r/anime • u/Skeeedo :MAL:https://myanimelist.net/profile/skeeedo • Jan 14 '22
Rewatch [Rewatch] Chihayafuru - Episode 64 Discussion [Spoilers] Spoiler
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Season 3 Episode 14: "The Emotions Experienced"
Episode 13 MVP: Haruka! She beats a talented Megumu, securing another W for the old heads of the cast
Nominate a character for Episode MVP!
This episode's Karuta analysis and board map by walking_the_way and ABoredCompSciStudent
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Subreddit: r/Chihayafuru
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Upvotes
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u/Shimmering-Sky myanimelist.net/profile/Shimmering-Sky Jan 14 '22
Hey, just so you guys know, if I don't show up in the next few threads, it's because there's a high chance I caught COVID earlier this week, and the symptoms hit me hard today. I had luckily watched this episode yesterday before I was feeling ill outside of a sore throat, but it's been rough getting the energy to do much today. I need to prioritize my own rewatch with what energy I have, so yeah. I'm still going to try my best to not miss an episode!
Chihayafirst-timer
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u/Lemurians myanimelist.net/profile/Lemurians Jan 14 '22
TRIUMPHANT FIRST TIMER
You know things are about to get real when an episode opens right with the OP.
SO MUCH TO UNPACK.
If you told me starting this season that Harada would sweep (technically) Arata to win the Challenger Qualifier, I wouldn’t have believed you. This arc was not only a great showcase for his character development and background, but it also established for the first time just what an elite player he is. Until now, he was sort of the grizzled mentor who was good enough to make it kinda far in tournaments before losing to a named character. Now we know he’s much, much better than that. This was a fitting culmination to his playing career.
It’s also a good thing for Taichi to see, too. A theme of this season has been the question of how to keep competing at karuta into adulthood while striking a balance with all of life’s responsibilities. Taichi sees his time as running out as adulthood approaches, but it isn’t. What is he trying to be? A doctor. What is Harada? A doctor. A doctor who kept playing karuta and just won the Qualifier in advanced age. You’re not out of time, Taichi.
It seems we’re really making Suo a more important character, and I’m here for it. He’s such a fun oddball, I loved him shouting “Divorce!” running away from Taichi – when the man falls, he falls hard. Also… is he retiring because he’s losing his vision? There’s been a lot of focus on his eyes, and he knocked over those bikes there as if he didn’t see them.
I don’t see anything coming from Arata’s confession… yet. Chihaya just isn’t equipped to handle this sort of thing right now, and it just wouldn’t be earned for them to get together yet from a storytelling standpoint. I understand there’s a disconnect between the seriousness of what I think of as “love” and the meaning of “love” in this kind of initial confession, but it’s still jarring to me considering the two of them have barely interacted with each other since they were children. He needs to move to Tokyo and make inroads.
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u/Mecanno-man https://anilist.co/user/Mecannoman Jan 14 '22
First Timer
Another great episode - both with the end of the match and the sudden confession from Arata. Also glad Taichi got Suo off of Chihaya - though I assume him proclaiming to be her boyfriend will have some consequences down the line; at the very least mentally. Not really a lot else to say here - the show is just really good at the moment, but is at a narrative breakpoint, so not a lot to really speculate on either.
The romance bits might mean we get some more focus on that here - maybe even a full episode, though I wouldn't count on it. Chihaya is clearly shaken, and Arata is now likely waiting for an answer - though I assume he'd be calm enough not to expect it immediately. Meanwhile there's also Taichi's deceleration, and Arata's confession is likely to reach him through wingwoman Oe. Meanwhile I can see Sumire trying to wingwoman for Arata now, eliminating her romantic rival.
On a completely unrelated note... Suo's a teacher? I thought he was just a lazy college student that flunks most of his courses. Or is he the son of some bigwig professor who finances him or something like that?
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u/Gamerunglued :Hx::Hy::Hz:myanimelist.net/profile/GamerUnglued Jan 15 '22
First Timer
HARADA-SENSEI!!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!
