stracke.pattie - 2016-02-23 10:56:50

The only other anime that got me so hooked was Sakamichi no Apollon. I totally ship this anime. 

ayden.mohr - 2015-09-09 03:33:12

This is my favorite anime of all time. It has the most beautiful animation I have ever seen. I think the story is awesome: amazingly well timed and developed, consistent, but with some nice twists.

Fair Warning: if you can't get into the card game they play, you will probably get board. However if you do get into it, you will probably become obsessed with it and start playing with your friends (or at least desperately begging your friends to play).

This is the only anime I've every watched where I flipped "teams." No spoilers, but you'll see what I mean when you get there...it's a slow burn, but man does the romance really pack a punch in this one.

This is also my favorite heroine of all time. She's deep, she intelligent, she cares, but she's not a doormat. She gorgeous, but she couldn't care less. She's deeply in-love with the two male leads, but in such a naive/innocent way that you're desperate to see how it all ends up. All the side characters have enough depth to be interesting, but we don't waste too much time developing them and loose track of the main plot.

If you connect with this story line you will feel their emotions very deeply and really enjoy taking this journey with them. My only sad, pitiful complaint, is that the ending is so tragically open ended, and you'll die when you realize there aren't more seasons...but just go read the mange when that time comes.

jaylon.douglas - 2015-07-16 05:02:07

-THIS REVIEW COVERS BOTH SEASONS OF CHIHAYAFURU-

Chihayafuru is a very unique show in premise but not so much in execution. It centers around a traditional Japanese card game called karuta and the aspirations of a girl named Chihaya set to become the best player in Japan (and therefore the world) alongside her friends.

Karuta is a one-on-one card game in which players must try to touch cards inscribed with poems as the corresponding poems are read faster than their opponent. The game is explained very thoroughly early on, and while the concept may seem rather dull the show does a great job on making it interesting.

Chihayafuru opens on a few flashback episodes to set the stage in elementary school as Chihaya learns about and grows a dedication to karuta, all while forming a love triangle with child prodigy Arata and childhood friend Taichi. This love triangle is probably the most interesting character dynamic in the show but sadly it's treated as background decoration due to Arata's overall absence and lack of screen-time. Eventually Chihaya and Taichi form their own team at Mizusawa Highschool with three others who all have some entertaining personalities on their own (the lady-like Oe is a favourite of mine).  

However, despite their charm they don't really have much chemistry between each other overall. Everyone develops nicely and you can feel them grow closer as a group, but I can't describe any two characters' relationship any differently than any others'. In season two an additional two players are added to the team, but they are quickly sidelined and don't get much focus at all, which is a shame because they actually had some distinct dynamics with a few of the other characters.

As a group though, the cast does feel like a bunch friends who would genuinely spend their time together, which is something a lot of anime tend to miss. Watching them all grow to love karuta more and more as the series progresses is a spectacle alone. Chihaya herself is a very charismatic character with an unparalleled drive to better herself at the game, and her passion makes her lovable despite her clueless nature. This passion can occasionally steer the show towards melodrama, (never to the point of being overbearing however) but there are some very intriguing inner conflicts within the players. Taichi's constant second-guessing of his worth as a karuta player is as emotionally engaging as it is realistic, and it will surely resonate with many (especially athletes).

Most of the matches (it is a sports anime after-all) revolve around the players' psychology rather than strategies. Since karuta is a game centered around reaction time, if a player feels outclassed, overwhelmed, or simply out of their element, their game will be thrown off considerably. This emphasis on attitude can sometimes get a little repetitive as characters go through nearly identical trains of thought match-after-match but most of the time the individual matches are very entertaining. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for the team matches. Because there are five separate games happening simultaneously there is a general lack of focus and tension, which can become very tiresome when the games overstay their welcome. And trust me, they do, especially in the second season.

