2011-11-01, 20:20 | Link #321 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
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I did say nothing he has done since the childhood bullying has been intentionally wrong. Yes I agree with you that the bullying and the thing with the glasses was definitely very wrong. But I think admitting it to Arata is when Taichi redeemed himself. Should he have told Chihaya? Maybe! But in the end I don't think he really had to or that stops the redemption. He admitted to Arata in so many words that he was wrong & giving back the glasses was a peace offering in a way. The fact of the matter is Arata still considered Taichi a friend after that incident (he thanked Chihaya and Taichi for playing Karuta with him) and so if Taichi's actions were good enough for Arata's forgiveness than that is good enough for me.
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2011-11-01, 20:33 | Link #322 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
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What he did in episode 5 wasn't out of jealousy. Rather he understood Arata better than Chihaya did at that moment. About the "girlfriend". I can't say much without giving out spoilers, [mod edit: removed the hint/advice]
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Last edited by relentlessflame; 2011-11-01 at 23:15. Reason: removed spoiler hint |
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2011-11-01, 21:17 | Link #324 |
残念美人
Join Date: Oct 2004
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About the twist on girlfriend thing, you expect people to think like heroes of Jo Jo's Adventure.
The story is really about the game. The sugar coat romance is just trap. It entices people in the story. I like the show's artwork, although the flying flower petals are exaggerated. By the way, I can't wait to see Chihaya getting into more challenges. Spoiler:
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2011-11-01, 21:22 | Link #325 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
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She's just the typical innocent and naive shoujo heroine who doesn't really know what love is. I still like her though, but she's more interesting when interacting with Taichi.
Taichi himself is the only character who's interesting on his own due to his internal struggle IMO. There's a lot of room for character growth with him, and he does feel more realistic somehow. Looking forwards to episode 6.
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2011-11-01, 21:59 | Link #326 |
Knowledge is the solution
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: St. Louis, MO
Age: 39
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Have the 00's anime dulled the viewers so much that they can no longer distinguish when they see a character not painted in white or black? Sigh...
Anyway, excellent episode. We got some good character relationship exploration and development, and the story moves forward just the right amount. Nothing to complain about here.
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2011-11-01, 22:05 | Link #327 |
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Join Date: Jul 2011
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I disagree. The game's just a macguffin; what I'm watching for is the characters and how they interact. Sure, I want them to triumph, but it wouldn't make much difference to me whether it's at karuta, mahjong, shogi or go, as long as it's a triumph that's important to them.
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2011-11-01, 22:30 | Link #328 |
Senior Member
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It's funny that I'm the one to say this, since I was one of the more critical posters of Taichi during the flashback episodes and I was also one of the first to accuse this show of melodrama, but I actually find it kind of endearing and amusing how this show just goes absolutely balls-to-the-wall with what it is, and with its characterization.
It's honestly like watching a hammy yet heartwarming Disney special (the BGM in particular really reinforces that for me) that never misses a good opportunity to ratchet up the drama and have characters wearing their emotions and personalities on their sleeves. I kind of like how instead of doing the standard anime thing of making certain characters look horrible early on, and then go above and beyond to rehabilitate them, this show lets Taichi the teenager be not significantly different than Taichi the kid (and much the same is true of Chihaya and Arata vs. their younger selves). His obsession over Chihaya, and how circumstances keep conspiring against him, is actually becoming amusing to me. But there is a caveat to that. The girlfriend issue makes what otherwise would almost be pure comedy gold come across with a slightly greater air of seriousness to me, dulling the laughter a bit. I honestly think that the audience is supposed to be amused a bit by Taichi's romantic struggles with Chihaya, and how Arata kind of continuously one-ups him without even trying really. So this narrative might be better if Taichi didn't have a girlfriend at all, as that girlfriend is largely a superficial/inconsequential element thus far, that nonetheless impacts viewer perception. What could be comedy sometimes just adds another layer to the drama, and this anime has plenty of drama as it is. That being said, you can't accuse this show of not knowing what it is. Chihayafuru isn't a masterpiece. A masterpeice (of this sort of anime, anyway) would be more subtle than this, imo. But what I could see this anime becoming is a cult classic, because it relentlessly remains true to itself, and it refrains from taking the easy route out with its characters. Also, the animation/artwork here is really nice to watch. Character movements in particular feel very natural and believable to me. Some scenes play out like they were animated replicas of real life scenes. Overall, I'll give 8/10 to Episode 5. It remains an A-Tier show for me this season.
