Ep 1. Now the Flower Blooms

Nowadays, sports anime is one of the most popular genres in anime. It mainly focuses on sports like basketball, volleyball, football, and others. However, what if the sport isn't that popular but requires mental and physical agility? That is where Chihayafuru comes in. It is an anime series that revolves around competitive karuta, a traditional card game from Japan. The anime follows the story of Chihaya Ayase, a middle school student, trying to pursue her dream of becoming the best karuta player in Japan.

Episode one starts with a flashback scene where Chihaya, her sister, and her friend Taichi are in an elementary school classroom. Chihaya is looking for her sister, Chitose, when she sees a transfer student named Arata Wataya. He is not like the other students in their school. He wears traditional clothing and has a different accent. He is being bullied, but Chihaya stands up for him. Arata tells Chihaya that he is good at a game called karuta, and Chihaya immediately becomes interested in it.

Fast forward to the present, Chihaya is now in grade 9, and she is reunited with Taichi, her childhood friend. Taichi is a popular student who is good at everything he does. He is on the student council and is well known for his accomplishments. Chihaya is excited to see Taichi again and tells him that she still remembers all the memories of playing karuta in elementary school. She is surprised, however, when Taichi doesn't remember anything about playing karuta. She is reminded that they were not in the same class during their elementary school days.

Chihaya talks about her desire to play karuta again, and the conversation is cut short when they hear a loud racket outside. They go to investigate and see that the volleyball team is practicing. Chihaya introduces herself to the team captain, Yuusei, and accidentally annoys him when she talks about karuta instead of volleyballs. Taichi steps in to smooth things over. Chihaya and Taichi leave and stumble upon the school's karuta club, where they meet the club's sole member, Tsutomu Komano. Tsutomu is a shy, studious boy with a love of statistics and numbers. He invites Chihaya and Taichi to play a game with him, and they agree.

As they play, Chihaya immediately shows her natural talent for karuta. She quickly picks up on the game's rules and mechanics and beats Taichi in the game. Tsutomu is impressed and tells Chihaya about a player he admires, Arata Wataya, who is rumored to be the grandson of a karuta master. Chihaya is intrigued and asks Tsutomu to teach her more about the game.

Chihaya's enthusiasm for karuta becomes apparent when she goes to a bookstore with her friend, Kanade Oe, and sees a karuta book. She buys the book and becomes engrossed in it.

Meanwhile, Taichi is struggling to keep up with Chihaya's growing passion for karuta. He is feeling left out and frustrated that he can't beat her at the game. He confides in Tsutomu, who tells him that he is good at karuta, but Chihaya has natural talent. Tsutomu encourages Taichi to work harder and not give up.

The episode ends with Chihaya and Taichi going to a karuta tournament to watch the best players compete. They are enthralled by the speed and intensity of the game. Chihaya is determined to become the best karuta player in the country, and Taichi decides to support her and help her in any way he can.

Chihayafuru season 1 episode 1 sets up the premise of the series by introducing the main character, Chihaya Ayase, and her love for karuta. It also introduces other key characters, including her childhood friend Taichi Mashima and the shy, studious Tsutomu Komano. The episode sets up the dynamic between the characters and hints at a love triangle between Chihaya, Taichi, and the mysterious Arata Wataya. The episode is a great introduction to the world of karuta and sets the stage for what will surely be an intense and exciting sports anime series.