Amazon.co.jp: ちはやふる（１） (BE・LOVEコミックス) 電子書籍: 末次由紀: Kindleストア (original) (raw)

This is the Japanese version, if that wasn't apparent from the description and cover art. I've been reading this manga for a long, long time and it gets better as it goes (there are over 30 volumes now). Thankfully, this manga now has an English translation available for Kindle. Here's hoping for an English physical edition.

The art isn't the best but it's still really good. The story might be hard for readers that are unfamiliar with Japanese culture or customs to get into, as the story revolves around karuta, an athletic card game centered around poetry. I know it sounds odd, but it's an amazing game. The poems used in karuta, the Hyakun Isshu, are one hundred poems chosen by one of the greatest poets in Japanese history, written by various historical figures (including emperors) dating as far back to the first century. The poems are written on the cards, with the two verses of each poem being divided across two cards. The two players facing off against each other will have cards with the second verse written on them that they lay out (after dividing them evenly), which they must find and touch first after a professional reader reads the first verse. It requires timing, accuracy, speed, endurance, and passion, and is quite exciting to watch.

The characters in Chihayafuru all play karuta for various reasons, and their passion for the game is occasionally rivaled by their personal struggle and growth. The characters are extremely well-written and you'll even remember one-off characters from karuta matches as the author does a fantastic job of developing her main and supporting cast. Chihayafuru is lovingly crafted and will evoke a wide spectrum of emotions from the reader.

This first volume introduces the trio of main characters through the formation of Mizusawa High's karuta club, flashbacks to their childhood years when they first met, and reveals why and how they include karuta in their lives. Chihaya, after whom the series is named (as well as her name appearing in one of the Hyakunin Isshu poems), is an endearing character that you can't help but root for. She appears simple at first (you'll hear the phrase "karuta freak" a time or two), but over time she gains complexity as the reader slowly gets to know her better.

Chihayafuru is serialized in BeLove magazine (a manga magazine for the adult female demographic, but don't let that dissuade you, gentlemen) and is still currently being published.