Ep. 1: Chihaya forms a club and recalls Arata's karuta talent from childhood
Aired on October 5, 2011
First-year Mizusawa high school student Chihaya Ayase attempts to establish a karuta club, but she struggles to gain serious interest from her peers. Her efforts are interrupted by a reunion with Taichi Mashima, a friend from East Ōsato elementary school. This encounter triggers an extended flashback to sixth grade, where Chihaya remembers standing up for Arata Wataya against elementary school students led by Taichi, who mocked Arata for his Fukui accent. During this past event, Chihaya discovers Arata's exceptional skill in competitive karuta. Arata shares his ambition to become a karuta master, defined as the top-ranked male player in the sport.
Episodes
- Ep. 1 · Chihaya forms a club and recalls Arata's karuta talent from childhood
- Ep. 2 · Taichi steals Arata's glasses during the karuta tournament, leading to Chihaya's victory and subsequent family reactions.
- Ep. 3 · Chihaya, Arata, and Taichi play a team match against Retro and face school changes
- Ep. 4 · Chihaya achieves Class A status while Arata ends his karuta career
- Ep. 5 · Chihaya and Taichi visit Arata in Fukui, where he rejects them before Yuu returns the scattered karuta cards.