Chihayafuru – 07

「ひとこそみえねあきはきにけり」 (Hito koso Miene Aki wa Kinikeri)
“But For Autumn’s Coming”

For a game that seemed so simple when I first learned of it, I’m finding myself continually surprised by how many different ways there are to look at Karuta. It almost acts as a mirror held up to each character, revealing their true nature to the audience – and eventually, one assumes, to themselves.

Chihayafuru – 06

「けふここのへににほひぬるかな」 (Kefuko Kono E ni Nihohinuru kana)
“Now Bloom Inside the Ninefold Palace”

If you were worried that Chihayafuru was getting a little too melodramatic after episode 5, this week’s effort should be a welcome change. It’s a return to the innocent, childlike exuberance of the first three episodes – and damned if it didn’t actually get me interested in Karuta a little bit, too.