Chihayafuru
possession1981 said: aisakafuyumi said: hey, i just started the series (anime and manga) and honestly i'm one of those people who will drop a series if the character I like doesn't get the girl. could anyone please tell me if i'm just wasting my time rooting for Taichi? While I believe it's an Arata end, no one here is Suetsugu. She can and will probably go for whichever end she pleases. She gave an interview a few months ago, and a friendship end is possible. shanimebib said: He is rich. He has a pretty face. He is courted by girls. He is destined to be a doctor. He can visit Kyoto no matter how many times he wants. And you want him to become Chihaya's boyfriend on top of that? He won't. I've seen people say that Arata won't get with Chihaya because he's getting the Meijin title, and that it wouldn't be fair if he gets both. Both fanbases seem to have a similar argument which pretty comes down to "it's not fair if Taichi/Arata get the love of Chihaya when they have [x]". Taichi may have a lot going for him, but I don't believe any of that takes away his chance at getting with Chihaya. Same with how I believe Arata-possibly-becoming the new Meijin doesn't lower his chances at getting with Chihaya. I think it's better to focus on how Chihaya, and her own feelings, because it's evident through her feelings which boy she sees in the romantic light. That was me being a bit Nasty. The double winning thing in a love triangle? It's not uncommon. On the contrary, it actually happens quite a lot in sport shoujo (this comes to mind from the recent memory). But "the winning" and all depends on the other person - which is Chihaya. She is not a trophy and has feelings of her own and we know how she feels about both of them. This will be borderline ridiculous at this point, considering how close we are to the ending, for it to suddenly become Taichi when she has never once shown any romantic feelings towards him. He would have had a chance if Chihaya was indifferent to romance altogether but she isn't. Denying it is the sign of being a petulant person. Taichi will become Arata's lifelong rival in Karuta. That would be his ending. His character defining moment was "If I said I didn't love Karuta, I wouldn't be able to be close to them." Note that that was the first time when his reason for Karuta changed from "Chihaya" to "them". Which was then revisited with his game against Harada-sensei - "I want to be where they are." Notice the "they". Making it Chihaya again changes the thematic behind all these developments. How can you miss these? The only way for you to miss these is you are reading a story in the hope of a Chihaya x Taichi ending and not the story of Chihaya, Taichi and Arata. But like you said, if Suetsugu-sensei would want to make Chihaya and Taichi happen, she would probably go through it. However, she would need an incredible card up her sleeves to make it acceptable. It happened in TWGOK but it had a very strong yet subtle hint. The "end girl" completely destroyed Keima with her last words but it wasn't blown out of proportions but kept dormant. We start to see how he takes life itself from then onward but it was very subtle with small changes from his words and actions, bit by bit. But in case of Chihaya, it was an onrush of guilt yet it settled with time after Taichi returning to playing Karuta. It settled the emotional turmoil she had gone through once thinking she have had destroyed Taichi. For Keima, that wasn't the case. There was an emotional impact but it remained dormant, locked away, immediately after the first emotional moment. The story immediately resets yet we see his own little world showing cracks little by little. And only after many, many chapters we see him completely broken to the point he gave up on everything he believed in. He just couldn't forget the end girl's final words all these time. This is why TWGOK's became a bestselling masterpiece with an overwhelmingly vast majority recognizing it as one of the best romance stories ever told irrespective of whether their ship sailed or not. That's the kind of impact Chihayafuru will be missing. Because we don't see any changes in Chihaya since Taichi returned to playing. There has been an aura of awkwardness but that was her being happy that Taichi was showing of being healed, being around his friends and falling in love with Karuta. Meanwhile, she continued to see Arata in a romantic way. Do you see the difference? |
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hey, i just started the series (anime and manga) and honestly i'm one of those people who will drop a series if the character I like doesn't get the girl. could anyone please tell me if i'm just wasting my time rooting for Taichi? Even if you don't want to risk being irked with this story, it's too bad cause it's a great story. Like I said, some think Arata is endgame, but there are more than enough hints and moments that could point to Taichi being endgame. I won't make a list of it all here. There are still many many fans rooting for Taichi and waiting for the conclusion of the story. It wouldn't be the first time Sensei made a change in of love interest in her story, so we'll just wait and see. |
