2012-02-26, 19:28 | Link #1241 | ||
さっく♥ゆうきゃん♥ほそやん
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: in the land down under...
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@Kirarakim
My impression from the last few pages is that you are predisposed to interpret what Taichi says and does in a positive way, whilst a few of the other posters are predisposed to interpret them in a negative way, which is why I said the views are too simple. I'm sorry if I offended you. Quote:
However, your 'evidence' that Taichi plays karuta (predominantly?) for himself / out of love for the game is, I feel, ignoring something important that a few other viewers have picked up. Which is, that Taichi is actually struggling to maintain that 'ideal' goal of playing for himself. This was incredibly clear in episode 18, and hyperborealis put it much more clearly and elaborately than I did. Quote:
A different issue I have is with the interpretation that Taichi refrains from confessing to Chihaya because Arata's not there. The impression I get is that he's actually running away from it (as hyperborealis also noted) - he knows how dense Chihaya is, so it should be obvious that he'd have to tell her directly if he wants her to even consider the idea of a relationship. But he refrains, justifying it by saying that she's obviously not ready for it - thus, on the surface, Taichi appears to be someone who reads people very well and (re)acts accordingly. But it also comes across to me as an excuse hiding a fear of rejection. Last edited by karice67; 2014-01-13 at 19:08. |
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2012-02-26, 19:55 | Link #1242 | ||
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
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For Taichi, karuta is the way by which he challenges himself, to become the sort of person he wants to be (someone who doesn't run away). And I personally don't see anything wrong with this. Quote:
Again, there's nothing wrong with this because he's aware of his shortcomings, of his cowardice, and is consciously trying to change. And he's changing, little by little. Of course, he won't be able to fully overcome his flaws until the very climax of the story.
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2012-02-26, 21:15 | Link #1243 | |
さっく♥ゆうきゃん♥ほそやん
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: in the land down under...
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And this is why I shouldn't be posting, because I don't have time polish up what I want to say.
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There is a sense that Taichi is trying to do something similar, make karuta about himself. But I think it is detrimental that his way of doing that so far seems - to me personally - to be laid out in terms of what other people can do. I feel that Taichi would be happier when he is finally comfortable in his own niche in karuta. To try and make it a bit clearer, I believe that people should measure themselves against themselves, rather than against others. Alternatively, it's about not using others as a measuring stick, but rather as avenues to find out how to improve oneself - in the end, it's about what one can do, not about envying others for what they can do. To me personally, that's how Taichi is still coming across at this point in the story. Other viewers may see it differently, but I'm fine with that. As for your second point - the issue I actually had was with the interpretation I've seen around that 'Taichi is not approaching Chihaya because Arata is not here'. I quite agree that Taichi recognising and voicing this particular flaw of 'running away' is a good thing, and is the first step towards addressing it. Last edited by karice67; 2014-01-13 at 19:09. |
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2012-02-27, 00:40 | Link #1244 | |||
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
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I wasn't saying that Chihaya wasn't a factor at all for Taichi. Quote:
In a sense fighting for Chihaya is the same idea. But I think he wants to prove himself at Karuta first before he fights for her, if that makes sense. I don't however think Taichi is only playing Karuta because of Chihaya & that was my main point. As for your point to Kazu about Taichi measuring himself against others being a flaw, well actually I agree. In my previous posts I did say Taichi feels conflicting emotions for Arata: admiration, friendship but also jealousy. Now while I said jealousy might be a human emotion & doesn't make him a jerk; I never said it wasn't a flaw. Of course I admit I am biased in favor of Taichi (and it's partially because of all the unfair bashing I see him get on this thread...please note I am definitely not referring to your post, I felt it was a largely fair analysis of his character even if I don't entirely agree).
