The sixth episode of the drama series "Chihayafuru: Meguri" (NTV, Wednesdays at 10pm), starring actress Ami Touma, aired on August 13th. The preview for the next episode, which follows the main story, showed Arata Wataya (played by Mackenyu), who appeared in the film series, sparking a stir on social media.
◇The following contains spoilers.
In episode 6, 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. Meguru and the others go around the first-year classrooms in gorgeous hakama (traditional Japanese formal attire), 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.
Meanwhile, Kanade receives an invitation from her idol, full-time reader Nakanishi Izumi (Tomita Yasuko), to come to Kyoto. Nakanishi's lab has an assistant position available, so they are looking for a new assistant. For Kanade, who had always wanted to work in Nakanishi's lab, this is a dream come true. She is even offered reading lessons in between her research, and is overwhelmed, saying, "It is an honor beyond my expectations, it's too good for me."
Meguru happens to overhear the two of them having a conversation. The distraught Umezono members clash over Kanade's future. However, not wanting to be a burden to Kanade, Meguru and the others decide to all try to get promoted in the individual competition so that Kanade can go to Kyoto with peace of mind. After the match, Kanade rushes to the venue, where Meguru and the others show off their certificates and announce their promotion. Kanade is surprised, and Meguru tells her, "Go to Kyoto with peace of mind. With us, you won't have to worry about anything." Afterwards, the Umezono members and Komano (Morinaga Yuki) see Kanade off as she departs for Kyoto... and so the story unfolds.
The preview for episode 7 also features Arata, who is portrayed as a childhood friend of Ayase Chihaya (Suzu Hirose) in the Chihayafuru film series. Arata is a current karuta master and a well-known figure in the karuta world. On social media, the appearance of Arata, played by Nitta, was met with a flood of excited comments. "Arata!?" "Wataya Arata is here!" "That was the loudest scream of the day!" "I've been waiting for this! Arata!" "I actually yelled out loud," "I'm so excited!" "My heart is beating fast and I'm out of breath!" "This is such a huge surprise," and "The preview for the next episode was so surprising that I shouted out loud."
