The drama series "Chihayafuru -Meguri-" (NTV, Wednesdays at 10pm) starring actress Ami Touma has released a synopsis and stills for episode 6, which will air on August 13th.
It's April, and Meguru (Touma) and the other five members of the Umezono Karuta Club are now in their third year of high school. Eager to recruit new students, Meguru and the others go around the first-year classrooms in their gorgeous hakama (traditional Japanese formal kimono), enthusiastically promoting the appeal of karuta.
Meanwhile, Kanade (Mone Kamishiraishi)'s contract as a part-time lecturer has ended with the return of Shima Tsuyoshi (Namioka Kazuki), the classical Japanese teacher who was on parental leave. She is no longer the karuta club's advisor, and will now support the club as a volunteer coach. Although her title is different, the members of Umezono are relieved to learn that they will be able to continue aiming for Omi Shrine together with Kanade as before.
Yakumo Chikara (Sakamoto Manato), a new student who is attracted to Megu and Chieri (Arashi Rina) in their hakama outfits, comes to observe the karuta club. Yakumo, a modern boy who loves his bangs, says he is just interested in the hakama and has no intention of joining the club, but when he tries playing karuta, he quickly picks up cards.
Meanwhile, Kanade meets her idol, full-time reader Nakanishi Izumi (Tomita Yasuko), and receives reading instruction. Nakanishi praises her, saying, "Oe-san, you could become a full-time reader. You have the potential," and when she finds out that Kanade has dropped out of school, she invites him to move to Kyoto. Nakanishi's lab has an assistant position available and is looking for a new assistant. For Kanade, who had always wanted to work in Nakanishi's lab, this is a dream come true, and she is even given reading instruction in between her research. Kanade is overwhelmed, saying, "It is an honor beyond my expectations, it's too good for me."
Meguru happens to overhear their conversation. The shaken Umezono members clash over Kanade's future, putting the group at risk of splitting up...
"Chihayafuru" is a manga by Yuki Suetsugu that was serialized in "BE・LOVE" (Kodansha) from 2007 to 2022. The story follows Ayase Chihaya, who awakens to the charms of competitive karuta through her encounter with transfer student Wataya Arata, and becomes passionate about the game alongside her childhood friend Mashima Taichi and the other unique members of the karuta club. The drama is an original story set 10 years after the trilogy of films "Kami no Ku" and "Shimo no Ku" in 2016 and "Musubi" in 2018.
