Chihayafuru 3

A solid ending to this season, enough of an open ending to make you want to know more, something that this anime has mastered. I don't know what to feel about that shift of perspective in the middle, but I'm glad it happened because I think just like his motives, refreshing water, that person had to be the one who shook Chihaya and Taichi back. My guess was correct again, we might see more Suo in the future, which is fun (Already a top fave of mine lol). Hope there will be a season 4 soon!

The way I gasped at how the pendulum of emotion swung in this episode, it is insane. I really like how they went through with the previous Taichi cup at the end of the episode, which is already fun, as we get to see lots of familiar faces. But then we were hit by the more crushing scene in this whole season, TWICE. Both scene between Taichi and Chihaya made my heart shattered, and I do have to say that in this moment Chihaya's air-head is not helping at all. I really feel like this is bound to happen, like Taichi was poked from all sides and exploded in one point. I do wonder what will happen after this, since there's a next episode.

This is a fun slice-of-life segment. I despite the lack of tension, I do like these type of episode, it makes the characters more alive as they have other things outside of Karuta, which is nice. But this episode is leaning more to hilarious to be honest, from the valentine disaster and then that hook at the end (Which I don't know if it's a gag or not). I do hope they went through with that ending tho!

An aftermath episode where we see the Takamatsu Memorial cup with Taichi, and also a little of the new year matches back in Tokyo. Despite not encompassing all character, we do get some moment between Taichi and Arata, which are always welcomed, but seeing Suo there feels a bit ominous in a way, which makes me think that the author is storing some surprise with his character later. I never thought my OTP would be Hiro and Nishida's little sister, which was surprisingly sweet. And Hiro's climb to the top and his insecurities fleshed him out so much, it's relatable. I do wonder what the last three episode will hold for us?

The continuation of the previous episode where we see Harada fighting tooth and nails against Suo's cunning ways. The closing of the match was really neat, but that last bit with Arata is also funny lol. I really like how despite being subtle, we get to see how Suo is when he's being serious. I feel like Shinobu here really shows how far she has gone from when we first met her in prior season. This end of the tournament wasn't with a big bang for me, more like they tied it neatly with a bow. Overall a great episode.

Props to the writer for able to write such intense match, even when we got some backstory of Suo. And here confirms what I had speculate about how similar Suo and Shinobu is, which is really interesting. But at the same time, we get to see both challangers characters here too. I really like the moment when Shinobu comfort Haruka, it shows that despite how eccentric she is, Shinobu is not a bad person. I can't wait for the next episode, especially right where they left it off!

Slowly the tension built up as we go through more rounds. Shinobu really is a great character, and as I said before, really bounce off Chihaya really well. The two of them have an understanding that maybe is similar to how Chihaya and Arata has that unspoken connection. But I really like the subtle hint that Shinobu is most simllar to Suo, even painted with how this epiosde and the episode prior ended. But still, we're in the middle of the match, hoping for the best for all contenders!

We're finally in THE match of this season, but even from the get go we already has some curve balls. Everyone seemed to have their own wants, despite all competing for the same thing. This episode cement my favoritism to Suo, he's fun and he has such a peculiar mind that is fun to watch. Shinobi is also coming in with some character. I always like whenever Chihaya interacts with others, but Shinobu in particular feels more fun, like they're different side of the same coin, which made Shinobu's character feels stronger whenever Chihaya is with her. Overall a great beginning of the match!

Another laid back episode where it is mostly about the road to meijin and queen match. It's overall a fun episode, with us seeing how the characters are doing. We followed Chihaya after her match with Suo, which affected her still, and Taichi defending her (And maybe also winning Suo over lol) There's also a sweet moment with the Mizusawa karuta club, feeling as if it's trying to ground us down. This is definitely a build up, especially at the end where we see a glimpse of the beginning of the meijin and queen title match.

I really like what they did in this episdode. We get the aftermath of the previous episode where Chihaya seemed to be stuck with her feeling from what happened with Arata. But right after, I find it really intriguing that we get to see Suo again so quick. His playstyle was hinted at in the previous season, but for the viewer to see it and explained was mindblowing. His character is definitely fun to watch too, he's charismatic that I almost lowered the pacing because it felt fast, but it was intentional as we all got sucked to his scheme, feeling restless and tense. I want to know more about him now!