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2012-02-27, 02:28 | Link #1245 | |||||||||
SIBYL salesman
Join Date: Feb 2011
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Taichi's lines were more direct towards getting satification from winning (in general) with effort: Komano says he has no talent for karuta. Taichi has 2 memory flashbacks: 1) His mum words “Focus on contests that you can win” (= only fight battles you can win). 2) “I could spend my entire youth on karuta without ever becoming better than Arata” (= his effort vs Arata's talent) This is his realization that Komano is feeling the same frustrations as him and wants to run away from difficult things. If you watch a lot of the early episodes (including the very episode you're referring to), Taichi says doesn't care much for karuta (he says multiple times he doesn't care for achieving Master, or something along those lines, and he's not a good enough opponent to help Chihaya). Quote:
I'm didn't say only (or did I?), but Chihaya is his primary reason/goal. Quote:
For someone as analytical as him, he had made no comparison in karuta techniques between himself and Arata, compared to Chihaya, who immediately noticed Arata level of skill (the water scene, comparison to the Queen). I'm not saying he doesn't admire Arata, just not as a karuta player (or at least did not in the earlier episodes). Just saying "Arata's better than me" isn't much of an admiration, just a feeling of inferiority. Quote:
Like I said before, it's obviously implied they were good friends, but it didn't connect with me (as a viewer) since I saw nothing but bickering between the two. I'm sure plenty of people connected easily here, but not me. Quote:
1) I don't think everything Taichi says or does is bad, but it's easier to point out Taichi's flaws because it's shown more often (heck, he's hijacked the leading role in this show). Plus, most examples showing his good traits weren't that great in the first place. When people say Taichi's getting a lot of character development, that's because these negative aspects are exactly what he's trying to overcome throughout this show (trying, he hasn't yet). I dislike him because of these these flaws, but he is trying to redeem himself. 2) It isn't ridiculous. Taichi was smug/arrogant as a kid. Look at his expression as he says that line. He's happy, but look at his eyebrow (it's pointing down). That expression, plus how his line is spoken, is a show of arrogance. Quote:
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First off, Taichi wasn't fishing for a compliment or approval from Arata (like I said, he was competing against Arata). He was embarassed and surprised, not “pleased”. Two things happened when Arata complimented Taichi. First was the compliment, which I believe he wasn't expecting, and second was Arata calling Taichi by first name (remember, calling someone by their first name is a big deal in Japan). Quote:
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Yeah, we're not dealing in absolutes here, but I'd say he hasn't primarily been playing for himself (well, maybe now he's considering it). |
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2012-02-27, 11:11 | Link #1247 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
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But please note this discussion is going back & forth because we feel passionate about our opinions. I strongly disagree with Quadriatric but I am happy he voiced his opinion because if we all agreed all the time it would be pretty boring. And I suppose Taichi is the type of character that brings out negative or positive feelings in the viewer, and I think that is better than indifference. Edit: Quadriatic, thank you for saying you are not talking in absolutes, I think that was my main issue with the crux of your argument, so I guess I'll just agree to disagree.
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2012-02-28, 15:03 | Link #1250 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Germany
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Tn my opinion the BEST PICTURE from Chihaya in the whole serie so far when she was holding Tsutomu hand and her face is a little blushed !! What a great expression.
Taichi is terrific remembering the 100 poems and random calls them without iteration, if he get Chihaya speed/ears and Queens timing he would be invincible. Ririka-chan, she kinda remind me of little Chihaya, i think if Chihaya was also playing at early age and trained like Arata, Chihaya too would be a "A class" player in 6th grade. Poor Ririka her opponent was just too strong this time. |
2012-02-28, 16:25 | Link #1251 | |
I disagree with you all.
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Nishida is annoying me a bit. Not everybody has to play exactly like he does. He did it to Kana too... Though I guess he's right that Taichi has to focus on other areas of the game, just like Chihaya had to learn to use more than just her speed and hearing. |
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2012-02-28, 16:26 | Link #1252 |
Guess what time it is?
