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This is my first review....
Anyways, Chihayafuru ended today March 27th 2012, and since this was the last day it aired, I have a pretty decent idea of how I feel about this anime. But first let me back up...

Chihayafuru is #17 of the Karuta cards and you will remember this throughout the whole storyline as it is mentioned a lot and of course the main character is called Chihaya. I love poetry but I had never thought that a manga/anime like this existed or that I would ever watch it. I would classify this anime as a slice of life, but it's not just that. ... It's very unique and unbelievably enjoyable.

Story - 8/10 (Very Good)

I gave the story a 8 because the ending wasn't that great and everyone knew that it wasn't going to end how you wanted to because 25 episodes is just too short. The beginning was very confusing and at first you just wanted to get to the point. As you progress you realize the first couple of episodes were important. The whole point of Chihayafuru was the game of karuta. The story mostly focuses on the main characters trying to move up a rank or becoming the Master or Queen. For all of the things that go on revolving karuta it is very good. I also gave the story an 8 because I wished something happened between Taichi, Chihaya and Arata. I know this wasn't a romance anime but I was really wishing for a bit more interaction with those three together.

Art - 10/10 (Outstanding)

The art was amazing. The animators did a very good job because the characters seemed lifelike. They weren't 3-D but they weren't like anime from the 90's either. When the karuta cards were concerned the art looked even more amazing. They were soft and really made you think about the meanings behind each card. Especially when Kana was explaining the meanings, the art seemed to emphasize a lot of what she was saying. It provided as a beautiful subcharacter in some way. Overall, I loved the art it was bold, soft, and beautiful all in its own way.

Sound- 9/10 (Great)

The opening song was perfect. It wasn't overly peppy and not completely slow-paced either. Whoever sang it was amazing because their voice conveyed the enthusiasm and the energy that the whole anime released. But it also conveyed the softness making you relish in the game itself. It was perfect. The ending theme was done well too. The melodious background and the slow pace really did a great job bringing everything to a full circle.
The sound did a good job trasitioning you in and out of the episodes.

Character- 7/10 (Good)

The characters that were mainly on focus was Chihaya, Taichi and Arata. Then Chihaya and Taichi's karuta club which configured of Desktomukun, Porky, and Kana.
Chihaya was done very well. Her passion and love for karuta made you love the game too. And her determination kept you inspired. You cried when she did and you laughed when she laughed. She was a character with a lot of depth.
Taichi was a character that you grew to love. You didn't really liike him at first but once you understood his life, his circumstance, his love, you began to sympathize with him. Even though he had no chance he still tried and does keep trying to persevere. You cheered for him and you really wanted him to do something.
Arata, I truly wished I saw more of. He came in the very beginning and his compassion touched your heart. You pitied and were let down when he stopped doing what he loved for a little while and you jumped for joy when he came back again. As much as you loved him too, you never got to see him much, you didn't experience much of his perspective at all.
Even though I loved Chihaya, the lack of Taichi and Arata's depth really prevented me in giving the character a 9 or 10. There was some character development. I think those two characters would've been fine if there were more episodes but at the end you were still confused about where they stood.

Enjoyment - 9/10 (Great)

For a plot so different and so educational in some ways, I enjoyed it. It was really fun watching and I loved learning about the game that the characters loved so much. I really wished I could play the game by the end. I waited for every episode and am really saddened that it's over.

Overall - 8/10 (Very Good)

Even though I gave enjoyment a 9, the characters and story could have been in more depth. I just didn't like how it ended and I really wished there was a second season to watch right away. There were too many unanswered questions. Don't get my wrong, I loved the anime, it's just there were some things I was really passionate about in this anime and to end it like that with no announcement of a second season really irritated me. That saying, if you want a fun anime, that you get something out of, have characters that you learn to love, than PLEASE PLEASE watch this anime. If you're looking for something like Haruhi, Ouran, Sailor Moon, Bleach, Fairy Tail, Code Geass then this isn't your anime. But ANYONE will LOVE this anime. IF THERE IS A SECOND SEASON I WILL 100% SEE IT! It's that GOOD, it's UNIQUE, and it's SPECIAL.

Hope I helped!