Chihayafuru follows Ayase Chihaya, a passionate high school girl who discovers competitive karuta through her childhood friend Arata Wataya, forming a club with Taichi Mashima to pursue excellence in the sport. The series delves into themes of passion, perseverance, unrequited love, friendship, and the pain of growth through intense matches and quiet personal struggles.
This curated collection of 25 canonical quotes captures the emotional highs of battles and tender peaceful moments across key arcs, highlighting character evolution and karuta’s deeper meaning.
My youth is only just starting
Chapter 153
Satomi Houichirou
Encourages resilience in later life, tying to themes of endless passion beyond youth.
Do not break with words someone you could not break with your play
Chapter 122
Unknown Speaker
Urges restraint in rivalry, emphasizing respect amid competitive fury.
You have to do things you don’t want to do, before you do the things you truly want to do
Chapter 37
Arata Wataya
Reflects sacrifice for dreams, marking Chihaya’s early drive in club formation arc.
I’ve always wanted to become a person who is not a coward
Chapter 26
Taichi Mashima
Taichi confronts his fears, pivotal for his growth from jealousy to determination.
As long as we have karuta, we’ll see each other again
Episode 1 (roughly)
Ayase Chihaya
Childhood promise binds the trio, underscoring karuta as eternal connection.
Second place hurts the most
Chapter 28
Nishida Yuusei
Captures runner-up agony in tournaments, fueling Mizusawa’s team motivation.
Frustrating, isn’t it frustrating? Being runner up is the most frustrating at all
Chapter 28
Harada Tomohiro
Sensei’s raw emotion post-defeat inspires persistence in high school nationals arc.
Instead of a genius, I would rather have our new member be someone who puts in effort
Unknown
Taichi Mashima
Prioritizes hard work over talent, echoing club recruitment philosophy.
Karuta isn’t very popular in other countries, but because of that, if you become the best player in Japan, you’ll be the best player in the world
Early chapters
Arata Wataya
Ignites Chihaya’s Queen dream, central to her lifelong karuta devotion.
I don’t have any talent for karuta either. It’s tough, but I still play!
Unknown
Taichi Mashima
Admits limitations yet commits fully, highlighting perseverance theme.
Eventhough you don’t like it, you still tried your absolute hardest in it
Chapter 141
Unknown Speaker
Honors endurance for loved ones, deepening bonds in team arcs.
Please stop, Sensei. This isn’t like you. Rather than becoming an A-Class player, I want to become someone who doesn’t run away
Chapter 37
Taichi Mashima
Rejects easy promotion, showcasing resolve against escapism.
I have no time for making up pretty lies
Chapter 30
Unknown Speaker
Demands brutal honesty in rivalry, intensifying match psychology.
God, I don’t want miracles. Just let us all give our full strength
Chapter unknown
Unknown Speaker
Rejects fate for effort, embodying pure competitive spirit.
You kept enduring it regardless. That’s how much you loved those people
Chapter 27
Unknown Speaker
Validates sacrifice in friendships, key to emotional team dynamics.
In order your all doing things you want to do, you also have to give your all doings the things you don’t want to do
Chapter 37
Unknown Speaker
Teaches balance of duty and passion, vital for character maturity.
If i become the best karuta player in Japan, I would be the best player in the world
Early
Ayase Chihaya
Echoes Arata’s inspiration, propelling her from novice to contender.
Love is when it’s not fun to be with that person… and yet, you still want to be with her
Unknown
Taichi Mashima
Unrequited pain defines his arc, blending love with karuta rivalry.
I can’t cry, not when i haven’t put in the time. But it still hurts
Unknown
Taichi Mashima
Suppresses defeat tears until earned, marking stoic growth.
He’s working so hard because he wants to become his own person!
Chapter 108
Unknown Speaker
Highlights independence drive in Taichi’s solo training phase.
There is no bad person who likes Karuta
Unknown
Ayase Chihaya
Peaceful affirmation of karuta’s purity, contrasting battle intensity.
When you find yourself wishing a certain person was also here, that person is like family to you
Unknown
Nishida Yuusei
Defines found family in club, strengthening peaceful bonds.
Frustrations will not last forever. Nobody can keep on going without some measure of reward
Unknown
Harada Tomohiro
Offers hope post-loss, sustaining long-term pursuit.
I’m not so much focused on making Class A as I’m focused on becoming someone who doesn’t run away
Unknown
Taichi Mashima
Core mantra evolves his character across nationals arcs.
You are a coward
Early (Episode 2 context)
Arata Wataya
Calls out Taichi’s childhood theft, igniting lifelong rivalry and change.
