8.0/1084 votes#1 - Now the Flower Blooms
Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 10/5/2011
Sixth grade was when Ayase Chihaya met Wataya Arata, the transfer student from Fukui. The shy and quiet Arata was hiding a surprising talent. He knew how to play the competitive karuta version of Ogura's Hundred Poets. Chihaya is stunned by the intensity Arata displays when playing karuta.
Director: Morio Asaka
Writer: Yuko Kakihara
8.2/1079 votes#2 - The Red That Is
Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/12/2011
Chihaya's proclamation leads to a showdown between Mashima Taichi and the transfer student Arata, who is being shunned by their class. The stubborn Taichi, who's upset by how close Chihaya and Arata have gotten, steals Arata's glasses in the middle of the tournament. Arata, good as he may be, is unable to take cards without his glasses. That is when Chihaya steps in to take his place.
Director: Yoshitaka Makino
Writer: Ayako Kato
8.9/1078 votes#3 - From the Crystal White Snow
Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/19/2011
Chihaya, Taichi, and Arata visit the local Shiranami Karuta Society and meet the chairman, Harada, and a member who's their age, Kinashi Hiro (Retro-kun). When Harada sees them playing against Retro-kun in a team Genpei match, he realizes Chihaya's talent and invites her to join. After Harada tells Chihaya that learning the poems is like making 100 new friends, she begins to realize her own dream.
Director: Kotono Watanabe
Writer: Yuko Kakihara
8.2/1067 votes#4 - A Whirlwind of Flower Petals Descends
Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/26/2011
Arata returns with his family to Fukui after his grandfather falls ill. The three of them believe that as long as they continue to play karuta, they will be reunited. Now in high school, Chihaya has entered a tournament to qualify for Class A so Taichi will help her start a karuta club. Once Taichi sees how Chihaya is enjoying herself, he finds himself being swayed—
Director: Tomokazu Tokoro
Writer: Ayako Kato
8.5/1073 votes#5 - The Sight of a Midnight Moon
Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/2/2011
After Chihaya hears Arata say that he quit playing karuta, she and Taichi make a trip to Arata's home in Fukui. Once they find Arata, Chihaya is thrilled and suggest that they play karuta together again, but Arata turns her down. He's no longer the same boy he used to be. So Chihaya tries to learn the truth—
Director: Naoyuki Ito
Writer: Akemi Moriyama
8.2/1067 votes#6 - Now Bloom Inside the Nine-fold Palace
Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/9/2011
After Ms. Miyauchi tells Chihaya that she needs five members to start an official club, Chihaya starts recruiting. One day, Oe Kanade, a fan of classical literature whose family owns a traditional clothing store, visits the karuta club. She is shocked by the gap between the elegant karuta of the Imperial Court and competitive karuta. However, Chihaya wants Kanade to realize how fun competitive karuta can be.
Director: Hideki Hosokawa
Writer: Sumino Kawashima
8.1/1063 votes#7 - But for Autumn's Coming
Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/16/2011
Kanade has joined the karuta club as the third member, while Chihaya continues to recruit members. First, she scouts the second-smartest student in their grade, Komano Tsutomu, who happens to be in her class. Chihaya calls him Desktomu-kun. However, he tells her that karuta is just a game and he would rather spend that time studying. Chihaya insists that Desktomu-kun play a game first and she drags him to the clubroom.
Director: Kazuo Nogami
Writer: Ayako Kato
8.1/1062 votes#8 - The Sounds of the Waterfall
Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/23/2011
The karuta club only needs one more member to become an official club. Chihaya and the other members continue working to recruit members, but they're having trouble finding anyone who's interested in joining. But then one day, Chihaya runs into Porky, her old opponent from back when she was in grade school. Porky is on the tennis team and he refuses to join the karuta club. However, Chihaya perceives that Porky still loves karuta, so she challenges him to a match.
Director: Fumihiro Yoshimura
Writer: Satoshi Suzuki
8.4/1063 votes#9 - But I Cannot Hide
Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/30/2011
The karuta club has become an official club. Chihaya announces that the five of them will make it to the national tournament. The beginners, Kana-chan and Desktomu-kun, are worried, but Chihaya shows no mercy. Chihaya is set on making a strong karuta team and aiming for the top. And so, they decided to hold a camp.
