12 Days of Anime--#1: Chihaya vs. The Queen

So far, and yet so close.

Chihayafuru is Getting a Second Season!

I don't usually post about news, but there's an exception for everything, and I'm happy to make one for a show like this. It's been confirmed that Chihayafuru is getting a second season. If you've been following me for any period of time, you may know that I love this show, and I'm beyond excited to hear this news. It's great in general to hear that a show that wasn't necessarily a commercial success (as far as I know, the DVD sales weren't that great, but apparently the manga sales skyrocketed) is coming back mainly because it was a damn good show. The anime world needs more stories like this one. I eagerly await the announcement of the premiere date.

Image from Anime News Network.

Chihayafuru Episode 25--Shoot for the Moon (Final Thoughts)

I'm going to be really sad next week when there isn't a new episode.

Chihayafuru Episode 24--Enter the Master

This show keeps plugging along like it wasn't ending next week...

Chihayafuru Episode 23--I Can (Not) See the Ending

I honestly don't know how this show is going to wrap itself up.

Chihayafuru Episode 22--Conduct Befitting a Queen

I get why Harada-sensei doesn't like the other karuta society now. This is how their star player and former champion acts in a match?

Chihayafuru Episode 21--Looking Back and Moving Forward

She's really come a long way, and we haven't even gotten to the Queen rematch yet!

Chihayafuru Episode 20--Long Last We Meet

It's the moment we've been waiting for! ..Sort of.

Chihayafuru Episode 19--Luck of the Draw

Continuing the trend, this tournament finale was more intense than the last.

Chihayafuru Episode 18--Take What You Can

They say that if you want to improve at a competitive sport or game, you have to play someone better than yourself.

Chihayafuru Episode 17--Priorities

When we last saw our future champion karuta players, they'd each decided to pursue a goal that would hopefully make them better players in the process. But no one said that it would be easy...

Chihayafuru Episode 16--This is How We Do It

Even the recap episodes are amazing!

Chihayafuru Episode 15--Rivals, Goals, and Dreams

Even thought we're past the halfway point in terms of episodes, it feels like the story is only just beginning.

Chihayafuru Episode 14--All Hail Snowmaru

You know that Sanrio would be all over that. Anyway, after having episodes where the matches were skimmed over, summarized, or cut short, it was really nice to have an episode that focused on just one match.

Chihayafuru Episode 13--Tears

I was not expecting the majority of the tournament episode to focus on an Arata flashback, but I'm not complaining.

Chihayafuru Episode 12--Red

Go team, go! Mizusawa fight!

Chihayafuru Episode 11--Heart of the Cards

This show just keeps getting better and better. At the rate that we're going, I'll probably explode from suspense at the final tournament.

Chihayafuru Episode 10--There's No "I" In "Team"

It's finally time for a tournament arc! After getting to know all of the characters as individuals, how will they work as a team?

Chihayafuru Episode 9--All By Myself

Note to self: never be concerned when this show reaches the end of a plot arc, because what comes next is always better than before.

Chihayafuru Episode 8--Wanting to Win vs. Not Wanting to Lose

Do you play a game for the fun of it? Or do you play to win?