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What is this football score? Then that would be Taichi: 0 | Arata: 2. Also, regarding the content of the "good chunk", even after that, this manga will need 100 more chapters to make it a balance. |
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| What I think is funny is: Chihaya completely forgot about Arata’s confession for more than 9 months and you guys keeping saying that it’s Taichi that needs a plot twist in the story for if he end up with Chihaya be acceptable |
| Remember when Komano got all emotional after the Karaoké, saying that in those 2 years playing together, he found a treasure he thought he could never have, playing and being with his friends together....he actually cries his eyes out: somehow I feel he was expressing the feelings of all the club members, the memories they made like this only come once in a lifetime, these are memories that stay in your heart throughout your whole life. When Chihaya asked herself the question 'when was I happiest playing karuta?" I think the answer was already given by Komano. |
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| ^I guess you ressorted to bashing on fans cause you don't have anything substantial to say..... I wonder who is the teenager... |
chiakimagotoFeb 13, 2020 7:34 AM
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Anyway, I just wanted to comment on this quote on your signature @possession1981 The desire to be loved is the last illusion. Give it up and you will be free. It's so beautiful and, doesn't it strangely fit Taichi so much? |
| He shouldn't have ever tried to force a kiss....if you look at the panels closely(he seems to be more on the right side of her cheek next to her mouth)... I don't think he ever actually "touched" her...he pulled back in the last desperate mm and second. That's probably why Chihaya never really thinks about that specific moment but more about, "do you think I'm made of stone part". It was all in all a very painful moment for both..... Not an excuse for his behaviour though, not good to surprise a girl like that. |
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chiakimagoto said: He shouldn't have ever tried to force a kiss....if you look at the panels closely(he seems to be more on the right side of her cheek next to her mouth)... I don't think he ever actually "touched" her...he pulled back in the last desperate mm and second. That's probably why Chihaya never really thinks about that specific moment but more about, "do you think I'm made of stone part". It was all in all a very painful moment for both..... Not an excuse for his behaviour though, not good to surprise a girl like that. I would agree with this. Ultimately I feel like both of them were caught up in their own pain at the moment and couldn't see the direct impact of their behaviours on the other. Not condoning it, but it makes sense in the context of the story. It isn't like one isolated deviation from his caring self erases his previously established character entirely, and it's clear if he were thinking straight he wouldn't do anything to harm Chihaya. Not sure who Chihaya will end up with in the end; honestly I've seen good arguments for both sides, so we may as well ride it out and enjoy the journey! |
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| ^ yeah tbh both ships have really good points.....that makes it so heartbreaking. Both boys are pretty good choices. I still have no idea how it will end. I guess Sensei will be the one making the choice, if she does. She just might leave us hanging. Or maybe a timeskip thingy.........I guess it's best "to let go" at this point of the story, even if my shipper heart sure is having a hard time doing that. I just think it hard to see one of the guys sad......Taichi has been sad for so long now.....so maybe he should move on. Or if Chihaya would say she loves him back.....would this make him happy after all he has gone through? Arata, how would he take it if Chihaya tells him, she loves Taichi. I guess he would be pretty sad as well.......but maybe he wouldn't be surprised? His budding love be crushed before it blooms......? Sensei put herself in one big tangle. It probably hurts her to choose as much as it hurts us. I bet she's having a hard time making up her mind......even if she did already, because she loves all her characters. None is really hateworthy. wow, isn't it all a bit unbearable! |
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| I think it's obvious by now that Chihaya will end up with Arata. Chihaya rejected Taichi long time ago and she hasn't changed her thoughts on it. Plus Taichi saying his feelings for her fading away, Chihaya hearing it and we don't see her worrying about that once. With Arata, it has been hinted many times since the beginning that Arata is her special person and Chihaya never answered his confession. And look at the aftermath of each confession, with Arata her eyes was glittering and was on cloud9 while with Taichi she looked very unhappy with his confession. Even in the recent chapters, Chihaya is blushing and shy when she sees Arata. If there was gonna be a Taichi end, there should've been hints to suggest it from the last 30 chapters but there's none imo. Not to mention Taichi's character arc is finished and the story is now focusing on Chihaya and Arata. |
