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Let the tears flow – they’ve been building for a long time.
“Frustration won’t last forever. Nobody can keep on going without some measure of reward.”
Harada-sensei (I remain puzzled by his absence at this event) thought those words in episode 20 of the first season – possibly the most memorable line of dialogue from probably the best scene in certainly the best episode of either season. The thought was about Taichi, but could just as easily have been about the readers and viewers of Chihayafuru who love the character. And therein, I think, lies the draw of Taichi for so many of us – he’s the one who represents the feelings and thoughts of the audience in so many ways. Chihaya, Arata and Shinobu are wonderful characters – but most people are a lot more like Taichi than they are like any of them.
In a sense, this second season’s final arc has been eminently predictable. On the most basic level, we got the Class A final most of us expected – Arata vs. Shinobu. We got the Class B final we expected, Taichi vs. Rion. We even got the Class A semi-finals I thought seemed most likely in Arata vs. Emuro, with Shinobu vs. Megumu – though those matches packed zero drama as they were completely skimmed over, surprising given the sloth-like pacing of most of the season. There are the other classes too, of course – in Class C Tsutomu makes the final but Kanade doesn’t, and it’s only in a brief glimpse that we see Tsukuba has made the Class D final. If Tsutomu has been ignored by his friends, what level of Hell is Tsukuba at to be ignored even by the director?
The most important predictable element to come to pass, though, was the dilemma that would face Chihaya once the pairings were settled – which finals match to watch. This was telegraphed weeks ago and everything since then seemed to be slowly building towards it. With the Class A finals indeed on their own in a separate room, it truly is an either/or decision for Chihaya (who’s been sleeping it off in the hallway, only Fujisaki’s coach waking her up getting her to any of the matches in time). This was truly the crucible moment both for the season and her character, the looming presence that’s been hovering over everything. What would she decide? In a sense, it was more dramatic than the matches themselves.
The first surprise is Nishida’s decision – he blows off the T3 to watch the Class A final, and urges Chihaya to do the same. His reasoning is solid enough – Taichi is playing like a man possessed, and doesn’t need their support (T2 gets only an aside and T3 doesn’t even merit a mention). More importantly, he tells Chihaya that Taichi himself would urge her to watch Arata and Shinobu play. And the funny thing is, of course, Taichi would do exactly that – as we see later in the episode. And Taichi would be wrong for doing so, just as Nishida was wrong even if his logic was sound. Frankly it seemed out of character to me to have Nishida do this, but I think his development was sacrificed for Chihaya’s – he was forced to act out-of-character in order to make her decision that much more dramatic.
This is truly the watershed moment for both Chihaya and Taichi this season. Happily, Chihaya came through with flying colors. I’ve no doubt that S1 Chihaya would have watched the Class A final – but this is not S1 Chihaya. All of her development and seeming maturation in S2 would have been compromised if she abandoned Taichi now, not just because of her own stated goals at the start of the season but because of what this moment means for him. The biggest difference between Chihaya now and last season is her slow but sure escape from the prison of being totally self-absorbed. She may not have progressed enough in terms of self-awareness to seriously confront her feelings towards Taichi and Arata, but she’s been showing more consideration and concern for her teammates all season. She had to make the decision she did – it’s not about romance, and it’s not about Karuta. It’s about being there for the person she’s been struggling and laughing and crying beside for the last 48 episodes. It’s not where S1 Chihaya would have been, but it’s where S2 Chihaya belongs.
The irony – there’s always irony with Taichi – is that Chihaya’s presence very nearly costs him his match with Rion. He’s been in a zone for the entire Class B tourney, apparently – “totally calm in a match” as his friends and rivals have never seen him, a beast. But as always Taichi’s greatest enemy is himself, and seeing Chihaya unnerves him. He’s shocked – he didn’t expect to see her, and probably feels undeserving of having her watch his match. Rather than stay focused he starts stressing over trying to win the match quickly so that Chihaya can have time to go watch the Class A final – an agonizingly dumb and misguided train of thought that’s just perfect Taichi. He’s largely become the person who doesn’t run away, but he’s still a person who constantly puts roadblocks in front of himself when the path is otherwise clear.
