Chihayafuru

Chihayafuru is a Japanese manga and anime series created by Yuki Suetsugu. The title refers to the traditional Japanese card game called “karuta,” which involves quick reflexes and a deep understanding of classical Japanese poetry. The series follows Chihaya Ayase, a high school girl who becomes passionate about competitive karuta, inspired by her childhood friend Arata Wataya. It explores themes of friendship, rivalry, and the pursuit of one’s dreams while highlighting the beauty and strategy of the game. The title “Chihayafuru” itself is derived from a famous poem included in the Hyakunin Isshu, a classic anthology of Japanese poetry. The term reflects the essence of the competitive spirit and the cultural significance of karuta in Japanese literature and games.