ShrewOne said: Chihaya said she wants to get strong in karuta before she can sit across from the person she likes and to become the strongest in the world, so that most likely means she wants to wait until she becomes the queen before she gives her answer. Who knows if she's gonna win though. I'm guessing she'll give her answer, whatever it may be, even if she does lose like how Arata did when he lost to Harada. And there's no need to give an answer until near the end anyway because that'll kill the love triangle too early and drive the fans of the losing ship away. Actually she said: “ I have no right to even sit across any person I MIGHT like anyway”. It’s not clear that she really likes someone :) |
| ^ that was all before Taichi left and Chihaya was smacked down into reality out of any kind of bubble she might have had around her. Whatever her choice is at the end of this story, Taichi, Arata, karuta, or no choice....she obviously loves both boys. And both have strong points to be endgame.....but tbh not sure Chihaya really wants to choose for romance at this point in her life. |
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| Who cares if it was before Taichi left? Even before Chihaya got confessed to by either boy, she still only thought of Arata in the romantic context. Chihaya has never thought of Taichi in the romantic sense in the 200+ chapters Suetsugu has given us. The same can't be said for Arata. Let's not forget how Taichi was swiftly rejected on the spot-an act Chihaya has not been shown to regret-while a proper answer to Arata's answer has been postponed. |
possession1981Apr 18, 2020 9:27 AM
| The desire to be loved is the last illusion. Give it up and you will be free. |
| @possession1981 I'm positive sensei knows what she's doing for Chihaya's postponement: this is no longer just about Arata, it's about THEM: she wants to see herself worthy of responding his passion in both the love they share of karuta that also links their affections towards each other and I'm sure sensei will give Chihaya an opportunity to have another match with Arata just like she suggested, something she always wanted to reach her hand for will happen that day when their paths are closer to each other where she finally sits across the person she loves, this time wanting a match with him as Chihaya Ayase herself playing with their passionate hearts and soul, the true form behind Chihaya's words she spoke to Arata in ch 119 before he confessed will bring its purpose to the story's main climax, through karuta encouraged Arata to confess and through karuta Chihaya will give Arata her answer. Why else sensei continues to postpone Chihaya's response towards Arata's confession like this, I'm certain she's saving this special moment for last: when it happens, it will be a recreational moment in how Chihaya fall in love with karuta in the first place, by the story's very first game. |
sweetangieApr 19, 2020 11:18 PM
| Narihira... ops, Taichi đź’› |
| ^Taichi isn't the same brat anymore he was at the start of the manga. His coming of age story is one of the most compelling I've ever read in manga (and I've read my share........) and even books. He goes from falling, standing, falling down again to bit by bit better himself. He goes way out of his comfort zone to go where his friends are.........and in the end he really became a bigger man. This is why Taichi gets so much love. He changed......and worked his butt off to get there. I think Chihaya was one of the first row witnesses of how hard Taichi worked. Even Arata admits how much Taichi went out of his way......... When it comes to Chihaya, I think Taichi doesn't want to bother her with his feelings any longer........the thing is, he has always assumed that Chihaya loves Arata, but he might be very wrong. They both have a deep connection, think about eachother in the same way of longing. The parallels of them "imagining" eachother at the shrine just tells how much they have identical strong feelings for eachother. Aaaaaaw Taichi is ofcourse imagining Chihaya with Arata. Chihaya finds support in thinking about Taichi. Somehow Chihaya's panels make me think of poem 16, if I hear you pining for me, I will come. And Taichi's panels eerily look like the poem 17, with it's background story. Both of them thinking so fervently about eachother at the shrine. If the gods aren't looking down on these 2, idk. Even if Taichi doesn't want to stay and take the shinkasen back to Tokyo, fate must have decided otherwise. The gods of the shrine are looking over Taichi. The Emperor who is enshrined in Omi Jingu is also the poet of the first poem of the Hyankunin Isshu, known as a kind, benevolant emperor who aknowledged the hard work of his people.......... Whoever Chihaya chooses (or not) I have very much enjoyed myself looking for the poems, numbers, flowers, texts, background......it was not only a story of reading what you see, but diving head down deeper in to the Hyankunin Isshu, history, poetry, cultural references, seeking for the several layers hidden in this story.........it has been such a great ride up till now!!! |
