Maybe we'll get the anime finale, then?
Summary:
- Chihayafuru manga gets a sequel with new characters.
- The story will follow a new cast trying to master the game of karuta.
- The original Chihayafuru is known for being great at portraying characters and the intensity of this sport.
- The original manga has already ended and maybe the finale will soon be adapted into anime.
Those who consider Chihayafuru one of the best sports anime series can be happy: there's a sequel coming. Though, at first, in the manga form, the story called Chihayafuru Plus — Kimi Ga Tame is published in Be Love Issue 1/2024 that's out this December.
The story will focus on the brand new character that will join the legendary Karuta club after the original cast graduates. The series will explore how the club will live after Chihaya and her friends leave it, so at least we know that the event will happen in the same school. The main character is Ritsu Magara, a first-year student who aims to win the national karuta championship. But after Chihaya and her group left, the club got only one A-level player, and it's Ritsu's task to find new legendary karuta players and force them to join the club and train. A colored spread depicted some of the new characters of the series.
Sports, but not just that
The story of Chihayafuru is focused on the traditional Japanese card game of karuta and has a very strong cast of relatable and interesting characters. While it has a quite strong romantic subplot, the competitive part of karuta and the characters trying to master it shine much brighter. It pays a lot of attention to the character development, not shunning away from the supporting cast, and every single one of them is likable.
Sure, understanding how karuta works takes some time, and the games get quite intense for something that feels just like cards and doesn't have life-or-death situations like Yu-Gi-Oh!, but it's worth the effort. It's one of those shows that is both character- and plot-driven, but still has more emphasis on character. If this approach will transfer to the sequel, then the success is guaranteed.
Anime finale when?
The original Chihayafuru by Yuki Suetsugu was published in Be Love from 2007 to 2022 and ran for 50 volumes. The anime adaptation by Madhouse spanned three seasons consisting of 74 episodes, the first released in 2011 and the last in 2019. Maybe with the manga ending and the new story beginning we will get the final season and possibly a new adaptation.