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2011-11-01, 22:47 | Link #329 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Age: 34
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2011-11-01, 23:15 | Link #330 |
<em style="color:#808080;">Disabled By Request</em>
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Firstly the good points:
The comparisons between Chihaya and Ohana from Hanasaku Iroha is overwhelming... and that's a good thing . It's as if they took Ohana, gave her a new look and placed her in a better series. The "shonen male lead" type with a bullheaded attitude. Hell yea, need more female leads like rather than the submissive or "battered wife" types. The two big moments of awesome: 1. When Chihaya grabbed Arata off his bike ingoring the dangers of doing so 2. When Taichi was dragging Chihaya from Arata's house, she judo slams him - Mari Okada would approve of this emansculation . Now the bad points: Melodrama was a tad too strong. The whole grandfather dying issue (or any other family member) gives a "been there, done that before" feel so I didn't really feel anything. Also Chihaya bursting into tears crossed the line for me a bit. I'm not exactly watching Anohana here . However, it was still a solid episode. The good moments clearly outweighs the the bad so it gets at a 8.5/10 from me. One further note on the Taichi hate, let it go people. To me, Arata is just as bad being so "emo" at Chihaya. Or are most people rooting for a Chihaya x Arata shipping? I'm rooting for a Chihaya x Karuta shipping personally |
2011-11-01, 23:16 | Link #331 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Age: 35
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New character next episode? Building up the Karuta club? Looks like we might get away from the drama with Arata for awhile. Is the setup phase over?
These past two episodes were pretty good, but I didn't feel like I had much to say as it was basically playing out exactly as I thought it would. The inter-relational drama has been set up now, so let's get knee deep into the game. On Taichi. His voice was a bit flat calling out to Arata at the end, but I thought he was acting (mostly) genuine the rest of the time. Aside from that creepy guy thing he did in trying to nervously reach for Chihaya's hand without saying anything, he mostly has my respect. I think Taichi is willing and able to take Karuta (and along the same lines, Arata) seriously, and I also think Taichi is able and willing to genuinely put Chihaya's happiness before his own. He will grow. On the other hand, the convenient romantic framing which keeps popping up between Chihaya and Arata might even turn sickening if the show plays it this straight all the way through. Neither Chihaya nor Arata seem to be remotely looking for romance, I am not interested in 'kyaa!'-ing over them falling into awkward positions over each other. "Friends" is great, the innocent feelings on both ends are heartwarming, I could do without the suggestive subtext. Anyway, this is five episodes on Chihaya, Arata, and Taichi's relationship now, I'm ready for this show to slightly widen its scope. Let's see the next episode. |
2011-11-02, 00:15 | Link #332 |
残念美人
Join Date: Oct 2004
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Chihaya's character fits the description for zannen (regret;alas).
When you see someone like her, you have to comment zannen. The description was used in Railgun and Haganai. It's better than telling her, "You are perfect, except you have such and such flaws". She's not likely the only character in town. As an audience, I don't think anyone can relate to her. Maybe it's youth. So, let's just enjoy their time of hot blood and foolishness. Spoiler for size:
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2011-11-02, 02:56 | Link #333 | |
Yuuki Aoi
Join Date: Jul 2004
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Another brilliant episode. A bit melodramatic, I suppose, but I have a high threshold.
Seto Asami showed me something. She had plenty of opportunity to emote as Chihaya, and she did a very effective job, for me. As for romance, bring it on. But I think it's a long way away right now. And nothing about it will be simple. That flowery framing worked for me. That was how she saw him. It hinted at future romance, but in this show I don't think it guaranteed it. Quote:
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2011-11-02, 03:19 | Link #334 |
Did nothing wrong
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That episode was hilarious, but I have a feeling that wasn't the intention.
