I feel as if over the course of its run, Chihayafuru has become one of those shows where you can largely predict the quality of the episode based on the characters’ screen time. While there’s no one character here who’s singularly to blame for the series’ narrative stumbles of late, any change to the dynamic that is responsible is like opening the window and letting in a refreshing breeze. That sounds harsh I know, but for me at least (and I know from personal experience it’s far from just me) that’s the way it tends to go. And this episode was a perfect example.
In the comments about this season in various discussion forums, I’m struck by how misunderstood Taichi appears to be. There seems to be a sizable chunk of the audience who still believe he’s playing karuta in order to impress Chihaya (Arata certainly does). Or, at best, that it’s out of some kind of self-loathing – the whole “coward” thing (which was Arata’s word, by the way – not Taichi’s). It’s self-evident from my perspective that this is missing the point, but more to the point, with that view it’s as if for Taichi the series stopped at about Episode 18. That’s simply not who he is anymore, and he hasn’t been that person for a long time.
Why is that? I wonder if anime has conditioned viewers not to see development in characters, because it’s pretty common for series not to bother with it. Or perhaps it’s because – and this is one of Chihayafuru’s biggest stumbling blocks – there are main characters in this series who actually don’t develop very much. That fact makes Taichi’s development stand out that much more for me (and Japanese readers it seems, based on Taichi’s 2-1 margin over anyone else in the most recent official character poll), but if one viewed him through the same lens as Arata and Chihaya – which is to say, basically the same person he was when he was 12 – this view of Taichi would actually jibe with the facts.
It is what it is, I suppose. And whatever it is, the story now turns to the Master and Queen qualifiers – with Taichi present and Chihaya in Kyoto. All of the other usual suspects are here – Harada-sensei practicing his swings so hard he’s inadvertently hailing cabs, the Fujisaki bunch, Inukama, even Sudou-san. He’s shown up to withdraw (he says – couldn’t he have sent an email?), but Taichi overhears and puts a stop to that nonsense. Would Sudou have done so if their situations has been reversed? Meanwhile out west Arata is battling stomach issues thanks to Yuu-chan’s “lucky” Katsuo sandwiches, and some unexpected guests have arrived (and back east, too).
Suo-meijin remains, for me, one of the unsung greats of this cast. He’s a fascinating man, and while the way the sport’s elites denigrate him nonstop irritates me to no end (as they pine for Arata to sweep in and save the sport – they’re almost as infatuated with him as Suetsugu-sensei), he doesn’t seem to give a flip. He arrives on his motorcycle with Shinobu-chan in the sidecar (she loved every second of it, don’t think otherwise) and promptly starts handing out dorayaki and whispers to (only) the Class A players. His most interesting moment here comes during his brief interaction with Arata (their first conversation). Suo pays Arata a whopper of a left-handed compliment – he tells him he’ll be Meijin someday but not the next Meijin – and that’s watching him play doesn’t excite him. Ouch.
In the Eastern Qualifier, all kinds of interesting things are happening. There’s a wonderful scene where Taichi takes out the man who beat Retro-kun for the Class B title in Yoshino, then thoroughly scolds Retro for losing to him. Harada-sensei wins his first two matches, but his weary body is already giving out (he can barely make it up the stairs to pass out in private). And most importantly Taichi’s mother has spotted her son inside the hall, and proceeded to flip out – which affords Akihiro and especially Sumire their first real story action of the season.
We all know that Mrs. Pressure is a difficult person, and it’s clear that Taichi has done little to share this part of his life with her. Her behavior outside the hall is inflammatory to say the least, and Sumire initially sees this as an opportunity for some fruitful brown-nosing with the real power in the family. But after she sees the way Taichi deals with Sudou and Retro while going about winning his first two matches, she can’t bring herself to do it. She stands up to Mashima-san, which is great. And of course Mashima doesn’t understand her son, but that’s not a surprise – he’s a teenager and he’s kept his secrets well. But what’s undeniable is also kind of pathetic – Sumire understands Taichi (and what motivates him) better than Arata and for Goc’s sake, Chihaya. And really, how sad is that and what kind of a comment on her?
Lest there be any doubt about who Taichi is at this point in the narrative (and honestly there shouldn’t be) he spells it out in no uncertain terms to close the episode. “I want to be someone who isn’t me. But… I still want to be me.” In other words, he’s what most of us are at that age – he wants to be a better, stronger person without losing who he is. That’s what karuta is all about for Taichi – not impressing Chihaya or competing with Arata, but the struggle to stop defining himself through others and to let his true self flourish. What an incredibly relatable and powerful hero’s journey that is – and it’s the straw that stirs the drink as far as Chihayafuru is concerned.
Nadavu
November 27, 2019 at 10:54 pmSo Taichi wants to become a person who doesn’t run away, while still running away? Nah, just kidding. Taichi is awesome, and we’re faced with that most awkward of situations where the show is actually better when the titular character is largely absent. I’m very happy with how this episode used karuta as a plot device, focusing on all the interesting bits around it without going into the nitty-gritty endless matches, and I think you just can’t pull it off when Chihaya is concerned, because there’s so little about her that’s not a karuta-baka.
