Chihayafuru Season One

Chihaya Ayase a beautiful young girl becomes fascinated by karuta, a card game based on Japanese poetry. She meets a transfer student Arata Wataya who introduces her to the world of competitive karuta. Soon Chihaya and Arata get Taichi Mashima to join them and the three begin to play together. In middle school the three become separated due to several different circumstances. Now in high school Chihaya is still fiercely into karuta and wants to start a karuta club at her school. She soon runs into Taichi who joins and helps her start her club. Together they hope to meet Arata again at a competition. 

 The plot of this anime isn’t thrilling or very exciting but don’t let that fool you, this is a wonderful anime. The characters are what make this show great. I couldn’t stop watching after I started. Chihaya is nicknamed beauty in vain because once she speaks or acts people no longer find her attractive and it’s hilarious. She is a fun and lovable heroine; she isn’t whiny or needy like many shojo heroines. Taichi is a popular guy who at first treats Arata horribly until Chihaya gets him to stop and get to know Arata. Arata is a shy and reserved boy who is obsessed with karuta, it’s what brings him out of his shell. The other characters are interesting as well and I can’t wait to start the second season to see how things turn out. 

I recommend this anime to both girls and guys. It’s a drama with plenty of comedy and a touch of romance. The animation is well done and the music is beautiful. The poetry used in karuta is also very moving and if you enjoy poetry at all I believe you’ll enjoy this show. It’s not fast paced but its real and the emotional. Add this anime to your to watch list, you won’t regret it.