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada
Age: 38
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Every time Arata and Taichi interact, even indirectly, it's electrifying. I'll never forget the brief scene between the two of them alone for the first time in years at Arata's house. The two characters have even better chemistry with each other than Chihaya has with either one, and they're hardly ever even in the same room.
The team's reaction to Nishida suddenly joining the spectators was pretty fantastic too. |
2012-02-28, 16:34 | Link #1253 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Age: 35
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Another amazing episode this week. Chihaya was just great.
I wonder how the hair thing is going to turn out... Hmm, I wonder if anyone more familiar with professional karuta could clarify how these qualifiers work exactly? You've got the Eastern and Western subdivisions, but it's not just the Eastern finalist versus the Western finalist, is it? How high into the tournament do they get before the two divisions join together? Also, we understand of course that the Queen/Meijin challenger matches are divided by gender. Even so, would I be right in assuming this qualifier tournament still follows the standard tournament structure? As in, males and females continue competing against each other all the way through to the finals--the rights to challenge accordingly going to the highest ranked player of the appropriate gender? |
2012-02-28, 17:45 | Link #1254 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: U.S.
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It's similar to the way Shogi and Go works.
You have four Prelim Tournaments. Based on the club you registered under you are either in the East or West and then divided into men and women. Spoiler for Shinobu clarification just in case::
The winner of those 4 tournaments meet each other in a winner-takes-all match (man vs.man, woman vs. woman) to receive the once-a-year right to challenge the Meijin and Queen title match. Meijin match is best-of-7, while Queen match is best-of-5.
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2012-02-28, 18:02 | Link #1255 | |
Kana Hanazawa ♥
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: France
Age: 37
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First the Queen herself, then an old lady (ok, not that old), and now a little girl.. Chihaya always gets interesting opponents. I felt pretty bad for Ririka when she started losing, and was happy and impressed she didn't let that defeat and the other players' slander get to her too much. She handled this defeat very well for her age. She even made friends with Chihaya, which isn't too surprising since they've got the same mental age (I'm just joking ... everybody knows Ririka is more mature than her of course ).
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I really want to see Taichi and Arata's reaction to a bald Chihaya too. I seriously doubt it will happen though. PS: I love how Daddy Bear never leaves Chihaya's mind. He's clearly her one true love.
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2012-02-28, 18:04 | Link #1256 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Age: 35
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Thanks for the clarification. Ah, indeed the matches in this episode were divided by gender (Chihaya vs. Ririko, Sudou vs. Nishida), for some reason I seemed to be thinking both genders were still playing each other.
edit: ...okay, indeed I have to admit that that'd be hilarious. Still though, my gut feeling is making me inclined to think it'd be a terrible waste of her hair. It's one thing to change your image, but long hair like that takes years to grow out...to have it tossed away frivolously would be a true travesty. Last edited by Sol Falling; 2012-02-28 at 18:15. |
2012-02-28, 18:54 | Link #1257 |
One-Eyed Dragon
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: NJ, USA
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Like how Chihaya thanked Komano after the teacher told her she didn't fail anything. Lol Sudo messed up Chihaya's focus. Ririka is like how Chihaya used to be. Glad Chihaya made it through. How many more rounds are there? Taichi's message was nice to Arata.
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2012-02-28, 19:29 | Link #1258 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
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Chihaya thanking Komano was definitely very sweet. Because I remember in his introductory episode he would help people with their studies but here he was just being used. But here he was helping a friend who was definitely thankful to him.
I also enjoyed how Chihaya cheered up Ririka. I also like how the series contrasted Chihaya playing someone older in Sakura and someone younger in Ririka. Goes to show that there are many different types of matches in Karuta. I like that you are paired up by skill not age. And I so want to ship Arata & Taichi. edit: Just found out Ririka was voiced by Chopper's seiyuu (ala One Piece) no wonder she sounded so cute.
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josei, karuta, madhouse |
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