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Well, the premise sounds deathly boring. And it's not like this show can be marketed based on its characters/execution, because again, it sounds deathly boring. (It's not in the least.) To most otaku, it's too girly (and the ever-reviled sports show); to the sports anime fans, it's lame . So that leaves girls and lovers of good writing, or so it seems based on the reactions I've seen.
Anyway, I loved this episode. Taichi's sort of self-loathing I can really connect to, because I've been through that kind of pressure myself. Chihaya, ever the enthusiastic one, runs over Porky to hand Taichi her hankie, which is adorable-slash-shit-eating-grin-inducing. D'aww.
edited 1st Feb '13 5:03:47 PM by Mai4eternity
@zsmg It's the premise. Most people who actually give this a shot like it.
Episode 4:
- I love Arata's accent.
- Oh yeah, Tsuboguchi's a teacher now, and a coach to boot! He's been training his students well it seems.
- Same as the above poster, I can relate to what Taichi's going through, and I'm glad he's finally managed to overcome that mental block. Yes, Chihaya rushing to give him a towel was damn adorable. Sucks for Sumire, though.
Just watched the first four eps of the new season. It's still the same good old Chihayafuru, I guess. Though I guess it's kinda frustrating that even though so much seems to happen every episode, not much changes, and the story seems to move forward really slowly. Though I guess that's normal for a character-driven story where the plot is not the point.
I have to agree with you guys that the premise of the show isn't really something that easily draw in large amount of viewers.
Anyway episode five was excellent, not as good episode four. Nishida losing was not that surprising, the way he was distracted by his sister (your sister is dating retro, ouch!) and the hair clips on your opponent.
And you know what I hope Chihaya loses as well, but that Taichi, Boobie girl and glasses boy win their matches, that would be the ultimate comeuppance.
It's kinda hard to beat episode 4; it provided a resolution to Mashima's issues which pervaded most of Season 1.
Episode 5:
- Who'd have thought that Hokuo's trump card was the return of the sadist? As a reader to boot! Hokuo even straight up admits [[spoiler: that they had a home court advantage.
- Cool, Nishida lost. I'm also thinking Chihaya will lose her match because she's experimenting; I do think it's cool that she's trying to mix Shinobu's and Suo's styles).
- This then means that the other three will have to win their matches. Komano's match didn't get any screentime unfortunately, while Kanade is actually winning for once. I'm a bit torn on Mashima's match, because I also want Retro to win. I really respect Retro for picking the hard way, though it really was a honor before reason deal. Plus he's also in the same boat as Mashima, except without the looks and the raving fangirls (well, he has one), so... yeah.
- Single-row bowing was heartwarming and cool.
Episode 6: Intense final. Was a little surprised that Retro and Chihaya lost, I thought they would be ones who would win their matches (though I could already tell they were gonna lose around seven minutes in). Was also expecting Komano and Oe to win, but at least we've seen that they've improved.
Dr. Harada is thrilled to have five new members for his society. Good for him!
Leave it to Arata to make Taichi sad again. :P
edited 16th Feb '13 11:16:42 PM by fillerdude
She certainly was interesting.
Episode 8:
- Tsutomu is indeed very cool. That was one tough act of selflessness he did.
- Nice trolling there, Porky Sis.
- The match against the "foreigners" was funny. It's not without its moments of greatness, however.
- We have the funnily realistic Japanese reactions to foreigners— except for Chihaya, who cried with joy.
- Taichi calling the gaijin out on their bad English was hilarious, especially when they admitted to doing it to psych them out.
- XD at Tsukuba's quip that karuta wasn't popular even in Japan.
- Really liked Nishida's observation of the opponents' freeform karuta.
- Whiteboard message, ahaha.
- A wild Arata appeared!
- A wild Shinobu appeared! I NEED THE NEXT EPISODE
edited 4th Mar '13 5:19:15 AM by fillerdude
Episode 14: Pretty much goes as expected: Porky loses (he's on a streak), Taichi wins, Kana wins (heck yeah), Chihaya loses to Megumu and Tsutomu gets a much-deserved win! Victory for the technicians, basically~
On to the finals! (I didn't even need to spoiler that, did I?) With Tsukuba playing in the finals, that's practically one loss guaranteed.
edited 15th Apr '13 6:17:16 AM by fillerdude
Episode 15: Buildup for the actual match.
Shinobu really does not give a damn. But she ended up watching the team finals anyway. That's good news for Chihaya.
So the predicted outcome is that Taichi, Nishida and Chihaya will win. Komano has a shot, but it's very unlikely.
As for their opponents, I don't like the pervert, Rion, Makoto and Fox Eyes interest me while I'm meh about the twin.
(More as a reminder for myself than anything else)
This episode corresponds to chapters 76-77. By the time the match is over we'll be at chapter 83.
edited 21st Apr '13 11:24:55 PM by fillerdude
Episode 16: Recap episode.
Unfortunately, unlike the recap episode of the first season, this one does not have as many omake segments— something the episode promptly lampshades.
- Speaking of lampshades, we have one on Arata's lacking screentime. At least he gets the first and last segments to himself!
- Porky Sis and Retro's love story. Porky Sis thinks Retro looks like Johnny Depp (what) and engineers a Crash-Into Hello, which goes the way you expect it to, given their respecitve constitutions.
- Kana horrifying the guys with fake eyelashes.
- Shinobu's fashion sense is as unique as ever.
- An actual discussion on the romance in Chihayafuru. Highlights include:
- Taichi showing his experience in such matters
- Chihaya and Kanade talking about what type of guy they like:
- Chihaya wants someone who's good at karuta— she thinks of Harada-sensei while saying this. This also prompts Taichi and Tsukuba to practice like hell... huh. Didn't think Tsukuba liked Chihaya specifically.
- Kanade wants someone who can put on a kimono properly, prompting Komano and Nishida to go for kimono-wearing lessons. At the Oe's shop, no less!
- Some info about Omi Jingu, delivered by Sakurazawa-sensei.
edited 1st May '13 6:47:53 AM by fillerdude
Episode 17:
- Rion has a significant advantage in that she's used to the reader, and Chihaya had injured her finger. And still Chihaya has the upper had. Chihaya hasn't even noticed Shinobu yet!
- Speaking of Shinobu, she's getting interested. :D
- Can't remember her first name. <beat> Gave up. XD
- The other four guys on Chihaya's team are losing badly, it seems. Shape up, boys!
- Episode 18 can't come soon enough
edited 6th May '13 12:43:03 AM by fillerdude

Episode four was great, after watching an episode like that it makes me wonder why this anime isn't more popular.