Director: Yoshitaka Makino
Writer: Akemi Moriyama
8.5/1061 votes#10 - Exchange Hellos And Goodbyes
Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 12/7/2011
Mizusawa High School karuta club makes its debut at the Tokyo regionals for the national championship. Mizusawa successfully makes it past the group stage. Desk-kun, who was unable to win a single match, feels that he isn't needed and says that he isn't going to play. Taichi realizes how Desk-kun feels, so he makes a decision as the club president to bring the team together.
Director: Naoyuki Ito
Writer: Sumino Kawashima
9.0/1065 votes#11 - The Sky is the Road Home
Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/14/2011
The Mizusawa karuta club has advanced to the finals to face a regular fixture at the national tournament, Hokuo Academy. As the match begins, Mizusawa is unable to go on the offensive, and Chihaya is distracted when her opponent, Sudo, begins to taunt her. However, she soon learns to play as a team, that every card she takes is a point for the team...
Director: Kotono Watanabe
Writer: Ayako Kato
8.7/1062 votes#12 - Sets These Forbidden Fields Aglow
Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 12/21/2011
After qualifying for the national tournament, the Mizusawa karuta members attempt to bolster their weaknesses. Chihaya and Taichi practice with the Shiranami Society while Porky, Desktomu-kun and Kana-chan practice with the Suihoku Karuta Society. Chihaya is overwhelmed by the pressure of the national tournament, but then she receives support from an unexpected source.
Director: Tomoaki Ohta
Writer: Sumino Kawashima
8.3/1061 votes#13 - For You, I Head Out
Season 1 Episode 13 - Aired 1/4/2012
The Mizusawa High School Karuta Club members visit the Omi Jingu shrine to pray for their victory. However, Chihaya is acting strangely during her match. Meanwhile, Arata reflects upon his separation from karuta and his grandfather as he heads towards Omi Jingu.
Director: Jun Shishido
Writer: Akemi Moriyama
9.0/1062 votes#14 - For There Is No One Else Out Here
Season 1 Episode 14 - Aired 1/11/2012
Chihaya has recovered in time for the individual tournament. Players are grouped by their rank, and the youngest Queen in history, Wakamiya Shinobu, is in the Class A bracket, and Chihaya's second round opponent. Chihaya is overwhelmed by the Queen's ability and unable to take a single card. As she's about to give up, she remembers her first match against Arata back in grade school—
Director: Hideki Hosokawa
Writer: Satoshi Suzuki
8.8/1059 votes#15 - As Though Pearls Have Been Strung Across the Autumn Plain
Season 1 Episode 15 - Aired 1/18/2012
Chihaya is helpless against the Queen, but she still manages to take a few cards. But this match has taken her one step closer to understanding what true strength is. Meanwhile, Taichi has advanced to the Class B final. The Mizusawa High School karuta club members have gathered to cheer him on. Taichi has shown that he is willing to move forward, but can he achieve victory?
Director: Yuuta Takamura
Writer: Yuko Kakihara
6.9/1045 votes#16 - The Autumn Leaves of Mount Ogura
Season 1 Episode 16 - Aired 1/25/2012
A recap and some animated four-panel comics.
Director: Kotono Watanabe
Writer: Naoya Takayama
8.0/1056 votes#17 - World Offers No Escape
Season 1 Episode 17 - Aired 2/1/2012
The national tournament has ended, and the members of Mizusawa's karuta club have established some individual goals. Taichi and Porky need to reach Class A. Kana-chan and Desktomu-kun need to start playing in tournaments. And Chihaya is practicing for the East qualifier. However, Dr. Harada suddenly tells Chihaya to stop taking cards with her speed, and she has to rethink how she plays karuta.
