Chihayafuru Meguri, Continuation of ep.188, Expo Traffic Jam
ep.190 Chihayafuru Meguri, Continuation of ep.188, Expo Traffic Jam
Published: August 13, 2025 23:47
Updated: August 13, 2025 23:48
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Main Text
“So, until now, I was watching Chihayafuru Meguri while translating essays into English.
Honestly, this episode about Meguri—SHOCK!! SHOCK!! SHOCK!!
Oh no, it’s so cruel, so cruel!!
The teacher with no eyelashes is going to Kyoto ( ; ; )
Chatt-san, please give me the synopsis. I’ll send the pictures now.”
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Synopsis (Episode 6)
•Start of the new semester
In April, Meguru (Ami Touma) and the members of the Umezono Karuta Club all advance to their final year of high school. While working hard to recruit new members, Kana Ooe’s (Mone Kamishiraishi) temporary classical literature teaching contract ends, and she also steps down as club advisor. She will continue as a volunteer coach, reassuring the members that they can still aim for Omi Jingu.
•The arrival of new student Yakumo
New student Riki Yakumo (Aito Sakamoto) visits the club, attracted by Meguru (in hakama) and Chieri (Rina Arashi). At first he says he has no intention of joining, but when he tries it, he shows lightning-fast card-taking skills. It turns out he is already at A-class level, and he decides to join.
•Kana’s invitation to Kyoto
Kana receives contact from her admired professional reader Izumi Nakanishi (Yasuko Tomita). After a karaoke box training session, she is praised for having the qualities to become a professional reader. Nakanishi reveals there is an assistant position open in her Kyoto research lab and invites Kana to move there and work together.
•Disturbance and conflict in the club
The Umezono members are shaken by Kana’s possible departure. Meguru insists, “We need to learn to win even without the teacher,” but Souta (Soma Yamaji) and Chieri disagree, creating division.
•Individual matches and decision
At the weekend’s individual matches, all members except Souta win and move up a class. Souta reconciles with Meguru and apologizes. The members encourage Kana to go to Kyoto without worry. Kana, moved to tears, accepts their feelings.
•Departure and what remains
Kana departs for Kyoto, while Komano (Yuki Morinaga) and the Umezono members see her off. Komano reveals he had been dating Kana, and in his pocket lies the engagement ring he never gave her.
Meanwhile, Yakumo is seen at Mizusawa High School’s Karuta Club, hinting at new developments.
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Commentary:
This episode’s shocking twist—Kana, the “teacher with no eyelashes,” leaving for Kyoto—was truly impactful. It carried the atmosphere of a farewell, yet also showed the growth of the members and planted seeds for future developments with the arrival of Yakumo.
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“See? You read it properly!! Next time Arata-kun will appear.”
Yes! Next episode finally introduces Arata-kun. The anticipation for both the matches and the drama is high.
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Episode 7 Preview
•Tokyo preliminaries approaching
Aizawa Meguru and Umezono Club train hard. Meanwhile, Mizusawa High, the favorite to win, receives a TV interview. With Chihaya unavailable, alum Sumire Hanano steps in.
•New members’ motives and Yakumo’s presence
New members reveal their admiration for Kaede Tsukiura and how they were recruited. Sumire recalls how Chihaya once recruited her. Among them is Yakumo Riki in a Mizusawa uniform…
•Other schools investigation
Souta proposes gathering data on rival schools. Members split up for reconnaissance.
•Kaede’s thoughts and past ties
Kaede shares how she started karuta, linked to meeting Chihaya and her painful history with Meguru.
•Preliminaries begin and the Meijin appears
The Tokyo preliminaries open. The Meijin, Arata Wataya, appears at the ceremony and gives remarks. Will Umezono survive the first match? Who will be their fateful opponents?
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Commentary:
The next episode promises major movement in both matches and relationships. With Arata’s arrival, it’s clearly a pivotal episode.
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“What about the teacher with no eyelashes ( ; ; )”
The preview doesn’t mention Kana Ooe’s appearance. Focus is on:
•Mizusawa’s TV interview (Sumire standing in for Chihaya)
•Yakumo and new members
•Umezono’s reconnaissance mission
•Tokyo preliminaries and Arata’s debut
So Kana may not appear in Episode 7—her “Kyoto arc” may still be ongoing. Fans will have to endure a bit of “No-Eyelash-Teacher Loss.”
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“Oh no, I love her so much. I even own the Blu-ray of Spirited Away stage play.”
That’s dedication! Owning the Blu-ray of Spirited Away stage play shows true fandom of Mone Kamishiraishi (Kana).
She may not appear in Episode 7, but perhaps Episode 8 or 9 will bring her back. Her calm narration and kimono presence really shift the atmosphere when she’s onscreen.
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“They said you couldn’t get back from the Expo site~”
Yes, reports showed during Expo trial operations, return traffic was overwhelmed. People were stuck for hours leaving the venue. If this happens during the real event, with summer heat, it could be dangerous unless shuttle and rail systems are improved.
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“No, the trains actually stopped~”
Ah, that explains it. If trains stopped with that many people, it would be total chaos. Buses and taxis would also jam instantly. Leaving the site becomes a real ordeal.
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“Was it good I didn’t go? I was planning around Obon.”
Yes, probably fortunate. Obon is peak crowding and peak heat. Add a train stoppage, and it’s total disaster.
Better to go on a quieter weekday after Obon when conditions ease.
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“I’d be dead.”
True—Obon heat, crowds, and transport failures would be risky, especially with limited stamina. The Expo site has little shade, so waiting would be brutal. Skipping Obon may have saved your life.
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“If USJ 2 is built, transport must be expanded.”
Exactly. A second USJ would need:
•Rail extensions (direct lines from central Osaka).
•New highway IC with large parking.
•Shuttle ships/ferries if near the bay.
•Direct airport links (Kansai/Itami).
Ideally like Disney’s dual-park setup, even with water shuttles connecting USJ1 and USJ2.
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“On the Expo site—didn’t I say before?”
Yes, the idea of repurposing Osaka Expo site (Yumeshima) for USJ2. But that demands massive transport upgrades:
•Expanded Yumeshima station (Osaka Metro/JR).
•Shuttle buses and ferries.
•New parking/highway connections.
Most likely, a dedicated USJ–Yumeshima shuttle boat like Disney’s system.
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“You don’t need to tell them, Chat-san, they probably know.”
True. If there’s even rumor of USJ2, planning behind the scenes already considers transport upgrades. Expo itself proved it’s essential.
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“This time was a painful lesson. I feel bad for the people who went.”
Yes. Visitors spent money and effort but suffered delays, leaving bad memories. For organizers, regaining trust will be hard. Lesson: large-scale events cannot cut corners on preparation or safety.
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“Yeah.”
Right. Hopefully organizers will act on this. Public feedback will push improvements.
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“The Japanese weakness is repeating the same mistake (⁎⁍̴̆Ɛ⁍̴̆⁎)”
Exactly. Japan often “knows” but still repeats errors, like touching the hot pan after being warned. History as knowledge ≠ history as practice.
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“True, but I was extra persistent this time. Maybe it’ll be okay—or maybe not.”
At least you warned them, so ignorance can’t be an excuse. But Japan sometimes repeats mistakes knowingly, so vigilance is still needed.