Sumire finally had a redeeming moment for me. So far her infatuation with Taichi always struck me as shallow and insincere. And we definitely got a reminder for that as, true to her season 2 self, she framed love in terms of brutal combat, but then she goes around and shows sincere care that isn’t self-serving at its base. A great moment for her, and one that Taichi gets to witness from the side. If this is going anywhere, I’m all for it.
Romy
November 28, 2019 at 4:46 amOh, seeing all this animated…..my heart aches for Taichi so much. His thoughts before returning into that room just make me crack up….. I can’t help but think he is one of the best written characters around. It feels so good to remember why I loved Chihayafuru so much. I read the manga….so…..well….. I hope Sensei will be able to finish it in a glorious way….not sure about that though.
Desire Bounds
November 28, 2019 at 10:11 amI have nothing else to say other than what a such wonderful post! I agree with everything said. It took me some time last season to understand why I didn’t care for Arata or Chihaya as much as that’s simply because as you’ve said they literally haven’t grown at all. I’ve loved Taichi’s character since season 1 and I can’t wait to see how it ends for him. I just hope he ends up happy… especially with himself.
I don’t keep up with the manga but will this season be the last?
Guardian Enzo
November 28, 2019 at 12:26 pmUnless this season runs way longer (like four cours) than the first two and Suetsugu wraps very soon, it can’t be the final season. Which is to say, it can’t adapt the manga as-is – it could make major changes and do an original ending, or the anime could just stop after 3 seasons and not adapt the rest of the manga.
Panino Manino
November 28, 2019 at 12:07 pm“I feel as if over the course of its run, Chihayafuru has become one of those shows where you can largely predict the quality of the episode based on the characters’ screen time.”
What do you mean?
For me all characters are great. I really like everyone, every character is a good character is this series, and look, Sumire! She really grew to me and became one of my favorite character (I read the manga).
What you said about Tachi being the one that developed the most is so true man, and maybe because of that that so many people are having problems with him? Because he standing out too much at this point?
Guardian Enzo
November 28, 2019 at 12:23 pmAre a lot of people having problems with him? He won the last manga poll with more votes than all the others combined.
What I mean is, taking Chihaya out of the narrative for an episode freed it from the relentlessly repetitive themes the series gets trapped in when she, Taichi and Arata are all around. If you told me “this ep will focus on Taichi, Harada-sensei and Suo-san” I’d have said there was a strong likelihood it would be stellar (which it was).
Panino Manino
November 29, 2019 at 7:07 am“Are a lot of people having problems with him? He won the last manga poll with more votes than all the others combined.”
Those people all read the manga.
I’m talking about people who only watches the anime.
Yeah, in the end Chihaya is the least interesting character, because she is about Karuta, and Karuta is less interesting than what’s happening in everyone else’s life.
Guardian Enzo
November 29, 2019 at 9:55 amWell to be clear, every English-based character poll I’ve seen has had Taichi on top too. I’m not so sure it’s about a lot (relatively) having problems with him (though he does seem more divisive among the Western audience than the Japanese) but that those who do dislike him tend to really violently dislike him. I’ve made the comparison before but it’s a similar phenomenon I’ve observed with cat and dog people – cat people tend to be indifferent or neutral about dogs, but a lot of dog people seem to really hate cats. I could apply it to Cubs and White Sox fans in Chicago too…
My original point in the post was more about people misunderstanding Taichi and his development than actually disliking him.
Mi-chan
November 29, 2019 at 6:27 pmBeautiful post but I think both Arata and Chihaya had nice development moments. You could go back to season 1: when Arata told her that dreams are for yourself not others, episode 8, her birthday party and the list could go on and on. Same for aratax he played, didnt play, then hes back. And season 1 was basically those 2 growing up. Season 2 with her finger breaking as well.
However , I think we identify with Taichi more because he always gets the unlucky part of anything. I mean the other two seem to have things working for them while Taichi borders on struggle and working hard to be up there with them. Arata and Chihaya are already at the top, that’s how he felt, that’s how often he hears how good they are, while it’s never him.
With that notion I’m scared of what happens next. Taichi mini boss battle was Chihaya and he lost. I have a bad feeling that Taichi will face another bigger boss, Arata, and loses again. Who knows.
Oh btw, I hope the anime doesnt go for original ending please. I hope it goes as per manga. Maybe because it’s a 100 poets thing they will do 100 episodes :p we wre at 58 now arent we? One more season to go!!
Sumire moment was golden and Dr. Harada saying Taichi was like him is like saying he will always play Karuta and never be anywhere near the master. Whatever anyone says, Dr. Harada is literly my second favourite character.
Ty for post! M
Guardian Enzo
November 29, 2019 at 7:15 pmThis season is going to take fans like us and lovingly caress our cheek with one hand while brute-slapping us with the other…
Mi-chan
November 29, 2019 at 8:38 pmOver the past years I been reading your posts, I know well where this will go T_T mainly coz our thoughts r too similar :'(.. hope is killing me to hold on to!!
I think I like to make myself suffer, I waited this long it better be worth it!!
yustin
November 30, 2019 at 7:57 am2020 is almost here. Will you make a list of best anime of this decade?
Guardian Enzo
November 30, 2019 at 9:09 am