In this post, we take a closer look at the current status of the series “Chihayafuru”, also known by the following titles:
- ちはやふる
- Chihayafull
Status#
Based on our analysis, the series is NOT FINISHED. ❌
Here’s how we reached that conclusion:
- Some related entries are still listed as ongoing on MyAnimeList
- The series is listed as ended on Trakt
- The original source material has not been fully adapted, according to MangaUpdates
Taken together, these points indicate that Chihayafuru is still ongoing in some form.
Watch order#
Chihayafuru ↗ ↖
Summary
Always deemed inferior to her elder sister, the strong-willed yet aimless Chihaya Ayase has no dream of her own. In contrast to her, Taichi Mashima, the son of a surgeon, is gifted yet insecure as he is burdened by the heavy expectations of his strict mother, who wants him to be perfect in everything. However, the lives of Chihaya and Taichi soon change as they encounter Arata Wataya, the new transfer student in their class.Inspired by Arata’s dream to become the best at competitive karuta—a card game based on the classic anthology of one hundred Japanese poets—Chihaya quickly falls in love with the game. Refusing to lose to the talented Arata, the prideful Taichi joins along and immerses himself in the game, aiming to one day surpass his fated rival. The three friends spend their childhood practicing karuta everyday, until certain circumstances force them to part with each other.
A few years later, now in high school, the trio finds themselves reunited through the world of competitive karuta. Alongside their newfound comrades and rivals, they embark on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and romance.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Background
Chihayafuru won the second Manga Taisho award in 2009 and the 35th Kodansha Manga Award in the shoujo manga category in 2011. In 2012, the manga was selected as part of the Jury Recommended Works list in the Manga category at the 16th Japan Media Arts Festival. As of December 2022, the series has sold over 28 million copies. Kodansha published the first three volumes of Chihayafuru in two English/Japanese volumes under their Kodansha Bilingual Comics line on December 22, 2011, and February 24, 2012, respectively. They consist of the first 17 chapters. The series was published digitally in English by Kodansha USA from February 14, 2017, to June 3, 2025. The manga has been published in Italian by RW EDIZIONI; in French by Pika Édition; and in Spanish by ECC Ediciones. Three Japanese live-action films based on the series have been released. The first, titled Chihayafuru: Kaminoku, opened in Japanese cinemas on March 19, 2016, followed by a second film, titled Shimonoku, on April 29, 2016. The third film, titled Musubi, was released on March 17, 2018.
Chihayafuru ↗ ↖
Chihayafull
Summary
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]
Background
Animax Asia released the anime with English subtitles in 2013.
Chihayafuru: Chuugakusei-hen ↗ ↖
Chihayafuru: Middle School Arc
Summary
Ayase Chihaya is a cheerful tomboy without any ambitious aspirations in life. At school one day, she meets a boy named Wataya Arata who is an outcast at school. Feeling pity despite peer pressure, Chihaya befriends Arata as he reveals to her his aptitude in karuta which institutes Chihaya's dream to become a karuta queen.
Chihayafuru 2 ↗ ↖
Chihayafull 2
Summary
Chihaya Ayase is obsessed with developing her school's competitive karuta club, nursing daunting ambitions like winning the national team championship at the Omi Jingu and becoming the Queen, the best female karuta player in Japan—and in extension, the world. As their second year of high school rolls around, Chihaya and her fellow teammates must recruit new members, train their minds and bodies alike, and battle the formidable opponents that stand in their way to the championship title. Meanwhile, Chihaya's childhood friend, Arata Wataya, the prodigy who introduced her to karuta, rediscovers his lost love for the old card game.[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Chihayafuru 2: Waga Miyo ni Furu Nagame Shima ni ↗ ↖
ちはやふる２ わがみよにふるながめせしまに
Summary
The cultural festival is one of the most important events on the academic calendar. Just like all other clubs, Mizusawa's Karuta Club is preparing to participate as well. Due to previous circumstances, Team Captain Chihaya Ayase is temporarily absent during the team planning. First year student Sumire Hanano is intent on taking advantage of this occasion to fulfill her dream and finally make her teammate, Taichi Mashima, fall in love with her. A play based on Genji Monogatari might be just the thing she needs to enact her plan.[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Background
Bundled with the 22nd volume of the manga.
Chihayafuru 3 ↗ ↖
Chihayafull 3
Summary
Winning the high school team tournament was a great accomplishment for the Mizusawa members. Each of them has made great strides in improving themselves, and the victory symbolizes how far they have come. But after accomplishing one goal, their individual aims are within reach. Chihaya Ayase has her sights set on Shinobu Wakamiya and the title of Queen, and now that Taichi Mashima has made it into Class A, he can finally compete against Arata Wataya. Everyone in Mizusawa wants to get better, and there is no telling what the future holds if they keep trying.[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Chihayafuru 3: Ima Hitotabi no ↗ ↖
Chihayafuru 3 Episode 15.5
Summary
Recap of first fifteen episodes of Chihayafuru 3.
Chihayafuru Plus: Kimi ga Tame ↗ ↖
Summary
Chihayafuru Plus: Kimi ga Tame follows the first-year student Ritsu Nagara, who wants to pursue the card game karuta, but has a number of obstacles in his way.(Source: ANN)