Director: Kazuo Nogami
Writer: Sumino Kawashima
8.3/1056 votes#18 - The Plum Blossoms Still Smell the Same
Season 1 Episode 18 - Aired 2/8/2012
Chihaya finally gets to play her first Class A match, while the other members are looking to advance their rank through a strong tournament showing. Chihaya's opponent Kanai Sakura, who has 35 years of karuta experience. Chihaya is faster, but she has trouble taking cards. Her opponent constantly moves cards into positions that are difficult for her, and Chihaya soon realizes how tough Class A is. Will Chihaya be able to learn something from her match with Sakura?
Director: Fumio Maezono
Writer: Ayako Kato
8.9/1059 votes#19 - As the Years Pass
Season 1 Episode 19 - Aired 2/15/2012
The finals have begun. The Class D final is between Kana-chan and Desktomu-kun. The Class B final is between Taichi and Porky. Both finals pit Mizusawa players against each other. Chihaya watches and learns as teammates and rivals battle it out.
Director: Naoyuki Ito
Writer: Akemi Moriyama
8.5/1059 votes#20 - The Cresting Waves Almost Look Like Clouds in the Skies
Season 1 Episode 20 - Aired 2/22/2012
The Mizusawa High School karuta club is gaining experience by participating in tournaments. However, Chihaya's grades are so bad that she is no longer allowed to participate, leaving Taichi to attend the next tournament by himself. There, he runs into Arata, who's returned to karuta. When Taichi and Chihaya see Arata playing karuta...
Director: Atsuko Ishizuka
Writer: Satoshi Suzuki
8.3/1056 votes#21 - As My Sleeves Are Wet with Dew
Season 1 Episode 21 - Aired 2/29/2012
Chihaya is playing in the East Queen qualifier for a chance to face the Queen again. Her first opponent is the grade schooler Ririka, said to be a child prodigy. As Chihaya watches Ririka use speed play karuta, she begins to understand what it means to play karuta without speed.
Director: Tomoaki Ohta
Writer: Yuko Kakihara
8.4/1056 votes#22 - Just as My Beauty Has Faded
Season 1 Episode 22 - Aired 3/7/2012
Chihaya's next opponent is the previous Queen, Yamamoto Yumi. Chihaya recalls the previous Queen being a very tenacious player. While Chihaya is fired up for her match against her opponent, Yumi is clearly not as interested in the match, which only serves to enflame Chihaya.
Director: Hideki Hosokawa
Writer: Sumino Kawashima
8.8/1058 votes#23 - The Night is Nearly Past
Season 1 Episode 23 - Aired 3/14/2012
Chihaya lost to Yumi by four cards. The loss is a painful one, but after watching Dr. Harada and Tsuboguchi play their hearts out, she realizes she still has much to learn. Meanwhile, Arata lost in the fourth round of the West qualifier. He regrets spending time away from karuta and practices hard to make up. Both of them are learning and taking the next step forward.
Director: Kazuo Nogami
Writer: Satoshi Suzuki
8.7/1058 votes#24 - Nobody Wishes to See the Beautiful Cherry Blossoms
Season 1 Episode 24 - Aired 3/21/2012
The Mizusawa karuta club is watching the Queen match and Master match at Taichi's home. The Queen has put on a great deal of weight, which makes it difficult for her to move as Yumi successfully takes cards away from her. Will the Queen be dethroned?
Director: migmi
Writer: Naoya Takayama
8.5/1062 votes#25 - Moonlight, Clear and Bright
Season 1 Episode 25 - Aired 3/28/2012
Everybody is shocked after hearing that Master Suo plays karuta with 28 one-syllable cards. Chihaya, Arata, Taichi, and the other karuta club members do some soul searching as they attempt to move forward.
Director: Morio Asaka, Hideki Hosokawa
Writer: Naoya Takayama
The Best Episodes of Chihayafuru Season 1
Every episode of Chihayafuru Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Chihayafuru Season 1!
Chihaya Ayase has spent most of her life supporting her sister’s model career. When she meets a boy named Arata Wataya, he thinks Chihaya has...
Genres:AnimationDrama
Network:Nippon TV
Season 1 Ratings Summary
"Now the Flower Blooms" is the best rated episode of "Chihayafuru" season 1. It scored 8/10 based on 84 votes. Directed by Morio Asaka and written by Yuko Kakihara, it aired on 10/5/2011. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "The Red That Is".