While they are quite engaging during the show, most games in Chihayafuru are forgettable in the long-term. This is because everyone besides the Mizusawa team is very bland and one-dimensional. There are a few fun standouts like Sudo the sadist but a strong personality can't maintain a conflict on its own. A good antagonist has to challenge the protagonist's physical and mental weakness, and sadly nobody gets the focus to do so aside from Shinobu Wakamiya. She acts as a very good foil for Chihaya to overcome, as the two have similar interests (sharing an obsession with children's merchandise and karuta) but she is much more aggressive and cold and completely outclasses her upon their first meeting.  

Sadly, the two never get a chance to face off on equal ground, as a certain plot-point near the end makes it nearly impossible for Chihaya to play properly. It is a very sour note to end the series on, and while there is a possibility of a season three, Chihayafuru could become another unfinished Madhouse production.

In terms of aesthetic there isn't much to talk about. Yes the motions are always fluent but the show's art style is that of a standard josei, which isn't a bad thing but it isn't a good thing either. Some dynamic shots could've really helped make the show stand out. I'm not too keen on the colour palette either, as everything appears to glow, much like the fluorescence of pale skin. There are a few interesting visual metaphors however, much akin to Kaiji but on a less frequent basis. Arata's prowess flooding the area with water is definitely a visual highlight.

The audio department is pretty typical as well. The music is quite underwhelming, and there is one song that almost queues melodrama whenever it plays. On the plus side, Asami Seto did a great job accentuating Chihaya's quirkiness and disoriented personality through her stellar voice acting, and the sound effects are pleasant to the ears as well. The smacks of hands on tatami mats sound thoroughly striking, which really emphasizes how dedicated karuta players are to their craft.

Overall Chihayafuru is a fine watch and while personally I am indifferent to it, there is value to be had. I would recommend Chihayafuru if you would like something simple but unique and don't care about being on the edge of your seat ninety percent of the time. It's clear that the show's target audience is housewives longing for cultural nostalgia, so I suppose garnering the attention of other demographics is almost an achievement of its own. Will it be heralded in ten years as a masterpiece? Likely not, but Chihayafuru is a series that deserves to be completed.

~

leannon.shannon - 2015-04-13 18:46:46

I didn't know what 'Karuta' was before watching this. And after having finished first 2 seasons I don't actually care now too. But the thing that such a boring looking game was transformed tihs good anime was very impressive from my side. Also to make a game known to others , this anime is a very fine example. I hope season 3 will come shortly

ara.daugherty - 2014-01-09 05:53:17

Note: This review is spoiler-free and covers my analysis of both seasons.

"If you become the best in Japan, you'll be the best in the world." – Arata Wataya

These were the words that inspired our main protagonist, Chihaya Ayase, to fall in love with karuta, a card game of one hundred Japanese poems written in the same form over a span of many years. Chihayafuru, as a whole, can be described in one word. Earnest. Karuta is shown to be a more intensive sport than one might initially think, often requiring memorisation, perfect timing, mental stability, and physical endurance in various combinations depending on the individual.

The story is not what sets apart Chihayafuru from other sports anime. It is a relatively simple plot line that follows Chihaya's efforts to improve at competitive karuta. In addition to being obsessed with becoming the best female karuta player in Japan, Chihaya endeavours to form the Mizusawa Karuta Club at the high school she attends. One of her other goals is to reunite the childhood friend who introduced her to karuta, Arata Wataya, who moved away shortly after befriending her.

Driven by her complete dedication to karuta, our beautiful main character competes in various team and individual matches together with her club members over the course of the show, and overcomes her weaknesses as a player and as a person. The show also uses well-placed and laugh out loud comedy, usually in tandem with Chihaya's hilarious facial expressions and realisations.

Now, what truly makes Chihayafuru special is the wonderful cast of characters. Arguably, each and every one of them is likable, from friends, to opponents, and even to mentors. Chihaya herself is a fantastic and lovable character who holds steadfast onto her love for karuta, despite the painful losses she faces. And uniquely, she and her teammates lose quite often, which often takes heavy emotional tolls on the relevant character.