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ZeusJr said: ^Taichi isn't the same brat anymore he was at the start of the manga. His coming of age story is one of the most compelling I've ever read in manga (and I've read my share........) and even books. He goes from falling, standing, falling down again to bit by bit better himself. He goes way out of his comfort zone to go where his friends are.........and in the end he really became a bigger man. This is why Taichi gets so much love. He changed......and worked his butt off to get there. I think Chihaya was one of the first row witnesses of how hard Taichi worked. Even Arata admits how much Taichi went out of his way......... When it comes to Chihaya, I think Taichi doesn't want to bother her with his feelings any longer........the thing is, he has always assumed that Chihaya loves Arata, but he might be very wrong. They both have a deep connection, think about eachother in the same way of longing. The parallels of them "imagining" eachother at the shrine just tells how much they have identical strong feelings for eachother. Aaaaaaw Taichi is ofcourse imagining Chihaya with Arata. Chihaya finds support in thinking about Taichi. Somehow Chihaya's panels make me think of poem 16, if I hear you pining for me, I will come. And Taichi's panels eerily look like the poem 17, with it's background story. Both of them thinking so fervently about eachother at the shrine. If the gods aren't looking down on these 2, idk. Even if Taichi doesn't want to stay and take the shinkasen back to Tokyo, fate must have decided otherwise. The gods of the shrine are looking over Taichi. The Emperor who is enshrined in Omi Jingu is also the poet of the first poem of the Hyankunin Isshu, known as a kind, benevolant emperor who aknowledged the hard work of his people.......... Whoever Chihaya chooses (or not) I have very much enjoyed myself looking for the poems, numbers, flowers, texts, background......it was not only a story of reading what you see, but diving head down deeper in to the Hyankunin Isshu, history, poetry, cultural references, seeking for the several layers hidden in this story.........it has been such a great ride up till now!!! I didn't say that Taichi was a completely ugly person, I just wanted to remind him that Taichi was as ugly and petty as he was in the past, and don't forget that. It is hard to understand when you say that Taichi has grown more, this series was a big bias, when the author forgot Arata? How can I be sure Arata didn't grow as well as Taichi, when the main character himself, turned out to be almost a supporting one? But again I do not deny his efforts for an intellectual sport that he did not like it. And even trying to be with Chihaya. But in the end Taichi was still a coward, when he trampled Arata back then, he himself didn't dare to say that to Chihaya. He is afraid of losing Chihaya. To me somewhere in Taichi up until now, it was still just a child who was scared of being found guilty by others. I will still wait for Taichi to confess his sins. Someday. Someday he is no longer a child of the past. And please focus on the main content of my post, don't try to explain everything else, you are off topic. It's not that I don't know those issues, but simply not the main topic of the conversation between me and the topic owner, I'm just saying how bad Taichi used to be, and stop worshiping him. As a god, focus on this. p/s: But, the fact that Taichi understood that Chihaya loved Arata was true. Why did you say it was a misunderstanding? Chap 92, Chihaya admits that, After chapter 119, any action of Chihaya has Arata's silhouette, and with Taichi's confession, Chihaya is shocked, and rejects him. The same is a confession, but the way Chihaya responds is completely different, one is extremely happy, and the other is miserable. And don't forget, Chihaya herself even admitted, and one day when she became queen, Arata and she would touch each other, and she was always happy to remember that Arata said that he would be with her playing Karuta forever. . I do not understand you say misunderstanding is misunderstanding something? Maybe I'm not very deep. For this part, you can add and correct me if I am actually the one who is wrong and misunderstood. Thanks First of all I never used the word "misunderstanding. And if you read the manga, you would know that Taichi apologized to Arata after the match saying "sorry for having been a nuisance". Too bad you didn't catch on to how Taichi redeemed those childhood actions over the time by confessing them to Chihaya and in the end apologizing to Arata. Arata at least understood. You are still beating up Taichi on his childhood actions (which were definitely not good) but I think Taichi carried that guilt for s long time and made amends.....and I think Arata has truly forgiven him now.....which probably lifted a great burden off Taichi's heart. He is so aware of his the "bad"side of his character and let alone being aware and fighting your weak side is very courageous. Arata has his own little issues as well....but I don't feel like going into them . Like Taichi, he also has questioned himself..... that's what makes the Chihayafuru characters so endearing!!! I guess there is no use discussing. |
chiakimagotoMay 6, 2020 11:12 PM
