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The Best Episodes of Chihayafuru Season 3

Every episode of Chihayafuru Season 3 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Chihayafuru Season 3!

Binge this in 9h 13m•Peaking at 9.5/10

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 potential to become a great karuta player. As Chihaya dreams

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 23 - Like a boatsman adrift
    9.5/10(109 votes)

    S3:E23

    The club hosts an unofficial tournament, the Taichi Cup, to celebrate Taichi's birthday! Chihaya planned the event in hopes of cheering up Taichi, and she managed to gather 36 participants. The tournament is held in the style of a Genpei match, with competitors facing off in teams of three. Taichi is reminded of when he, Chihaya, and Arata used to play together in elementary school. Certain things have changed since then, but certain feelings haven't...

    Directors:Tomoya Kitagawa, Chie Yamashiro
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  2. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 6 - Tatsuta River Ablaze
    9.4/10(74 votes)

    S3:E6

    The audience at the Yoshino Tournament is taken for a wild ride with so many unexpected twists: Arata, the focus of high expectations, has been defeated, and Taichi, who only just reached Class A, advances to the finals. And now it's time at last for the final round between Chihaya and Taichi, teammates who have been practicing together since they were in elementary school. The odds are in Chihaya's favor, but Taichi isn't playing his usual karuta since he declared that he would defeat her in an official match.

    Director:Toru Takahashi
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  3. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 19 - Bring a life of everlasting love
    9.4/10(75 votes)

    S3:E19

    Harada leads Suo with two wins and one loss as the Master match enters its fourth round. Harada has studied everything about Suo, including the weakness that Chihaya told him about, and he dominates the match with his trademark offensive karuta. Suo remains calm despite Harada's strong momentum, recalling what his aunt, who raised him, said to him when he was a child. Her words are the reason Suo continues to play karuta.

    Directors:Kotono Watanabe, Kunio Katsuki
    Writer:Misuzu Chiba

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  4. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 5 - Mount Amanokagu
    9.3/10(74 votes)

    S3:E5

    Inokuma, who won the Queen title four times in a row; Sudo, who can throw an opponent off with his words alone; Murao, the fourth seat in the Nagumo Society; and Arata, who ended the Queen's undefeated record. The Shiranami Society members are faced with four powerful opponents, but Harada's insistence brings the other three back to the mindset of playing offensive karuta. How these four matches will end is anyone's guess!

    Director:Kunio Katsuki
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  5. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 13 - Yet it is I who withers and wilts
    9.3/10(66 votes)

    S3:E13

    The veteran players Dr. Harada and Inokuma were the winners in the first round, but Dr. Harada chose to yield the second round to preserve his strength for the third. Arata starts to feel sucked into Dr. Harada's pace, but after receiving some advice from Chihaya, he remembers how his grandpa, the Eternal Master, used to play. Both of them enter the third round with one win and one loss as the battle to determine who will challenge the Master begins!

    Directors:Chie Yamashiro, Chikayo Nakamura
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  6. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 14 - The emotions experienced
    9.3/10(75 votes)

    S3:E14

    Arata's playing becomes reminiscent of Eternal Master Wataya Hajime's, allowing him to take control of the match's pace. Harada recalls the one match he played against Hajime when he was young and becomes painfully aware of how much his game sense has faded since then. But he sticks with the offensive play style that he teaches in the Shiranami Society, turning the match around in a way that leaves everyone in the hall holding their breath.

    Directors:Toru Takahashi, Park Jae-ik
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  7. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 20 - May the scarlet kadsuras
    9.3/10(67 votes)

    S3:E20

    Suo had been controlling the number of cards taken in the Master match, but with one win and two losses in the fourth round, Harada's momentum stops his plan in its tracks by coming down to luck of the draw. Harada shows his tenacity as someone who has loved karuta and worked to become the Master more than anyone else, but Suo still manages to keep his cool. The Master match finally nears its conclusion.

    Directors:Hideki Hosokawa, Mitsuhiro Yoneda
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  8. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 12 - So the flower petals are scattered like the snow by the passing storm
    9.2/10(61 votes)

    S3:E12

    It's the day of the Master and Queen challenger finals. Dr. Harada and Arata are competing for the chance to challenge the master, while Inokuma and Megumu battle it out to challenge the Queen. Harada confides in Arata that he once played against his grandfather, Eternal Master Wataya Hajime, and expresses his joy at being able to play karuta with Arata. A passionate battle spanning multiple generations begins at last!

