Chihayafuru

As a child, Chihaya Ayase had only one dream: to see her elder sister Chitose become Japan's most successful model. However, upon defending her ostracised classmate Arata Wataya from his bully—Chihaya's childhood friend Taichi Mashima—she discovers the world of competitive karuta and soon becomes enamoured with the sport. Based on the Ogura Hundred Poets anthology, this card game where poems are studied requires excellent memory, agility, and a tremendous endurance from the players. Full of hope, Chihaya joins the Shiranami Society together with the newly reconciled Arata and Taichi, embarking on an exciting journey for the title awarded to the top-ranked female player—Queen of Karuta. Since middle school, Chihaya grew distant from a dispassionate Taichi and separated from Arata. However, in order to improve her skills, Chihaya decides to create a karuta club in her high school. With the help of Taichi, another veteran player, and a few spirited newcomers, Chihaya's new-founded Mizusawa Karuta Club aims for victory in the Omi Shrine's national championship. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

Type: TV
Rating: PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
Season: fall 2011
Status: Finished Airing
Read more: MyAnimeList (MAL)
Studios: Madhouse
Genres: Sports Slice of Life Drama
Tags: school school club school life slice of life female protagonist game sports based on a manga manga coming of age earth japan asia drama plot continuity romance school clubs tournaments card battle ensemble cast drugs love triangle josei heterosexual athletics card games tomboy karuta childhood promise