Chihayafuru Season 2

[coffeebreath]

Episode 4 WAS actually quite interesting for once despite being one of the more analytical karuta-based episodes of the whole thing.

However, VERY SOLID USE of the "two-minute-intro-hinting-at-romantic-emotional-development-then-spend-the-whole-episode-playing-karuta" episode as often seen in the first season.

Still not sold on Sumire's necessity within the series.

[Aranneas]

I like her a little more than previously. I could see her growing on me if she keeps up the current trend.

[FireWalker]

ep5

All about the karuta ... players. Totally focused on how each individual relates to the game in the midst of intense competition - and nothing resolved - but I couldn't look away and was stunned when the show was over. Even the minor characters shine. Great that Kana overcame the harassment and that Sumire out-scouted the experienced scouts.

Still loving this show ... don't know how to explain to somebody who hasn't watched it.

[NarkyOtic]

Originally Posted by coffeebreath

Episode 4 WAS actually quite interesting for once despite being one of the more analytical karuta-based episodes of the whole thing.

However, VERY SOLID USE of the "two-minute-intro-hinting-at-romantic-emotional-development-then-spend-the-whole-episode-playing-karuta" episode as often seen in the first season.

Still not sold on Sumire's necessity within the series.

I enjoy a lot of the commentary-style analysis they use. They execute it well, utilising perspective and within that, they incorporate the distinct charcterisations quite well. Lends significant depth to an otherwise almost entirely insular/cyclical central focus.

Indeed, agreed with the 'two-minutes' thing. I really really hope it doesn't start driving me as batshit insane as it did the first time 'round. :l

I thought initially that Sumire would definitely be the catalyst for something (anything! Please!) to start twigging between Ayase and Taichi at LEAST...

still might be, but I'm seeing that she's quickly taking her foot off the pedal in her seemingly rapid transformation into an increasingly pious karuta-convert. ._. Hrm. We'll see, I guess...

[oninosweeney]

episode 5... retro's big pimping!

he's playing with pride, he's got his girl by his side, who knew he was so bad ass? poor porky.

boob girl?..... awww, they're gonna regret that shit right there. like how she can hear the cadence of the sadist's voice, her purity is her greatest power.

combining the king and queen's skill sets..... hearing the card, hitting it perfectly. this should be interesting to see.

[FireWalker]

ep6!

Almost all the drama was through the match play, but as usual they made it work by developing the side characters ... the prodigy captain of Hokuo, the humiliation of Retro-kun when Taichi psyches him out, Porky covered in shame ... even Sadist-kun's reaction to Chihaya's emergence as a force to be reckoned with.
And as expected the newbies Sumire and big-brother are now hooked.
About the only development outside the game was Taichi's reaction to Chihaya's reaction to Arata's call ... hope they will take a little time on that next week!

[oninosweeney]

episode 6... at least this one felt like 20 minutes and not 5.

i knew when they announced three episodes back that because the top 2 teams would go to the nationals, that the main characters would lose; it was a forgone conclusion.... but the amazing storytelling kept tricking me into believing that they could win, and that's just god writing. (it's like thinking the Power Rangers were gonna die this time, even though you know they always win..... but this time i thought they REALLY were go to die).

eyebrows still down when arata texts; it just occurred to me... the rest of the team doesn't know who the fuck arata is, do they? i bet porky will FREAK when he finds out.

feed me more..... episodes!

[FireWalker]

ep7 - lots going on!

They hit about 8 different plot-advancing targets like sharpshooters - really good episode, no time to look away. There wasn't one false note.
- We finally get a good look at Chihaya's mother - and a really touching explanation of how her parents have been in her corner the whole time.
- Tied in with Chihaya's sister-the-model whom we'd almost forgotten - and by the end of the episode Chihaya's story (overcoming her funk) has seamlessly reinforced the big sister's.
- The group's gracious gesture toward the concert band is returned with interest. Sweet. And their advisor's reaction to Chihaya's explanation was priceless.
- Sumire being devious, then having to play Dr. Harada ... and getting all excited about being in the same hotel as Taichi only to be shot down by the adviser.
- Chihaya reaching out to Arata and unwitting dealing a body-blow to Taichi's hopes. Maybe he will be in the right frame of mind to notice Sumire ... rebound? Nah.
- Even time for a nice little linguistics lesson on impassionate vs. frenzied.
I was wondering about the pace after the two-episode tournament story, but this stirred the pot nicely.

[oninosweeney]

episode 7...... did kana just break the 4th wall?

actually talking to arata.... nice, and bad, depending on your point of view.

sumire is kind of a breath of fresh air when you think of it, as she's a regular girl in this series... thinking about boys and make up and other things. still don't love the character, but it's kind of an interesting take as the other two are very non-typical characters so you see how odd they actually are when you put them next to sumire.

nice look at chihaya's family; sister shows why you never look yourself up online.

[r-18]

how does this compare to season one??? mainly interested in th focus on the game ..