The game isn´t really called "Hyakunin Isshu", as stated in the summary. It´s called Karuta. There are several types, among them is the "Uta garuta", in which the three first verses of a poem are read, and the players must find the card with the last two verses that match the ones read, before the opponent does. The poems are the ones included in a classic poetry anthology called "Hyakunin Isshu" (one hundred poets, one poem each).
Chihayafuru is a story about the pursuit of dreams. Arata, one of the three protagonists, wants to become Karuta Master, the title given to the best player in Japan, because being the best player in Japan is the same as being the best player in the world. I found this line of thought so great! I have the anthology and an "uta garuta" set of cards at home. I’m going to learn the poems and become the best player in Argentina, as -most probably- I will only be able to compete against myself. That is what this type of anime generates in me, I suddenly find myself thinking: I want to do that, too!!!! But, going back to what I was saying... Chihaya, in turn, wants to become the Queen, the title given to the best female player. Taichi, the other male protagonist, knows he isn´t as good as Arata, which gets him frustrated. He has it tough, but -with the constant support of Chihaya- works to become better and surpass his friend.
There is a love triangle issue among the three, but this is by no means (at least up until the last episode I´ve watched so far) the most important story line in the anime. The story goes -as I already said- mainly about the pursuit of dreams, and friendship.
The game scenes are very exciting. The story is completely different, but for those who have watched Hikaru no Go, the feeling is the same as the one you get watching the Go matches in Hikaru no Go, with less static images, as Chihayafuru is much more recent and the art is much better. Don´t expect ghosts, spirits, or any fantastic component in this anime... I am only talking about the feeling you get watching the tournament scenes.
As for the characters, none of them is "the perfect guy". Probably, the most "perfect" one is Chihaya. But they all make mistakes, learn and grow up as the story goes forward. The most complex one is Taichi, as has already been stated by others, because he seems to be the most conflicted character.
There is another very interesting character: Kanade Oe. She joins the Karuta Club after the seventh or eighth episode. She is a lover of traditional Japan, and especially traditional clothing and poetry. She brings a poetic dimension to the anime. Karuta players rely on sound and speed. They learn the poems by hard, without giving much thought to their meaning, and learn to pick the cards by hearing just the one or two first syllables of the poems. Kanade often scolds them for their lack of interest in the poetic value of the game, and teaches them the meaning and beauty of the poems. Those who love Japanese poetry, as me, will probably love this character.
The art is very realistic. Don´t expect enormous eyes, hair of strange colors, or anything of the sort. Cherry blossoms, autumn leaves and color are very important, as they are a core component of classic poetry in Japan.
I absolutely love this anime and I feverously recommend watching it. Absolute 10 in all aspects.