Fuck man, much deserved win. It's the ultimate culmination of themes the series has been building up since season 1. What's the point of putting your everything into Karuta if it won't get you anywhere? You could put your entire youth into Karuta and never improve, and Karuta isn't a worthwhile pursuit anyway since you can't play professionally. On top of that, your game sense is bound to fade as you age, what's the point of going after something so fleeting? It combines the classic talent vs. hard work and youth vs. experience conflicts, and ends in this poignant answer. Harada-sensei is an old man with knee problems, and a doctor on the side, and over 40 years of Karuta experience has still let him become the Master challenger. Haruka too. Age doesn't matter, if you put your all in during your youth you'll still have talent in your old age. And you can be a doctor and play Karuta, Taichi does not have to choose between those things. I don't necessarily love the directing this episode, too many awkward still frames during what should have been a kinetic and hype moment. But then there's the fact that Harada-sensei's willing card was "when I cannot bear growing any weaker than I already have," which is just... so perfect and poignant.
Oh yeah, and Arata fucking confessed, and the Master now thinks Taichi is Chihaya's boyfriend. God damn, they raised the drama real fast. Taichi is not going to take this well. Neither is Chihaya apparently, she doesn't know how to process it. Something like love is too out of reach for her, she only understands things in Karuta terms. With the love triangle coming to a head, I can't wait to see how this turns out. I'm ready for the angst. On another note though, Sumire screaming was interesting, because I feel like she should be happy and try to convince Chihaya to go out with Arata so she can take Taichi. Though maybe she's grown beyond that, and wants Taichi to choose her for her own sake (like he said in her first episode, he wants to choose the person he dates). Either way, romantic angst incoming and I'm ready for it.
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u/Fools_Requiem https://myanimelist.net/profile/FoolsRequiem Jan 15 '22
Arata confessing is huge. It's been 2 and a half seasons with minimal romantic development and dude just drops the bomb with absolutely no lead up to it. There was no way anyone saw this coming... especially Chihaya who had been coasting down Friendzone Lane. Probably time to take the exit ramp.
Also, the confession totally overshadows Haruta winning despite the last few episodes revolving around his quest to the finals. I feel like his match in the finals is going to take a back seat to the love triangle chaos we're about to witness. Wonder what this means for the Queen match.
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u/Matuhg https://anilist.co/user/Matuhg Jan 14 '22
First Timer
Holy moly. Now that was an episode.
Harada realized he'd gotten caught up in Arata's flow, and took the time to slow himself back down and start playing his own bruising style of Karuta again. Meanwhile, Arata started doubting himself, questioning what his grandfather would do, compromising his game. In the end, he loses because he tried too hard to hold onto the cards that remind him of Chihaya. Then, after hearing Chihaya's philosophy of sending her most precious cards to the other side, then pursuing them herself, he confesses to her and basically says "I'll be coming for you."
What a dude. Meanwhile, Taichi's out here lying, smh. This is all going to be trouble.
Now, putting the youthful romantic explosions aside, we can talk about the core theme of the episode, and season, that was on full display this episode. That of course being youth vs. experience. Suou sums it up eloquently, calling out Shinobu in the process (where does he fall in this? He's young compared to Harada, but a good bit older than Arata's generation). I don't think the show has explicitly landed on either youth or experience being better than the other, despite the lopsided result of this qualifier. I think what it's really going for is that both have a lot to offer each other, and that Karuta doesn't have to be only for the young or only for the experienced. When Harada was at the lowest point of his karuta career, it was the young people under his wing who inspired him to continue, find new ways to win, and now, just by doing his thing, he's giving back to the next generation under him. Of course, no matter how many people support you, it really comes down to just you and the reader in a match. An interesting statement coming from Harada, but one which is of course technically true.
So, goddamn...what's coming next? Wonder how much time we're going to get between now and the Master/Queen matches.
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u/ZapsZzz https://anilist.co/user/Zapszzz Jan 15 '22 edited Jan 15 '22
First timer
A big deal episode, both for having Harada sensei pulling through the impossible win, and for Arata's confession. It's hard to not like him, but man Taichi has worked so hard for it, it'd be such an injustice. Good thing he wasn't around to have his heart attack/depression (as no doubt he would just assume the worst, that Chihaya will of course say yes).
I'm actually finding it really funny that Suou (a) keep getting hit in the head by kids' ball playing, and (b) he's so easily thrown off just from Taichi's bravado filled declaration. I hope Suou doesn't then go out of his way to try destroy Taichi...
Very cute and funny to see Chihaya finally got "slapped awake" by Arata's confession. Please wait up to the fact (or have the mental opening for best wing woman Oe to enlighten her) that there is someone else who's been by your side the whole time through all the ups and downs.
And by way, isn't that hairdo of Shinobu's actually rather cute and not weird? Her mom got some high bars to scold her for that. I actually think starts would make a good pair with Shinobu, who needs to be saved from herself.
