Chihayafuru 3 ちはやふる 3

2019 fall | Episodes: 24 | Score: 8.5 (67402)

Updated every Wednesdays at 01:29 | Status: Finished Airing

Type: TV

Producers:Kodansha | Nippon Television Network | TC Entertainment | Nippon Television Music | FBC

Streaming: Crunchyroll | Netflix

Synopsis

Winning the high school team tournament was a great accomplishment for the Mizusawa members. Each of them has made great strides in improving themselves, and the victory symbolizes how far they have come. But after accomplishing one goal, their individual aims are within reach. Chihaya Ayase has her sights set on Shinobu Wakamiya and the title of Queen, and now that Taichi Mashima has made it into Class A, he can finally compete against Arata Wataya. Everyone in Mizusawa wants to get better, and there is no telling what the future holds if they keep trying. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

Voice Actors

Seto, Asami

Miyano, Mamoru

Hosoya, Yoshimasa

Terasaki, Yuka

News

Reviews

DaxtotheMax
08/16/2023, 06:26 PM
I wasn't going to make a review for this because it was obvious that it was going to be good continuing off the last two seasons and I had made reviews for those two already so what else is there to say? Well I realized something. First off, it's been years since I've seen S2, and S3 has been out but it wasn't dubbed right away because of the pandemic. Well they caught up and now so have I and the dub really was worth it. I'm sure the sub voices are great but something about those English voices really gets me, especially Mashima. (I know,I mention it every time) The main thing I wanted to point out is that despite being a card game, which might seem kind of dull in concept, they always keep it interesting, not just visually but musically and contextually too. I never would've thought of some of the things they come up with for this season but it'd make me stop and go "huh, that really does make sense." like a chiropractor joining the game. Could you imagine the range he has with having to use his hands all day between gentle and rough. There were definitely episodes where I felt like "Eh, not that excited." Because there'd be two side characters but then during the match, they'd give me a reason to care and then I'd get invested. Harata was just the teacher but this season made me root for him. Shinobu was just being used to make Chihaya better and give her a goal, this season made me invested in her with or without Chihaya involved. I feel like my opinion has changed on characters too because Chihaya's personality was pretty much just karuta and now they're trying to give her more depth, which I like but it's slow sailing. When I started this series, Arata was my favorite because I liked the relationship with his grandpa and I felt that his friendship with the others was admirable, a bit of a nerdy underdog who started a trend. But now, I'm not quite as interested in him because he seems like someone who just shows up to bring about some change in the plot, he's really kind of rude at times in this season. So the kid, I related with but as a teen, not so much. While that made me ship Arata and Chihaya, Mashima was a very close second and now, while I feel Hanano is a new and growing option as well, I think Mashima is my favorite now and I kind of find myself relating to him more and more. So he's the opposite of Arata, I didn't relate to him as a kid but as a teen, he really made an impression on me. I originally wanted to say that there's a lot of stuff that happens that we've been waiting for but I feel like it starts out that way and slowly starts to get side-tracked, almost like we're not making as much progress as I thought and it could easily go on for season after season. Obviously, I imagine this has to do with the manga, but I expected some sort of finality or payoff, not for the series as a whole but maybe a running rivalry or a new status or defining feature to this season that changes it from the one previous. I'm fine with more of the same but, that's about it, it builds. In fact, I felt that I had a pretty concrete vision for how this was all going to be laid out until the last few episodes (I think around 20) then I really actually started disliking it, I didn't like what it was doing or how it was doing it but I had one saving grace, much like many a Star Wars' series, wait for the final episode. But the same thing always happens and it doesn't make up for what amounted to the whole series. It's just such a weird way to end, like it's trying to explore some things but not others? No idea, not much can be said about it until I see what's next, I hear it was rushed from what the manga had for those chapters. But if it truly goes the whole way and adapts the manga, we'd still have around 2 more seasons or something and the manga just ended last year so I hope that we actually get those. Especially considering it took like 6 years to get an S3 and it's already been three since this one. As far as sports anime, this is officially the one I've stuck with the longest and enjoyed the most (I don't think I count March Comes in Like A Lion). I even watched the Queen's Gambit and thought "Yeah, poor man's Chihaya." this is a good anime. I might as well rank the three while I'm at it, even though it's been a while but I'll break it down as to why. 1 > 2 This is because 2 had the task of introducing all these new characters and while they all hit and they did a splendid job especially considering how many of them there were, I just didn't find them as endearing as the main cast or anything. I acknowledged their purpose in the story and all but I think some of the 2nd season was spent refreshing to both introduce and help the old characters notice new things about their old game through that. In a way, this gives Season 3 the edge because it takes those characters and amplifies them enough to make them interesting enough to have screen time on their own without Mashima, Arata or Chihaya on screen with them. That and it doesn't have to introduce as many new characters itself, it can just focus back on tournaments and stuff. She could certainly win a Squid Game, that's for sure. 2 > 3 This leaves 3 in last place and technically that makes it worse as the seasons go on but that doesn't mean it's not still a solid anime worth watching (especially since the MAL scores say the opposite of what I just did) Really, it was that ending that changed everything, or else, I would've put it above S2, other than a few key parts, I see this being a sandwich season. Maybe if it actually went one episode over and started showing what was in store rather than setting the pieces where they are, but ya'know.
Criterial
08/05/2022, 01:40 AM
What makes an anime a masterpiece? Many of us ask this question when we review, rank, or just think critically about an anime. I had trouble finding the answer to this question because I usually chose the anime that I loved the most; however, the Chihayafuru series has made me realize what it takes for an anime to break the barrier between just being an enjoyable anime and being an unquestionable masterpiece. Let me first start off by saying that the Chihayafuru series as a whole is not for everyone. If you do not enjoy a slice of life/sports anime with a strong premise oncharacterization, this will not be your cup of tea; however, for those of us who do, it will be a favorite. While enjoyable, the first two seasons of Chihayafuru do not offer anything but a buildup to the climax, which is the third season. All those hours of watching the characters hide their emotions and only for it all to spill out in twenty-four episodes pay off tremendously. It is like attaining a gold medal in a sport you play or finally asking out your crush. All those hours of training or building up the courage to ask your crush out finally pay off, and you will find yourself just staring at the screen, not being able to take your eyes off the magic that is happening in front of you. While not being a perfect show, it is a perfect example of anime that transcended boundaries in terms of characterization, and for that reason I would call this show a masterpiece!
JinHitomi
08/25/2021, 06:44 AM
I'm not a native English speaker, and this is my first ever review. These are my opinions on the show, so please refrain from causing controversy, as I've tried my best to avoid such things from happening. Please read this with a grain of salt. And there are spoilers. I don't have time to review season 1 and 2, but let's say for the most part: it was amazing. The journey countinue onwards with season 3, and it has not failed to impress me! This is one of the rare gems in anime, one of the rare shows that managed to not only keep its quality consistentfor 3 seasons, but also gradually improves later on. Chihayafuru takes us through a colorful journey of hardships and endeavors of the main trio (Chihaya, Arata and Taichi) playing and improving at the game. This show captivates the viewers with its realistically-portrayed card game, through the character's perception and play-style of karuta, background and personalities through these beautiful and charming Japensese poems. What really makes this show stands out, is without the use of cheap sentimentals (monologues about friendship and then ridiculously wins, hidden powers etc), it's still able to convey such strong emotions as the characters pushed themselves to their limit. Despite being an anime, the pressure of competiting against a high-classes opponent is sensible, making this show breathtaking. The emotions, speech and the gestures of the characters, alongside the amazing storyline, is enough to make you fall in love with the show. The narration was perfect, making the story flow without missing a beat. The development and endeavor of the characters impacted the plot overall, along side the scenes, flashbacks and sequences makes a breathtaking picture of the show, which will fail to disinterest you. The characters were fleshed out to their full potential, especially Arata Wataya, who ws left out in the previous seasons. Taichi Mashima's transformation was mesmerizing to see, along side our main girl, Chihaya Ayase, who continue with the endeavor of developing and passion of the game despite her future in general. These three have progressed through the storyline with decent pacing, making the show further enjoyable to watch. Not just the trio, we can also see the improvement of the side cast, having their personal development and story depicted through the games. One other thing that satisified me is the remarkable in-depth exploration of the new challengers. Many characters weren't left out, and the appearance of the mysterious Master and Queen figure is a suprise to me. The competition or the title was absolutely glorious, seeing the persepctives of not only the main cast but also from the opposition's view. The art and soundtrack, as a whole, is mesmerising. The art itself enhances the story, alongside the soundtrack is aimed to give you the most entertaining experience whilst watching the show, and Chihayafuru has succeeded in doing that successful. In the end, it's kinda hard to believe that Chihayafuru is not popular! So let this be one of the shining gems in the world of anime.
timmchu
08/06/2021, 02:42 PM
A pleasant surprise. Featuring wonderful art, music and astounding character development with a sports-centred story revolving around the Japanese card game karuta. You'd think an anime about classical Japanese poetry would be boring, but Chihayafuru introduces the game excellently and weaves the game with all of the character's personalities and how the game influences, and has impacted their lives. The karuta matches are more action-packed and entertaining than some action anime - and every character, not just the protagonist, is developed and given attention to during this season. Chihayafuru is a nice blend between slice of life, sports and romance, and there is a proper competitive moodduring the entirety of this show - as every character wants to be the best. There is nothing negative to point out about this season, nor the anime in its entirety, it is a solid 9/10 in every aspect, however, it could've done slightly better with the romance aspect towards the end.
iamapizza
07/30/2021, 04:48 AM
This 3rd season starts strong, but the ends up spending far too much time on the melodrama. The first 2 seasons are definitely stronger and tightly knit. The story itself is quite entertaining and fun to keep up with, but I feel could be a lot better without the romance, which actually felt like it got in the way of an otherwise strong cohesive story. Combine that with the insistence on 25 episodes per season for 4 seasons to match 100 karuta cards (it's symbolic and artsy, you see), and you get episodes with long periods of 'filler', with characters staring into thedistance, localized wind blowing hair and sparkly scenes. On the plus side, most of the characters do show development. The protagonist does show a little growth as well but compared to her supporting cast it's barely noticeable.
miha_shizuha
06/09/2021, 09:35 AM
Phewww~! Can't believe I was a year late to watch such a wonderful season of Chihayafuru. First of all, I'd like to inform that I'm a big fan of Chihayafuru. Therefore, this review might emphasize the abundant excitement I feel when I was completing the series. If you have not watched the first and second seasons, this third season might be a little difficult to follow. Unlike the previous seasons, season 3 gives more screen time to other supporting roles that we all love! Harada sensei, Shinobu, Suo Meijin, Sakurazawa Sensei and several newly-introduced characters. Is it good? Well, it's yes and no. It's goodbecause you won't be fed with Chihaya's greed to win with Mizusawa; it's bad because some development that should happen for the main characters were neglected. However, it does not reduce the amount of enjoyment of the series. It is still great! I believe the series has followed the manga pretty closely. Amazing work! I also realised that Arata was given much more development in this series. There are some dokidoki parts happening between the trio, as well as, heartbreaking moments but it just screams that Chihaya, Taichi and Arata are growing up! It's truly satisfying to watch them. Their ups and downs. In this season, the series shows more than just karuta! They talk about bond, hardships, betrayal, and more. Although the previous seasons also centralise so many themes, I personally find that this season is more emotional than the precedents! Overall, if you would like to see the growth of all characters (especially Chihaya, Arata & Taichi), please marathon all seasons! I've done it and Chihayafuru has really entered my subconscious mind. XD
SoggiestWaffle
04/24/2021, 08:56 AM
Taichi's character is so well written that it almost makes every other character seem bad. That's only half a joke, the anime does such a good job of making you feel for Taichi and want to see him succeed. He's a character that is constantly beaten when he's down, so when he does have little moments of victory they feel so satisfying. With other characters like Chihaya, you're not surprised when she wins, and you aren't really surprised when she loses. It's fairly formulaic and you can usually pretty easily tell when the writers are going to have her win or lose. Although this isn'talways true, it's what you're dealing with most of the time. With Taichi on the other hand, it's always unknown whether he's going to pull through and win or fall behind and lose. (Although keep in mind this is only really talking about when his matches are actually focused on, and the same goes for what I said about Chihaya)
animejapanrules
02/02/2021, 10:24 PM
