Now the Flower Blooms is the 1st episode in the first season of Chihayafuru, and the first overall.
Summary[]
Chihaya Ayase attempts to start a karuta club at her high school, Mizusawa High, though she finds it hard to find members. She thinks back to her elementary school days when she often spent her time just supporting her fashion model sister Chitose Ayase.
One morning while waiting for the newspaper, she meets Arata Wataya, a boy from Fukui who is often picked on in class for being poor, particularly by Taichi Mashima, who threatens to alienate Chihaya if she makes friends with Arata.
After drying off at his place, Arata asks Chihaya to play a game of karuta with him at his apartment, where he shows tremendous skill. Towards the end of the game, Chihaya manages to use what she knows of the game to obtain one card for herself. Arata praised her play as well as her name, showing a card which bears the name 'Chihaya', which is the 'Chihayafuru' card and later becomes her special card!!!
Poems of the Episode[]
- Opening Poem - Now the Flower Blooms
- 34. None Are Left Who Know Me
- 77. Swift Waters Parted by the Jagged Rocks
Characters[]
In order of appearance: