Chihayafuru – 18

「はなそむかしのかににほいける」 (Hana zo Mukashi no Ka ni Nioikeru)
"The Plum Blossoms Still Smell the Same"

What seems clear is that what’s true in chess and tennis is true in Karuta – the best way to get better is to play people better than you are, as long as you pay close attention.  Mizusawa (Fight-o!) is the living proof of that, and they should be a formidable team if their competitive (and romantic) passions don’t break them apart.

Chihayafuru – 14

「はなよりほかにしるひともなし」 (Hana yori Hoka ni Shiru Hito mo Nashi)
"For There Is No one Else Out There"

It was always obvious that we weren’t going to get anything like a complete telling of this ongoing manga in two cours, but it’s becoming quite clear now that what we’re getting is only scratching the surface.

Chihayafuru – 12

「むらさきのゆきしめのゆき」 (Murasakino Yuki Shimeno Yuki)
"Set These Forbidden Fields Aglow"

Breaking news – Chihaya actually has a Dad. And with that revelation comes the news – not so coincidentally – that someone in her family actually knows she exists.