Chihayafuru 3 is a fresh, compelling entry in the franchise that builds on the things the show does well while adding some new twists and turns. The show continues to excel at developing all the characters in its universe and generating interest and suspense in the character interactions. While some of the matches drag in my opinion, the stakes continue to increase in this season, which largely gives the matches gravity and pulls the viewer through them. Some surprising characters get a lot of screen time this season, yet because of how they are developed and the attention given to relationships between characters, I foundit refreshing and engaging as much as anything. This season also features more focus on romance and some long-awaited strides in romantic sub-plots, although, as usual, romance is not the main focus of the show. In looking over the totality of Chihayafuru (at the time of this writing this is the last season to air), especially Chihayafuru 3, I have to revisit my initial thoughts on the series from the first season. This show is not about karuta, or even Chihaya; but through the sport and rich characters, it successfully explores adolescence, self-improvement, friendship, love, and, most of all, passion. In my eyes, the depth and breadth of the Chihayafuru series puts it atop the sports genre; I would go so far as to say the show transcends the genre and qualifies as simply a very good anime. I truly enjoyed it!
Misbah_shah
10/01/2020, 09:30 PM
This anime definitely is not for everyone. I don't know why is it rated so high, by so many people. I'll explain just 7 points why you can watch it and why you can't. 1. The character TAICHI is one of the major reasons I kept watching the 3 seasons and anyone would love his character more than any other character in the series (say it girls or boys, they'll get impressed). He's a childhood friend of Chihaya, the girl whom he liked ever since 6th grade. They're high schoolers now, but he's not able to confess because he thinks that she likes Arata, anotherchildhood friend of both of them. The major reason of Chihaya always Admiring Arata is the game karuta (a traditional Japanese card game) that she wants to excel at. She looks at Arata with admiration only because he's the one who gave her dream of being a queen in the field of Karuta. Taichi when comes to know about her passion for this game, he works REALLY HARD to be a best player in this game because he wants her to admire him and look at him the way she admires Arata. When I say he worked REALLY HARD, it means that the 3 seasons' series was able to convey his efforts flawlessly. Chihaya never looked at him with the admiration that he always yearned for. It hurt him to the extent that he was able to leave everything behind, just to get that one look of admiration. This is what caught my attention and definitely it can catch anyone's attention. Talking about his looks, he was overwhelmingly handsome. Golden eyes, with huge eye lashes and heightened appearance made him quite personable and stunning. In fact, his Karuta teacher calls him EYE LASHES because of his beautiful eyes. Definitely, girls in school were after him too, still it didn't bother Chihaya and I hated it the most. Characters are explained in details, whether it is Taichi, or Chihaya or Arata. Their preferences, their opinions, their families, their goals. Supporting characters (members of club) were also given limelight. But at one point, it was too detailed that even those who had no concern with the story were described in details (their thoughts, their background stories) especially during the duet matches so it became annoying for the audience. Still Everyone was given enough time, so I'd say character of this anime was good enough for me. 2. Friendship and Bonding with the people you work hard with, is never to be taken lightly. Season 1 was the beginning so I couldn't feel the chemistry between the friends and club members, but till season 3, I could clearly see the way they practice all the time to get into nationals. That's why their understanding and support for each other couldn't be left unnoticed. Taichi and Chihaya really improved a lot in being the best players, forming the base of the whole Karuta club. Experience makes leadership qualities exceptional and both of them proved it. How everyone depended on them, made me realize how amazing the feeling is when someone depends on you. How Chihaya changes completely into a serious player while playing Karuta couldn't go unnoticed as well. 👌🏼 3. If you don't like the game KARUTA, don't watch it. Actually you CAN'T watch it if you don't like this game. It's almost impossible. Decide on the very first episode that this game isn't worth the time you're going to give to the series of 3 seasons. I knew that I didn't like the theme of the series "Karuta" so I should've left the idea of watching it, but I didn't! That's why I didn't enjoy any match and that's why I didn't enjoy the series as well. For me, this game was like "Snatching or grabbing the card before other players after memorising the 100 poems and seeing it first before the other player. " that's it! Yes, it is a different game, yet I couldn't watch all the matches since they were so similar to me, just with a different set of faces. Victories were mostly predictable and I couldn't force myself to watch how one gets the card, this way or that way, it was boring for me. The ONLY moment among the matches that I enjoyed the most, was the match between Taichi and Chihaya. "Taichi, who started playing Karuta because of Chihaya is a lot better than her" this is what I thought. "The first time she looked at him with admiration" "The fruit of his hardwork" "The moment audience had been waiting for" These words were coming in my mind while watching that moment. Arata, getting jealous over the fact that he wasn't the one playing with Chihaya, it was Taichi, made me super happy. Just 1 match that I watched with full interest, was this one. Just imagine there are hundreds of matches of Karuta game, among so many players, I only watched one. So this anime isn't for those who don't like the concept of this game. Leave it the moment you feel that this game is annoying for you to watch. 4. Why you shouldn't watch it is also because of the SLOWEST LOVE STORY ON EARTH! Love story is really annoying and "patience testing experience" for audience so I won't recommend if you're a person who completes a series in 2 or 3 days, like me. Chihaya's personality is SO ANNYOING that one wants to smash her head after seeing how she links everyone's words and actions to KARUTA 🤦🏻‍♀️even if it's a confession, even if it's a compliment, she links it to Karuta. She only sees Karuta, she sees those who love Karuta, those who hate Karuta, those who are her enemies in Karuta and those make her learn something new about Karuta.🙄 For me, Chihaya's mind is like a 6th grade girl whose vocabulary starts and ends with just one word "Karuta" Development is so slow that I felt like BEING PUNISHED to complete the series, still the thought of not knowing the ending urged me to finish it. How can one be so clueless despite being a high schooler? 🙄 I Thanked God that I lived enough life to see Taichi confessing to this girl since he was the most patient lover on earth. Whatever Taichi did for her, whatever he became for her (he almost lost himself while getting her attention) still, all she cared in the end was "he's getting ahead of me", still she was showing lovey dovey expressions only for Arata, who wasn't even with her.. Ughh! I literally wanted to slap this girl Chihaya.. 5. Comedy factor isn't noticeable enough in this series to recommend to comedy lovers. I didn't laugh much, even though there were many scenes among club members that were considered comedy. Maybe it wasn't upto my expectations. 6. Another thing that is admirable is "Animation". 10/10 for that. This anime is for those, who strive to see beauty. It's a treat of eyes for them. (surely It was for me as well.) 7. Voice actors are brilliant too, especially the protagonists 👌🏼Though music didn't catch my attention.. Except the ending OST of season 1. Overall, I didn't enjoy because of No interest in Karuta and because of Chihaya's dumb Nature. I was expecting a good romance due to Taichi and he really proved his love, but if one of the protagonists isn't getting the other, it makes it so frustrating. Comedy also seemed dull and tedious, so I couldn't enjoy, so I'd give 3/10 to enjoyment, but the story improved greatly in this season, matches and completions for Queens and masters (which weren't in the previous seasons) and this is something admirable. Story despite being simple went really well. So I can recommend only to those who like the theme Karuta. Otherwise don't watch it! For me, overall it's 6/10
Sesshomaru
05/31/2020, 12:43 PM
ちはやふる 3 is an endearing sequel to the past seasons with the same distinctive charm and a lot of heart. It is a really beautiful series that appeals to a wide audience with excitement, fun and emotions and entertains them great. The third season, my third review of the series, and I still recommend the series as much as I did at the beginning. Story: Familiar, yet different & new, so that tension & excitement arise again (9/10) The story follows a very plausible structure. While I understand that shifting focus from teams to individuals is a source of discussion and a certain sense of disappointment forsome, but it is precisely this development and change that spans all three seasons that is both the reason and a guarantee for that great entertainment value from the series as a whole. I hope the idea becomes clearer with a brief overview of each season. In the first season the characters and the traditional Karuta as a sport are introduced. The second season deepens the friendship bonds between the team members and the teams. Personally, I think that working out the different interpersonal relationships leads to a great sequel that doesn't have to hide behind its predecessor. The third season now focuses more on some members and their relationships. Unfortunately, the time of 24 episodes is not enough to deepen all the characters, but I am convinced that they did a very good job. About 27 volumes of the manga have been adapted. I therefore sincerely look forward to what the further implementation will look like. Character: Known & new characters, well presented and credible (9/10) As already mentioned, there is a concentration on individual characters within the plot, which is also important and makes sense in the overall context of the story. Even if the depiction of the masters and the queen is initially in the foreground, new characters are also introduced and the newcomers of the second season are further developed. Despite all of this, the show still manages to give the supporting characters time on the screen, so that despite the focus on individual characters, a good overall picture is still created. Ayase Chihaya: Despite the lapstick sleep attacks after a match, her characterization is terrific. She is ambitious (when it comes to Karuta), kind-hearted and easy to deceive. Since she is very pretty, but also a small tomboy, impulsive and outgoing, her emotional world will leave her puzzled at the end of the show. It was obvious, but for me it was presented as credibly as if reading someone's diary. Mashima Taichi: Endowed with athletic and academic skills and furthermore good looking, he has remained down-to-earth despite everything. What I really like about him is that he's smart, but works hard for it. Learning from his mistakes and being loyal to the Mizusawa team has made him a wise leader who uses his supportive words to guide the team through the difficult phases of the games. Wataya Arata: I like the Fukui dialect, it sounds even more fluid and mellow. Black hair and blue eyes are already unusual and the comparison with water matches the language and behavior. Arata's way of playing is also aptly described with the elegant and soft movements of the water, since he always acts calmly and prudently, is just perfect. Suō Hisashi: Suō is not the ideal Meijin and therefore a thorn in the side of the Karuta Society. This is simply because he is very careless in his academic commitments and often moves outside the otherwise very serious framework of the very traditional sport. But his nature is different, and because of the disparagement of his person in his environment, one tends to look at the character rather contemptuously. His quiet, very calm way of speaking reveals something different and his playing style is impressive, like Chihaya he has a very good hearing, which is not his only quality. There is more to discover. Harada Hideo: Harada-sensei is a great personality, he is a friendly man with a deep connection to traditional Karuta. He is the backbone and head of the Shiranami society, which also includes Tachi and Chihaya. He has also been the mentor of both of them from the very beginning, has always stood at their side with the knowledge he has accumulated over many decades, challenged and encouraged them. His playing style is the offensive Karuta, which is characterized above all by taking the cards from the opponent's field. He is an excellent Karuta player who pulls out all the stops when it comes to winning. He is enthusiastic, loud, very competitive and uses drama and exaggeration, the comparison with a bear is used over and over again in the series, and this is an apt comparison. Sakurazawa Midori: Her character could be described most quickly as the counterpart of Harada Sensei. Female, she speaks softly, but is also treated with great respect because she is a very talented Karuta player. Her excellent observation skills enable her to accurately assess the strengths and weaknesses of other players. Due to her analytical skills and strictly demanding instructions, her protégés admire and fear her. Her loyal and sincere style is particularly striking. Outside of Karuta, she is a warm-hearted woman whose graceful figure fits well with her feminine and charismatic personality. If one of her male protégés seems to pursue her, she is not afraid to reject the young man with a charming joke. Visuals: breathtaking and pleasantly presented (9/10) A beautiful ensemble of art and animation that brings the characters elegantly and realistically to life. Studio Madhouse has set very high production values for the series and even improved them in the course of the adaptation in the individual seasons. The original illustrations of Suetsugu Yuki's work were beautifully adapted into the anime series from the beginning of the first season. The attractiveness of art is based on aesthetics and realism as well as on the love of detail and passion for quality. The charming accents of the Shoujo genre, such as falling sakura leaves and the graceful use of soft colours, give the series a special appeal. The art department has done an excellent job of creating the right mood for each episode, while at the same time highlighting the emotional and intellectual intensity that characterizes the Karuta games in the competition. The art department is also impressive in terms of animation. The implementation of the movements of the figures is fluent and the camera angles are perfectly coordinated to achieve the greatest possible effect from each scene. Again, cards played during the tournaments, are a great example of good camera work. The sometimes game-decisive movements are executed with great attention to detail, and the perspective is panned or tilted to focus the viewer's attention. In this way, the animation does a very good job of keeping the scenario incredibly exciting, especially in tournaments. Sounds: good, simultaneously emphasizing & accompanying, OP & ED good, VA stands out positively (9/10) The BGM of Yamashita Kousuke was again very successful. The individual scenes and the plot are beautifully accompanied by the musical arrangements and receive a great and very fitting accentuation. The beautiful orchestral arrangements, which also include solos such as grand piano, oboe or flute and violin, have a very lively and emotional character, which makes the listener feel the sensations of the scenarios. For example: かるた日日和 has something lively and reminds me very much of the music for one of the most beautiful couple dances, the slow Foxtrot or高ぶるキモチ and 心構え are so beautiful, gentle and graceful piece of music. The soundtrack as a whole is very beautiful, and I enjoyed it very much. The OP is called "Colourful" and is once again performed by the J-Rock formation 99RadioService, founded in 2007. The voices of コータ and コーヘイ give the good music the right note and bring the audience into the right mood for the series. The animation is reminiscent of the predecessors and presents the figures based on impressions of the past, present and offers a small look into the future. All in all, the title is fun and I like to hear it. The ED is called "Hitomebore" and is from the band Harassment. This rock band from Nagoya is still quite new, the formation was founded in 2015 and the four-man formation of Ibuka-, Wata-, Hakko- and Saimoto-san plays good J-Rock. With Ibuka's clear and stretched vocals, the catchy melodies are impressive. The lyrics of the title are straightforward without difficult puns and thus create a good mix that is well received by the audience. The text of the song fits very well with the events and feelings in the anime. The animation is also very suitable, with the individual pictures of the MCs and the three friends together. It is a very simple design, but also very effective. The Seiyū are also an aspect of the series' success. With great sensitivity, their performances convey the deep and moving emotions and give the well-written dialogues appealing and perceptible realism. The voice acting is excellent without exception, but I would like to highlight some voices that I particularly like. Regarding the male dubbing voices: Hosoya, Yoshimasa as Arata's voice. His presentation of the Fukui dialect, the nasal "Nya" sounds friendly and because it pulls the words or sentences together a little, the language sounds even more fluent, which in turn fits very well with Arata's character and the association with water. Personally, I was deeply moved that Ishizuka Unshō passed away in 2018. I liked his clear and deep voice as Seiyū very much. I will miss the great voice that brought Admiral Borsalino "Kizaru" and also Van Hohenheim in the FMA Brotherhood to life. The new casting of the role of Harada Sensei with Miyake, Kenta was in my opinion a good choice to fill the speaking role with a worthy successor. Among the female voice actors, I particularly noticed Han, Megumi as the voice of Hanano, Sumire. I haven't mentioned her in my last reviews and that's a pity. Her performance is excellent, her repertoire covers an impressive spectrum. It ranges from energetic, cheerful voices: Gon Freeccs (Hunter x Hunter - 2011) to cute voices, such as Kargari, Atsuko (Little Witch Academia -2013) to psychological roles, like Five (Zankyō no Teroru - 2014). Han-san understands perfectly with her voice, to embody Sumire, who is at first superficial and emotionally driven In hectic times, a gentle series with appealing characters and the simple elegance of a traditional sport is very soothing and appealing, even without a PhD in Japanese literature. In case you are new to the series and are not quite sure, my review of the first season contains a small overview of "Karuta". As mentioned at the beginning, I'm convinced that I can recommend the series to every anime fan, because I think everyone will like the series in his or her own way, since it is exciting, emotionally charged, visually beautiful staged and is accompanied by very good music as well as voice acting. As always, thanks for reading and have fun watching.
M_Hawk
05/11/2020, 08:40 AM
*Disclaimer* I don't know what's all about with this review bombing mentioned. Here I'm just fairly pointing why for me 3 season was a disappointment. After picking up the whole series just a week ago. /* And oh boy it was. The story was much worse than in earlier seasons. Characters felt like they stopped growing and became more and more childish. With the ultimate transformation of Taichi into a toxic jerk, who doesn't care about people and their reaction to his actions. Only he and his feelings were important. The story was overly focused on creating a love triangle, rather than showing fine sports/school life like inprevious seasons. Nevertheless, anime was still was full of beautiful art an interesting karuta (maybe not so much as I hope, but still.) And it doesn't deserve to be just smashed. Great visuals created a fair, yet irritating show to watch. If I think how contrary was master match result to the way that story unfolded in previous seasons the score should be even lower. But, again it wouldn't be fair
DnTizzet
05/09/2020, 03:34 PM
i absolutely love the payoff for all the events of the previous two seasons. all of the things happen, all of the story development, all of the character developments.... it all goes down here k first off. my boy taichi. i love him. i connect with him. he is so good, but man he just screwed himself. the 900 iq game plan of not doing anything has finally got him good. arita coming in here, says one line and bam wins after all of taichi's two years of elaborate setup. im still so salty about this, taichi shouldve won. im praying in season four. ngl this isalso the season where i really got into the game and i love the poems and sounds associated with it. i like how we are finally getting to the point where like there can actually be some more strategy and playstyles and i love how they are being used as extensions and expressions of the characters. i really liked how they emphasized this when introducing and expanding the cast outside of the highschool club. overall the third season is so rewarding to the viewer for watching the series. it has good quotes, emotional moments, and the story really moves. i would recommend the entire series just to have people enjoy this season.
WolfSand9
04/26/2020, 03:09 AM
Chihayafuru the 1 and 2 season were great and fun but 3rd is more dark and sad. I prefered previous season than that. Main characters were beautiful and clothes. The ending is open. They settle on year in 3rd series. Authors could make shorter challenges in karuta for episodes. Everone wants to get better in karuta plays but they must pay for that. They must choose between friendship, love or rivalisation to gain their goals. You feel that series is more cold and sad. Feeligns can change in to more negative. Characters become more egist than previous seasons. On 3rd is more emotional than gamein karuta.
SinCrow11
04/13/2020, 08:19 PM
English version (SPOILERS) General: (8.15 / 10) After a long wait finally the continuation of Chihayafuru says present. And he really always gave the impression of having finished his "2nd season" yesterday (7 years), because nothing has changed. The team working on the part of "MadHouse" endured and / to my understanding if there were changes were minimal, since the essence was never lost. Now let's delve deeper into the story and its characters, which in my opinion have not had such frenzied competition events on the part of our 3 protagonists. However, I cannot complain either, since this time the roles of the "secondary" are not atall reprehensible, and you easily get into their Karuta games, their desire to win and want to support them (point for the good development that they had each). If, on the final chapters, I notice a certain pressurization in the events such as: Valentine's Day, Taichi's birthday, the declaration and its epilogue, with this perhaps I am wrong and in the Manga it is the same, but from my perspective I notice it forced and even leaving aside the feelings of the protagonists in between, in order that they managed to adapt this scene of the promise to meet again the 3. Finally, going back to the characters, I need to name the one who has performed best this season, and who undoubtedly takes all the awards is Taichi !!. A person that everyone saw negligible in the Karuta (words of Arata himself) but who, by dint of lungs, began to rub shoulders with the best, and although he was beaten more than once by defeat, he knew how to get ahead. For this reason it hurts me so much that the season ends in this way, with an image of him very dull and distant from others, knowing that he does not deserve it ... I do not want to extend more, In General a very entertaining show on my part and that these 24 chapters flew away, I just wish that now the wait is not for so long, and this great series will return as soon as possible. But the truth is that with Madhouse, who knows what to expect or how long? Version en Español (SPOILERS) General: (8,15 / 10) Luego de una larga espera finalmente la continuación de Chihayafuru dice presente. Y verdaderamente siempre dio la impresión de haber finalizado ayer (7 años) su "2° season", por que nada ah cambiado. El equipo de trabajo por parte de "MadHouse" perduro y/a mi entender si hubo cambios fueron mínimos, ya que la esencia jamas se perdio. Ahora adentrémonos mas en la historia y sus personajes, que a mi parecer no han tenido eventos de competición tan frenéticos por parte de nuestro 3 protagonistas. Sin embargo tampoco me puedo quejar, ya que en esta ocasión los papeles de los "secundarios" es para nada reprochable, y fácilmente te metes en sus juegos de Karuta, en sus deseos de ganar y querer apoyarlos (punto para el buen desarrollo que tuvo cada uno). Si, sobre los capítulos finales note cierta presurizacion en los eventos como por Ejemplo: San valentin, el cumpleaños de Taichi, la declaración y su epilogo, con esto tal vez me equivoque y en el Manga sea igual, pero desde mi perspectiva se lo noto forzado y hasta dejando de lado los sentimientos de los protagonistas de por medio, con el fin de que lograran llegar a adaptar esa escena de la promesa de reunirse nuevamente los 3. Por ultimo, volviendo a los personajes me falto nombrar al que mejor se a desenvuelto en esta temporada, y que sin dudas se lleva todos los premios es Taichi!!. Una persona que todos veían menospreciable en el Karuta (palabras del mismo Arata) pero que a fuerza de pulmón se comenzó a codear con los mejores, y aunque mas de una vez lo golpeo la derrota supo salir adelante. Por esto mismo me duele tanto que finalice de esta manera la temporada, con una imagen de el muy apagada y distante de los demás, sabiendo que no lo merece... No quiero extenderme mas, En General un espectáculo muy entretenido de mi parte y que se me fueron volando estos 24 capítulos, solo deseo que ahora la espera no sea de tanto tiempo, y regrese esta gran serie cuanto antes. Pero la verdad es que con Madhouse ¿quien se sabe que esperar o cuanto tiempo?
cent1ent
04/08/2020, 06:17 AM
Before starting Chihayafuru, I'm sure most people wondered how interesting a Japanese card game based Anime could be. Much to our delight, Chihayafuru 1 and 2 made us fall in love with Karuta and the Hyakunin Isshu, along with all the characters. While they both were pretty good Anime themselves, Chihayafuru 3 is better than the previous seasons by a huge margin, in every department - the Karuta, the romance, the character development, and the overall feel of Chihayafuru in general. (Spoilers for Seasons 1 and 2 ahead) Story : 9 The story picks up where Season 2 ends - with the High School Tournament over, Taichi andChihaya heading for the Karuta Camp at Fujisaki, and the Meijin and Queen Qualifiers looming in the near future. The storyline in Chihayafuru 3 is WAY BETTER than the previous seasons, and a ton of interesting and important stuff happens. The tension throughout the series is extremely high, and every episode gave me an adrenaline rush. And the ending was great as well, a wonderful wrap-up to this season. Characters : 10 The character portrayal and development is where Chihayafuru 3 shines the most. I'll go into detail regarding the characters which I felt went through prominent development throughout the 24 episode run : Taichi - Those who have seen Seasons 1 and 2 know the burdens Taichi bears - maintaining the morale of the Mizusawa Karuta Club as the President, keeping up with studies, being pressurized by his mother, trying to improve in Karuta despite not enjoying the game itself but the emotions and relations he has formed playing them, an above all, trying to contain his feelings for Chihaya and the resultant urge to defeat Arata. In Season 3, his feeling intensify, and the Taichi has to face it all. Watching him deal with everything, and watching how it affects him through the Anime was what I loved the most about Chihayafuru 3. Arata - Unlike the previous seasons, Arata has a lot more screen time in this one. His relations with the people around him, as well as his grandfather, are explored, to make him a prominent character. What he feels about Chihaya and Taichi is also portrayed, and how it affects him and his Karuta playing. Suou Meijin - Surprisingly, a portion of the Anime focused on the Meijin himself, his playing style, his character, his personality, and things about him that he has kept secret from the public. While not extensively dealt with, it was a very interesting factor of the Anime. The other characters are well developed as well. While Chihaya herself didn't have any special character development that was different from the previous seasons, other characters - Sakurazawa Sensei, Queen Shinobu, and Harada Sensei - have been well fleshed-out. Overall every character is very realistic and relatable in some way or the other, and shines whenever given screen time. Animation and Art : 10 While the Animation is very fluid and natural, the Art is also very vivid and beautiful. The imagery, character art, etc. are all very well drawn and animated. Chihayafuru 3 maintains the high standards set by the previous seasons in the Art and Animation department. Sound : 10 The soundtrack itself is beautiful, however, it is not excessively used, and there are portions where, appropriately, no music or scanty soundtrack is used. The OST accurately reflects the situations in the Anime, whether they are tense, happy, emotional, sad, or joyous. Overall : 10 Chihayafuru 3 is a gem, one of the best Anime I've ever seen. Though a part of a much bigger series, these 24 episodes are complete in their own way, a set of unified and intertwined arcs for all characters. The ending itself hints at more things to come, and left me wondering what was gonna happen, given how the Anime ended, enough to pick up the manga immediately. Chihayafuru 3 is a must-watch, one of the most tense, exciting, and enjoyable Anime out there, in terms of both it's Sports, Romance, and Slice-of-Life elements.
Jefumaru
04/05/2020, 04:39 PM
I write this review in a vain attempt to get even a single extra person to watch this. Even though this is a season 3 review, perhaps in some small way this tiny blip will contribute a fraction of a fraction of a percent to increasing its popularity. I truly believe this is one of those hallmark shows, one that every anime viewer should see. It was six years since season 2 ended, and to have even witnessed this new season is what I perceive to be a miracle. Seasons 1 and 2 had grand achievements in story telling, character development, and even world building Iwould say. It dove deep into the interesting world of karuta, bringing us along the way with Mizusawa high school's karuta team as our host. Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata are a formidable trio, capable of carrying two full length seasons on their shoulders alone, with all supporting characters playing a strong and likeable role. Season 3 continues this great tradition of storytelling, providing knock out keystone moments that feed fuel to the fire of the Arata vs Taichi debate. We also take an interesting turn into exploring older and new characters. Fresh and familiar faces alike are given extra attention this season, and they all add their own flavor to this karuta world, and more opportunities for our original trio to show all their facets. The characters and build up in the story are still amazing. The art even seems to have been notched up a level, and we are even fortunate enough to have a few new songs to add to an already awesome soundtrack. If you liked season 1 and 2, of course you're going to watch this. If you haven't yet seen this show at all, this review is here to tell you that all three season are well worth your viewing. Please check it out so we don't have to wait so long for a season 4.
abystoma2
03/25/2020, 12:42 AM
