It’s time to continue our journey through Chihayafuru! Having just defeated Megumu and her unexpectedly talented teammates, Chihaya’s team is basically against the ropes at the moment. Chihaya herself lost, Nishida also failed, Tsutomu only won because of a fifty-fifty guess, and Kana is so wiped out she’s asked Tsukuba to take her spot in the finals. In terms of in-universe stamina, the team is likely exhausted, and facing down opponents who themselves beat our school’s closest rivals in an effortless, 4-1 victory.

In more metanarrative terms, this feels like a fight that could theoretically go anywhere, but will most likely end up being a dedicated celebration of team karuta. My reasoning for that is pretty simple – this is the very last match that our crew will compete in as a team for a full year, and the joy of playing karuta as a group has always been one of Chihayafuru’s most enduring threads, so this is basically the last, best chance to center a conflict on that particular theme for a long time to come. Additionally, the board pieces have been deliberately set up to allow a dramatic team match to further several character arcs. Tsukuba, whose fatal flaw has been his selfishness and unwillingness to trust in the team, needs to learn to care about his teammates’ fortunes, and contribute to an effort that’s greater than himself. Arata, who’s spent full seasons pining for his friends, is now primed for a dramatic appearance that revives their spirits and rekindles their friendship at their lowest point. And even Shinobu has now been characterized as a person defined by loneliness and contemptuous of team karuta – I frankly think her turn might have to wait for the third year, but it’s still very relevant here.

Maybe none of these variables will be used in the ways I expect, but regardless, I’m very excited for the finals. Our heroes have come a long way and earned many victories, and they’re currently all fitted with resonant personal arcs primed to add a human component to all this tactical drama. Chihayafuru is an extremely confident narrative, and we’re arriving at what almost has to be a dramatic peak. Let’s get to the fireworks!

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It’s time for some more Chihayafuru! And holy crap, look at that, we’re already into the second half of the second season. Normally, this would be the point where I start lamenting the approach of Chihayafuru’s end; fortunately, given we exist in the blessed timeline that somehow also features an upcoming Chihayafuru season three, I have very little to grumble about. As for this episode in particular, we’re currently right in the middle of what could be the closest match Chihaya’s ever participated in.

Chihaya was pretty much thrashed by Shinobu and eventually overrun by Yumin, but Megumu might well be the toughest opponent she can actually, currently overcome. Last episode focused closely on the tactical interplay of these two closely matched and similarly gifted players, building up both Megumu and her team around her all the while. With this match focusing so closely on Chihaya specifically, I’m guessing the upcoming finals match will be the true “ensemble performance” highlight, where teamwork is the main focus – in the meantime, I’m very much enjoying this bare-knuckle brawl between Chihaya and Megumu. Megumu’s lead has disappeared, but the support of her teammates has brought her passion back to life. Let’s see if that’s enough to take down Chihaya in one more thrilling episode of Chihayafuru!

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