Original subtitles

PREVIOUSLY

Though regret might not fix your past choices,

you can still turn them into the right choices.

Use all the tools at your disposal today

to make them the right choices.

Fuki?

Umezono's number 4 player forfeits.

We haven't lost all hope of going to the All Japan.

We're now in the repechage tournament.

UMEZONO HIGH SCHOOL

If we can get through that, we'll be in the final qualifier in three weeks.

WE'RE HEADED FOR THE FINAL QUALIFIER!

What? Mizusawa and Hokuoh both lost?

Please teach me more about karuta…

sir!

Fuki!

What's this about playing karuta with your left hand?

You're left-handed, right?

I was advised to ask you to practice with me.

Our left-handed player's here.

I'm Taichi Mashima.

Dr. Mashima is the current Jun-Meijin.

As in, second only to the Meijin?

Now I'll start sweeping.

Okay.

Your layout and posture are mirrored.

Yes, sir.

Put your weight on your left knee.

Yes, sir.

Imagine your left leg springing up as you twist your body.

-Use your axis! -Yes, sir.

Three more matches.

I just need it to last three more matches.

Can't we make it work somehow?

I'll do whatever it takes.

Please.

Don't be unreasonable, Fuki.

As a doctor, I don't recommend it.

However,

speaking as a karuta player, there is a way.

There's no guarantee it'll work in time. Even less so that you can win.

But if you're prepared to go through with it despite that…

I am. I'm prepared!

What are you saying? It's--

Please, Dad!

Let me do this.

Your center of gravity's off.

CHIHAYAFURU: FULL CIRCLE

Please let me take time off cram school just for now.

POEM NINE: FOR THIS JOURNEY'S SAKE

I'll be sure to catch up once it's over.

We already talked with the school because we knew you'd ask!

-Huh? -You go for it, Meguru!

-Is that okay? -It is!

This is how you sweep, right?

Every school will be desperate.

We'll fight to the bitter end as well.

Right!

11 DAYS UNTIL THE FINAL QUALIFIER

Final push now, guys!

Right!

HOKUOH HIGH SCHOOL COMPETITIVE KARUTA CLUB

Put your heart and soul in it!

Let's go, Hokuoh!

You have an interesting and unique style, Miss Aizawa.

Why did you reach over here just now?

Normally, one would reach over there.

Well,

after considering what cards have been read and what cards are left,

something in me felt that it was slightly more likely

that it'd be one of these.

For real? You think about stuff like that?

Huh? You mean not everybody does?

Probability and statistics can be applied to competitive karuta, for sure.

I'm not as technical as that.

I go more by intuition, I guess.

Miss Aizawa.

Want to try changing the way you think about karuta?

Huh?

10, 9, 8 DAYS UNTIL THE FINAL QUALIFIER

An autumnal wind

Blows down from Mount Yoshino

Late into the night

Kenshin and Yosuke are at the ends, seats 1 and 5.

SITTING ORDER FOR TEAM GAMES

I think it's best if you focus on your own games.

Now, let's try out a practice game with this order.

Okay.

Parted we may be

But if on Mount Inaba

I hear the pine trees

This poem has often been used as an incantation since ancient times.

The second half would be pasted or hidden by the front door

with a wish that someone would one day return.

By Naniwa Bay's marker

I would give my very life

How can I decide Who I should choose as my friend?

The mountain hamlet

Is a place where loneliness Prevails in winter

Thank you.

Thank you.

You're so good!

I can't believe

someone beat you at the All Japan in your senior year.

You're good, Kenshin.

You're good,

but you're nothing to be feared in a team game.

Just like I was.

What do you mean?

Truly fearsome opponents in team games

aren't just good at karuta.

They make their whole team stronger too.

Let's go, Umezono!

Right!

After we first met…

A foul?

Calm down, Yaku Moku. Just focus on your own game.

All of my friends

were those kinds of people.

In the ancient city…

Like the waves that break…

The waterfall's sound…

Regretting regret…

Bright the moon still shone As that night turned into dawn…

Blown just a little See how the plants of autumn…

Loud the crickets chirp…

Spring passes me by…

These two sleeves of mine Like the rocks in the offing

Unrevealed by tides

For the longest time,

I pretended I was still injured.

I…

wanted to get away from boxing.

And maybe because I couldn't face that back then…

now, at such a crucial time…

I've injured myself again.

A liar like me

could never beat him.

Say that after you've devoted your whole youth.

Huh?

I had someone I couldn't beat too.

When I whined that I could never beat them even if I devoted my whole youth,

those are the words my teacher said to me.

Not even if you devoted your whole youth?

Mr. Eyelashes.

Say that after you've devoted it.