Again ironically, in a season that’s moved at a glacial pace during the tournament Taichi’s match is over all too quickly, and we don’t get even a peek at Tsutomu (never mind Tsukuba). The individual finals last season were in themselves much more dramatic than these – how dearly I would have loved less focus on creepy photographers and stereotypical gaijin students for another episode (or even half) to spend on Taichi’s match. There are external factors to be sure – a reader-in-training (which seems inexcusable to me given the importance of the event) being the most obvious. But as usual most of the drama is inside Taichi’s head. Both players are nervous and struggling with the reader, though Rion’s superior hearing and speed allow her to adjust more quickly and take a lead.
It’s at this point that Taichi settles himself and shows that he, too, has grown during this season. Crucially, it’s when he stops comparing Rion to Suo and starts comparing her to Chihaya that the match turns. He finally admits the truth to himself – he wants desperately to beat Chihaya in a match (it’s not hard to see the symbolic importance of this). He manages to push the unnecessary thoughts from his mind (thinking too much as always being his biggest obstacle) and harken back to what’s gotten him this far. He brings the game back to what he’s good at – memorization and analysis. He sets style points aside and focuses on what makes him the most successful Karuta player we’ve seen this season, the beast that decimated the field in the Class B tournament and crushed Retro by 18 cards. Taichi is what other sports refer to as a “grinder” – there’s no flash to his game, just determination and smarts. And he dominates Rion from this point onward (too quickly really, for dramatic purposes) going on to win by 9 cards.
If you’d asked me when the season started what the most likely landing point for Taichi would be, I would have said he’ll probably win a Class B tournament and make Class A, but Suetsugu will do something to make it impossible for him to fully enjoy the moment. Well, we’ll see what the full aftermath is next week – but in the moments after the final we certainly see both the self-defeating impulses and the reward Harada-sensei spoke of. Even in his moment of greatest triumph, the fulfilment of all his work and frustration, we see the Taichi who tries to run away – he tries to make it about getting Chihaya to Arata’s match, even now. But all Chihaya wants to do is cry because finally, Taichi has achieved his dream. The dominant thought for me as this played out was “Dammit Taichi – just cry already!” This moment was about him – it was the reward at last, after all the frustration. Chihaya knew it – but even here, Taichi had to be dragged kicking and screaming into acknowledging what it meant to him.
All of that, seemingly, clears the decks for next week to focus on the Class-A final – though with only 9 cards left and a hesitant reader for the other classes, I can’t imagine there’s much of it left. It truly is a battle of titans, and while I thought for a while Shinobu was likely to have the upper hand, I’m not so sure now. Arata seems to have gotten into Shinobu’s head in a way she hasn’t gotten into his – she’s much more obsessed with him than he is with her. Arata is, as ever, eerily calm – he even smiles at Shinobu’s comment about neither of them needing friends, which unnerves her still further. Shinobu is arrogant, brash and obsessive – but it masks a fragility underneath that the right opponent can reveal and exploit. And Arata seems to be that opponent. They’re evenly matched for speed, roughly, and his game sense is close to hers. More importantly he plays the way his grandfather did, his quiet demeanor belying his ruthless style of attacking the opponent’s strengths and destroying their confidence.
Both in Karuta and narrative terms, it could be argued that either player will win this match, though I certainly expect it to come down to a card or two. We won’t see the impact this season and even if we ever do it won’t be for a few years, but the question of whether Arata comes to Tokyo seemingly hangs in the balance (I expect him to go even if he loses). If Taichi’s match was the apex of the relatable common man’s struggle, this is Chihayafuru’s “Shounen Jump moment” – the battle between two implacable geniuses whose talent is singular and exceptional. This contrast is one of the many fascinating elements of the series, and it makes the prospect of a Class A featuring all of the main cast an alluring one indeed – not the mention the exploration of the personal side of the story, largely underdeveloped this season.
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ishruns
June 15, 2013 at 4:42 amIt felt rushed, really rushed and after agonizingly building towards it that is not what should have happened. I really think the director didn't plan fully ahead with the Gaijin/Nerds/Fanclubs episodes. And we are paying through are hearts and souls for it.
This should have been the best moment of S2, the realization of the dream that Taichi is now, on paper, the same as Arata and more importantly Chihaya. All shounen heroes have talent and usually build on it with guts and determination, but Taichi is that sidekick who follows them, never as good but trying so hard to be.
