Chihayafuru s2 ep11 ~ not a player anymore

The power of data analysis

Episode 11 of Chihayafuru season 2 resolved the lingering questions about Arata, as well as the surprising situation from the end of the last episode, in which Tsutomu (aka Desk-kun) was kept from playing in yet another round. Tsutomu is not just a data-gatherer, he also is very good at analyzing the information on hand, as he is able to make something substantial out of the notes that Sumire gathered on their opponents in the semi-final, First Akashi Girls’ High School.

I’m glad we are already building up the match against Megumu Ousaka, because it is a good indication that we will get an interesting match-up between her and Chihaya. Aside from that, we still have the final round against Mizusawa’s arch-rival, Hokuo Academy. It seems that the team tournament will take us through episode 13, which should be the mid-point of the series (assuming it is a 2 course season). That means the next course can spend plenty of time on the individual tournament, and still have the Meijin matches as a climax.

Chihayafuru_2-10 ~ Can you please not disappoint me any further?

Shinobu Wakamiya ~ a face in the rain

In episode 10 of Chihayafuru episode 2, the story of the national tournament is split into two tracks. In the first, Mizusawa High faces a tough opponent. In the second, the judges agonize over whether Arata should be denied an opportunity to participate in the individual matches that follow the team tournament.

Although this episode had some tension from a hard-fought Karuta match, it stressed both the comedy and personal dramas at least as much as the Karuta action.

xxxHolic live-action episode 2 ~ monkey paw

Yuuko Ichihara, the Dimensional Witch.

A wise man once said, “Every great television show has it’s monkey paw episode.” Episode 2 is xxxHolic live-action‘s monkey paw episode. Watanuki is just starting his work at Yuuko’s mysterious shop. I like the deranged atmosphere they have reached for in each episode so far. Humans are shown to be broken and kind of crazy, meanwhile Yuuko lounges idly in her shop, watching the mayhem erupt.

“There are no coincidences, only fate.”

Chihayafuru s2 e6 ~ my voice isn’t telling her anything

The exciting conclusion of the Tokyo Regional High School Championship Karuta Tournament!

Episode 6 of Chihayafuru season 2 concludes the Regional championship tournament, and it was PACKED with suspense and exciting reversals. Things didn’t really work out as I had expected, but I can’t imagine a more fitting end to this arc.

Chihayafuru s2 e5 ~ every poem sends you back a thousand years

Nikuman-kun’s sister officially joins the cast.

Chihayafuru season 2, episode 5 begins the match against Hokuo Academy. Not only is this the final round in the Tokyo Regional, but it is a grudge match for Hokuo, since Mizusawa High denied them the opportunity to compete at the National championship at Omi Jingu last year. As such, this had to be a two-parter. What I wasn’t expecting was the appearance of several minor characters, and the strong foreshadowing of a Meijin battle to come.

Chihayafuru s2 e04 ~ twice as exciting but also distressing

Another week, another episode of the greatest anime of the past three years.

Chihayafuru season 2 episode 4 was more of the same, meaning more awesome than any other anime you are watching. How a series can be this consistently excellent, episode after episode, is beyond me. What I discuss in this post, instead, is what makes this episode a perfect sports show episode. Now some folks might ask, “why do you think this episode was better than any other episode of Chihayafuru?” I don’t. This show is extraordinary in the sustained level of quality it demonstrates.

Chihayafuru S2 03 ~ the one thing I was confident about

The Misuzawa High Karuta team return to defend their title at the Tokyo Regional championship.

Chihayafuru season 2 episode 3 covers the start of the Tokyo Regional high school championship. We also get to see glimpses of Arata Wataya and Shinobu Wakamiya, indicating that a real showdown is not far off.

Winter 2013 three episode taste test: Amnesia

A show that so far has simple ideas, but a strong design sense.

This post is based on watching the first three episodes of Amnesia. The show has a very strong design sense; it is also clearly based on an otome game. Although (as with any otome-sourced anime) the show is largely an excuse to get a girl into a situation where she needs to interact with a bunch of guys, Amnesia actually manages to establish itself as a Mystery. Our nameless heroine doesn’t know how she relates to those around her, and her attachment to reality is demonstrated to be thin, right from the start. Instead of just presenting the story as the mystery of who she is and/or what happened to cause her to lose her memories, inexplicable, even supernatural, elements are added in ways that make little sense (but maybe in a good way?).

Chihaya 2 episode 2 ~ it’s vulgar and foolish to spend all your time thinking about love

Chihaya Ayase knows how sad the cards must feel.

Season 2 of Chihayafuru is off to a great start. the second new character is introduced, and we have already seen some development in last week’s new-comer. There was also a little Karuta cultural moment, as an alternative form, played in Hokkaido was introduced. But, for me, the best part of this episode was Ms. Kanade Ooe bringing the HAMMER down on boy-crazy Sumire.

Kanade Ooe – believe me, you do NOT want to make her angry.

Chihayafuru 2 episode 1 ~ like an eagle’s talons

Chihayafuru season 2 begins, and Ayase Chihaya will rule the tatami mat once more.

The first episode of Chihayafuru season 2 was pretty good. there were some allusions to events and characters from the first season, but the show didn’t get bogged down in rehashing old material. New challenges surfaced without completely forgetting the promising direction things were going at the end of the first season. Obviously, as a first episode, the show is mostly setting expectations and introducing characters. It was great to see that the show will still look great, and have the mix of comedy and romance and competitive sports that were so successful in the first season. I also am very happy that Kousuke Hamada is credited with the music for this season, because the soundtrack to season 1 was really phenomenal.

Sumire Hanano gets a dose of reality.

As to the content of the episode itself, much of it was about the crisis revealed at the end of season 1. The Karuta club needs to increase membership, so they attempt to recruit freshmen. One of their new underclassmen is quite a handful, and we get to see the Karuta club from her perspective.

Bring on episode 2!