(L+CR) Chihayafuru Season 2

[Kirarakim]

Wow that was really good, if you told me that wasn't Miyano I would not have even realized.

[Yume Hanabi]

(Sorry if it's been posted before.) I just learned the manga is being licensed in France \o/
The first volume is coming out on the 27th~
EDIT: ooh and they're including karuta cards with each volume so we'll get a complete set in the end. Sweet!

And wow that voice clip Oo

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by Yume Hanabi

(Sorry if it's been posted before.) I just learned the manga is being licensed in France \o/
The first volume is coming out on the 27th~
EDIT: ooh and they're including karuta cards with each volume so we'll get a complete set in the end. Sweet!

And wow that voice clip Oo

Lucky, Kodansha US pretty much said No to the manga because it is ongoing and too esoteric (which I think is complete BS) but my hopes of getting the series in the US are pretty much dashed.

But speaking of Karuta, there is actually a beautiful Chihayafuru Karuta set out there with art work from the series and a CD of the poems.

[karice67]

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

But speaking of Karuta, there is actually a beautiful Chihayafuru Karuta set out there with art work from the series and a CD of the poems.

Before careful though, as it only has 50 pairs of of the yomifuda and torifuda. If you just want the manga artwork on some of the key poems, it's probably perfect for you, but if you want a full karuta set, you'll have to look elsewhere.

Unless, of course, they release the other half of it at some stage...

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by karice67

Before careful though, as it only has 50 pairs of of the yomifuda and torifuda. If you just want the manga artwork on some of the key poems, it's probably perfect for you, but if you want a full karuta set, you'll have to look elsewhere.

Unless, of course, they release the other half of it at some stage...

I didn't count the cards but I think it might be a full set. There are 4 sets of cards and the CD has 100 tracks.

Also only half the cards have the manga artwork on them, the others look like the cards used in the series.

Well I don't care either way as I did buy it for the artwork, since I can't read or understand Japanese well enough to actually play.

edit: Just did a quick count of my cards and I think you are right. There are 50 with manga artwork and 50 without. I am guessing these are the reading vs game cards (I am not sure which is which).

However the CD that comes with the set does include all 100 poems.

On another note anyone who bought Kodansha's bilingual editions (unfortunately there were only 2 SOB SOB) in the back of each have the translation of 50 poems (so you get the 100 poems that way too).

[karice67]

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

Well I don't care either way as I did buy it for the artwork, since I can't read or understand Japanese well enough to actually play.

edit: Just did a quick count of my cards and I think you are right. There are 50 with manga artwork and 50 without. I am guessing these are the reading vs game cards (I am not sure which is which).

However the CD that comes with the set does include all 100 poems.

On another note anyone who bought Kodansha's bilingual editions (unfortunately there were only 2 SOB SOB) in the back of each have the translation of 50 poems (so you get the 100 poems that way too).

I was really really tempted when I saw them in one of the animate stores on my last trip...but I really wanted a full set. (Of course, I will totally regret not buying it if they happen to release the 2nd half of it!).

The reason the CD has 100 tracks is probably so that you can actually use the set to play: 2 people, 25 cards each, with 50 'empty' cards that can be read in random order if your music player has a shuffling program. Though you also have the reading cards for practice etc...

The reading cards are the ones with the pictures on them, the game cards just have the hiragana.


There are also several online books / other resources that have translations of the poems. What I'm far more interested in, personally, is a text that explains the grammar and expressions used as well

[Bern-san]

Finally managed to watched the last 2 episodes, both of them were really interesting.
Japanese aren't used to foreigners? Maybe because I'm from the West and am used to see different ethnics I found their reaction really surprising.

And thank God Arata gets a full episode dedicated on him, especially since I love Hosoya Yoshimasa's accent here (although he is a seiyuu I'm fond of and tend to like his roles). He's had little screentime. In previous episodes when he said that he wasn't interested in team matches I was a bit disappointed so seeing him change his opinion was great.
My only complaint is, did they really need to show those scenes with the Queen and the other guy so many times?

How is that karuta set called? Although I would actually want a full set with translations...

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by karice67

I was really really tempted when I saw them in one of the animate stores on my last trip...but I really wanted a full set. (Of course, I will totally regret not buying it if they happen to release the 2nd half of it!).