First things first - karuta isn't a sport. It's just a game that that some folks took way too seriously. Well, not like that has any impact on the anime, I just wanted to get this out of my chest. But it also means that you might enjoy this even if you don't like sport anime in general. Now, I more or less liked the first two series (altrought I though they were, well, not *that* great), so when the 3rd season was announced, of course I was going to watch it. Yet, when I started thinking about the previous seasons... I found out I don'treally remember much. What I'm trying to say is that there wasn't that much impact, not really memorable matches and while yes, it is character driven, the karuta playing parts were kinda... boring. Enter the 3rd season which actually managed to fix this. Chihayafuru 3 story progress moved from the "start up" part to the "real shit" part and it shows. The matches are tense with tangible stakes and what's more important, they are well used as a proxy to let out the character shine and strong emotions of the players be shown. It is in fact the fight between the spirits of two people, the card game just lending a form to it. The matches of the third season are memorable and actually let out some variation, despite the inevitable repetitiveness of karuta. I believe this is because we got some strong, prominent personalities involved in the matches this time. I especially liked those that included Harada, Suo or Haruka. The main characters take on almost a support role in this season, but I don't see any problem with that. The animation sees it's moments of spotlights too, with the more abstract visual sequences mediating the mood and feeling of the characters. The soundtrack helps with this greatly as well, and combined, those two aspects can create some powerful and heartfelt moments. To add more about the sound portion of this anime, I also really enjoyed the voice acting. Most of the time I don't really care about the VAs, so for me to comment on them means it was either extraordinarily awful or extraordinarily great. Thankfully it's the latter here. The voices feel genuine and I especially liked the dialect that really breath some variation and uniqueness to the characters. Overall, I would say it's worth watching the first two seasons even in case you didn't like them that much just so you could get to this part. That's the level of improvement I'm talking about.
Ethan_07
03/24/2020, 08:44 PM
Though we are parted, If on Mount Inaba's peak I should hear the sound Of the pine trees growing there, I'll come back again to you. A bittersweet poem that represents Taichi. If you can feel the emotions in it, then you are hopelessly in love with Chihayafuru. It’s been eight years since the first Chihayafuru has been introduced to the world, and this is how long this anime community has waited for this season. Despite being both a jousei and slice of life genre, over the seasons, Chihayafuru has created much competitive and warm atmosphere for the matches and built up ample friendships and tension. Now, it’s finally timefor the long-awaited King and Queen’s match. This season will be presenting an all-out match that brings out the best of them, and a turning point for the bittersweet love triangle that has remained stagnant all this time. The story of the poets behind each card, has been expanded to reach for a greater height. Each of the little words are nicely blended to reflect different situation that the characters are in, along with their respective introspective thoughts. And in many ways, this become a powerful tool to evoke emotions. This is a trick that has been applied before, but each and every time, you couldn’t stop one from falling into the beauty of it. Also, the studio Madhouse has done such a great job by creating more mesmerizing characters that you couldn’t help but not hate them, be it their foes or friends. Ironically, some of the side characters actually have greater backstories than the main trio. But, I genuinely think that this is why Chihayafuru is so likeable. They do not constrain the range of character developments and because of this, we get to witness and empathize with more and more little stories of their opponents and allies. The animation on the other hand, is captivating. The layout of the games, and the thinking process are beautifully visualized. The big brown eyes of Chihaya, with her clumsy and tomboyish attitude really managed to form a contrast. Arata with his sharp blue eyes fits his cool and calm personality while Taichi has that ambitious look and has a sense of loneliness in his eyes. For him, action speaks louder than words and it's truly amazing what the season has accomplished with this. Other than that, the J-rock song for opening is kinda catchy with its tempo and is well-matched to elevate the mood for each episode to unfold. The song, Hitomebore for ending has a calm tone to it, but at the same time, gives the visual of igniting fire with the trio burning passion. It subtly sets a pace for the journey to be continued. Overall, Chihayafuru 3 has evolved to be the most diverse, gentle and impactful season yet. It leaps beyond the expectations set by its ancestors with its high rating and forges deeper attachments to the side characters, while taking you closer to the trio’s heart. Don’t blink yet, as you’re about to embrace their passion, friendship and feelings all in one whole season.
Kipo0007
03/24/2020, 06:58 PM
There are few rare anime series which have a consistency of delivering top notch quality throughout consecutive seasons and even few who can take it up to another level. Chihayafuru is one of those. The 3rd season of this amazing series has just been so amazing that i am sure that all the older and new fans were hooked onto it with the utmost interest and awe. Madhouse has just outdone themselves again and its not just a regular praise, it comes from a heart of a fan who has read the manga and seen the adaptation with such finesse and quality it actually makes me happyto be a anime fan especially for this show. This underrated show has been like the one of the most beautiful gems of the fall season, that i cant appreciate and praise it enough. The story continues with our trio with their journey of Karuta. The unique aspect of this show which is karuta is that even though its based on a card game, its unlike other card based shows which captivates the viewers with just the hype, or through unbelievable power ups of characters in a battle or some unreal logic, but through realistic game plays which is portrayed through the playstyle of the players, their background story, personality,how they view & perceive karuta through their minds and most importantly how karuta is presented through these beautiful traditional japanese poems which have depth in their storytelling of folklore and depicts what these stories are trying to convey with their words and poetry which will leave you mesmerized. Absolute breathtaking stuff. The main trio are great characters with their own stories and development. One of the element which i found missing in the first two seasons was one of the trio i.e Arata Wataya not getting enough screen time for the viewers to watch and understand his character more in depth,but this season it was quite well resolved which made me satisfied. Also there was major development with the other male character Taichi Mashima and his transformation, which had been quite a sight to watch. As for our female MC Chihaya Ayase, she continues through various developments regarding her future in general life and the game which is her most important passion i.e Karuta. I am actually quite happy to see the three progressing with the story line which perfectly paced and enjoyable to watch. But another main factor is that makes chihayafuru so special is that it not only focuses on the main trio but also on the supporting side characters as well,depicting their journey so far with their personal development & background story in relation to the game. Also one of the interesting things that caught my eye this season is how they explore the character background in depth of the new challengers, major professional players and even more importantly the Master and queen (The reigning champions) whom had been shown as mystery figures on the surface so far in season 1 & 2 and since our main characters ultimate goal is to win the title from them, it was actually unique seeing things from the perspective of the opposite side. The narration has been so on point and it actually never fails to keep you interested.Every tiny detail, every tiny scene, flashback or sequence makes up for the bigger picture in the present & for future scenarios. Almost every character is portrayed developing in the most humane way and the changes make them more sensibly compatible for the plot. Especially the trio who inspite keeping their original self,develop necessary changes which make bigger impacts for their personal story and with the main story as well. Coming to animation and sound, Boy i cant praise mad house enough,Not a single episode from these 24 episodes have gone by and i have been like "Meh that was ok i guess" and i am not exaggerating. Every episode has been adapted so gracefully with attention to details from the source material. The beautiful art and colors, fluid life like animation, brilliant character designs and visuals. Even when a important scene happens or emotions are being depicted, it literally comes to life that viewers can actually feel them with their eyes, its that mindblowing. The sound is so pure and crystal clear with the amazing performance of all the VA's of different character make it even more enticing and enjoyable. The OP and ED are equally well made, especially the ED with the artwork and the music from Band harassment made it my favorite. Overall as its one my personal favorite series i would easily give it a 10/10. Its underrated as hell and i would love that other anime fans would give this masterpiece a chance especially if they enjoy a mix of competitive sport,Japanese culture and a amazing story with brilliant characters. I know my review might seem i am over selling this, but trust me please do give this a try, it will definitely be worth your time and i am positive you would appreciate this amazing piece of work and the content it tries to share with its viewers. I just want this beautiful series to be recognized and appreciated more for its value it truly deserves.
Stark700
03/24/2020, 06:08 PM
Before Chihayafuru season 3 got announced, I’m sure some fans have been clinging onto hopes that the franchise would again take the anime medium by storm. The first two seasons have gained a cult following since the franchise introduced us to the world of its karuta and wonderful cast of characters. Now more than six years later, we are back in this franchise as if it’s almost yesterday. It did take a bit of time for the anime franchise to return but jumping back into Chihayafuru’s third season felt like going back to school after a Summer break. We reunite with our friends, learn the competitivegame of karuta, and experience new memories that will last for generations to come. Watching Chihayafuru 3 reminds me that games such as karuta isn’t just a competitive sport but a poetry in motion. Every episode capitalizes on the creativeness of the game that exemplifies on commitment, strategy, and wit. I won’t be explaining the fundamentals of the game since you shouldn’t be watching this season without the first two anyway. But coming into this new season, we got ourselves another masterful adaptation. With Chihayafuru 3 at our hands, the show draws us into the everlasting karuta experience similar to the previous season. Despite being a complex game, the anime makes it clear that anyone can pick karuta up. However, learning the game is one thing and mastering is another. We see the best of the best compete at the highest level in this season. Of course, I’m talking about the Queen Title matches. But before we get to that, you should also remember why Chihayafuru 3 managed to create such a faithful audience. It’s been six years after all and fans have been anticipating this show since the dawn of time. This is easily answered by the charming lovable cast of our three characters – Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata. The three make up the heart and soul of this franchise with their complex relationship between one another. Early in the season, we witness Chihaya once again picking up karuta and going head to head against none other than Taichi. If there’s anything that tells us about Chihaya’s character is that she is eager to learn, whether through success or failure. Her skills show improvement as she is able to match head on with fast paced strategy and clever tactics in these games. Still, a big question that surrounds her is why she is there. Why does Chihaya want to be a karuta player? This question extends to other prominent characters such as Shinobu, Suo, Haruka, and among others. The fact remains that every character has a purpose in the show, a reason to be where they are in the present timeline. As every episode progressed, the drama begins to mount up with the higher stakes in these high level karuta games. The karuta games themselves in fact are presented with superhuman-like reactions. It may take years of practice to reach such levels but the anime portrays it like poetry in motion. As I mentioned that before, karuta is much more than just a competitive sport. It’s like a work of art with each card representing a piece of value between two players. Adding to the game is the amount of emotions that us, the audience can easily get invested into. For instance, we witness Dr. Harada’s side of the story this season and why he picked up karuta. In his match against Arata, it represents a clash of new and old generation. Meanwhile, we also follow the journey of Shinobu Wakamiya, one of the most prominent Queens of this era. Fans will remember Shinobu as being the youngest Queen in karuta history and a prodigy with nearly unrivaled skills. She returns this season to compete against Haruka, another skilled karuta player with several titles in her name. The psychological pressure embedded into their match felt like none other as we witness the true potential of high class competitors. And that’s one other thing that identifies these karuta game: the psychology. Each game threads together a formula from start to finish to test the players’ ability to outplay one another. From tagging cards to crafting advanced moves in their heads, karuta at such exceptional high level feels like a different game. Watching the high level competitors such as Arata, Shinobu, Suo, and Haruka compete are such examples where they push these games to the limit. And at the same time, Chihayafuru 3 delivers its character relationship so well, being able to get the viewers understand them on a personal level. There's a complex relationship angle between Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata built from the very first season. Carrying into this third season also means new developments including an unparalleled confession that will surprises more than just the fans. For a show being so human and realistic, Chihayafuru scores with much more than karuta competition. From the first episode to the finish, it celebrates the personal commitment of the cast and how much people can change over time. Though the show has aged, Chihayafuru’s life cycle still stays true with its art style. Madhouse returns for this season to give us an elegant feast of visuals to lay eyes on. From the photorealistic settings to the mature character looks, everywhere, the camera angles lines up to showcase the technical achievements of the anime. And as a show loaded with drama, there’s plenty of time to experience a breather too with the light comedy. We can expect Chihaya and her friends to return to also enjoy their school life like normal people would. There’s also running gags that I’m sure fans are eager to see again. The character voices also makes their return in their noticeable accents. When combined with the emotive dialogues, it brings out so much worth to them. Welcome back Chihayafuru 3. I can say with supreme confidence that the third season is no short of delivering the house it has built. From the complex character relationships to the high stake karuta games, there’s something in store for returning fans. Even as someone who has read the manga, this is a classic to watch in animated form and that’s thanks to the wonderful talent of the staff and producers. I thank them for giving us this wonderful season.