If Arata vs Shinobu (I think Arata just because he's in her head and it will increase Chihaya's infatuation or whatever with him) ends next episode, we'll get at least one episode where Sugetsu will for the love of god put those three in a room, alone to talk.
I never followed Sangatsu no Lion, never knew it was Umino Chika. Is it really getting an adaption, I can't find news of it anywhere
admin
June 15, 2013 at 5:09 amNo, it's not getting an adaptation yet. That was the whole reason I mentioned it, though it seems to have been misunderstood for some reason.
Kim
June 15, 2013 at 5:25 amThe final scene between Chihaya and Taichi was absolutely beautiful. Nothing about romance just a wonderful shared moment of friendship.
Also not only did Taichi finally get to Class A, he also won every single match during this tournament (both in singles and Group).
Ronbb
June 15, 2013 at 5:27 amI couldn't help but cry together with Chihaya, and seriously, congrats to Taichi for making Class A…finally.
For many of us who have been following the show and appreciate Taichi as an awesome character, this is the rewarding moment that we have been waiting for over a year and a half — although I am a bit disappointed by how short the match was. I really like how you quoted Harada-sensei's words — and, yes, it applies to me as a viewer. I love Taichi the character a lot — it is such an intricately and beautifully written character that is so real and relatable and has tugged our heartstrings many times. I am also very proud of Chihaya. She chose to be there for Taichi and reminded him to stop and enjoy his moment of making Class A. The BGM was, once again, awesome in accentuating all the emotionally peak points in the last 8 minutes of this episode.
Next week will be all about Shinobu vs Arata. I am sure that it will be as exciting as hell, but it probably won't be as emotionally dramatic to me as the last 8 minutes of this episode. I have to be honest…I like Shinobu more than Arata. I don't know much of Arata — he's too God-like that makes it hard for me to relate to and connect with. At least, Shinobu is more fleshed out that I can feel for her more. However, as much as I root for Shinobu (and, Enzo, we had this chat last week), I think Suetsugu-sensei will make Arata win. I so wanted to be surprised otherwise though. I also hope to see at least a glimpse of Tsutomu and Tsukuba next week, as both have advanced to the finals.
madwho
June 15, 2013 at 6:57 amI unfortunately spoiled the outcome of the Arata and Shinobu match for myself -_- but still looking forward to seeing it animated. I just hope they announce a season 3 soon, because season 2 felt more like a bridge between two sections: season 1 and the outcome of season 2.
fantasticmemes
June 15, 2013 at 10:29 amI burst into tears at the conclusion here. I felt so proud, just so proud. Oh, Taichi, you deserved it.
Gary Cochran
June 16, 2013 at 3:44 amI was so happy she chose to come and cheer for him instead of watching the finals with the 2 demigods.
elianthos80
June 15, 2013 at 1:24 pm* reaction in short* OH GAWD FINALLY YES :,DDDDDDDDDDD and CRY DAMMIT YOU'VE EARNED IT.
I must agree with whom praised the bgm, it really went well with The Event unfolding. Seeing how actually short the focus on the class B finals was I'm glad it still got al the bgm support it deserved and the result managed to be so gripping. Got the best out that handful of minutes. Short but glorious.
Go Taichi!
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About the rest… is it bad I'm rooting for Shinobu beyong any hope? I can see why she needs to lose for her own good but still… I'm not looking forward to see that by Arata's hands. Like, at all.
I really wished the pacing could have allowed for a more evenly spred screen time when it came to the rest of the Mizusawa team. ( This week Tsutomu :,/, my Kanade! And indeed Tsukuba might as well been fallen off the face of the Earth. Poor guy is in desperate need of both screen time and chances of redemption ).
Taichi's all-female support club with the chain of hands was one of those funny yet touching surrounding bits that really felt spot-on.
I could have done without Retro's usual borderline petty gimmicks though for instance. Talk of mood and tension breaker…
On a lighter note, Fujisaki's coach seems indeed quite remarkable. But her front assets – the stuff Eromu's dreams are made on – have shrunk. Animators, I'm disappointed :p.
