Chihayafuru

Chihaya Ayase grows up believing her dream is simply to see her older sister succeed as a model until transfer student Arata Wataya tells her that a real dream must belong to the person pursuing it. Arata introduces her to competitive karuta, a game built around the Hundred Poets anthology that demands memory, speed, and the ability to read an opponent. Chihaya falls for it immediately and plays alongside Arata and childhood friend Taichi until circumstances separate the trio after elementary school.

In high school, Chihaya is still determined to become the Queen of karuta. Reunited with Taichi, she creates a club at Mizusawa and searches for enough members to form a team capable of reaching nationals. For her, continuing to play is more than an individual goal; it is a promise that karuta can bring the three friends together again.