Chihayafuru 3 ちはやふる 3

2019 fall | Episodes: 24 | Score: 8.5 (67402)

Updated every Wednesdays at 01:29 | Status: Finished Airing

Type: TV

Producers:Kodansha | Nippon Television Network | TC Entertainment | Nippon Television Music | FBC

Streaming: Crunchyroll | Netflix

Synopsis

Voice Actors

Seto, Asami

Miyano, Mamoru

Hosoya, Yoshimasa

Terasaki, Yuka

News

Reviews

DaxtotheMax
08/16/2023, 06:26 PM
I wasn't going to make a review for this because it was obvious that it was going to be good continuing off the last two seasons and I had made reviews for those two already so what else is there to say? Well I realized something. First off, it's been years since I've seen S2, and S3 has been out but it wasn't dubbed right away because of the pandemic. Well they caught up and now so have I and the dub really was worth it. I'm sure the sub voices are great but something about those English voices really gets me, especially Mashima. (I know,I mention it every time) The main thing I wanted to point out is that despite being a card game, which might seem kind of dull in concept, they always keep it interesting, not just visually but musically and contextually too. I never would've thought of some of the things they come up with for this season but it'd make me stop and go "huh, that really does make sense." like a chiropractor joining the game. Could you imagine the range he has with having to use his hands all day between gentle and rough. There were definitely episodes where I felt like "Eh, not that excited." Because there'd be two side characters but then during the match, they'd give me a reason to care and then I'd get invested. Harata was just the teacher but this season made me root for him. Shinobu was just being used to make Chihaya better and give her a goal, this season made me invested in her with or without Chihaya involved. I feel like my opinion has changed on characters too because Chihaya's personality was pretty much just karuta and now they're trying to give her more depth, which I like but it's slow sailing. When I started this series, Arata was my favorite because I liked the relationship with his grandpa and I felt that his friendship with the others was admirable, a bit of a nerdy underdog who started a trend. But now, I'm not quite as interested in him because he seems like someone who just shows up to bring about some change in the plot, he's really kind of rude at times in this season. So the kid, I related with but as a teen, not so much. While that made me ship Arata and Chihaya, Mashima was a very close second and now, while I feel Hanano is a new and growing option as well, I think Mashima is my favorite now and I kind of find myself relating to him more and more. So he's the opposite of Arata, I didn't relate to him as a kid but as a teen, he really made an impression on me. I originally wanted to say that there's a lot of stuff that happens that we've been waiting for but I feel like it starts out that way and slowly starts to get side-tracked, almost like we're not making as much progress as I thought and it could easily go on for season after season. Obviously, I imagine this has to do with the manga, but I expected some sort of finality or payoff, not for the series as a whole but maybe a running rivalry or a new status or defining feature to this season that changes it from the one previous. I'm fine with more of the same but, that's about it, it builds. In fact, I felt that I had a pretty concrete vision for how this was all going to be laid out until the last few episodes (I think around 20) then I really actually started disliking it, I didn't like what it was doing or how it was doing it but I had one saving grace, much like many a Star Wars' series, wait for the final episode. But the same thing always happens and it doesn't make up for what amounted to the whole series. It's just such a weird way to end, like it's trying to explore some things but not others? No idea, not much can be said about it until I see what's next, I hear it was rushed from what the manga had for those chapters. But if it truly goes the whole way and adapts the manga, we'd still have around 2 more seasons or something and the manga just ended last year so I hope that we actually get those. Especially considering it took like 6 years to get an S3 and it's already been three since this one. As far as sports anime, this is officially the one I've stuck with the longest and enjoyed the most (I don't think I count March Comes in Like A Lion). I even watched the Queen's Gambit and thought "Yeah, poor man's Chihaya." this is a good anime. I might as well rank the three while I'm at it, even though it's been a while but I'll break it down as to why. 1 > 2 This is because 2 had the task of introducing all these new characters and while they all hit and they did a splendid job especially considering how many of them there were, I just didn't find them as endearing as the main cast or anything. I acknowledged their purpose in the story and all but I think some of the 2nd season was spent refreshing to both introduce and help the old characters notice new things about their old game through that. In a way, this gives Season 3 the edge because it takes those characters and amplifies them enough to make them interesting enough to have screen time on their own without Mashima, Arata or Chihaya on screen with them. That and it doesn't have to introduce as many new characters itself, it can just focus back on tournaments and stuff. She could certainly win a Squid Game, that's for sure. 2 > 3 This leaves 3 in last place and technically that makes it worse as the seasons go on but that doesn't mean it's not still a solid anime worth watching (especially since the MAL scores say the opposite of what I just did) Really, it was that ending that changed everything, or else, I would've put it above S2, other than a few key parts, I see this being a sandwich season. Maybe if it actually went one episode over and started showing what was in store rather than setting the pieces where they are, but ya'know.
Criterial
08/05/2022, 01:40 AM
What makes an anime a masterpiece? Many of us ask this question when we review, rank, or just think critically about an anime. I had trouble finding the answer to this question because I usually chose the anime that I loved the most; however, the Chihayafuru series has made me realize what it takes for an anime to break the barrier between just being an enjoyable anime and being an unquestionable masterpiece. Let me first start off by saying that the Chihayafuru series as a whole is not for everyone. If you do not enjoy a slice of life/sports anime with a strong premise oncharacterization, this will not be your cup of tea; however, for those of us who do, it will be a favorite. While enjoyable, the first two seasons of Chihayafuru do not offer anything but a buildup to the climax, which is the third season. All those hours of watching the characters hide their emotions and only for it all to spill out in twenty-four episodes pay off tremendously. It is like attaining a gold medal in a sport you play or finally asking out your crush. All those hours of training or building up the courage to ask your crush out finally pay off, and you will find yourself just staring at the screen, not being able to take your eyes off the magic that is happening in front of you. While not being a perfect show, it is a perfect example of anime that transcended boundaries in terms of characterization, and for that reason I would call this show a masterpiece!
JinHitomi
08/25/2021, 06:44 AM
I'm not a native English speaker, and this is my first ever review. These are my opinions on the show, so please refrain from causing controversy, as I've tried my best to avoid such things from happening. Please read this with a grain of salt. And there are spoilers. I don't have time to review season 1 and 2, but let's say for the most part: it was amazing. The journey countinue onwards with season 3, and it has not failed to impress me! This is one of the rare gems in anime, one of the rare shows that managed to not only keep its quality consistentfor 3 seasons, but also gradually improves later on. Chihayafuru takes us through a colorful journey of hardships and endeavors of the main trio (Chihaya, Arata and Taichi) playing and improving at the game. This show captivates the viewers with its realistically-portrayed card game, through the character's perception and play-style of karuta, background and personalities through these beautiful and charming Japensese poems. What really makes this show stands out, is without the use of cheap sentimentals (monologues about friendship and then ridiculously wins, hidden powers etc), it's still able to convey such strong emotions as the characters pushed themselves to their limit. Despite being an anime, the pressure of competiting against a high-classes opponent is sensible, making this show breathtaking. The emotions, speech and the gestures of the characters, alongside the amazing storyline, is enough to make you fall in love with the show. The narration was perfect, making the story flow without missing a beat. The development and endeavor of the characters impacted the plot overall, along side the scenes, flashbacks and sequences makes a breathtaking picture of the show, which will fail to disinterest you. The characters were fleshed out to their full potential, especially Arata Wataya, who ws left out in the previous seasons. Taichi Mashima's transformation was mesmerizing to see, along side our main girl, Chihaya Ayase, who continue with the endeavor of developing and passion of the game despite her future in general. These three have progressed through the storyline with decent pacing, making the show further enjoyable to watch. Not just the trio, we can also see the improvement of the side cast, having their personal development and story depicted through the games. One other thing that satisified me is the remarkable in-depth exploration of the new challengers. Many characters weren't left out, and the appearance of the mysterious Master and Queen figure is a suprise to me. The competition or the title was absolutely glorious, seeing the persepctives of not only the main cast but also from the opposition's view. The art and soundtrack, as a whole, is mesmerising. The art itself enhances the story, alongside the soundtrack is aimed to give you the most entertaining experience whilst watching the show, and Chihayafuru has succeeded in doing that successful. In the end, it's kinda hard to believe that Chihayafuru is not popular! So let this be one of the shining gems in the world of anime.
timmchu
08/06/2021, 02:42 PM
A pleasant surprise. Featuring wonderful art, music and astounding character development with a sports-centred story revolving around the Japanese card game karuta. You'd think an anime about classical Japanese poetry would be boring, but Chihayafuru introduces the game excellently and weaves the game with all of the character's personalities and how the game influences, and has impacted their lives. The karuta matches are more action-packed and entertaining than some action anime - and every character, not just the protagonist, is developed and given attention to during this season. Chihayafuru is a nice blend between slice of life, sports and romance, and there is a proper competitive moodduring the entirety of this show - as every character wants to be the best. There is nothing negative to point out about this season, nor the anime in its entirety, it is a solid 9/10 in every aspect, however, it could've done slightly better with the romance aspect towards the end.
iamapizza
07/30/2021, 04:48 AM
This 3rd season starts strong, but the ends up spending far too much time on the melodrama. The first 2 seasons are definitely stronger and tightly knit. The story itself is quite entertaining and fun to keep up with, but I feel could be a lot better without the romance, which actually felt like it got in the way of an otherwise strong cohesive story. Combine that with the insistence on 25 episodes per season for 4 seasons to match 100 karuta cards (it's symbolic and artsy, you see), and you get episodes with long periods of 'filler', with characters staring into thedistance, localized wind blowing hair and sparkly scenes. On the plus side, most of the characters do show development. The protagonist does show a little growth as well but compared to her supporting cast it's barely noticeable.
miha_shizuha
06/09/2021, 09:35 AM
Phewww~! Can't believe I was a year late to watch such a wonderful season of Chihayafuru. First of all, I'd like to inform that I'm a big fan of Chihayafuru. Therefore, this review might emphasize the abundant excitement I feel when I was completing the series. If you have not watched the first and second seasons, this third season might be a little difficult to follow. Unlike the previous seasons, season 3 gives more screen time to other supporting roles that we all love! Harada sensei, Shinobu, Suo Meijin, Sakurazawa Sensei and several newly-introduced characters. Is it good? Well, it's yes and no. It's goodbecause you won't be fed with Chihaya's greed to win with Mizusawa; it's bad because some development that should happen for the main characters were neglected. However, it does not reduce the amount of enjoyment of the series. It is still great! I believe the series has followed the manga pretty closely. Amazing work! I also realised that Arata was given much more development in this series. There are some dokidoki parts happening between the trio, as well as, heartbreaking moments but it just screams that Chihaya, Taichi and Arata are growing up! It's truly satisfying to watch them. Their ups and downs. In this season, the series shows more than just karuta! They talk about bond, hardships, betrayal, and more. Although the previous seasons also centralise so many themes, I personally find that this season is more emotional than the precedents! Overall, if you would like to see the growth of all characters (especially Chihaya, Arata & Taichi), please marathon all seasons! I've done it and Chihayafuru has really entered my subconscious mind. XD
SoggiestWaffle
04/24/2021, 08:56 AM
Taichi's character is so well written that it almost makes every other character seem bad. That's only half a joke, the anime does such a good job of making you feel for Taichi and want to see him succeed. He's a character that is constantly beaten when he's down, so when he does have little moments of victory they feel so satisfying. With other characters like Chihaya, you're not surprised when she wins, and you aren't really surprised when she loses. It's fairly formulaic and you can usually pretty easily tell when the writers are going to have her win or lose. Although this isn'talways true, it's what you're dealing with most of the time. With Taichi on the other hand, it's always unknown whether he's going to pull through and win or fall behind and lose. (Although keep in mind this is only really talking about when his matches are actually focused on, and the same goes for what I said about Chihaya)
animejapanrules
02/02/2021, 10:24 PM
Chihayafuru 3 is a fresh, compelling entry in the franchise that builds on the things the show does well while adding some new twists and turns. The show continues to excel at developing all the characters in its universe and generating interest and suspense in the character interactions. While some of the matches drag in my opinion, the stakes continue to increase in this season, which largely gives the matches gravity and pulls the viewer through them. Some surprising characters get a lot of screen time this season, yet because of how they are developed and the attention given to relationships between characters, I foundit refreshing and engaging as much as anything. This season also features more focus on romance and some long-awaited strides in romantic sub-plots, although, as usual, romance is not the main focus of the show. In looking over the totality of Chihayafuru (at the time of this writing this is the last season to air), especially Chihayafuru 3, I have to revisit my initial thoughts on the series from the first season. This show is not about karuta, or even Chihaya; but through the sport and rich characters, it successfully explores adolescence, self-improvement, friendship, love, and, most of all, passion. In my eyes, the depth and breadth of the Chihayafuru series puts it atop the sports genre; I would go so far as to say the show transcends the genre and qualifies as simply a very good anime. I truly enjoyed it!
