Chihayafuru

RomanceSportsSlice of LifeJoseiEarthJapanAsiaCard Games

Watch & episode guide

Episodes

#1Now the Flower BloomsThree years ago, Arata Wataya moved from Fukui to Tokyo, leaving behind his friends and everyone else who shared his passion for karuta. Alone in his interests, and further singled out for his rural accent and apparent…2011-10-05 · 22m

#2The Red That IsAs everyone starts to ignore Chihaya as well as Arata, Chihaya stands her ground, boasting about Arata's karuta skills. Taichi makes a bet that if he can beat Arata in a tournament, he will be ignored until graduation.…2011-10-12 · 22m

#3From the Crystal White SnowChihaya, Taichi and Arata go to a karuta society where people practice competitive karuta. There, they are challenged to a three-on-three match against some of the regulars. Arata takes charge for most of the games…2011-10-19 · 22m

#4A Whirlwind of Flower Petals DescendsBack in the present, Chihaya becomes jealous when he learns Taichi allegedly has a girlfriend, and vows that if she can win a tournament and become a Class A karuta player, Taichi must help her form a high school karuta…2011-10-26 · 22m

#5The Sight of a Midnight MoonFollowing the call, Chihaya decides to go with Taichi to Fukui so she can confront Arata. However, Arata is not too pleased to see them and becomes aggressive when Chihaya brings up karuta again. Arata's friend, Yuu…2011-11-02 · 22m

#6Now Bloom Inside the Nine-fold PalaceHaving obtained a clubroom, Chihaya and Taichi need to find three more members to be officially recognised as a club. Kanade Ōe, a girl who loves traditional clothing, takes an interest in the club but feels dejected…2011-11-09 · 22m

#7But For Autumn's ComingAs Taichi laments that he's can't match Chihaya's skill level, Chihaya scouts a bookworm named Tsutomu Komano for the club, literally dragging his desk with him to the clubroom. Wanting to become smarter to become the…2011-11-16 · 22m

#8The Sounds of the WaterfallAs the club searches for its last member, Chihaya encounters Yusei Nishida, who she last saw during the elementary school tournament, though he refuses to join the karuta club as he is focusing on his tennis. However, as…2011-11-23 · 22m

#9But I Cannot HideTeacher, Taeko Miyauchi, agrees to make the karuta club official and become its advisor, but on the condition that someone besides Chihaya be club president, so Taichi is nominated as president whilst Chihaya declares…2011-11-30 · 22m

#10Exchange Hellos and GoodbyesThe day of the prefectural tournament comes and Chihaya's club comes in with hakama at the ready. As their team progresses through the group stage, Tsutomu grows less confident as he continues to be beaten in his…2011-12-07 · 22m

#11The Sky is the Road HomeAs the Misuzawa team start to face off against Hokuou Academy in the regional finals, Arata discovers the masses of e-mails Chihaya had sent him. Chihaya struggles when her opponent uses her favourite card to distract…2011-12-14 · 22m

#12Sets These Forbidden Fields AglowDespite the victory at the tournament, Chihaya still feels overshadowed by her sister. After playing a match against Dr. Harada, Chihaya grows concern about living up to the expectations of being Tokyo's representative…2011-12-21 · 22m

#13For You, I Head OutThe team arrive at Omi Jingu for the national tournament. As the first match begins, Chihaya feels overwhelmed by the hot and noisy environment of the tournament hall. Meanwhile, Arata makes his way to Omi Jingu…2012-01-04 · 22m

#14For There Is No One Else Out ThereThe individual tournament begins, in which the players play against others depending on their class. Chihaya learns that the current queen of karuta, Shinobu Wakamiya, is playing in the Class A tournament. Chihaya comes…2012-01-11 · 22m

#15As Though Pearls Have Been Strung Across the Autumn PlainThe match inevitably ends with Shinobu's victory, who goes on to win the Class A tournament, but the cards Chihaya managed to take from Shinobu leave a lasting impression on her. After becoming determined to improve her…2012-01-18 · 22m

#16The Autumn Leaves of Mount OguraA recap of the events so far, interspersed with various omake segments.2012-01-25 · 22m

#17World Offers No EscapeAs Taichi gathers intel on upcoming karuta tournaments, the others are surprised when he breaks up with his girlfriend to focus on the club. Both Taichi and Yusei enter a Class B tournament in Kanazawa, but both end up…2012-02-01 · 22m

#18The Plum Blossoms Still Smell the SameWith the others looking to improve their rank, Chihaya participates in a Class A tournament where she has trouble adjusting her play style to focus less on speed. Although she loses against her opponent, Sakura Kanai…2012-02-08 · 22m

#19As the Years PassAs Tsutomu falls behind Kana due to his faults, he comes up with a gamble strategy to take advantage of the odds against him. However, Kana eventually manages to win thanks to her knowledge of the cards her friends use.…2012-02-15 · 22m

#20The Cresting Waves Almost Look Like Clouds in the SkiesIn the runup to some exams, Tsutomu becomes a tutor for Chihaya and Yusei whilst Taichi enters a tournament in Yoshino, his last opportunity to advance to Class A. There, he runs into Arata, who gives him his contact…2012-02-22 · 22m

#21As My Sleeves Are Wet With DewAfter the exams, the others notice Taichi reciting the hundred poems from memory. This prompts Yusei to point out that Taichi's weakness is seeing the cards as words instead of feeling them. On the day of the Eastern…2012-02-29 · 22m

#22Just as My Beauty Has FadedIn the next round, Chihaya faces off against the former Queen, Yumi Yamamoto, who had become downhearted after losing her title to Shinobu the previous year, showing no real confidence in her match. As the heat builds…2012-03-07 · 22m

#23The Night is Nearly PastChihaya becomes depressed about losing and shuts herself inside a locker but is convinced to come out when Harada competes against Sudo in order to call off the bet to make Chihaya shave her head. Harada makes it to the…2012-03-14 · 22m

#24Nobody Wishes to See the Beautiful Cherry BlossomsChihaya and the others go to Taichi's house to watch the Queen Match between Yumi and Shinobu, who had gained a lot of weight since Chihaya last saw her. As Shinobu is at a disadvantage due to her extra weight, she…2012-03-21 · 22m

#25Moonlight, Clear and BrightEverybody is shocked after hearing that Master Suo plays karuta with 28 one-syllable cards. Chihaya, Arata, Taichi, and the other karuta club members do some soul searching as they attempt to move forward.2012-03-28 · 22m

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Quick facts

Episodes25

Seasons1

StatusFinished

Aired2011

Japanese title: ちはやふる
Also known as: Chihayafull

Synopsis

Chihaya Ayase, a strong-willed and tomboyish girl, grows up under the shadow of her older sister. With no dreams of her own, she is contented with her share in life till she meets Arata Wataya. The quiet transfer student in her elementary class introduces her to competitive karuta, a physically and mentally demanding card game inspired by the classic Japanese anthology of Hundred Poets. Captivated by Arata's passion for the game and inspired by the possibility of becoming the best in Japan, Chihaya quickly falls in love with the world of karuta. Along with the prodigy Arata and her haughty but hard-working friend Taichi Mashima, she joins the local Shiranami Society. The trio spends their idyllic childhood days playing together, until circumstances split them up. Now in high school, Chihaya has grown into a karuta freak. She aims to establish the Municipal Mizusawa High Competitive Karuta Club, setting her sights on the national championship at Omi Jingu. Reunited with the now indifferent Taichi, Chihaya's dream of establishing a karuta team is only one step away from becoming true: she must bring together members with a passion for the game that matches her own. \[Written by MAL Rewrite\]