If you want a full set and go back to Japan there are two places that possibly might have it.

* Omi Jingu: I am almost positive I saw a traditional set being sold here
*There is a museum dedicated to the 100 poems in Arashiyama. I have not gone here myself but I wouldn't be surprised if you could find a set here as well. I also heard there is English displays in the museum so now I really want to go there myself.

I actually saw the set on my last day of Japan in Kinokuniya. I almost didn't pick it up (since by my last day I had already spent so much ) but I am glad my temptation got the better of me.

I also bought a couple of other karuta (non-Chihayafuru related) stuff when I was in Japan as well.

The reading cards are the ones with the pictures on them, the game cards just have the hiragana.

Thank, good to know.


edit: For anyone interested this is the set

http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview....=NEOBK-1396959

Obviously it is not going to help you play karuta if you don't know Japanese but for decorative purposes and to show your appreciation of Chihayafuru it's really nice. I also posted a few pictures of it over at Tumblr

http://kimalysong.tumblr.com/post/39...-kinokuniya-in

[hyperborealis]

Originally Posted by karice67

There are also several online books / other resources that have translations of the poems. What I'm far more interested in, personally, is a text that explains the grammar and expressions used as well

Joshua Mostow's Pictures of the Heart is probably the closest book for what you want in English. He is very good at bringing out the various pivot-words in the poems, and bringing in grammar when it helps illustrate his interpretations. Since this is a scholarly book, the bibliography I think would probably be even more valuable to you, since he points to the scholarly articles in English and even better the Japanese scholarly literature where I think you will really find what you are looking for.

Online, jlit.net does the first 26 poems, with a focus on the language and issues of translation.

If you know of other resources on this level, I would be very interested to learn of them!

Originally Posted by Kirarakim

I also bought a couple of other karuta (non-Chihayafuru related) stuff when I was in Japan as well.

Do tell!

[Kirarakim]

Originally Posted by hyperborealis

Do tell!

Oh I just picked up a book of the 100 poems (in Japanese) with the traditional art of the poets.

And a prayer board/Ema from Omi Jingu with girls in traditional dress playing karuta.

[Bern-san]

Kirarakim thanks for the photos and the link! I'm considering getting it and it would be great if they release another set with the other half.

About today's episode I'll just say that I like Arata but I'm becoming more pissed that each time that he's mentioned Chihaya just thinks about him while Taichi puts that gloomy look I hope this dynamic changes soon because it's so frustrating.

[YourIdeas]

Spoiler:

More Karuta strategies being introduced, this time, taking card-moving a bit too far. Next, we'll probably see someone who just swipes the entire card field.

As expected, Arata would obviously play in the individual tournament, especially considering that most of the board didn't seem set on disqualifying him. They're really trying hard to push status around though, as Arata only gets to stay because he's that special, and the threat of Shinobu not being there to stomp the competition was just too much. Speaking of Shinobu; oh god. That appearance at the window. LMAO

Wondering how Hanano's notes about appearances will be useful. I'm guessing that because many of the characters understand that the best karuta players are a bunch of weirdos, they'll be able to pick out the better players in the team matches.

Nishida suggesting to keep the team they've used for the past few episodes was a weird point to cliffhang on.

[LKK]

Originally Posted by YourIdeas

Nishida suggesting to keep the team they've used for the past few episodes was a weird point to cliffhang on.

I thought it was a weird point period. He surprised me. It sounded quite cruel to deny Komano the chance to play. But I'm not going to hold it against him until I hear Nishida's explanation as to why Komano shouldn't play.

Shinobu's appearance at the window was hilarious. At first, I thought that Chihaya imagined her, but then everyone in the room reacted to her presence.

On the whole, this episode was more amusing than anything else. I giggled and chuckled throughout. The little side notes were not to be missed.

[Kanon]

Thank god Shinobu was there. Arata is upstanding to a fault. The board was perfectly willing to let his transgression slide until he said in front of them they couldn't make an exception of him and that he should accept his punishment. They would have probably disqualified him if not for Shinobu's plea. He really dodged a bullet there. Now, let's see if he'll be able to live up to the hopes pinned on him during the tournament. If he wins against Shinobu, he'll immediately become more famous and will be a step closer to becoming meijin. Speaking of meijin, Suo sure is hated, isn't he? Not that I don't understand where they're coming from. He's certainly an unusual one.

