Chihayafuru: Shimo no Ku (2016)

A very nice example of live action done right as this one didn't suffer from that thing that most live actions have, this time the story is not rushed but without removing important elements and events in the anime. The first verse is a great set up for the awesome second verse as its theme is somewhat connected with the second verse. First verse created the dynamics between characters well that it felt more natural in the second verse. There's a bit of romance hinted here but that's not the main focus in the story, it's more about friendship and their conflicts. Fan or not this is a must watch as karuta as a game is so fascinating to begin with, it's part of Japanese culture and its poems are somewhat the foundation of Japanese morals and just like as they flick those cards in slow motion, its lessons will approach you straight to your face.

Before watching this I already knew that the director is Norihiro Koizumi, the same guy who directed Taiyou no uta(movie) and the liar and his lover so I am confident that this would be a good adaptation when I first heard about it and I am not wrong. He is great creating meaningful scenes for the reason that cinematography is one of his strongest points especially long shots, people who saw taiyou no uta know what I mean. The other thing is that he is great in showing the emotions of his characters, even an angle where only back of a person is seen. He's an actor's director, the one who makes his actors looks better and probably the reason why Suzu Hirose looks so fine here.

Visuals in this movie is so damn fine as slow motion in those karuta battle works so damn well, it gives those scenes so much impact, also give kudos to editing . The music they use really adds up to the feels of the movie it makes such scenes epic and those battles engaging. The only complaint I have is the song they use in the end, I'm a huge perfume fan but that the song didn't capture the whole atmosphere of the movie.

Perhaps the best casting in a live action ever as all those character are well played, a great ensemble of talented young cast that would probably become A class actors in the future namely Suzu Hirose, Mone Kamishiraishi, Hiroya shimizu, Nomura Shuhei, Mackenyu, Mayu Matsuoka. At first I was bit worried that suzu hirose might not give justice to the role, although I still felt the same in the first movie but this second movie prove me wrong. I think it's just right to cast her as chihaya, she is fun, she's passionate and she has done a nice job of giving energy and freshness to the character. Mayu matsuoka nailed the role as the queen, she really looks like queen, spot on casting, but more than looks it's the acting that makes her standout in this movie, her facial expressions and that way she handled the character change, she's a versatile actress indeed. What I thought would be the cutest card battle ever ended up becoming the most emotional card battle I had witnessed as it serves as a venue for the character development of chihaya and the queen, this is really important because this is the theme they wanted to convey here, like in any sport solo or team and definitely in life "doing it with friends is better than alone".

I agree that most Manga and Anime should not be made into a live action but stories that are so good should be shown in different platforms and chihayafuru is among them. Also, the good thing about watching a live action is that it would be a fascinating experience if the feels from watching an anime translates well into live, I will never get tired of watching live action for this reason.

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They translated this anime into a live action so exquisitely. I am beyond impressed. I thought the only way competitive Karuta was interesting was because they depicted in through animation. I was so wrong. I was just as thrilled as I was with the anime... maybe even more so. To see actual humans move that fast and with such precision was amazing. I was on the edge or my seat and cheering along just like I did with the anime.

The cast is perfect. Absolutely perfect. They all embody the characters from the anime so well. It's truly as if you get to see them come to life. Especially the actresses for Chihaya and Kana. I think those two could have been easily overdone, but they straight up nailed it.

The beauty, the poetry, the camaraderie, the magic, the feels... this film really captured it all and then some. I still had my chills after the end and tears forming. I'm very much looking forward to watching part 2. But most of all, it has me having a hard time being patient for the next season of the anime.

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After the first film, I got psyched for the second one but it fell a little flat for me. I have watched the anime and while parts of it were faithful in the film, a lot of it seemed random. Sometimes there were issues with the pacing and karuta didn't seem as fun as it did in the first film. Of course, being Chihayafuru franchise it cannot go totally wrong so it was enjoyable in spite of its few issues.

