Chihhayafuru combines slice-of-life romance with sports shonen elements, centered around the traditional Japanese card game karuta.
The story was inspired by author Yuki Suetsugu’s membership in a karuta club during middle school.
Chihayafuru presents a variety of fun, from high school life to competitive drama. Beautifully adapted by the iconic Madhouse studio.
1. Chihayafuru (2011)
Episodes | 25 |
Aired | Fall 2011 |
Chihaya Ayase is a girl who has spent most of her life simply supporting her sister in her model career. That changes when she meets a boy named Arata Wataya, a talented karuta player who recognizes Chihaya’s potential to become a great player herself.
As Chihaya takes on a new dream of becoming Japan’s best karuta player, she is soon separated from her karuta playing friends, Taichi Mashima and Arata Wataya, as they grow up.
Now in high school, Chihaya still continues to play karuta in the hope that she will one day meet her friends again.
2. Chihayafuru 2 (2013)
Episodes | 25 |
Aired | Winter 2013 |
Now in their second year of high school, Chihaya and her friends share all the fun and worries that come with welcoming underclassmen to the team as they face tough rival schools.
The passion of the Mizusawa Karuta Club burns hotter than ever, but with the same refreshing, youthful mood carrying over from the first season.
3. Chihayafuru 3 (2019)
Episodes | 24 |
Aired | Fall 2019 |
They may have just won their most coveted karuta tournament, but members of the Mizusawa karuta team still have a long way to go. Each member chases their dreams, and with a win under their collective belt, those dreams are closer in reach than ever.
Chihaya Ayase is determined to challenge Wakamiya Shinobu and win the title of Queen, and Taichi Mashima is ready to take on Arata Wataya now that he’s made it into the most elite of karuta players — but an unexpected revelation will deal these karuta players a hand none of them saw coming.