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| I never denied he did bad things. He has regretted it a very long time. Taichi isn't an evil person or it wouldn't have weighed him down all those years. I think we can say he is a coward no more at this stage of the manga and has fought his demons and is very aware of the foul side of his character. I think he is now strong enough to resist temptation in taking the easy way out.....and sometimes, even then people still make mistakes.... He did tell Chihaya about how he stole the glasses when he confessed. At that moment he showed his worst side to Chihaya, just before telling her he loved her..... Thanks for the discussion! |
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| @chiakimagoto Just wanna say I enjoy reading your posts since I'm also on Team Taichi and I haven't lost faith either. It's nice to see a manga-reader's insight on things especially your theory on poem 16/17! |
| Aaaaw thanks.....but yeah those parallel panels are so strong. The first one with Chihaya, how she sees Taichi....smiling. Since Taichi only comes when you pine for him. I feel the first time when he came back, she wasn't "pining" for the same reasons. It was really a team thing. She missed the void he left in the team. But in this second panel it's not the same. She doesn't know that Kana, Komano and Nishida are on their way (they all said they wouldn't come because of entrance exams). But while mounting those stairs to the shrine, she imagines Taichi, and that great memory of when they where at Omi Jingu with the team, even if the team is relevant, this time it's Taichi alone that comes before her eyes. She obviously wants him to be there.... she's finally pining for him, not only for the boy that is her team mate. Almost like in Tachiwakare. Then to my great surprise, we get that parallel panel with Taichi!!! And how Taichi imagines Chihaya (almost playing out the role of Narihara)....and having the same memory as Chihaya. Like Chihaya's shrine panels, at least 4 pages are used for these moments..... that's alot in 1 chap. Even if Arata is there, it's Chihaya's smiling face that steals the spotlight in Taichi's mind. The fact that both play out in the Shrine, is yet another pointer. It's funny how Taichi wants to leave.....but I guess fate will decide otherwise. |
chiakimagotoMay 25, 2020 12:09 PM
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| I'm kind of annoyed when people assume that for Chihaya to care so much about Taichi, it has to be romantic love. It's really disgusting when shippers look down friendship and pretend romance is automatically superior to it, so her concern and hurt is invalidated if she's not in love with him. Taichi is her lifelong best friend, of course, she'll be really devastated he's no longer by her side, as she feels guilty she is the source of his suffering. Of course she longs for his presence because he's an important part of her life. But she can't actually ask him that because she realized after his "do you think I'm made of stone?" it hurts him. This doesn't mean she's in love. This doesn't mean she doesn't care because she's not willing to be his girlfriend. It doesn't mean he matters less to her because she's not in love with him. My only hope is for them to heal and salvage their precious friendship. It's not "cruel" for Taichi to "lose" Chihaya. She's not a possession, regardless or not if she dates Arata (tbh, I'll rather have a friendship end). The best course scenario is for him to mature, move on and start over with Chihaya as a friend without ulterior motives. He needs time. He needs time to think about his life and future that isn't just "chasing Chihaya". |
ThessJun 7, 2020 1:04 PM
| At first I wanted to see Chihaya with Taichi, but then, I honestly think that if she stays with Arata it will be a good thing, in fact it is very obvious that Suetsugu sensei wants the same thing. In the middle of the manga I started to dislike Chihaya a lot, I think people can be passionate about what they do, but Chihaya's "passion" for Karuta is not normal and if you look closely, it’s nothing, nothing healthy. She has the same obsession with Arata. In fact, she lives by her obsessions. She is not a model to be followed. The character that in my opinion matured the most was Taichi. Chihaya did not mature, she just became better in Karuta, but her personality is the same. I don't care if she ended up with Arata, but what would bother me is Taichi staying with Sumire as a consolation prize. I would like another character to appear in the end for Taichi, but I think we are in the final line here, there will be no time to development another character. |
| english isn't my native language... ;) |
| ^ The problem with Chihaya's character is that we have been shut out of her mind for the sake of hiding her true thoughts and feelings which doesn't help us "connect" with Chihaya's character. I still feel if you attentively read, pay attention to the hints, poem and overal feel of change in Chihaya's behaviour....the cards have subtly shifted. In the last chapter we see that Arata has definitely caught onto that.....and imo he'll give them a helping hand cause he already has understood something that Chihaya might not have understood herself. We'll probably get more of Chihaya's thoughts in the coming match. How she is going to use "Mizusawa" as her driving force to win. |
chiakimagotoJun 8, 2020 10:59 PM
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| Here comes a Taichi fan twisting what we got in the manga lmao. It was Mizusawa and team spirit that helped her this time, it's not solely Taichi and his presence as you're trying to imply. It's amazing how some of you Taichi fans manage to make everything about romance/shipping. |