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Bottom line: everything is better with more Taichi focus. Go Taichi! Have I said Go Taichi already?
ravenanne
June 15, 2013 at 5:44 pmAs a manga reader, I felt that reading the manga where Taichi struggles in the class b finals is better, since there are some important scenes that were cut off from season 1 that needs to be shown in his match against Rion. But seeing the last scene animated made me emotional to the point of shedding tears… Yes! My baby Taichi is finally class A. I cried when Chihaya started crying. Taichi is so selfless, thinking of Chihaya first before himself. I'm not even sure if it's a good thing for him, but it's definitely one of the reasons why I grew to love his very human character.
And you're right! Taichi is indeed full of irony!
Again, thanks for blogging this! I always visit your page after every episode of Chihayafuru. It makes me understand the show better. 😉
Gary Cochran
June 16, 2013 at 3:50 amFunny how we can enjoy shows and not know anything about the game the series is based on whether it be this show, Shion No Oh, or Saki. We get so wrapped up in the characters the mechanics of the game they play almost does not matter.
Sauce
June 15, 2013 at 7:07 pmI actually rather liked they they didn't spend too much time on the Taichi and Rion match. When Taichi asked himself "What am I doing here", he was right, what was he still doing in class B? He's very clearly a class A player and the only reason why he isn't already in Class A is due to his own bad luck/roadblocks he has set himself. If they had focused too much on this match I feel that it would've seemed like they were taking him down a peg. I'm not saying Rion wasn't a formidable foe as well, but she still very apparently has a lot of room to grow even if she is one of the "talented" ones. So personally I think they did great in not drawing that out too much.
Also on another note, though it obviously won't happen, I kind of wish Chihaya would end up not going with Taichi or Arata. The both of them obviously are after her, but that has nothing to do with what Chihaya wants and I've always just seen her more wanting to be friends and continue playing Karuta together with them. Why does she have to choose one or the other?
Gary Cochran
June 16, 2013 at 3:51 amI honestly don't think she has a clue either boy loves her. She is just a pure and simple girl that loves Karuta and thats it.
Gideon
June 15, 2013 at 7:23 pm"his game sense is close to hers."
I don't see it as being the case. If Arata's game sense was close to Shinobu's, he wouldn't need to go out of his way to hit several cards at once. From what I could tell, Shinobu clearly reacted faster, but Arata's swing is just supreme, which was hinted by the instructor that caught him playing for another team and was telegraphed in the match against Nishida, where he would hit several cards in a one swoop.
Beckett
June 17, 2013 at 5:45 am"the beast that decimated the field in the Class B tournament"
Decimated? He won 100% of his matches, not 10%.
I kinda feel like others have said, this episode was too rushed. Having the first part show the beginning of Shinobu vs. Arata was a mistake, they should have saved that for next week and spent the whole time on Taichi's match. I'm obviously thrilled at the outcome and it's hard not to feel the "reward" after building to it all season, but part of the reward was robbed from us IMO by making it happen so quickly. It's a solid object lesson in the importance of pacing, with jus 5 more minutes dedicated to Taichi's match the payoff would have been twice as sweet.
admin
June 17, 2013 at 6:09 amVerb
Kill, destroy, or remove a large percentage of.
Drastically reduce the strength or effectiveness of (something): "plant viruses that can decimate yields".
Beckett
June 17, 2013 at 3:03 pmThat definition is bullshit, it originally meant to reduce by 10% and words mean what they mean god dammit :P.
We all have our things and this is one of mine.
admin
June 17, 2013 at 11:42 pmLanguage is not a static thing – it evolves over time, like a biological unit. Do you think every English word means what it did 500 or even 100 years ago? Do you think every English word has the same meaning as the Latin or Greek root it evolved from?
The passage of English words into Japanese is a reminder of this phenomenon – it's the process at warp speed. Many of them mean things quite different from the English word that inspired them.
Beckett
June 18, 2013 at 3:14 pmI know all that. Like I said we all have our minor things that drive us crazy and this particular word is one of mine. It drives me almost as batty as when people say "hung" when they should have said "hanged".
melodic thoughts
June 17, 2013 at 7:47 ami didn't think nishida was very out of character. after that cruel match with arata, he himself claimed that he has to go back to being obsessed with karuta and that's what he did 🙂