    Directors:Kotono Watanabe, Kim Min-sun, Kunio Katsuki
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  9. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 18 - The storm will soon carry me
    9.2/10(67 votes)

    S3:E18

    Both the Master and Queen matches come down to luck of the draw in an intense first round, ending in wins for Shinobu and Harada. Shinobu is shaken after learning that her grandmother, a politician, sees her as no more than a walking advertisement, as well as the fact that Chihaya chose her class trip over a chance to play in the Queen match, and she begins to break down in the second round.

    Directors:Kim Min-sun, Kim Sang-yeop, Masaki Matsumura
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  10. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 3 - But from the crystal white snow of Yoshino
    9.1/10(60 votes)

    S3:E3

    The Yoshino Tournament features adults and students alike in many impressive matches, and among the participants is Inokuma Haruka, the former Queen who's just returned from maternity leave. But although Chihaya has recovered from the surgery on her finger and regained the use of her dominant hand, she still isn't fully on top of her game. Meanwhile, Taichi has mixed feelings when he finds out that Arata is trying to start a karuta club.

    Director:Nobuaki Nakanishi
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  11. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 10 - Scarlet kadsuras
    9.1/10(57 votes)

    S3:E10

    Arata wonders why he feels so relieved to learn that Taichi lost his match, even as dark memories of a similar feeling at the Yoshino Tournament come back to him, leaving him unable to concentrate fully on his match in the finals. His opponent, Murao, realizes that Arata isn't himself and sees an opportunity, but then...

    Director:Hideki Hosokawa
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  12. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 15 - As helpless autumn leaves are caught against the flow
    9.1/10(58 votes)

    S3:E15

    Chihaya is still lost in the clouds after Arata confessed his feelings to her, making her unable to concentrate on studying for her exams. Kanade and Sumire, who happened to overhear Arata's confession, are debating whether they should tell Taichi or not. In the midst of all this, Chihaya gets a phone call from Sudo, who says someone in his college karuta club wants to play a match with her.

    Directors:Akiko Nakano, Chie Yamashiro
    Writer:Misuzu Chiba

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  13. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 2 - The hazed early dawn light comes not from the moon
    9.0/10(57 votes)

    S3:E2

    Summer vacation is over, and the second school term has begun. Having learned that playing on a team expands the possibilities of karuta, Arata musters up his courage and tries to start a karuta club at his school. Meanwhile, Mizusawa High's karuta club has begun practicing in preparation for the Master/Queen qualifiers, but then they learn something that makes them doubt their chances of participating in the qualifiers at all...

    Director:Akiko Nakano
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  14. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 4 - Nobody wishes to see
    9.0/10(61 votes)

    S3:E4

    Chihaya, Taichi, Tsuboguchi, and Dr. Harada, all members of the Shiranami Society, have made it to the top 8. They approach the next round with the mindset of playing in a team match, but Chihaya is matched against Inokuma Haruka, the former Queen who won the title four times in a row. Inokuma's unique play style is like nothing Chihaya has seen before, causing her to struggle in their match.

    Director:Hideki Hosokawa
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  15. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 11 - Leaving a hovering mist above the trees and grass
    9.0/10(55 votes)

    S3:E11

    Arata wonders why he feels so relieved to learn that Taichi lost his match, even as dark memories of a similar feeling at the Yoshino Tournament come back to him, leaving him unable to concentrate fully on his match in the finals. His opponent, Murao, realizes that Arata isn't himself and sees an opportunity, but then...

    Director:Nobuaki Nakanishi
    Writer:Misuzu Chiba

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  16. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 24 - When winds send waves crashing
    9.0/10(64 votes)

    S3:E24

    Taichi has told Chihaya about the feelings he had kept secret for so long. Now he's left the karuta club, and Chihaya's regret over failing to notice how he felt leaves her unable to play. But some new members have joined Mizusawa's karuta club, and among them is Tamaru Midori, a Class A player. She is a promising new member, but also a troublemaker.

    Directors:Kotono Watanabe, Masaki Matsumura, Hideki Hosokawa, Kunio Katsuki
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  17. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 1 - May it be that I find
    8.9/10(68 votes)

    S3:E1

    Mizusawa High School's karuta club claimed victory in the team competition for the first time at the Nationals in July. However, before they could even take time to relax, Chihaya and Taichi agreed to take part in the Fujisaki High School karuta club's training camp. Awaiting them was Coach Sakurazawa's brutal training regime of stretching, jogging, and playing seven matches each day!

