Chihayafuru 2 Episode 25: The red that is the Tatsuta River [FINAL]

 
Eva’s Final Impression:
*GROSS SOBBING*
IT’S ALREADY OVER. THE SEASON JUST FLEW BY *SNIFFLES* OH MAN I’M GOING TO MISS THIS SHOW. *SNIFFLES* OH MY GOD I AM IN TEARS BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL AND NOTHING HURTS AND IT WAS SUCH A DEEP EPISODE AND SOMEONE HOLD ME–*GROSS SOBBING* My goodness this episode was just, I am drowning in a sea of emotions.
The doctors were having a hard time figuring out the problem with Chihaya’s finger and she ended up having to get an MRI which revealed she had a rare disorder of Enchondromatosis in the third bone in her right index finger where the bone is softening. Chihaya decided to have an opperation which is recommended for athletes who use their hands for their sports. Being hospitalized for a week and not being allowed to practice her swings, Chihaya does a lot of thinking which gave this episode a lot of depth.
Chihaya as she feels like there’s something missing in her karuta because she wants to play like Arata, calm and balanced- the spinning top that Kanade had spoken of. Throughout the episode she tries to pin-point what she is lacking, and while talking to Arata over the phone, he explains to her that when he plays, he always goes back to that old apartment where Chihaya played karuta with him for the very first time because that was the time he has the most fun playing karuta. Having heard this, Chihaya seems to subconsciously come to realize that she loves Arata, but at the same time she is confused about her feelings since she never felt it before. In fact, Karuta is what ties them together and while it is also her passion, it also can serve the role of conveying her feelings towards him. When Kanade gave Chihaya the assignment of studying poems so that she can learn how to understand them first before she writes them, only one that she had wrote that was actually a poem was based on conveying her feelings she harbored towards Arata.
“Inside a room isolated
from the summer heat,
I feel bliss
upon hearing your words.”
“Will I ever turn the
corner and find you?
I can only wait for
a dream or a miracle.”
Of course Kanade being our expert on poetry quickly caught on the fact that it’s a love poem that Chihaya had written and knowing this she gives Taichi his support by telling him that he needs to try harder to deliver his feelings to Chihaya. This episode pretty much sealed the deal that Kanade is definitely a Taichi x Chihaya shipper, and she really feels for him because she knows how much he cares about her. It was sweet of her to do things on her end to prevent the first years from cock-blocking his opportunities.
As for Coach Sakurazawa. I adore her, I really do. I was pleased to see that she had not only offered Chihaya the DVD of the final match between Arata and Shinobu, but had also gave Chihaya a strong insight and lots on knowledge about their match. And if it couldn’t get better, she offers both Chihaya and Taichi to join Fujisaki’s two-days summer camp.
 
One of the things that Sakurazawa had pointed out that no other characters had realized that it was both Taichi and Arata as high school students who had won the independent tournament. This tells me that while everyone has their eyes and holding high expectations from Arata, Taichi is also someone to keep a close eye on. At this point in time, both of them are future candidates for the Master title.
As Chihaya slowly but surely, gradually become more conscious about her feelings towards Arata, Taichi is really going to have to step up his game. However, the fact that Chihaya is even starting to notice and experience these unfamiliar feelings, this may make it easier for Taichi to convey his feelings towards her. I think that for Taichi (and I am sure he knows this but isn’t sure how to approach it) to get through to her is use Karuta as the bridge. Arata and Chihaya already have a bridge established, it’s a matter of whether Taichi makes his own or find another way to do it.
Arata was so freaking precious when he went up to Taichi expecting him to highfive back because he believed and knew that Taichi had won and made it to Class A. It was really funny to see Chihaya go yanking him back (it’s like a habit isn’t it? Hahaha!)
I look forward to seeing Arata in Tokyo, it will be very interesting how things will unfold and how the relationship between the three of them will fare- especially with this love triangle in play. The last thing I want to see is this romance tearing the group apart because they are our babies, and I have the mighty need to see them team up together for the Team Tournament once more- which I’m sure or at least hoping to see in the future be it in the manga (I kind of don’t want to spoil myself though…) or within the third season whenever it comes out.
Oh and congrats to both Tsukuba and Tsutomu who also won in the independent tournament! <3 I am so proud of them!!!!
Overall Chihayafuru 2 was much like it’s first season, flawless with it’s delivery and development. The animation this time round did have it’s blunders, but pay no mind to it as they did at least maintain the quality consistently. I anxiously await the third season that will come out god knows when. I don’t care how long I have to wait, because in the end- it will be worth it. Chihayafuru as whole is a special show because of it’s characters and the development the undergo. They all grow, and it’s really beautiful to watch. On top of that Chihayafuru gives depth to everyone- specifically our main cast’s opponents which I love so much because this season- there wasn’t a Yumin character, I loved everyone- including the two first years who had a rocky first impression.
Now say it with me, SEASON 3! SEASON 3! SEASON 3! SEASON 3! SEASON 3!
AND FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, WOULD SOMEONE PLEASE LICENSE THIS ANIME ALREADY?! I AM LOOKING AT YOU SENTAI FILMSWORK, AND YOU NIS AMERICA SINCE YOU TWO ARE MORE LIKELY TO EVEN GIVE IT A SHOT. WE DON’T NEED ENGLISH DUBS (NOR DO I THINK IT WOULD WORK VERY WELL WITH THE WHOLE POEM THING) BUT PLEASE JUST SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY.
 Stay tuned for the Overall Review and Vantage’s Final Impression