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I have to admit, I'm not knowledgeable about kurata at all - but the film (based on the anime series) was exciting, fun, and quite satisfying.

Chihaya Ayase (perky, beautiful Suzu Hirose) scrapes together a five-some of kurata players at school; she's so intense after a match that she falls fast asleep afterwards. She's always liked Arata (Mackenyu), a kurata champion through generations, but another player loves Chihaya too, making for a rivalry on several levels.

Director Norihiro Koizumi captures the excitement and frustrations with high level kurata play, but it's the humor that makes the film so infectiously enjoyable. Suzu Hirose is particularly funny, a whirlwind of nervous energy.

I really liked this trilogy. But it's hard to explain why. It's basically a movie revolving around Kurata, a traditional Japanese card game which requires listening to a poem being read and having quick reaction picking the card with the right upcoming syllable before your opponent does. Most of the time I did not quite know what was going on in the games and for a westerner it's rather unusual, since we do not have anything comparable. But it's interesting nonetheless and it doesn't really matter, because what the movie is actually about is the deep friendship (and romance) between the main protagonists. The characters are all really likeable and it's just nice and cozy to watch.

It's amazing how I completely adored this movie even though I had not an inkling of what Chihayafuru (the card game) was about. There was exhilaration, frustration, humor, nervousness and just all-round pleasure watching every second go by in this movie.

The director does so well at presenting this game to every audience, and captures the passion and love for the game, such that you yourself also fall for it. I watched this movie at random, and was so amazed that I watched all the other 2 sequels.

What Japanese dramas & movies excel in is telling a moral story. And I cannot believe just how much I learnt from a movie about cards.

The lead actress and side casts are all very well pieced together, and form a perfect blend as a team. Suzu Hirose has to be one of the best actresses that I have ever come across. So young, and yet her face is able to portray so many different forms of emotions. Her dorkiness also brings so much infectious joy to the movie. You really don't know whether you have actually fallen for the cast or the card game itself. I've to say, hollywood cannot replicate this level of emotions and depth.

You won't regret having watched this.