Chihayafuru – 05: Because No One Outruns Mashima Taichi like Ayase Chihaya

If only Chihaya kicked Taichi in the knee with her heel...

Taichi is getting out rebounded by Arata’s Shadow? Arata’s circumstances? What is Yuu up to? Chihaya tackling and tossing the boys around like rag dolls? A Karuta Dynasty reborn? Who will be number three? Today is Chihaya’s Day but every day is a bad day for Taichi and Taichi nation who get pummeled and mauled more badly than Tim Tebow and Tebow Timers by the Lions that were imported from Detroit.

We begin by dealing with Arata who is coming off a three year bye. As much things change some things never change like being poor which is a crime to Taichi Nation. Sadly for Arata his Grandfather has died within the three year time skip tragically putting a possible end to the Wataya Karuta Dynasty, even more tragically Grandpa’s death has led Arata to leave the game. It’s sad that Arata’s grandpa died but that was years ago there is a time to mourn and a time to move on and by my reckoning Arata is rather late with moving on. Yes it is tragic that his Grandpa died the day he got his A Rank, but everyone could see this one coming. It is the fate of every person to die the day they are born so you better get used to it. This didn’t come as a surprise Arata should have known the clock was ticking the day he heard about the stroke. Granted it came at the worst time imaginable, but it’s not like Grandpa would want Arata blaming himself for his death or would Grandpa approve of Arata leaving he game before making a splash.

In fact I want Arata to end the period of mourning and carry on the Dynasty. Why not give tribute to Grandpa by winning in his memory to keep his methods alive and to pass on the Wataya Art of Karuta. Even if Watayas come and go like the rest of the population at least there will be an enduring legacy. Lastly I know Chihaya and Taichi came to his house un-invited but at least cut Chihaya a break because she was his friend, hell she still is his friend despite his outburst because that’s what friends do they forgive each other. I can understand the hostility against Taichi, in fact I applaud him calling out Taichi for lying, but come on he can’t let Taichi come into his house and shove him to the ground without breaking Taichi’s arm for causing trouble. This isn’t three years ago Arata’s got one centimeter on Taichi and he can kick Taichi’s ass if he want to. Will beats skill and Taichi is only capable of cheap shots, in a stand up fight he will quit and fold sooner than Arata thinks, just remember all the slights and insults from three years back and clock the son of a bitch into a time skip. Still better battle next time and he better repay Chihaya’s faith and work on his game and carry on the Dynasty as the Great Power in Fukui.

Chihaya is once again all round awesome, but there are some mistakes I would like to see corrected, namely decision making. Look I get that Chihaya likes to live at the spur of the moment but please follow some common courtesies lass. For starters it’s great that she likes surprises but it would have been better to notify some one that of the visit. She didn’t need to consult with Arata she just had to send word to his parents and let them take care of the rest. Arata had few enough friends as it is and I am sure Mrs. Wataya remembers that excitable girl that was playing karuta with her son. Sure Arata doesn’t want to see her but surely Mrs. Karuta can arrange an excuse and dinner. Still I also want to question the need to bring in Taichi, hell Chihaya should have left that dunce behind because he didn’t do anything but try to sabotage the reunion. Nevertheless I like how she handled the situation, with retaliatory insults, and a Judo Throw.

Also great job in preparing your notes for your first conversation with Arata in three years and writing down your thoughts in a letter because it prevented Taichi’s lousy prevent defense from doing anything. In fact that one little thing basically ensured that Taichi would once again fail miserably, which should be a lovely theme for this series. Great job in covering any fumbles you might have had with spoken words for the pen is mightier than the sword and certainly all that was said went through Taichi’s heart like harpoon missiles through a dingy. I also want to congratulate Chihaya on a great job trashing Taichi’s hope when she was open and honest about her attempts to give Dr. Haruda valentine chocolates, I bet that really put the screws on Taichi. Also way to go Chihaya for proving how she is a superior athlete by out running Taichi in heels and for taking him down as he failed to drag her away. I only wish we could have seen Taichi get tossed into a puddle and then make the trip home like that.

Last man up is the man who is dead last in the Chihaya sweepstakes the one the only Mashima Taichi who needs to change his middle name to fail. Look I get that he is desperate to get Chihaya but let love run its course, obviously Chihaya is nursing a crush on Dr. Haruda and if Chihaya is still chasing Arata’s Shadow and dreaming of Arata at the top of his game then let her. From the look of things trying to keep Chihaya away has made the old saying that distance makes the heart grow fonder. Still I bet Taichi felt like a man when he got to Arata with a cheap shot. I see that three years hasn’t made Taichi a better person he’s still pushy and a bully. How about letting Chihaya take care of the trip herself, how about telling little Miss Girlfriend about this little excursion? I am sure Miss Girlfriend would be thrilled about how Taichi went off with Chihaya a few counties over and proceed to do anything and everything to sabotage Chihaya and hold her hand and then some more when he goes for the rebound. Other people might not call Taichi out on this, but I will because it’s low. It’s fucking low how Taichi is not telling Miss Girlfriend about his lack of love for her and disgusting Taichi wouldn’t leave them alone to work things out. Instead he tries to sabotage the trip first with telling Chihaya it’s hopeless and that Arata has moved on when we all know it’s a fucking lie.

