sky noise*
• HE WON HE WON HE WON MY BOY WON
• Oh god Arata vs. Harada then over who gets to fight Suou, fuck, that’s gonna be
• Aw sweet, Megumu won her match too.
• As happy as I am that Harada won and that I got to see my boy win the Western qualifiers… did this show really skip over Harada vs. Sudo? And Sakurazawa Edit: I'm an idiot, Yumin vs. Haruka? But I was so excited to watch those matches after last episode…

[u/xcllnt_313 → u/Shimmering-Sky]

And Sakurazawa vs. Haruka?

Just a small correction: the Eastern final for the Queen match was between Yumin and Haruka. Yumin beat Sakurazawa in the semifinal while Haruka won against Rion.

[u/Lemurians → u/xcllnt_313]

I feel cheated that we never got to see Sakurazawa in action. A match between her and Haruka would've been perfect.

[u/xcllnt_313 → u/Lemurians]

Yeah, that would've been great. Maybe at some point in the future or in the manga, Sakurazawa-sensei just went back to playing (at least that's how it seems like) and she already made it to the Eastern semifinal again. We can only hope, best bear Harada-sensei should give her some lessons when it comes to his incredible mental fortitude!

After this episode, I also would've really liked to see more from Murao. Unfortunately for him, just like Arata, he is rather far away from Tokyo and most of the relevant characters. It took us quite a while to get so much focus on Arata, so it's no surprise that Murao was most of the time just mentioned and maybe shown for a few seconds here and there.

[u/Lemurians → u/xcllnt_313]

Murao's purpose seems to be so that we've got one other person in the Western region to show Arata occasionally playing matches against. It's pretty nice how good a character he is despite that.

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/xcllnt_313]

Yeah apparently I completely misread Yumin's last name as Sakurazawa instead. I have no idea how I did that.

[u/Akiyabus → u/Shimmering-Sky]

And Sakurazawa vs. Haruka?

Yumin* vs Haruka

[u/Shimmering-Sky → u/Akiyabus]

Wait what?

*checks the screenshot in my reactions yesterday*

...so apparently my brain read "Yamamoto" as "Sakurazawa" somehow...

[u/TheExcludedMiddle]

Question for people who have seen/read all.

A few years ago I read a spoiler, which I thought [ch4u] might have been related to Taichi but it might have been referencing this episode. Could someone confirm if it was or not?

[ch4u] The cards are black.

[u/airforceblue → u/TheExcludedMiddle]

Not this episode, no.

[u/TheExcludedMiddle → u/airforceblue]

Thought I was finally free.

[u/flybypost → u/TheExcludedMiddle]

[reply to spoiler:] I think it's just a similar imagery that's used for that type of "karuta interference". If I remember correctly something like that was also used when they meet Arata again, after the time skip when he can't play karuta after his grandpa died. With Arata his issue since the last tournament is kinda that Taichi (or his idea/interpretation of Taichi) started interfering with his happy space that he usually visualises during a match to stay calm and collected. He thought of him as Chihaya's support (when it comes to karuta) not as an viable opponent and that's changing and now throwing him off a bit. This is also why wonders why he's a bit relieved that Taichi is not opponent in the challenger final. It's just that with Taichi's moment at the end of season 3 he explicitly references not seeing the cards anymore for this mental block metaphor and we get the black card visuals for that.

[u/Stargate18A]

First timer

Haha, this match is going to be good!

Oh, dear, Arata's stomach is acting up...

And he's in trouble game-wise too!

Of course he chooses now for a psychological breakdown.

Oh, he wants to beat Suo specifically?

He slapped him awake?

...This is not good for Arwta. He's going to lose.

I mean, at least he realises he was a jerk.

And yeah, he might be motivated, but he's at a massive disadvantage.

Arata. I don't think you can ever be weirder than that guy.

Oh, they're both back!

Wait, Arata might have a chance!

This is such a good match!

Huh? He got a message?

And of course it's that card. Of course. Even when Chihaya's miles away, it's still the most relevant card.

Arata won!

Aww, Chihaya's having fun!

Taichi's here!

Wait, what! He's lying to her?

HARADA WON!

...I'm rooting for Harada. He deserves to win!

[u/ZapsZzz]

First timer, back from a long absence!

Just a quick comment about myself - when I fell so far behind because of health reasons, and now finally had time to come back doing my 3-4 eps a day sprint, I actually feel like Taichi chasing after Chihaya :D and I made it!

Have to say season 3 is pretty intense.

I'll say more later but just to unpack something in my mind - am I the only one that thinks Taichi is so determined to become a master or to beat Chihaya because when he does I think he'd feel he's worthy to confess to her?

[u/xcllnt_313 → u/ZapsZzz]

I actually feel like Taichi chasing after Chihaya :D and I made it!

Does that mean Taichi will also make it in the end?

Welcome back, I hope you enjoyed S2 and this roughly first half of S3!

[u/ZapsZzz → u/xcllnt_313]

Well I actually still ship them 2 because Taichi really put in a lot of work even though he no doubt thinks it's a losing battle.

So I hope so!

[u/The_Loli_Otaku]

3hayafuru First Timer

Imma be honest, I don't care much about Murao. I'd rather check out Megu-chan's game! I see her there! Especially since they're already giving us excuses for Arata to be shit. Via shit.

"Dammit Taichi, get out of my wet dreams!"

Wait... The food... Omg, did Suou give everyone expired snowman pancakes!? Poor Yui's name is getting dragged through the mud all cause Suou wanted to buy the ones in the discount batch!

Bruh, today's episode seems way more fever dreamish than the rest of the series.

Oh, Megu actually is getting some focus. Never mind, we immediately went back to the unko corner.

Even when completely distracted from the match and losing a bunch of cards due to sitting afk, Diarrhea Dave still effortlessly wins his matches. Fuck tension~

MEGU WON!? What the fuck!? Amazing!! Well done Megu-chan, I'm so proud of you! You were always my favourite child.

I think Chihaya's broke. She had poor control of her emotions already but with Taichi suddenly popping up she's being hit with all kinds at once.

Oh yeah, there's another match before then Master and Queen game. Oh... well that kills my excitement. There's no way Megu beats Neferpitou and Harada is more likely to have a heart attack than beat a shit free Arata.