Chihayafuru
Sep. 8th, 2012 05:09 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pacificpikachuI totally loved Chihayafuru, so I wanted to write a bit about it!
I feel like this series took practically no time for me to get into it. I didn't know much at all about karuta going into it, but I feel like I have a decent understanding of it now.
I think where Chihayafuru excels is, simply, its characters. I feel like all of the characters are engaging, interesting, have their own stories and motivations, and their personalities and stories are all reflected in how they play and appreciate karuta. I was amazed at how quickly I became attached to the characters, and when a new character was introduced, it took me practically no time at all to start liking them, too. Even minor characters!
I found myself emotionally engaged from the very beginning. Every episode gave me all these feelings! I can name so many moments that I was moved by. The episodes went by so fast! I felt like the pacing was well-done, too--it never dragged or failed to keep my attention. It's amazing to me how multi-faceted karuta is. Just when you think you've considered most of the strategies and ways of thinking about it, a new character is introduced who offers a different perspective or way of playing.
The main romance plot thread is subtle, but oh-so-interesting to me. I can't think of a series with a love triangle where one of the characters is sort of...not there, but it makes the dynamics fascinating. I'm definitely involved in the shipping, ha. Taichi really grew on me as the series progressed, but I love Arata's character as well. I'm only rooting for one of them in the love triangle (Taichi), but that doesn't make me appreciate Arata's character and effect on Chihaya any less at all.
I can't even pick a favorite character, because ultimately I like everyone in the series. Every time I try to pick a favorite, I end up wanting to name all the main characters.
The only criticism (sort of, like a half-criticism) with this series is it seems like all the characters cry at the drop of a hat! Haha.
I'd recommend this series to nearly anyone. It's fantastic and well-done and just wonderful. I had a hard time stopping watching it, and I was excited for every episode. It was sad to reach the end, because I didn't want it to end.
I'll be eagerly awaiting the next season, but in the meantime, I'm downloading the manga because I think I'm too impatient to wait. The only problem is, it seems only volumes 1-7 (the anime ends at 8), and 17+ are scanlated. So sad! I hope the remaining volumes are translated soon, or that translations of the rest are floating around somewhere in internet land. ;____;
I'll be sharing this series with as many friends as I can get to watch it!
I feel like this series took practically no time for me to get into it. I didn't know much at all about karuta going into it, but I feel like I have a decent understanding of it now.
I think where Chihayafuru excels is, simply, its characters. I feel like all of the characters are engaging, interesting, have their own stories and motivations, and their personalities and stories are all reflected in how they play and appreciate karuta. I was amazed at how quickly I became attached to the characters, and when a new character was introduced, it took me practically no time at all to start liking them, too. Even minor characters!
I found myself emotionally engaged from the very beginning. Every episode gave me all these feelings! I can name so many moments that I was moved by. The episodes went by so fast! I felt like the pacing was well-done, too--it never dragged or failed to keep my attention. It's amazing to me how multi-faceted karuta is. Just when you think you've considered most of the strategies and ways of thinking about it, a new character is introduced who offers a different perspective or way of playing.
The main romance plot thread is subtle, but oh-so-interesting to me. I can't think of a series with a love triangle where one of the characters is sort of...not there, but it makes the dynamics fascinating. I'm definitely involved in the shipping, ha. Taichi really grew on me as the series progressed, but I love Arata's character as well. I'm only rooting for one of them in the love triangle (Taichi), but that doesn't make me appreciate Arata's character and effect on Chihaya any less at all.
I can't even pick a favorite character, because ultimately I like everyone in the series. Every time I try to pick a favorite, I end up wanting to name all the main characters.
The only criticism (sort of, like a half-criticism) with this series is it seems like all the characters cry at the drop of a hat! Haha.
I'd recommend this series to nearly anyone. It's fantastic and well-done and just wonderful. I had a hard time stopping watching it, and I was excited for every episode. It was sad to reach the end, because I didn't want it to end.
I'll be eagerly awaiting the next season, but in the meantime, I'm downloading the manga because I think I'm too impatient to wait. The only problem is, it seems only volumes 1-7 (the anime ends at 8), and 17+ are scanlated. So sad! I hope the remaining volumes are translated soon, or that translations of the rest are floating around somewhere in internet land. ;____;
I'll be sharing this series with as many friends as I can get to watch it!
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no subject
Date: 2012-09-09 02:21 am (UTC)I admit I love every character too but for me it's easy to pick a favorite and that would be Taichi. I think his character development is absolutely amazing. I am also rooting for a Taichi/Chihaya ending but I am okay if it doesn't happen as long as Taichi has a happy & fulfilling ending.
I am also partial to Kana because I see so much of me in her.
And yes they do cry a bit too much lol, but I have to admit the series made me cry almost every other episode so who I am I to talk.
Btw if you are interested in learning more about the poems there is another good series called Uta Koi that is about just that. It's definitely not as good as Chihayafuru but it's a pleasant watch, with great seiyuu and really good female characters. Somehow it made my appreciation for Chihayafuru grow.
There are also official bilingual editions of the Chihayafuru manga (only first two volumes sadly) which also has all 100 poems in the back.
no subject
Date: 2012-09-09 02:58 am (UTC)I love Taichi, too! I think his character development is great as well. I found him annoying at first (but I'm pretty sure we're supposed to), but it's been great watching him put in genuine effort, becoming more down to earth, and much more compassionate over time. He gradually loses that arrogance he had the beginning. And his love for Chihaya is really sweet. He's a wonderful character! Also, I'm a big fan of Mamoru Miyano, so that helps too, heh.
I love Kana, too! (I told you, I love all the characters, haha. I can't help it.) She's such a sweetheart and I can see myself in her somewhat as well. I love her friendship with Chihaya, too--it's adorable. I laughed pretty hard when Chihaya answered Kana-chan when asked which member of the club she would go out with.
I'm a fan of emotional series so the crying didn't really bother me, and I was moved by so much of the series myself. I just couldn't help but notice and giggle a little.
I've heard of Uta Koi briefly! I might check it out. :D I like the poems, they're quite beautiful. Kana definitely helped my appreciation of them, too, with her explanations.
no subject
Date: 2012-09-09 10:08 pm (UTC)