「ゆくもかへるもわかれては」 (Yuku mo Kaeru mo Wakarete wa)
"Exchange Hellos and Goodbyes"

I’m convinced at this point that grouchy old Miyauchi-sensei knew exactly what she was doing when she forced the Karuta Club to name Taichi as President. And right now, she looks like a friggin’ genius for doing it.

「(しのぶれど」 (Shinoburedo)
"But I Cannot Hide"

I know this is just an anime, and the way we interpret it is a matter of opinion and subject to personal tastes. But I’ll say this – anyone who wants to argue that Chihaya doesn’t belong with Taichi, I’ll fight you right now. Name the time, name the place – I’ll be there. And in true shounen style, I’m willing to battle to the death.

「たえてひさしくなりぬれど」 (Taete Hisashi Kunari Nuredo)
"Taete Hisashi Kunari Nuredo"

Romance takes a back seat this week, as it’s all about the club and the sport itself.

「ひとこそみえねあきはきにけり」 (Hito koso Miene Aki wa Kinikeri)
"But For Autumn's Coming"

For a game that seemed so simple when I first learned of it, I’m finding myself continually surprised by how many different ways there are to look at Karuta. It almost acts as a mirror held up to each character, revealing their true nature to the audience – and eventually, one assumes, to themselves.

「けふここのへににほひぬるかな」 (Kefuko Kono E ni Nihohinuru kana)
"Now Bloom Inside the Ninefold Palace"

If you were worried that Chihayafuru was getting a little too melodramatic after episode 5, this week’s effort should be a welcome change. It’s a return to the innocent, childlike exuberance of the first three episodes – and damned if it didn’t actually get me interested in Karuta a little bit, too.

「よはのつきかな」 (Yoha no Tsuki Kana)
"The Sight of a Midnight Moon"

This was the week Chihayafuru left the kid stuff behind and ventured into altogether more depressing territory. But I have a suspicion this was a change-of-pace and not a trend.

「しつこころなくはなのちるらむ」 (Shizukokoro Naku Hana no Chiruramu)
"A Whirlwind of Flower Petals Descends"

As fascinating as it is to see just how different 10th-graders are from 6th-graders, it’s abundantly clear in the case of Chihaya and Taichi that these are still the same people at heart. Of course that leaves Arata out of the equation, but we’ll get back to him in a minute.

「ふれるしらゆき」 (Fureru Shirayuki)
"From the Crystal White Snow"

Am I reading too much into the fact that Chihaya was wearing a “Let’s GO!” T-shirt when she and the boys visited a Go Karuta salon for the first time?

「からくれなゐに」 (Karakurenai ni)
"I Won't Give Up"

If there were any doubts that this show was for real, Chihayafuru dispelled them with a second episode as nearly perfect the first. This is a series that has the potential for greatness written all over it.