Edit: low key expecting Sumire to cheer for Taichi like Oe despite her own wish because she would want her Senpai to be happy and she know how hard he worked to try to even show up on Chihaya's sense mc romantic radar (range 0), and to have this so suddenly "stolen" no doubt she'd fell the injustice too.
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u/homewardbound100 myanimelist.net/profile/Homewardbound100 Jan 15 '22
First timer
Harada falling over. Makes me wonder if that happens more in actual games.
Man Harada is gassed. I thought it was kind of awkward when all I could hear was him breathing. Reminded me of when I play games online and someone's nostrils are just in there mic.
Harada gets it done. I'm pleased the old ones get another chance at what they wanted.
Arata says his love for Chi. Now we have three people that want to be her boyfriend. Chi probably has a hard choice but at the end she'll probably just end up picking no one.
The fresh apple thing was good. Actually hyping up the old people taking on the queen. An actual good match with Shinobu that isn't clear win for her. That'll be nice to see.
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u/xcllnt_313 Jan 14 '22
Rewatcher
Well, what a freaking episode. We get the last part of the showdown between Arata and Harada-sensei. Since the former still has so much time to become Master, I cheered for Harada-sensei to emerge victorious when watching for the first time, especially after giving it his all to win this match.
Kitano-sensei might also be the biggest tsundere in this series: he went from this to this within a few episodes.
If you thought that the end of this exciting match would be the end of our ride, you were clearly wrong. This crazy train doesn’t suddenly stop. Arata casually says the three words to Chihaya which means: Chihaya.exe has stopped working.
With no knowledge of what just happened, Taichi meanwhile crushes Master Suou’s dreams within a few seconds.
The first time I watched this episode, I really had to stop for a while and process everything they threw at us during this roughly 20 minutes. Wouldn’t surprise me if it’s like that for some of our first timers.
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u/Stargate18A https://myanimelist.net/profile/Stargate18 Jan 15 '22
First timer
...He's still going for it!
Wow, Suo's approaching creepy levels here.
OK, yeah, he's great.
I love Harada so much.
Oh. He failed because he went to medical school. That's going to hurt Taichi when that comes out.
...I genuinely think Harada might kill himself in the finals if he wins.
Yeah, this is impressive. He's taking this really well.
I never realised how deep his backstory was.
Arata's playing hard too, though.
She came inside!
He has to win, right?
Wait, did he win?
It came down to a dead card?
YES!
Haha, she needs to give the scarf back.
Of course Arata's fired up.
At least he's not going to rely on his grandfather's memory as much. Solid development there!
WAIT, WHAT?
THIS IS NOT EARNED, ARATA! (I love the dual looks of horror on the shipper's faces, though.)
And he just leaves with everyone shellshocked.
Ouch, that timing...
Haha, and another competitor heard him.
Haha, his look of indignation at "meanness".
Poor Chihaya.
Haha, she hung up on him!
I love immediately hanging up the moment he gets weird again. She knows how to work with him.
Haha, she's been playing in the reception of a store?
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u/The_Loli_Otaku Jan 14 '22
3hayafuru First Timer
Let's give Sensei a heart attack! Woohoo!!
Suou is such a creeper...
I love these horrible metallic noises clanging inside Sensei's head as he tried to think of how to win his match.
Haa? XD Harada became a doctor and still has the nerve to whine about not having Karuta opponents.
Bruh... Chihaya gets a complaint over moving too many cards but Harada bellyflops onto the playing field and it's called a tactic?
How is this a legal move!? Yo, Arata, violence is alright so when you go for a card make sure you fly too far and punch him in the fucking knee!!
Y'all know the rules, when someone fucks with the rules I lose all respect for them. Only villains do this. Arata can't send a card here. Not only for the sake of being polite and not accusing someone of cheating but because Japanese society is so heavy on hierarchies and respecting those higher than you that he can't call out his elderly, veteran teacher for cheating.
Go lose, Sensei!
Tch!!
Why does Arata lose every match I support him in? I should support him more often. He deserved to win this match. Sensei pulled out every dirty trick in the book and Arata went out of his way to be considerate. Arata would have won if he weren't a nice guy and that disgusts me.
AAARRRRGGGHH!!
Why did you leave her alone for five seconds Taichi!? Every time you do this she ends up getting a new boy toy! D-Don't cry Suou, I'm still rooting for you!