Chihayafuru – 06

Oe is a great addition to the group. Compared to Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata, she’s certainly different but in her own good way. She’s enjoyable to watch and her unique perspective on karuta will serve as both a history lesson on the game and a sort of toning down of the competitive atmosphere of karuta so far. We’ll just have to see how successful she gets in the long run since apparently she doesn’t even know the basics to the game. I hope she won’t end up as a support type of character cheering on from the sidelines. Here’s wishing that her greater interests in the history of karuta and wearing fancy kimonos won’t get in the way of her mastering the game.

Taichi isn’t as good as I had expected, but that was pretty predictable. At least he serves a purpose of actually teaching Chihaya and Oe the fundamentals of the game, especially Chihaya as she has been relying on familiarity than on basic tactics during her training. Good thing this time around Tiachi didn’t come off as a major douche like last episode. We’ll have to see how he changes when Arata actually comes back.

Still two more members to go, assuming Arata doesn’t return any time soon. Not to mention they will get a teacher to overlook the club. Chihayafuru doesn’t have a single character I don’t like (… Taichi’s not so bad … really …) so things are looking even better for the show.

Rating: 3.5/5