Chihayafuru: Part I

Chihaya Ayase is a passionate and energetic high school student who discovers the competitive sport of karuta, a card game based on Japanese poetry. Inspired by her childhood friend Arata Wataya, she forms a karuta club at her school with the goal of becoming the best player in Japan. The film follows Chihaya and her teammates as they navigate the challenges of forming a team, honing their skills, and competing against formidable rivals.

The first installment of the Chihayafuru live-action film series was generally well-received, praised for its faithful adaptation of the manga, its energetic portrayal of the karuta matches, and the compelling performances of its young cast. It successfully captured the spirit of the source material, appealing to both fans of the manga and new audiences.

• Praised for its energetic and engaging depiction of karuta.

• The performances of the lead cast, particularly Suzu Hirose, were highlighted as strong.

• Appreciated for its ability to make a niche sport captivating to a wide audience.

Google audience: Viewers widely admired the film for its exciting portrayal of karuta, the strong chemistry among the main cast, and its ability to convey the passion and dedication of the characters. Many found the story inspiring and the visuals appealing.

The film's lead actress, Suzu Hirose, learned to play karuta for her role and reportedly became quite adept at the game during filming.