Misbah_shah
10/01/2020, 09:30 PM
This anime definitely is not for everyone. I don't know why is it rated so high, by so many people. I'll explain just 7 points why you can watch it and why you can't. 1. The character TAICHI is one of the major reasons I kept watching the 3 seasons and anyone would love his character more than any other character in the series (say it girls or boys, they'll get impressed). He's a childhood friend of Chihaya, the girl whom he liked ever since 6th grade. They're high schoolers now, but he's not able to confess because he thinks that she likes Arata, anotherchildhood friend of both of them. The major reason of Chihaya always Admiring Arata is the game karuta (a traditional Japanese card game) that she wants to excel at. She looks at Arata with admiration only because he's the one who gave her dream of being a queen in the field of Karuta. Taichi when comes to know about her passion for this game, he works REALLY HARD to be a best player in this game because he wants her to admire him and look at him the way she admires Arata. When I say he worked REALLY HARD, it means that the 3 seasons' series was able to convey his efforts flawlessly. Chihaya never looked at him with the admiration that he always yearned for. It hurt him to the extent that he was able to leave everything behind, just to get that one look of admiration. This is what caught my attention and definitely it can catch anyone's attention. Talking about his looks, he was overwhelmingly handsome. Golden eyes, with huge eye lashes and heightened appearance made him quite personable and stunning. In fact, his Karuta teacher calls him EYE LASHES because of his beautiful eyes. Definitely, girls in school were after him too, still it didn't bother Chihaya and I hated it the most. Characters are explained in details, whether it is Taichi, or Chihaya or Arata. Their preferences, their opinions, their families, their goals. Supporting characters (members of club) were also given limelight. But at one point, it was too detailed that even those who had no concern with the story were described in details (their thoughts, their background stories) especially during the duet matches so it became annoying for the audience. Still Everyone was given enough time, so I'd say character of this anime was good enough for me. 2. Friendship and Bonding with the people you work hard with, is never to be taken lightly. Season 1 was the beginning so I couldn't feel the chemistry between the friends and club members, but till season 3, I could clearly see the way they practice all the time to get into nationals. That's why their understanding and support for each other couldn't be left unnoticed. Taichi and Chihaya really improved a lot in being the best players, forming the base of the whole Karuta club. Experience makes leadership qualities exceptional and both of them proved it. How everyone depended on them, made me realize how amazing the feeling is when someone depends on you. How Chihaya changes completely into a serious player while playing Karuta couldn't go unnoticed as well. 👌🏼 3. If you don't like the game KARUTA, don't watch it. Actually you CAN'T watch it if you don't like this game. It's almost impossible. Decide on the very first episode that this game isn't worth the time you're going to give to the series of 3 seasons. I knew that I didn't like the theme of the series "Karuta" so I should've left the idea of watching it, but I didn't! That's why I didn't enjoy any match and that's why I didn't enjoy the series as well. For me, this game was like "Snatching or grabbing the card before other players after memorising the 100 poems and seeing it first before the other player. " that's it! Yes, it is a different game, yet I couldn't watch all the matches since they were so similar to me, just with a different set of faces. Victories were mostly predictable and I couldn't force myself to watch how one gets the card, this way or that way, it was boring for me. The ONLY moment among the matches that I enjoyed the most, was the match between Taichi and Chihaya. "Taichi, who started playing Karuta because of Chihaya is a lot better than her" this is what I thought. "The first time she looked at him with admiration" "The fruit of his hardwork" "The moment audience had been waiting for" These words were coming in my mind while watching that moment. Arata, getting jealous over the fact that he wasn't the one playing with Chihaya, it was Taichi, made me super happy. Just 1 match that I watched with full interest, was this one. Just imagine there are hundreds of matches of Karuta game, among so many players, I only watched one. So this anime isn't for those who don't like the concept of this game. Leave it the moment you feel that this game is annoying for you to watch. 4. Why you shouldn't watch it is also because of the SLOWEST LOVE STORY ON EARTH! Love story is really annoying and "patience testing experience" for audience so I won't recommend if you're a person who completes a series in 2 or 3 days, like me. Chihaya's personality is SO ANNYOING that one wants to smash her head after seeing how she links everyone's words and actions to KARUTA 🤦🏻‍♀️even if it's a confession, even if it's a compliment, she links it to Karuta. She only sees Karuta, she sees those who love Karuta, those who hate Karuta, those who are her enemies in Karuta and those make her learn something new about Karuta.🙄 For me, Chihaya's mind is like a 6th grade girl whose vocabulary starts and ends with just one word "Karuta" Development is so slow that I felt like BEING PUNISHED to complete the series, still the thought of not knowing the ending urged me to finish it. How can one be so clueless despite being a high schooler? 🙄 I Thanked God that I lived enough life to see Taichi confessing to this girl since he was the most patient lover on earth. Whatever Taichi did for her, whatever he became for her (he almost lost himself while getting her attention) still, all she cared in the end was "he's getting ahead of me", still she was showing lovey dovey expressions only for Arata, who wasn't even with her.. Ughh! I literally wanted to slap this girl Chihaya.. 5. Comedy factor isn't noticeable enough in this series to recommend to comedy lovers. I didn't laugh much, even though there were many scenes among club members that were considered comedy. Maybe it wasn't upto my expectations. 6. Another thing that is admirable is "Animation". 10/10 for that. This anime is for those, who strive to see beauty. It's a treat of eyes for them. (surely It was for me as well.) 7. Voice actors are brilliant too, especially the protagonists 👌🏼Though music didn't catch my attention.. Except the ending OST of season 1. Overall, I didn't enjoy because of No interest in Karuta and because of Chihaya's dumb Nature. I was expecting a good romance due to Taichi and he really proved his love, but if one of the protagonists isn't getting the other, it makes it so frustrating. Comedy also seemed dull and tedious, so I couldn't enjoy, so I'd give 3/10 to enjoyment, but the story improved greatly in this season, matches and completions for Queens and masters (which weren't in the previous seasons) and this is something admirable. Story despite being simple went really well. So I can recommend only to those who like the theme Karuta. Otherwise don't watch it! For me, overall it's 6/10
Sesshomaru
05/31/2020, 12:43 PM
ちはやふる 3 is an endearing sequel to the past seasons with the same distinctive charm and a lot of heart. It is a really beautiful series that appeals to a wide audience with excitement, fun and emotions and entertains them great. The third season, my third review of the series, and I still recommend the series as much as I did at the beginning. Story: Familiar, yet different & new, so that tension & excitement arise again (9/10) The story follows a very plausible structure. While I understand that shifting focus from teams to individuals is a source of discussion and a certain sense of disappointment forsome, but it is precisely this development and change that spans all three seasons that is both the reason and a guarantee for that great entertainment value from the series as a whole. I hope the idea becomes clearer with a brief overview of each season. In the first season the characters and the traditional Karuta as a sport are introduced. The second season deepens the friendship bonds between the team members and the teams. Personally, I think that working out the different interpersonal relationships leads to a great sequel that doesn't have to hide behind its predecessor. The third season now focuses more on some members and their relationships. Unfortunately, the time of 24 episodes is not enough to deepen all the characters, but I am convinced that they did a very good job. About 27 volumes of the manga have been adapted. I therefore sincerely look forward to what the further implementation will look like. Character: Known & new characters, well presented and credible (9/10) As already mentioned, there is a concentration on individual characters within the plot, which is also important and makes sense in the overall context of the story. Even if the depiction of the masters and the queen is initially in the foreground, new characters are also introduced and the newcomers of the second season are further developed. Despite all of this, the show still manages to give the supporting characters time on the screen, so that despite the focus on individual characters, a good overall picture is still created. Ayase Chihaya: Despite the lapstick sleep attacks after a match, her characterization is terrific. She is ambitious (when it comes to Karuta), kind-hearted and easy to deceive. Since she is very pretty, but also a small tomboy, impulsive and outgoing, her emotional world will leave her puzzled at the end of the show. It was obvious, but for me it was presented as credibly as if reading someone's diary. Mashima Taichi: Endowed with athletic and academic skills and furthermore good looking, he has remained down-to-earth despite everything. What I really like about him is that he's smart, but works hard for it. Learning from his mistakes and being loyal to the Mizusawa team has made him a wise leader who uses his supportive words to guide the team through the difficult phases of the games. Wataya Arata: I like the Fukui dialect, it sounds even more fluid and mellow. Black hair and blue eyes are already unusual and the comparison with water matches the language and behavior. Arata's way of playing is also aptly described with the elegant and soft movements of the water, since he always acts calmly and prudently, is just perfect. Suō Hisashi: Suō is not the ideal Meijin and therefore a thorn in the side of the Karuta Society. This is simply because he is very careless in his academic commitments and often moves outside the otherwise very serious framework of the very traditional sport. But his nature is different, and because of the disparagement of his person in his environment, one tends to look at the character rather contemptuously. His quiet, very calm way of speaking reveals something different and his playing style is impressive, like Chihaya he has a very good hearing, which is not his only quality. There is more to discover. Harada Hideo: Harada-sensei is a great personality, he is a friendly man with a deep connection to traditional Karuta. He is the backbone and head of the Shiranami society, which also includes Tachi and Chihaya. He has also been the mentor of both of them from the very beginning, has always stood at their side with the knowledge he has accumulated over many decades, challenged and encouraged them. His playing style is the offensive Karuta, which is characterized above all by taking the cards from the opponent's field. He is an excellent Karuta player who pulls out all the stops when it comes to winning. He is enthusiastic, loud, very competitive and uses drama and exaggeration, the comparison with a bear is used over and over again in the series, and this is an apt comparison. Sakurazawa Midori: Her character could be described most quickly as the counterpart of Harada Sensei. Female, she speaks softly, but is also treated with great respect because she is a very talented Karuta player. Her excellent observation skills enable her to accurately assess the strengths and weaknesses of other players. Due to her analytical skills and strictly demanding instructions, her protégés admire and fear her. Her loyal and sincere style is particularly striking. Outside of Karuta, she is a warm-hearted woman whose graceful figure fits well with her feminine and charismatic personality. If one of her male protégés seems to pursue her, she is not afraid to reject the young man with a charming joke. Visuals: breathtaking and pleasantly presented (9/10) A beautiful ensemble of art and animation that brings the characters elegantly and realistically to life. Studio Madhouse has set very high production values for the series and even improved them in the course of the adaptation in the individual seasons. The original illustrations of Suetsugu Yuki's work were beautifully adapted into the anime series from the beginning of the first season. The attractiveness of art is based on aesthetics and realism as well as on the love of detail and passion for quality. The charming accents of the Shoujo genre, such as falling sakura leaves and the graceful use of soft colours, give the series a special appeal. The art department has done an excellent job of creating the right mood for each episode, while at the same time highlighting the emotional and intellectual intensity that characterizes the Karuta games in the competition. The art department is also impressive in terms of animation. The implementation of the movements of the figures is fluent and the camera angles are perfectly coordinated to achieve the greatest possible effect from each scene. Again, cards played during the tournaments, are a great example of good camera work. The sometimes game-decisive movements are executed with great attention to detail, and the perspective is panned or tilted to focus the viewer's attention. In this way, the animation does a very good job of keeping the scenario incredibly exciting, especially in tournaments. Sounds: good, simultaneously emphasizing & accompanying, OP & ED good, VA stands out positively (9/10) The BGM of Yamashita Kousuke was again very successful. The individual scenes and the plot are beautifully accompanied by the musical arrangements and receive a great and very fitting accentuation. The beautiful orchestral arrangements, which also include solos such as grand piano, oboe or flute and violin, have a very lively and emotional character, which makes the listener feel the sensations of the scenarios. For example: かるた日日和 has something lively and reminds me very much of the music for one of the most beautiful couple dances, the slow Foxtrot or高ぶるキモチ and 心構え are so beautiful, gentle and graceful piece of music. The soundtrack as a whole is very beautiful, and I enjoyed it very much. The OP is called "Colourful" and is once again performed by the J-Rock formation 99RadioService, founded in 2007. The voices of コータ and コーヘイ give the good music the right note and bring the audience into the right mood for the series. The animation is reminiscent of the predecessors and presents the figures based on impressions of the past, present and offers a small look into the future. All in all, the title is fun and I like to hear it. The ED is called "Hitomebore" and is from the band Harassment. This rock band from Nagoya is still quite new, the formation was founded in 2015 and the four-man formation of Ibuka-, Wata-, Hakko- and Saimoto-san plays good J-Rock. With Ibuka's clear and stretched vocals, the catchy melodies are impressive. The lyrics of the title are straightforward without difficult puns and thus create a good mix that is well received by the audience. The text of the song fits very well with the events and feelings in the anime. The animation is also very suitable, with the individual pictures of the MCs and the three friends together. It is a very simple design, but also very effective. The Seiyū are also an aspect of the series' success. With great sensitivity, their performances convey the deep and moving emotions and give the well-written dialogues appealing and perceptible realism. The voice acting is excellent without exception, but I would like to highlight some voices that I particularly like. Regarding the male dubbing voices: Hosoya, Yoshimasa as Arata's voice. His presentation of the Fukui dialect, the nasal "Nya" sounds friendly and because it pulls the words or sentences together a little, the language sounds even more fluent, which in turn fits very well with Arata's character and the association with water. Personally, I was deeply moved that Ishizuka Unshō passed away in 2018. I liked his clear and deep voice as Seiyū very much. I will miss the great voice that brought Admiral Borsalino "Kizaru" and also Van Hohenheim in the FMA Brotherhood to life. The new casting of the role of Harada Sensei with Miyake, Kenta was in my opinion a good choice to fill the speaking role with a worthy successor. Among the female voice actors, I particularly noticed Han, Megumi as the voice of Hanano, Sumire. I haven't mentioned her in my last reviews and that's a pity. Her performance is excellent, her repertoire covers an impressive spectrum. It ranges from energetic, cheerful voices: Gon Freeccs (Hunter x Hunter - 2011) to cute voices, such as Kargari, Atsuko (Little Witch Academia -2013) to psychological roles, like Five (Zankyō no Teroru - 2014). Han-san understands perfectly with her voice, to embody Sumire, who is at first superficial and emotionally driven In hectic times, a gentle series with appealing characters and the simple elegance of a traditional sport is very soothing and appealing, even without a PhD in Japanese literature. In case you are new to the series and are not quite sure, my review of the first season contains a small overview of "Karuta". As mentioned at the beginning, I'm convinced that I can recommend the series to every anime fan, because I think everyone will like the series in his or her own way, since it is exciting, emotionally charged, visually beautiful staged and is accompanied by very good music as well as voice acting. As always, thanks for reading and have fun watching.