| The desire to be loved is the last illusion. Give it up and you will be free. |
possession1981 said: Here comes a Taichi fan twisting what we got in the manga lmao. It was Mizusawa and team spirit that helped her this time, it's not solely Taichi and his presence as you're trying to imply. It's amazing how some of you Taichi fans manage to make everything about romance/shipping. Oof dropping the heat there, I like it. |
| @possession1981, Are you pointing to me as a Taichi fan? I don't see anything "twisted"?? It might not please you but I see the story like this. And indeed the team has all it's importance to Chihaya. At least we agree on that. Arata always went back to that room, and had to leave it btw in that same highschool tournament cause he had seen things had changed already on Chihaya's side, whatever that may be to her. Her "drive" wasn't the same as Arata's. He now has his grandfather as "image" to make him feel strong. Chihaya needs her team image, and her mind goes to that second year that was her best team moment when they won the nationals. Arata used Taichi's exact words to get her there. 3 wins.... In the meantime there is also the underlying romance that still hasn't been resolved. Why not speculate about romance?? Obviously Taichi isn't over Chihaya, so it's still hanging in the air. Taichi isn't playing karuta, there isn't much else but the romance that isn't resolved for Taichi. Btw I would have been more than satisfied if Taichi was challenger.....and forget about the romance. But he's not, and things don't look "finished" for him. So....there still must be something on hold for him. I'm not the only fan interested in the romance on either side of the fandom, if you want to talk about Taichi and Arata fans. I wonder why that bothers you....? Just ignore me in the future(and I'll do likewise, as long as you don't call me out). I don't bother anyone gushing over Arata nor do I specifically call out "Arata fans" either...so why should I have to shut up about what I think about the story? |
chiakimagotoJun 9, 2020 1:12 PM
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possession1981 said: Here comes a Taichi fan twisting what we got in the manga lmao. It was Mizusawa and team spirit that helped her this time, it's not solely Taichi and his presence as you're trying to imply. It's amazing how some of you Taichi fans manage to make everything about romance/shipping. I agree partly. Does that seem to be the only way to read this manga? I'm also tired of seeing fangirls blame Chihaya because precious Taichi got "hurt". Taichi's only hurt because his feelings were weirdly twisted and unhealthy* (but he worked around them! Just like Arata worked around his one track mind/entitlement issues when is about the Meijin title during his match with Taichi - that was the main source of his negativity with Taichi rather than his relationship with Chihaya - which is Taichi's sore spot previously), it's not Chihaya's fault that he somehow made his life goal to chase her and didn't communicate any of his sufferings. Her reaction to that was perfectly understandable. She thought he was leaving a club of a hobby he loved because she made him uncomfortable and didn't know how to apologize to make him stay (in a negative contrast to Sumire who also got rejected but she remained). She had no idea he hated karuta because he never told her. Now he's doing some soul searching about what he wants in life. It's really no wonder he first comes to enjoy karuta in his duel with Arata, because I think he's finally playing for his sake rather than chasing after Chihaya, and because Arata -rather than Chihaya- is the one who realized how much Taichi struggled to be his friend, even if he didn't say so (how he joined the same hobby, etc). So Arata who was hating Taichi for becoming a rival (take note isn't about Chihaya, he kind of never felt jealousy when he assumed they were dating and stayed together, his negative thoughts crept when he became an obstacle for his Meijin title; he struggled over his own entitlement issues and was ashamed and opened his heart to Taichi). It's very very clear in this chapter he doesn't have a speck of jealousy about Chihaya, no hesitation to remind her to the club and Taichi to encourage her. His hesitation came from what he prioritizes: Meijin title or a friend in need? And don't let me started with Chihaya's "passion" being "obsessive" or "unhealthy." Karuta has allowed Chihaya to reach out to people and bond with them (and partly of this is thanks to Taichi for setting that club! That's why Taichi is acknowledged in a way as Arata grandpa is acknowledged, even if he's not dead - the overlapping "Ghost" of Taichi played with them like the overlapping ghost of Arata's grandpa syncs with Arata). She does know she also wants to be a teacher, she's learning how to balance this. It's Shinobu who exists to foil her as the actual unhealthily fixated on karuta. Her only friends are the bloody cards she keeps pushing as if they were sentient. That's why the narrative is Chihaya will show her own karuta, the one she developed as a club member, and perfected when she became the Captain after Taichi left, because is the