Guys, the cast of Ano Hana called and they said they want their overly wrought melodramatic tears back. It was a case where I could see everyone's pain, but they did in such a silly manner I was just laughing through it. It didn't help that Chihaya was knocking Taichi over. The best scenes were mostly on the train in the beginning and the end, and also the scenes where Taichi reads Chihaya's letters. What a caring person! So it was adequate in exploring characters but the execution left much to be desired and I tend to like this stuff. At least it's not laughable in the Kaiji lulzy sense. I was gonna give this episode a 6/10, but that hillarious shot of Chihaya being sad with snot coming out of her nose was so hillarious and cute I give +1 for 7/10. She truly has the best faces.
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2011-11-02, 07:14 | Link #335 |
You are Reading this!
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: In the study room
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Loved the setting and the pace of this episode. And i dare say that time has done Chihaya good, she looks gorgeous!
Its great to witness the story of friendship, and how distance could not keep the ties of friendship apart for long. Looking forward to the next episode. |
2011-11-02, 07:44 | Link #336 | |
Kana Hanazawa ♥
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: France
Age: 37
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Taichi didn't get any of that when Chihaya saw him again, did he? That means Arata's ahead of him then
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2011-11-02, 09:23 | Link #337 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germany
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Super ep 5, great developement of the Charas.
My favorite Scene is when Arata ride the cycle with the train and the BGM start. SUGOI!! ps: The fowers for Arata when Chihaya sees him again was just overkill... no chance for Taichi:P |
2011-11-02, 10:07 | Link #338 | |
Osana-Najimi Shipper
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Mt. Ordeals
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Bah, why couldn't Arata be the one with the girlfriend? Yuu looks to be very sweet and very perceptive of Arata. Oh yeah, doesn't hurt that they've known each other since before middle school, aka. childhood friends. XD
And lol, Yuu thinking Chihaya is a supermodel. Yeah, they're pretty much implying that Chihaya might have been as successful as her sister as a model if it weren't for her mixture of idolization/inferiority complex in regards to her sister. But :sigh: it looks like Chihaya is treating Arata like Arata did his grandfather... that they're the ones who introduced them to competitive Karuta and thus, their God of Karuta. While not totally out yet, that did put a big gaping hole in the ArataXChihaya ship, which is quite sad since ChihayaXTaichi still going strong with Chihaya still miffed about the subject of his girlfriend. Gah, stupid traitor! Quote:
Seriously speaking though, there's a reason why I'm totally digging into this show. Just compare it to other 'game' anime like Hikaru no Go and Yu-gi-oh, just to name two off the top of my head. I haven't finished either simply because even though the main LI looks to be the childhood friend, the amount of romance (even if it is just subtext) is pitiful in comarison to Chihayafuru.
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2011-11-02, 10:07 | Link #339 |
Lost at Sea
Join Date: Mar 2010
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I don't think Chihaya will choose between Arata and Taichi. This is not that kind of show, with tragedy and heartbreak, the passions of an ill-fated triangle. No, the two guys are there to balance each other off, so that Chihaya is always choosing both of them, and never between them.
By deferring the shaded complexities of actual love, the anime gains instead a corresponding intensity of romantic feeling. Witness the melodrama, the impossible physical beauty of all three of the main characters, the constant overflow of their emotions. By placing the main characters on the edge of love, but never letting them fall into it, the anime ensures that the unspoken sexual tension between them permeates the entire show. |
2011-11-02, 11:44 | Link #340 | |||||
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Chihayafuru - Episode 5
Chihayafuru continues to show how good writing and good direction can pull off even the most pedestrian story. And this show has had a pretty pedestrian story so far - it's just that it's been executed so well that I don't really care. In particular, the bit with Chihaya's letter was blatantly telegraphed. I haven't read the manga, but the cues have been so strong that it's pretty obvious how the story is going to proceed over the next few episodes. It's nice to see shows like this that don't care about being overly clever. Another nifty note is how classically shoujo-esque Chihayafuru has been so far. It's been so much more like old school shoujo than anything I've seen in the last little while (since Skip Beat?) that I wonder why it was ever published in a josei magazine. If this is the last hurrah of Madhouse, Chihayafuru isn't a bad way to go in terms of both quality and subject matter. Quote:
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The money quote from the article is: Yuki Suetsugu, author of "Chihayafuru," told The Asahi Shimbun that she belonged to a Hyakunin Isshu club as a senior high school student.
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josei, karuta, madhouse |
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