M_Hawk
05/11/2020, 08:40 AM
*Disclaimer* I don't know what's all about with this review bombing mentioned. Here I'm just fairly pointing why for me 3 season was a disappointment. After picking up the whole series just a week ago. /* And oh boy it was. The story was much worse than in earlier seasons. Characters felt like they stopped growing and became more and more childish. With the ultimate transformation of Taichi into a toxic jerk, who doesn't care about people and their reaction to his actions. Only he and his feelings were important. The story was overly focused on creating a love triangle, rather than showing fine sports/school life like inprevious seasons. Nevertheless, anime was still was full of beautiful art an interesting karuta (maybe not so much as I hope, but still.) And it doesn't deserve to be just smashed. Great visuals created a fair, yet irritating show to watch. If I think how contrary was master match result to the way that story unfolded in previous seasons the score should be even lower. But, again it wouldn't be fair
DnTizzet
05/09/2020, 03:34 PM
i absolutely love the payoff for all the events of the previous two seasons. all of the things happen, all of the story development, all of the character developments.... it all goes down here k first off. my boy taichi. i love him. i connect with him. he is so good, but man he just screwed himself. the 900 iq game plan of not doing anything has finally got him good. arita coming in here, says one line and bam wins after all of taichi's two years of elaborate setup. im still so salty about this, taichi shouldve won. im praying in season four. ngl this isalso the season where i really got into the game and i love the poems and sounds associated with it. i like how we are finally getting to the point where like there can actually be some more strategy and playstyles and i love how they are being used as extensions and expressions of the characters. i really liked how they emphasized this when introducing and expanding the cast outside of the highschool club. overall the third season is so rewarding to the viewer for watching the series. it has good quotes, emotional moments, and the story really moves. i would recommend the entire series just to have people enjoy this season.
WolfSand9
04/26/2020, 03:09 AM
Chihayafuru the 1 and 2 season were great and fun but 3rd is more dark and sad. I prefered previous season than that. Main characters were beautiful and clothes. The ending is open. They settle on year in 3rd series. Authors could make shorter challenges in karuta for episodes. Everone wants to get better in karuta plays but they must pay for that. They must choose between friendship, love or rivalisation to gain their goals. You feel that series is more cold and sad. Feeligns can change in to more negative. Characters become more egist than previous seasons. On 3rd is more emotional than gamein karuta.
SinCrow11
04/13/2020, 08:19 PM
English version (SPOILERS) General: (8.15 / 10) After a long wait finally the continuation of Chihayafuru says present. And he really always gave the impression of having finished his "2nd season" yesterday (7 years), because nothing has changed. The team working on the part of "MadHouse" endured and / to my understanding if there were changes were minimal, since the essence was never lost. Now let's delve deeper into the story and its characters, which in my opinion have not had such frenzied competition events on the part of our 3 protagonists. However, I cannot complain either, since this time the roles of the "secondary" are not atall reprehensible, and you easily get into their Karuta games, their desire to win and want to support them (point for the good development that they had each). If, on the final chapters, I notice a certain pressurization in the events such as: Valentine's Day, Taichi's birthday, the declaration and its epilogue, with this perhaps I am wrong and in the Manga it is the same, but from my perspective I notice it forced and even leaving aside the feelings of the protagonists in between, in order that they managed to adapt this scene of the promise to meet again the 3. Finally, going back to the characters, I need to name the one who has performed best this season, and who undoubtedly takes all the awards is Taichi !!. A person that everyone saw negligible in the Karuta (words of Arata himself) but who, by dint of lungs, began to rub shoulders with the best, and although he was beaten more than once by defeat, he knew how to get ahead. For this reason it hurts me so much that the season ends in this way, with an image of him very dull and distant from others, knowing that he does not deserve it ... I do not want to extend more, In General a very entertaining show on my part and that these 24 chapters flew away, I just wish that now the wait is not for so long, and this great series will return as soon as possible. But the truth is that with Madhouse, who knows what to expect or how long? Version en Español (SPOILERS) General: (8,15 / 10) Luego de una larga espera finalmente la continuación de Chihayafuru dice presente. Y verdaderamente siempre dio la impresión de haber finalizado ayer (7 años) su "2° season", por que nada ah cambiado. El equipo de trabajo por parte de "MadHouse" perduro y/a mi entender si hubo cambios fueron mínimos, ya que la esencia jamas se perdio. Ahora adentrémonos mas en la historia y sus personajes, que a mi parecer no han tenido eventos de competición tan frenéticos por parte de nuestro 3 protagonistas. Sin embargo tampoco me puedo quejar, ya que en esta ocasión los papeles de los "secundarios" es para nada reprochable, y fácilmente te metes en sus juegos de Karuta, en sus deseos de ganar y querer apoyarlos (punto para el buen desarrollo que tuvo cada uno). Si, sobre los capítulos finales note cierta presurizacion en los eventos como por Ejemplo: San valentin, el cumpleaños de Taichi, la declaración y su epilogo, con esto tal vez me equivoque y en el Manga sea igual, pero desde mi perspectiva se lo noto forzado y hasta dejando de lado los sentimientos de los protagonistas de por medio, con el fin de que lograran llegar a adaptar esa escena de la promesa de reunirse nuevamente los 3. Por ultimo, volviendo a los personajes me falto nombrar al que mejor se a desenvuelto en esta temporada, y que sin dudas se lleva todos los premios es Taichi!!. Una persona que todos veían menospreciable en el Karuta (palabras del mismo Arata) pero que a fuerza de pulmón se comenzó a codear con los mejores, y aunque mas de una vez lo golpeo la derrota supo salir adelante. Por esto mismo me duele tanto que finalice de esta manera la temporada, con una imagen de el muy apagada y distante de los demás, sabiendo que no lo merece... No quiero extenderme mas, En General un espectáculo muy entretenido de mi parte y que se me fueron volando estos 24 capítulos, solo deseo que ahora la espera no sea de tanto tiempo, y regrese esta gran serie cuanto antes. Pero la verdad es que con Madhouse ¿quien se sabe que esperar o cuanto tiempo?
cent1ent
04/08/2020, 06:17 AM
Before starting Chihayafuru, I'm sure most people wondered how interesting a Japanese card game based Anime could be. Much to our delight, Chihayafuru 1 and 2 made us fall in love with Karuta and the Hyakunin Isshu, along with all the characters. While they both were pretty good Anime themselves, Chihayafuru 3 is better than the previous seasons by a huge margin, in every department - the Karuta, the romance, the character development, and the overall feel of Chihayafuru in general. (Spoilers for Seasons 1 and 2 ahead) Story : 9 The story picks up where Season 2 ends - with the High School Tournament over, Taichi andChihaya heading for the Karuta Camp at Fujisaki, and the Meijin and Queen Qualifiers looming in the near future. The storyline in Chihayafuru 3 is WAY BETTER than the previous seasons, and a ton of interesting and important stuff happens. The tension throughout the series is extremely high, and every episode gave me an adrenaline rush. And the ending was great as well, a wonderful wrap-up to this season. Characters : 10 The character portrayal and development is where Chihayafuru 3 shines the most. I'll go into detail regarding the characters which I felt went through prominent development throughout the 24 episode run : Taichi - Those who have seen Seasons 1 and 2 know the burdens Taichi bears - maintaining the morale of the Mizusawa Karuta Club as the President, keeping up with studies, being pressurized by his mother, trying to improve in Karuta despite not enjoying the game itself but the emotions and relations he has formed playing them, an above all, trying to contain his feelings for Chihaya and the resultant urge to defeat Arata. In Season 3, his feeling intensify, and the Taichi has to face it all. Watching him deal with everything, and watching how it affects him through the Anime was what I loved the most about Chihayafuru 3. Arata - Unlike the previous seasons, Arata has a lot more screen time in this one. His relations with the people around him, as well as his grandfather, are explored, to make him a prominent character. What he feels about Chihaya and Taichi is also portrayed, and how it affects him and his Karuta playing. Suou Meijin - Surprisingly, a portion of the Anime focused on the Meijin himself, his playing style, his character, his personality, and things about him that he has kept secret from the public. While not extensively dealt with, it was a very interesting factor of the Anime. The other characters are well developed as well. While Chihaya herself didn't have any special character development that was different from the previous seasons, other characters - Sakurazawa Sensei, Queen Shinobu, and Harada Sensei - have been well fleshed-out. Overall every character is very realistic and relatable in some way or the other, and shines whenever given screen time. Animation and Art : 10 While the Animation is very fluid and natural, the Art is also very vivid and beautiful. The imagery, character art, etc. are all very well drawn and animated. Chihayafuru 3 maintains the high standards set by the previous seasons in the Art and Animation department. Sound : 10 The soundtrack itself is beautiful, however, it is not excessively used, and there are portions where, appropriately, no music or scanty soundtrack is used. The OST accurately reflects the situations in the Anime, whether they are tense, happy, emotional, sad, or joyous. Overall : 10 Chihayafuru 3 is a gem, one of the best Anime I've ever seen. Though a part of a much bigger series, these 24 episodes are complete in their own way, a set of unified and intertwined arcs for all characters. The ending itself hints at more things to come, and left me wondering what was gonna happen, given how the Anime ended, enough to pick up the manga immediately. Chihayafuru 3 is a must-watch, one of the most tense, exciting, and enjoyable Anime out there, in terms of both it's Sports, Romance, and Slice-of-Life elements.
Jefumaru
04/05/2020, 04:39 PM
I write this review in a vain attempt to get even a single extra person to watch this. Even though this is a season 3 review, perhaps in some small way this tiny blip will contribute a fraction of a fraction of a percent to increasing its popularity. I truly believe this is one of those hallmark shows, one that every anime viewer should see. It was six years since season 2 ended, and to have even witnessed this new season is what I perceive to be a miracle. Seasons 1 and 2 had grand achievements in story telling, character development, and even world building Iwould say. It dove deep into the interesting world of karuta, bringing us along the way with Mizusawa high school's karuta team as our host. Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata are a formidable trio, capable of carrying two full length seasons on their shoulders alone, with all supporting characters playing a strong and likeable role. Season 3 continues this great tradition of storytelling, providing knock out keystone moments that feed fuel to the fire of the Arata vs Taichi debate. We also take an interesting turn into exploring older and new characters. Fresh and familiar faces alike are given extra attention this season, and they all add their own flavor to this karuta world, and more opportunities for our original trio to show all their facets. The characters and build up in the story are still amazing. The art even seems to have been notched up a level, and we are even fortunate enough to have a few new songs to add to an already awesome soundtrack. If you liked season 1 and 2, of course you're going to watch this. If you haven't yet seen this show at all, this review is here to tell you that all three season are well worth your viewing. Please check it out so we don't have to wait so long for a season 4.
abystoma2
03/25/2020, 12:42 AM