karuta of bonds of sorts, a Karuta that Shinobu wouldn't understand. The three characters are balanced to me: Arata introduced them to passion aka karuta (to both Chihaya and Taichi, although Taichi's revelation came in his teens), Taichi introduced them to karuta-as-socialization (as in he was the one who started a club for Chihaya, but also that inspired Arata to try to stop doing his individual game play. Taichi presence as a trio since childhood also allowed Arata to experience a mini club, otherwise it'll be a duo-playing against Chihaya), while Chihaya served as a bridge between Arata and Taichi. *This doesn't mean he won't end up with Chihaya, just like it doesn't mean Arata wouldn't become a Meijin because his 'dream' was making him turn his back against his friends. It means he had to step back and fix his attitude because he was acting like both a Nice Guy (tm) and an asshole. |
ThessJun 9, 2020 3:43 PM
| ^ I agree with most of this post. Taichi leaving the club was one of the best things he could have done for himself, cause he really had issues to fix. Too bad it really hurt both Chihaya and him(and the club members). But I also think his departure made Chihaya mature as well in a good way. She turned out to be more sturdy than we thought. And the team turned out to be great friends, accepting him even if his time of inner struggle! Wow great to have friends like that! Taichi's coming of age arc was really beautiful.....and he went so far out of his comfort zone but grew so much on the way, going through several stages. I mostly think that Arata acknowledging him, and forgiving him really took a great burden off his shoulders. Thank god Arata was generous enough to do that as a friend. What made me feel a bit disappointed in Taichi lately, is that he had decided not to go to the finals to cheer on his friends. He actually decided to bring Suou's aunt and leave right after. I don't know what made him decide that. Is it too difficult to see Arata and Chihaya? Does he feel he doesn't belong? Does he not want to be in the way? He still feels he's the worst and shouldn't be there? He has decided to cut all ties? Idk, that's why I think something is still amiss and waiting for him at Omi Jingu. Obviously it's not sitting right with Chihaya either that he's not there for whatever reasons. About fangirling in general, I don't see what's wrong with that. No reason to look down on others for expressing their pov whatever that may be. Not everyone agrees nor reads a story for the same reasons or interests. I always find it very interesting to read all kind of posts as long as they respect others. No opinion is lesser than another. Shouldn't we first ask ourselves who we are to judge others in the first place. This is my personal motto. |
chiakimagotoJun 10, 2020 4:21 AM
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Khalvashi_TR said: Actually yes It is too difficult to see them even though he loves them both. Shrine scene shows that he doesn't believe he belongs there and he would be in their way so he decides not to go because it will hurt him. Previous Taichi would have gone there no matter what and hurt himself by doing that. Now he supports them from outside of the Omi Jingu. He messages Arata, brings Suo's aunt, chase Chitose probably to persuade her to be with her sister. I do think that he doesn't have go there if he isn't comfortable. Just like how we say Chihaya doesn't have to love him because of how much he did for her, he also doesn't have to do something that will hurt him just for them. I think we still expect him to do his best for Chihaya but that guy is hurt. I even would have understood if he cut all ties from her just to move on. Yeah so true, still it bothered me and made me sad to think he felt so strong that he doesn't belong there anymore. But yeah, he definitely shouldn't force himself. I think he has done enough. Ah, but it looks like fate has decided differently for him. I also love the way Hiroshi thinks of the emperor, who's inshrined at Omi Jingu, the one that made the first poem of the Hyankunin Isshu looking out for those who work hard for others. I really am so excited for the next chapter to see how Chihaya is going to handle her new "power up". I think Arata will lose the next match or everything will be over for the Meijin match. He might win the fourth match and become Meijin......it actually would be pretty nice to see Taichi and Arata cheering on Chihaya's last match. But maybe Arata will struggle more than that and lose the 2 coming matches: Suou has an advantage for the readers: Kuryzuru tan and Kyoko tan are reading, with their flowery way of chanting....and then last match Serizawa, the monotonous reader Arata prefers. Suou's eyesight makes these matches very bittersweet, maybe the last ones he will be playing so high up in competition. In a way I really don't want him to lose but there is always someone that will....same Shinobu, with her dream that has been taking shape, becoming a professional player..... I think Shinobu will have some stamina problems .....(because of the first page of the manga, we already know what will happen for the the Queen matches, only the last one isn't "known"...). |