I have to say this first because I'll get serious later on, but I hate that I think Suo is cute lol. But that besides the point. We finally see which one won the meijin challanger and I cried, it was bittersweet, because there has to be a loser, but at the same time the winner made me cry. There's a scene with Chihaya and Arata in this episode that made my jaw drop, even Kana and Sumire agree. And then Taichi putting his foot down was also not in my book. This episode is a great closing to the challanger matches, because next we'll be moving to the pinnacle of karuta, meijin and queen matches.

We continued from the previous episode with the challanger matches. Even if it took less of the screentime, I do enjoy how Megumu and Haruka matched ended up, they really are blessed characters. As for the meijin challanger match, that's a titan of its own. I really like what Chihaya said to Arata brought something out of him, which traverse his image from water to ice, which in an anime like Chihayafuru means he himself has changed, in a sense. And once more, Harada-sensei really is an interesting character, someone who is bogged down by age. I want to see more of them in the next episode! (Ps. Suo is slowly interest me as well, I have a guess about his character, but I don't want to write it just yet)

I just realized the theme of this matches, and it was so subtle that I realized that this feels like a clash between generation, with two veterans and two youngsters. I like how it wasn't shown until now, because we were so mesmerized by their character that I even forgot until now. But Harada-sensei might be another favorite of mine after this episode (Another megane man). He has been receiving so many memorable scenes and character defining moments that it's hard to look past. I'll be waiting the next round in the next episode!

This episode feels like a bridge to the actual final between the two regions to fight for a chance to challange the meijin and queen. It's more laid back, but definitely still exciting. We get to see how Harada-sensei decided to train, roping the whole Shiranami society, including Chihaya and Taichi. I do like his speech about how he won, and how it all went back to the saying he always had said since the first season, that team matches are individual matches and individual matches are team matches. I really like how we get to see real comparison of Chihaya and Suo, which is really interesting. But seeing Taichi analizing Arata is also very intriguing. But what I wanted to highlight next is once again the heart of Chihayafuru, it's side character, with Haruka being shown having doubts, which fleshed her up. Excited for the next match!

This is my favorite episode so far. The tense atmosphere of the match between Murao and Arata, their sportmanships, and of course the genius play that Arata kept making is insanely written. The visualization of that room Arata always went back to that is slowly tainted, with his water themed that was made more sluggish and dark captured his thoughts at the time. I really applause both the author and the animation team for this one. And even to the last bit where we panned to Chihaya, we see how briliantly these characters are written, with Chihaya not really knowing how to answer Taichi's question. Hoping the next match will be as exciting as this one!

I really adore how this episode is paced, especially how it centered us back to the main trio. Just like when injured, Chihaya finally takes a break, even learn something new from her trip, which in turn also make us the audience intrigued to the 100 poems. Taichi also has great moment, but I do wonder where will he go from here, and how will his mother continue after this, since it's still unanswered. Arata on the other hand provided the biggest hook for the next episode. Even when Chihaya isn't involved, I'm still pumped to see this to the end!

As expected, the author's writing is immaculate when writing multiple characters. We get to see both the eastern and the western qualification, both showing how heated the matches are, even when it just started. We see Sudo and Hiro both fleshed out, even Harada-sensei and Sumire got their character bits in too.. I do wonder what will happen to Taichi, especially after this episode, with his mother and all. And we got surprise visit on the western side, that may or may not be a catharsis for Arata. Things are definitely firing up!

An interesting development where we close the Yoshino tournament and slowly transition to the next one. I did NOT expect this, but at the same time, I feel like this will test how great the author's writing of side characters when maybe Chihaya is seemingly might not have a spotlight in some of the next episodes. On the other side, we really get to see Taichi finally rearing his head to the game, and I think Arata might've responded in the same manner. It's fun, but also exciting to see, especially that little looming thing where the meijin and queen might also made their moves.

As we went to the finals, we get to see the ever awaited match between Chihaya and Taichi. But it is very surprising when their match is unlike their practice match, even against what some of the other character's observation, which is a great red herring. Again, I do applause on how the author writes emotions, even weaving it with some lore about japan like the hakama scene with Taichi and Kana's mother. But what I like the most is the prospect of what will happened after this, Taichi really did shook the A class.

We continued from the previous episode, finishing the top 8 matches. It was intense and very unpredictable. I never would've thought this was the outcome, but definitely isn't disappointed. As always the little bits from the side character is what makes this story breathes, from seeing how this match light a match to Haruka and its effect to Sakurazawa-sensei, to the different some people regards Chihaya and Taichi. It's briliantly written. And as always, the anime has perfected the writing of an interesting hook for the next episode. Can't wait!