The second character that deserves special mention, and who is the most dynamic character of all, is Taichi Mashima. Taichi was also friends with both Arata and Chihaya in their earlier years, and presently believes that he can never beat Arata at anything, especially not karuta. Taichi is voiced by the superb Mamoru Miyano (Okabe Rintarou from Steins;Gate, Light Yagami from Death Note, Tamaki Suoh from Ouran), who captures his desire to change and passion to win with unparalleled perfection. His love for Chihaya is one thing that is evident from the first episode. The resulting "love triangle" between the three is one of the elements that often frustrates viewers, as the romance does not lead anywhere in the existing seasons. However, it is important to remember that Chihayafuru is not a romantic anime but centred entirely around karuta. The romance aspect is used instead to explain motivations and strengthen relationships. And what relationships they are! For me, this part of the show was most rewarding as every character interaction is handled exceptionally well.

While I can't describe how much I love every single person in Chihayafuru, it should be noted that no character is bland or uninteresting. All are memorable in one way or another.

The art style employed in Chihayafuru uses vibrant colours, bright lighting, and unique character designs- done by Studio Madhouse (Monster, NANA, Hunter x Hunter '11). An aspect I especially appreciated was how each poem was brought to life by images and backgrounds of content relating to the poem. In addition, the poems were often used to compliment the mood or situation, which was a lovely technique that helped reinforce how meaningful and emotional karuta was. Remarkable karuta players were also given this kind of pleasing accompaniment in order to analogise their personal styles.

Unexpectedly, the karuta matches can become increasingly suspenseful to watch. The level of intensity increases tenfold with the beginning of season 2, when most of the players have gained enough experience. This effect is helped by the sublime soundtrack, that ranges from stirringly beautiful to powerfully intense. Granted, tracks were reused, but the timing was perfect almost every time. The OST worked to enhance emotional scenes and also to make your heart rate quicken with each passing second. Both openings are performed by the same musicians, 99RadioService, and provide an uplifting mood for the viewer. In contrast, the ending themes are emotional tracks by female singers. All are extremely memorable, though when the karuta matches are intense, both must be skipped for sanity to be retained.

Chihayafuru is very inspiring and if enjoyed, can easily worm into a special place in your heart. It is beautiful and at times, emotional and heart warming as the bonds between players strengthen after both victories and losses. Chihayafuru also allows the viewer to appreciate the beauty of a sport that would otherwise be considered very dull and repetitive. It has consistently excellent writing and dialogue, allowing for some wonderfully inspiring moments. However, its major flaw lies in the inconclusive ending. It is very open-ended, and without a third season, cannot be completely appreciated. However, with the progress of the manga, there is a strong possibility of a continuation. And with that hope, I will give this series the score it deserves for the magnificently earnest execution. While it may not appeal to everyone the way it did to me, its achievements and high points cannot be argued. It truly has one of the most beloved cast of characters in the anime I have seen thus far, and is a fantastic and noteworthy entry into the sports genre.

clair.bayer - 2013-07-02 01:55:17

Note: This review assumes you have watched S1. I highly recommend you watch that before reading this review as it might contain spoilers for that season.

Chihayafuru 2 starts up with the Chihaya entering her second year. Still bent on becoming the Queen, her life still consists of three things: karuta, karuta, and more karuta. But now she has to deal with new challenges too, among them working with new club members.

The story pretty much stays the same. Chihaya goes through her school life trying to become the best at karuta. The second season essentially goes through 3 parts, new members, and two tournaments. The feel and emotion of the first season is very much present in the second.

The characters remain pretty much the same as they did in S1. However, all of them still have some considerable growth and development, which says a lot since they all got a lot it back in S1. It also adds two new members to the group. Because they are novices they have some trouble fitting in at first, and even for myself didn't really fit, at first, but as they also grew throughout the show they start to feel more and more like a natural part of the cast.

The animation is crisp and rather vibrant. The "lightning" is very well done and the transitions throughout the show are expertly placed. The sound in the show is pretty top notch. Especially the audio cues the show almost conditions you to listen for.

If you want an anime with soul this is the show for you. It's rare that an anime can evoke the emotion and passion this one does without things like death or mind boggling plot twists. Virtually a must watch.