First things first - karuta isn't a sport. It's just a game that that some folks took way too seriously. Well, not like that has any impact on the anime, I just wanted to get this out of my chest. But it also means that you might enjoy this even if you don't like sport anime in general. Now, I more or less liked the first two series (altrought I though they were, well, not *that* great), so when the 3rd season was announced, of course I was going to watch it. Yet, when I started thinking about the previous seasons... I found out I don'treally remember much. What I'm trying to say is that there wasn't that much impact, not really memorable matches and while yes, it is character driven, the karuta playing parts were kinda... boring. Enter the 3rd season which actually managed to fix this. Chihayafuru 3 story progress moved from the "start up" part to the "real shit" part and it shows. The matches are tense with tangible stakes and what's more important, they are well used as a proxy to let out the character shine and strong emotions of the players be shown. It is in fact the fight between the spirits of two people, the card game just lending a form to it. The matches of the third season are memorable and actually let out some variation, despite the inevitable repetitiveness of karuta. I believe this is because we got some strong, prominent personalities involved in the matches this time. I especially liked those that included Harada, Suo or Haruka. The main characters take on almost a support role in this season, but I don't see any problem with that. The animation sees it's moments of spotlights too, with the more abstract visual sequences mediating the mood and feeling of the characters. The soundtrack helps with this greatly as well, and combined, those two aspects can create some powerful and heartfelt moments. To add more about the sound portion of this anime, I also really enjoyed the voice acting. Most of the time I don't really care about the VAs, so for me to comment on them means it was either extraordinarily awful or extraordinarily great. Thankfully it's the latter here. The voices feel genuine and I especially liked the dialect that really breath some variation and uniqueness to the characters. Overall, I would say it's worth watching the first two seasons even in case you didn't like them that much just so you could get to this part. That's the level of improvement I'm talking about.
Ethan_07
03/24/2020, 08:44 PM
Though we are parted, If on Mount Inaba's peak I should hear the sound Of the pine trees growing there, I'll come back again to you. A bittersweet poem that represents Taichi. If you can feel the emotions in it, then you are hopelessly in love with Chihayafuru. It’s been eight years since the first Chihayafuru has been introduced to the world, and this is how long this anime community has waited for this season. Despite being both a jousei and slice of life genre, over the seasons, Chihayafuru has created much competitive and warm atmosphere for the matches and built up ample friendships and tension. Now, it’s finally timefor the long-awaited King and Queen’s match. This season will be presenting an all-out match that brings out the best of them, and a turning point for the bittersweet love triangle that has remained stagnant all this time. The story of the poets behind each card, has been expanded to reach for a greater height. Each of the little words are nicely blended to reflect different situation that the characters are in, along with their respective introspective thoughts. And in many ways, this become a powerful tool to evoke emotions. This is a trick that has been applied before, but each and every time, you couldn’t stop one from falling into the beauty of it. Also, the studio Madhouse has done such a great job by creating more mesmerizing characters that you couldn’t help but not hate them, be it their foes or friends. Ironically, some of the side characters actually have greater backstories than the main trio. But, I genuinely think that this is why Chihayafuru is so likeable. They do not constrain the range of character developments and because of this, we get to witness and empathize with more and more little stories of their opponents and allies. The animation on the other hand, is captivating. The layout of the games, and the thinking process are beautifully visualized. The big brown eyes of Chihaya, with her clumsy and tomboyish attitude really managed to form a contrast. Arata with his sharp blue eyes fits his cool and calm personality while Taichi has that ambitious look and has a sense of loneliness in his eyes. For him, action speaks louder than words and it's truly amazing what the season has accomplished with this. Other than that, the J-rock song for opening is kinda catchy with its tempo and is well-matched to elevate the mood for each episode to unfold. The song, Hitomebore for ending has a calm tone to it, but at the same time, gives the visual of igniting fire with the trio burning passion. It subtly sets a pace for the journey to be continued. Overall, Chihayafuru 3 has evolved to be the most diverse, gentle and impactful season yet. It leaps beyond the expectations set by its ancestors with its high rating and forges deeper attachments to the side characters, while taking you closer to the trio’s heart. Don’t blink yet, as you’re about to embrace their passion, friendship and feelings all in one whole season.
Kipo0007
03/24/2020, 06:58 PM
There are few rare anime series which have a consistency of delivering top notch quality throughout consecutive seasons and even few who can take it up to another level. Chihayafuru is one of those. The 3rd season of this amazing series has just been so amazing that i am sure that all the older and new fans were hooked onto it with the utmost interest and awe. Madhouse has just outdone themselves again and its not just a regular praise, it comes from a heart of a fan who has read the manga and seen the adaptation with such finesse and quality it actually makes me happyto be a anime fan especially for this show. This underrated show has been like the one of the most beautiful gems of the fall season, that i cant appreciate and praise it enough. The story continues with our trio with their journey of Karuta. The unique aspect of this show which is karuta is that even though its based on a card game, its unlike other card based shows which captivates the viewers with just the hype, or through unbelievable power ups of characters in a battle or some unreal logic, but through realistic game plays which is portrayed through the playstyle of the players, their background story, personality,how they view & perceive karuta through their minds and most importantly how karuta is presented through these beautiful traditional japanese poems which have depth in their storytelling of folklore and depicts what these stories are trying to convey with their words and poetry which will leave you mesmerized. Absolute breathtaking stuff. The main trio are great characters with their own stories and development. One of the element which i found missing in the first two seasons was one of the trio i.e Arata Wataya not getting enough screen time for the viewers to watch and understand his character more in depth,but this season it was quite well resolved which made me satisfied. Also there was major development with the other male character Taichi Mashima and his transformation, which had been quite a sight to watch. As for our female MC Chihaya Ayase, she continues through various developments regarding her future in general life and the game which is her most important passion i.e Karuta. I am actually quite happy to see the three progressing with the story line which perfectly paced and enjoyable to watch. But another main factor is that makes chihayafuru so special is that it not only focuses on the main trio but also on the supporting side characters as well,depicting their journey so far with their personal development & background story in relation to the game. Also one of the interesting things that caught my eye this season is how they explore the character background in depth of the new challengers, major professional players and even more importantly the Master and queen (The reigning champions) whom had been shown as mystery figures on the surface so far in season 1 & 2 and since our main characters ultimate goal is to win the title from them, it was actually unique seeing things from the perspective of the opposite side. The narration has been so on point and it actually never fails to keep you interested.Every tiny detail, every tiny scene, flashback or sequence makes up for the bigger picture in the present & for future scenarios. Almost every character is portrayed developing in the most humane way and the changes make them more sensibly compatible for the plot. Especially the trio who inspite keeping their original self,develop necessary changes which make bigger impacts for their personal story and with the main story as well. Coming to animation and sound, Boy i cant praise mad house enough,Not a single episode from these 24 episodes have gone by and i have been like "Meh that was ok i guess" and i am not exaggerating. Every episode has been adapted so gracefully with attention to details from the source material. The beautiful art and colors, fluid life like animation, brilliant character designs and visuals. Even when a important scene happens or emotions are being depicted, it literally comes to life that viewers can actually feel them with their eyes, its that mindblowing. The sound is so pure and crystal clear with the amazing performance of all the VA's of different character make it even more enticing and enjoyable. The OP and ED are equally well made, especially the ED with the artwork and the music from Band harassment made it my favorite. Overall as its one my personal favorite series i would easily give it a 10/10. Its underrated as hell and i would love that other anime fans would give this masterpiece a chance especially if they enjoy a mix of competitive sport,Japanese culture and a amazing story with brilliant characters. I know my review might seem i am over selling this, but trust me please do give this a try, it will definitely be worth your time and i am positive you would appreciate this amazing piece of work and the content it tries to share with its viewers. I just want this beautiful series to be recognized and appreciated more for its value it truly deserves.
Stark700
03/24/2020, 06:08 PM
Before Chihayafuru season 3 got announced, I’m sure some fans have been clinging onto hopes that the franchise would again take the anime medium by storm. The first two seasons have gained a cult following since the franchise introduced us to the world of its karuta and wonderful cast of characters. Now more than six years later, we are back in this franchise as if it’s almost yesterday. It did take a bit of time for the anime franchise to return but jumping back into Chihayafuru’s third season felt like going back to school after a Summer break. We reunite with our friends, learn the competitivegame of karuta, and experience new memories that will last for generations to come. Watching Chihayafuru 3 reminds me that games such as karuta isn’t just a competitive sport but a poetry in motion. Every episode capitalizes on the creativeness of the game that exemplifies on commitment, strategy, and wit. I won’t be explaining the fundamentals of the game since you shouldn’t be watching this season without the first two anyway. But coming into this new season, we got ourselves another masterful adaptation. With Chihayafuru 3 at our hands, the show draws us into the everlasting karuta experience similar to the previous season. Despite being a complex game, the anime makes it clear that anyone can pick karuta up. However, learning the game is one thing and mastering is another. We see the best of the best compete at the highest level in this season. Of course, I’m talking about the Queen Title matches. But before we get to that, you should also remember why Chihayafuru 3 managed to create such a faithful audience. It’s been six years after all and fans have been anticipating this show since the dawn of time. This is easily answered by the charming lovable cast of our three characters – Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata. The three make up the heart and soul of this franchise with their complex relationship between one another. Early in the season, we witness Chihaya once again picking up karuta and going head to head against none other than Taichi. If there’s anything that tells us about Chihaya’s character is that she is eager to learn, whether through success or failure. Her skills show improvement as she is able to match head on with fast paced strategy and clever tactics in these games. Still, a big question that surrounds her is why she is there. Why does Chihaya want to be a karuta player? This question extends to other prominent characters such as Shinobu, Suo, Haruka, and among others. The fact remains that every character has a purpose in the show, a reason to be where they are in the present timeline. As every episode progressed, the drama begins to mount up with the higher stakes in these high level karuta games. The karuta games themselves in fact are presented with superhuman-like reactions. It may take years of practice to reach such levels but the anime portrays it like poetry in motion. As I mentioned that before, karuta is much more than just a competitive sport. It’s like a work of art with each card representing a piece of value between two players. Adding to the game is the amount of emotions that us, the audience can easily get invested into. For instance, we witness Dr. Harada’s side of the story this season and why he picked up karuta. In his match against Arata, it represents a clash of new and old generation. Meanwhile, we also follow the journey of Shinobu Wakamiya, one of the most prominent Queens of this era. Fans will remember Shinobu as being the youngest Queen in karuta history and a prodigy with nearly unrivaled skills. She returns this season to compete against Haruka, another skilled karuta player with several titles in her name. The psychological pressure embedded into their match felt like none other as we witness the true potential of high class competitors. And that’s one other thing that identifies these karuta game: the psychology. Each game threads together a formula from start to finish to test the players’ ability to outplay one another. From tagging cards to crafting advanced moves in their heads, karuta at such exceptional high level feels like a different game. Watching the high level competitors such as Arata, Shinobu, Suo, and Haruka compete are such examples where they push these games to the limit. And at the same time, Chihayafuru 3 delivers its character relationship so well, being able to get the viewers understand them on a personal level. There's a complex relationship angle between Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata built from the very first season. Carrying into this third season also means new developments including an unparalleled confession that will surprises more than just the fans. For a show being so human and realistic, Chihayafuru scores with much more than karuta competition. From the first episode to the finish, it celebrates the personal commitment of the cast and how much people can change over time. Though the show has aged, Chihayafuru’s life cycle still stays true with its art style. Madhouse returns for this season to give us an elegant feast of visuals to lay eyes on. From the photorealistic settings to the mature character looks, everywhere, the camera angles lines up to showcase the technical achievements of the anime. And as a show loaded with drama, there’s plenty of time to experience a breather too with the light comedy. We can expect Chihaya and her friends to return to also enjoy their school life like normal people would. There’s also running gags that I’m sure fans are eager to see again. The character voices also makes their return in their noticeable accents. When combined with the emotive dialogues, it brings out so much worth to them. Welcome back Chihayafuru 3. I can say with supreme confidence that the third season is no short of delivering the house it has built. From the complex character relationships to the high stake karuta games, there’s something in store for returning fans. Even as someone who has read the manga, this is a classic to watch in animated form and that’s thanks to the wonderful talent of the staff and producers. I thank them for giving us this wonderful season.

Chihayafuru 3 ちはやふる 3

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PV Collection for Jul 29 - Aug 4

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Third Season of 'Chihayafuru' Recasts Characters

Third 'Chihayafuru' Season Delays Broadcast to Fall 2019

TV Anime 'Chihayafuru' Gets Third Season

Chihayafuru 3 ちはやふる 3

North American Anime & Manga Releases for October

North American Anime & Manga Releases for July

Fall 2019 Simulcast List [Update 11/16]

Q4 2019 Anime & Manga Licenses [Update 12/19]

Fall 2019 Preview

PV Collection for Jul 29 - Aug 4

PV Collection for Jul 8 - 14

Third Season of 'Chihayafuru' Recasts Characters

Third 'Chihayafuru' Season Delays Broadcast to Fall 2019

TV Anime 'Chihayafuru' Gets Third Season