Breaking a girl’s heart intentionally and then trying to make your move at the moment of heart break is low especially when you artificially induce the heartbreak. But it’s typical Taichi can’t stand up in a fight and can’t win with honesty or dignity. Still just goes to show you that if you are a loser who cheats and bullies people the Sports Gods and Love Gods will fucking destroy you for not appreciating and respecting the game. Good thing Chihaya was thorough and the letter made it to Arata who while wracked with grief and regret still thought of Chihaya as a dear friend. I was fucking happy at every ice pick Chihaya thrust into his weak little heart with confessions that she had spent three years pursuing Dr. Haruda and dreaming of the day that she would face Arata for the world championship. No part of that had anything to do with Taichi and I bet it hurts that Chihaya wasn’t thinking of Taichi all that much and did not hold any romantic regard for him. I hope he’s unhappy I hope he lives a long life filled with disappointment because that should be the price for trying to break Chihaya’s heart and attempt to get her affection as she tries to recover.

I laughed as Chihaya was able to out run him, toss him around, and tackling Arata so well the final pose made Taichi recoil in fear. Just goes to show all you naysaying Taichi Humpers out there that he is not a great athlete because he has been half-assing for the better part of his life and he will never succeed in any sport as long as he doesn’t love it. Still Taichi should be pitied because he is a smaller dude than Arata, but what kind of sorry sack of shit needs to lie about his height, what’s next weight? I like rubbing it in to Taichi I really do he’s like that hated rival team and I revel in his failures like this episode where he utterly failed to induce some heart break in Chihaya and instead Arata comes back and Chihaya still believes in him. In fact I think after seeing Arata she’s going to try even harder which means Taichi is going to really have to haul ass this time. Because now that we all know that in three years Arata and Chihaya are now A Ranked that leaves Taichi coming up short once again. But all things are equal now so if Taichi still fails it will be because he once again did not put the time and effort into studying karuta and ball’s in his court now and if he bricks the free throw it’s his own damn fault. Funny how five episodes in Taichi is still playing not to lose and like I said before when you play not to lose YOU FUCKING LOSE.

It was a nice episode and its good see the cast get back to three, maybe now Taichi will stop eating up clock and maybe Chihaya will expand her circle of friends to the point that Taichi will have no chance once Kanade starts inviting Chihaya to midnight tea parties. I would also like some more clarification on Yuu’s part in this story, maybe we never see her again but she seems very aware of Arata’s circumstances. Still I can’t say for sure if Yuu and Arata were involved but I until I get proof I can’t kill Arata over Yuu quite yet. Taichi on the other hand is attempting to cheat, I just can’t wait for things to come to head and Miss Girlfriend starts asking questions. I look forward to seeing Taichi fumble that situation; it’s going to the watch of the season. With any luck Kanade will be making her presence felt and the club will grow.

As if Chihaya had been pining for your sorry ass Taichi...

Not a bad choice at all he is a doctor after all...who also like karuta.

I bet no one missed you, you left and you were forgotten.

I guess we know that Taichi is more lady than Chihaya, he did sit first...

It's funny how one is the serving size when I want to eat them by package.

It Yuu.

Chihaya is better than Taichi, Chihaya's stronger, Chihaya's faster, Chihaya is better than Taichi.

I can't believe Chihaya didn't make it a marathon...

Taichi goes for it.

And Arata blows up the play!

Look at that explosiveness from Chihaya she turned on a dime and Taichi broke his ankles trying to catch her.

I guess no matter how many hand me downs Chihaya gets from her sister Chihaya's still a tomboy.

See that Tiachi? Those shiny thing mean DESTINY.

I see even Yuu is wary of Mashima's bearing gifts.

It may only be one centimeter but there is no doubting that Taichi is a smaller man than Arata.

I hope we get more Fukui-ben from now on.

Sorry he's dead but the Dynasty need not die with him.

Oh Chihaya you should have preformed some recon before you walked in that door.

If only Chihaya knocked out Taichi like the good old days for starting a fight...

No means NO Taichi so let her go.

TAKE THAT TAICHI, your lucky Chihaya didn't then toss you into the water.

She's down on her knees begging Yuu please.

What a dutiful grand child, I doubt Taichi will show as much concern when his mom and dad go down from old age.

It was going to happen someday, and someday was today...

If only it weren't a such Pyrrhic victory .

I did enjoy the Fukui-ben conversation.

You are still alive you dolt your grandfather's the one pushing up daisies not you!

I'd cry too if Taichi tried to kiss me.

I bet you feel real happy motherfucker there she is in tears thanks to you.

I would face palm too if Taichi was considered my friend.

I see at least some one remembers that Chihaya has super human hearing.

Then Taichi is like OH SHI-

Only one of them is happy...

Yeah you better be sorry that was no way to treat a friend Arata.

St. Noe accepts Chihaya's True Tears of joy.

Hell yeah BITCH FISSION MAILED. That's what you get Taichi for your prevent defense.

I have been waiting for you, Kanade I hope you will be a true hero and bless Chihaya with yuri love.