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chiakimagoto said: ^ I agree with most of this post. Taichi leaving the club was one of the best things he could have done for himself, cause he really had issues to fix. Too bad it really hurt both Chihaya and him(and the club members). But I also think his departure made Chihaya mature as well in a good way. She turned out to be more sturdy than we thought. And the team turned out to be great friends, accepting him even if his time of inner struggle! Wow great to have friends like that! I think it was good for her too, despite the pain of the loss, she became stronger by standing on her two feet. She was also starting to think about her future and work around her goal to be a teacher. What made me feel a bit disappointed in Taichi lately, is that he had decided not to go to the finals to cheer on his friends. He actually decided to bring Suou's aunt and leave right after. I don't know what made him decide that. Is it too difficult to see Arata and Chihaya? Does he feel he doesn't belong? Does he not want to be in the way? He still feels he's the worst and shouldn't be there? He has decided to cut all ties? I think the mangaka just wants to delay his appearance to the break before the last match to reunite the trio because: 1) Arata is more likely to lose two following matches to "spice" the finals (and I already think this is going to go the non cliche way and have Taichi rather than Chihaya being the one who would cheer him properly). 2) It'll come down to his soul searching and realize he wants to play karuta with them after he scolds himself or someone else reminds him he promised not to run/be a coward again. To me is basically a moment of weakness to lead to his epiphany. So he'll breathlessly declare something cheesy like "Let's go to college together and there, we can start our own club" scene which will make Arata and Chihaya cry, cue to trio hug before the last match with overlapping images of them during childhood just to tug more nostalgic heartstrings. That's what I want to happen, but maybe it won't, I just think Taichi's likely going to propose creating a club they can play together again. That feels like what would wrap up his arc to me. And the only reason he hasn't done it yet is because of dramatic timing. You can't convince me he's not hurting to be away of them too. About fangirling in general, I don't see what's wrong with that. No reason to look down on others for expressing their pov whatever that may be. Not everyone agrees nor reads a story for the same reasons or interests. I always find it very interesting to read all kind of posts as long as they respect others. No opinion is lesser than another. Shouldn't we first ask ourselves who we are to judge others in the first place. This is my personal motto. My problem is the constant Chihaya's bashing because of Taichi. It's annoying and getting out of hand. Plus the misunderstanding karuta is bad for her and she's obsessed and doesn't see her friends just because she didn't mind read Taichi's romantic feelings, and all that kind of rubbish. She's dense and a bit of an airhead, that's not because of karuta, that's her personality way before karuta. But she's social and her hobby -with Taichi's old help- allowed her to socialize just fine. She doesn't need to "grow up" and cut down karuta to gain those fans' support. She has obvious self-esteem issues, they didn't go away magically, she had them because of her sister in her childhood, so to me, she feels she only can be validated through karuta in a way because is the one thing she's good at - but this isn't because karuta is a problem, this is because she has that inferiority complex she'll probably work around in her matches. It's Shinobu the one who was isolated due to karuta in her own world, not Chihaya. It feels like sometimes fans don't understand Chihaya's struggles and bash her because of the guys (especially Taichi fans are guilty of this, I haven't seen Arata fans doing it, but I'm sure there are some who do). |
ThessJun 10, 2020 4:52 PM
| ^ ok I understand what you mean about fangirling: it's the Chihaya bashing I don't agree with either.....she might be dense and naïve but everything that happened is not their fault. They're teenagers in the end and sometimes things get so overdramatic at that age cause hard to control ones emotions. Chihaya has her flaws just as the 2 boys do. That's what makes them so endearing. I do admit I have some trouble connecting to her character by moment. I think Sensei should have been a bit more careful of having us "get closer emotionally" to her heroine. I'm not sure I'm explaining myself right..... I think at the finals there definitely will be a "friendship" moment. There might be some heavy allusion to who Chihaya really love but not so sure at all. If there is any true resolution of the romance that probably will be after. But Sensei can decide to totally avoid that. I can't help but feel excited for the coming chapter. The matches and Chitose-Taichi encounter. |
chiakimagotoJun 10, 2020 10:06 PM
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| Anyone else see the new artwork Suetsugu posted on Instagram? It's a Sumire illustration, and Taichi illustration paired up with the word love as the caption. Interesting. |
| The desire to be loved is the last illusion. Give it up and you will be free. |
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