    Director:Toru Takahashi
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  18. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 7 - The storm blasts
    8.9/10(61 votes)

    S3:E7

    Taichi has nothing but Chihaya on his mind as he constantly updates his strategy during their match. Chihaya has a bit of trouble since Taichi isn't playing like he usually does, but this just might be the best match they've ever played against each other. As the final round nears its end, Chihaya's desire to be the Queen battles against her dreams for the future as she's forced to choose between the Queen tournament qualifiers and her class trip.

    Director:Chikayo Nakamura
    Writer:Misuzu Chiba

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  19. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 9 - I recall how my own efforts were in vain
    8.9/10(56 votes)

    S3:E9

    Arata plays his match even as Master Suo's words weigh on his mind, and Taichi battles a powerful opponent while ruminating over Dr. Harada's teachings. Meanwhile, Chihaya is so busy thinking about Taichi and Arata's matches that she's forgotten why she came on her class trip. Even looking at Hundred Poets exhibits doesn't bring her back to reality. So her classmate Michiru takes matters into her own hands...

    Director:Tomoya Kitagawa
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  20. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 17 - As my sleeves are wet with dew
    8.9/10(59 votes)

    S3:E17

    The Master and Queen matches have begun. Harada faces Suo fully prepared, thanks to the Shiranami Society's support. The Queen match is between the current Queen and a former Queen: Shinobu versus Inokuma. Master Suo, having declared that he'll retire after his fifth consecutive win, appears as relaxed as ever, and Shinobu enters in a heavy, long-sleeved kimono provided by her grandmother.

    Director:Kim Seung-deok
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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  21. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 8 - As friends and strangers
    8.8/10(57 votes)

    S3:E8

    Chihaya chooses to go on her class trip in hopes to come closer to fulfilling her dream of being a teacher, but she spends the entire time lost in space, wondering how Taichi is doing at the Master tournament qualifiers. Harada and Inokuma are also participating in the East Japan qualifiers, but as Taichi tries to quietly psych himself up, someone unexpected shows up to get in his way. Meanwhile, at the West Japan qualifiers, Master Suo makes a surprising comment to Arata.

    Director:Akiko Nakano
    Writer:Misuzu Chiba

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  22. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 16 - Takes me away in haste
    8.8/10(59 votes)

    S3:E16

    "You can't be Queen." Chihaya didn't lose heart even after being soundly defeated in her practice match with the Master, but she can't help feeling stunned by his comment. And Taichi, after seeing the Master's play style up close, begins to think about the style of karuta he wants to play. Christmas is also around the corner, and the Mizusawa Karuta Club has a plan in mind...

    Directors:Akiko Nakano, Tomoya Kitagawa
    Writer:Misuzu Chiba

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  23. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 21 - To restore my faith
    8.8/10(59 votes)

    S3:E21

    Suo and Shinobu win the Master and Queen matches, both defending their titles. Afterward, Taichi declines to return to Tokyo, staying behind alone for the Takamatsu Memorial Cup... and ends up playing against Arata. Meanwhile, Chihaya is shocked by Taichi getting the jump on her a second time, and she begins to wonder why he always makes his decisions without saying anything to her.

    Directors:Kim Sang-yeop, Masaki Matsumura, Toru Takahashi
    Writer:Misuzu Chiba

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  24. Chihayafuru Season 3 Episode 22 - Just as my beauty has faded
    8.6/10(59 votes)

    S3:E22

    Taichi has seemed down since he lost to Arata. In fact, a dark cloud is hanging over the entire karuta club because final exams are coming up. To break out of the gloom, Chihaya, Kanade, and Sumire decide to make Valentine's Day chocolates for the club as a surprise. Chihaya has no experience with making sweets, but she gives it her all in hopes of bringing a smile back to the hard-working Taichi's face.

    Director:Michiru Itabisashi
    Writer:Yuko Kakihara

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Season 3 Ratings Summary

"Like a boatsman adrift" is the best rated episode of "Chihayafuru" season 3. It scored 9.5/10 based on 109 votes. Directed by Tomoya Kitagawa, Chie Yamashiro and written by Yuko Kakihara, it aired on 3/17/2020. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Tatsuta River Ablaze".