The characters are real and more developed this time around but the screen time wasn't divided that well. A lot of importance could have been given to the ones other than those in the poster but it didn't happen. Also, the role of the Queen seemed a bit too central for my taste. I am also disappointed at the lack of romance because the anime has some and even the first movie had some hints.

I love the cast though. Hope they all become big stars because I see a lot of potential in them. I have to say- the main three actors/characters are crazy good-looking. Especially the girl who plays Chihaya really hard carried this entire film. She makes the often-cold/clueless heroine seem more real and raw. The actor playing Mashima is also likable and I have liked him in dramas before. He doesn't disappoint here either.

Watch this film if you've seen the first because only then it will feel sort of complete. The ending was alright for me since the manga is still ongoing and we will not know what's gonna happen in it. It also left some room for a third film and also ended well enough to have another one.

I felt a little let down with this film but there might be people who might love it more than the first. Watch it to judge it for yourself. I recommend the anime, manga and movies to all.

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I have mixed feelings towards this show.
I think it is still one of the best live action out there but I can't bring myself to love it.
I have no problem with it overall.
The characterization is good. The actors does not only really fits the anime/manga characters but they are all good in acting too!
The music was on point. Unlike some production where the viewers hardly pay attention to the music, the show's music manages to make the viewers notice and appreciate it's value to every scene.
As for the story, it was good. I was open-minded to the plot's changes. I didn't mind the inconsistency it has with the original manga/anime story. I was even willing to let go the difference I noticed in the matches.
What makes me stop from loving this adaptation was how they portray Chihaya in the first part. The Chihaya I know and love would not do something like that. She would never be that selfish and narrow-minded. The Chihaya I know is greedy at fault. She want everything (win the team compitition, make Taichi an A-class, recruit new members, win each class individual matches, and more). I cannot bring myself to accept what happen at the first part that I was watching with poker watch the whole time (excet for the part of Tachi and Chihaya's EPIC high five.. I mean that seriously was a game changer!)

Anyway, it was worth the watch.
Since the beginning I have been shipping Chihaya-Tachi and Arata-Shinobu and with the chemistry I felt with the actors, I felt my ship getting stronger.. XD

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Not bad, but not as good as the first movie. This one had more appearance of the childhood friend, which complicates the love story a bit and the teams relations. It stirs some past wounds as well, with the past always popping up and the story focusing more on the characters. However, that means that the whole action theme that the first movie had is lost. It seems like the movie makers can't find the perfect balance between action and story depth. Though, the performances were good, maybe better than the first one, as the actors had more to work with other than the game dynamics, the whole team spirit and game thrill were lost, resulting to a bit of a boring middle and a really bad ending.

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A sequel that just didn't live up to the first movie

I loved the first movie, so I was hesistant yet excited to watch the 2nd one. Like the first one it has beautiful cinematography, great acting and good music direction. However, it pales severely to the first one in terms of story and script.

The inclusion of Arata in this movie was kind of weird? It was like he was there but not. His screen time definitely increased compared to the first but I didn't really feel any weight behind it. I know the director intended for us to feel Arata's regain of passion for Karuta but it fell flat for me. Also it was like his inclusion was more of a way to heighten the tension of the "love triangle". I just didn't buy it and frankly, while I don't plan to watch the third movie, I'm betting money she'll friendzone both and play Karuta instead. LMAO.

The side characters barely got any screen time, this is more of a note rather of a complaint since the story is really about the three main protagonists.

As the first movie, Chihaya remains the shining beacon. The acting was natural and wonderful. I didn't really understand why she was just SO fixated on the Queen and just abandoning her friends in the first part. I know she had her speech about not losing anyone and beating the queen would help her do that...But I didn't really buy it tbh.

I am being kind of harsh on this movie, but since the first one was actual 10/10, it was kind of sucky that this movie wasn't nearly anywhere close to its caliber.

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