Chihaya faced an interesting opponent this week. His playing style was well-suited to fighting her, but she made up for her weak memory with pure skills and gaming sense. That guy was simply outmatched. I like his backstory: a quizz player who picked up Karuta to improve his skills and ended up loving the game even more than the quizz competitions.

The cliffhanger struck me as odd as well. I'm waiting for Nishida's reasoning.

Originally Posted by YourIdeas

Spoiler:

Next, we'll probably see someone who just swipes the entire card field.

Wondering how Hanano's notes about appearances will be useful. I'm guessing that because many of the characters understand that the best karuta players are a bunch of weirdos, they'll be able to pick out the better players in the team matches.

lol, it would be pretty hard to play like that, unless the guy had enormous hands
And while not against the rules, it would probably be frowned upon.

I'm also curious to find out how Sumire's seemingly irrelevant notes (who cares about the color of your opponents' socks...?) are going to be useful to Tsutomu. It all seems like useless information to me.

[Blaat]

THERE IT IS NTR-face. How I missed you. I'm tempting to start keeping count or maybe change my avatar featuring all of Taichi's NTR-faces.

Anyway I honestly got annoyed when I find out Kana lost, she was doing well and still lost? At least give her a break.

[Yume Hanabi]

This series has too many loltastic moments xD

But seriously Mizusawa stop getting surprised at every little thing. Their lack of experience is showing hard.

[thundrakkon]

Again, Taichi and his questionable shootdown of Chihaya whenever she wants to go see Arata. Is it jealousy, or is it really for the best interest of the team? If anyone else said it, like Nishida, then it will be perfectly fine. However, the fact that Nishida did not say it makes it seem more and more like Taichi is just jealous again. It does get annoying whenever anyone uses their position of power to block someone else due to jealousy (add that to the list of Taichi annoying character faults).

Either way, even without Shinobu, I'm pretty sure the committee would not suspend Arata. They were heading in that direction, and Shinobu just essentially reaffirmed it. At most, Arata will probably have to do some community service, like teaching younger players the game. The committee already knows that there was no bad intent on Arata, even if they broke the rules.

However, with Taichi blocking Chihaya from seeing Arata all those times, it will only be that much sweeter when Chihaya and Arata get together.

Oh, and as for earlier discussion for which girl I would like, I find Chihaya as my favorite. Shinobu scares me, Kanade feels too bossy, and Sumire is too superficial.

[Anh_Minh]

Originally Posted by Kanon

Chihaya faced an interesting opponent this week. His playing style was well-suited to fighting her,

Yeah, but the fewer cards were on the field, the less of an advantage it was, so the endgame could be expected to be a problem.

Re: Nishida's reason. At first, I thought it was about Tsutomu's lack of desire to play (since he so easily left his spot) but it's not like whatshisname or Kana are all that gungho either, so I don't know.

[LKK]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

Again, Taichi and his questionable shootdown of Chihaya whenever she wants to go see Arata. Is it jealousy, or is it really for the best interest of the team? If anyone else said it, like Nishida, then it will be perfectly fine. However, the fact that Nishida did not say it makes it seem more and more like Taichi is just jealous again.

I get what you're saying. But I'm not sure it applies in this one instance. IIRC, no one other than Chihaya and Taichi knew that Arata might be at the tournament. Plus IMO, no one other than those two would have deduced that Sumire was describing Arata. In other words, I don't think there was anyone other than Taichi who was in the know to remind Chihaya to focus. (As a side note, I think Taichi needs the focus reminder just as much as Chihaya does.)

[Kazu-kun]

Originally Posted by thundrakkon

Again, Taichi and his questionable shootdown of Chihaya whenever she wants to go see Arata. Is it jealousy, or is it really for the best interest of the team? If anyone else said it, like Nishida, then it will be perfectly fine. However, the fact that Nishida did not say it makes it seem more and more like Taichi is just jealous again.

Well, Nishida doesn't really know how distracted Chihaya can get when it comes to Arata so that point is moot. Still, it's pretty obvious Taichi's reacting like that for both reasons: he wants to avoid Chihaya getting brain-dead in the middle of the tournament and he's also pretty jealous.