That's harsh.

At the time, I didn't understand what he meant by "the true meaning of youth."

Youth…

It's not just the three years of high school or something?

That's what I thought too.

But… that word was never about describing a period of time.

Youthhood isn't a time?

I don't really get it.

Shoot!

I forgot I was going to the lab.

I'm sorry. You must be busy.

Don't sweat it. It's my own fault I'm busy.

I've got both my residency and the lab, see.

6 DAYS UNTIL THE FINAL QUALIFIER

5 DAYS UNTIL THE FINAL QUALIFIER

-Focus! -Thank you.

Right!

4 DAYS UNTIL THE FINAL QUALIFIER

3 DAYS UNTIL THE FINAL QUALIFIER

2 DAYS UNTIL THE FINAL QUALIFIER

-Almost there! -Yes.

You made it!

Great job. You too, Yaku Moku.

Stole it!

-Stole it too. -Nice, guys.

I stole it too.

Evening descends

Kadota's paddy rustles

LET'S GO TO THE ALL JAPAN!

All right.

Let's leave early today and get some rest.

All right.

It's finally time for the play-offs!

Nobody sleep in tomorrow, okay?

Says the person most likely to.

Okay, shall we tidy up?

-Let's. -Yeah.

-Can someone…? -We'll take it together.

Thanks.

Since she's in Kyoto,

Miss Oe won't make it to the matches tomorrow, will she?

It's so sad.

I guess not.

Miss Oe's fighting her own battle.

That's right.

Parted we may be

But if on Mount Inaba

I hear the pine trees

Tell me that you wait for me

I shall hasten to return

I made it!

Miss Oe!

I'm here… to deliver the hakama!

Hakama? Hakama! What? Hakama?

They're heavy.

I'm back.

Welcome home.

You all look well.

Yes. So do you, Miss Oe.

Yes, I'm well.

TELL ME THAT YOU WAIT FOR ME I SHALL HASTEN TO RETURN

I'm sorry I can't be there to cheer you on tomorrow.

But I'm glad I got to see you, even if only for a moment.

It's given us a boost too.

Yes.

Well, then.

Give it your all!

We will.

-See you later. -Goodbye.

-Goodbye. -See you.

-Hakama! -Hakama.

-Let's go. -We're leaving now.

-Thank you. -Goodbye.

-Shall we go? -Let's.

So tomorrow's the big day.

It is.

On our way home,

shall we stop to make one last prayer?

"For this journey's sake."

ONO SHRINE

Let's make offerings for everyone.

Okay.

In lieu of a proper offering,

we present these maple leaves.

We entrust the rest

to the will of the gods.

For this journey's sake

I could prepare no tribute

May the many hues

Of Tamuke's autumn leaves

Be made offerings instead

You seemed to be very deep in prayer back there.

That's because I started off investing in virtue from a deficit.

A deficit?

Yes.

I often imagine it when I come down this road.

What would have happened…

COMPETITIVE KARUTA EXPERIENCE

…if, in that moment, I had taken the road to the left with Nagi.

You both came?

We did.

Want to give it a go?

We do.

Come on in, then.

Amazing!

Amazing!

You're good.

-Now you try. -Okay.

One, two, three…

Very good.

Amazing.

Could I have turned into someone else?

I wonder if, in that moment,

maybe I went the wrong way.

I'm scared.

Really scared.

Because if tomorrow

I get trounced by Nagi…

I might go back to how I was before I met you.

Miss Aizawa.

Did you know

that the Hyakunin Isshu is sometimes called

an anthology of poems by history's losers?

-History's losers? -Yes.

Many of the poems selected for it are by people who lost wars or power struggles.

I never knew.

History is written by the victors.

Which is precisely why Fujiwara no Teika wanted to preserve

the voices of the losers for posterity, I believe.

I know I'd do the same.

If I had a time machine,

I'd go to see you while you were a grade-schooler.

What?

To thank you

for going the wrong way.

After all,

it was only because you chose this road

that you found me, Miss Aizawa.

And that you found karuta.

You also got to meet everyone in the karuta club.

It's all right.

You have lots

and lots

of good things in store for you.

It's like the Meijin said.

"You can't fix your past choices,

but you can still turn them into the right choices."

Please don't forget.

Forever and wherever,

I'll be cheering you on.

I won't.

46TH ALL JAPAN HIGH SCHOOL KARUTA CHAMPIONSHIP

FINAL TOKYO QUALIFIER VENUE

BURNING WITH THE KARUTA SOUL UMEZONO COMPETITIVE KARUTA CLUB

Hey, Sis is here!

Meguru!

The final qualifier

will be a round-robin tournament between these four schools

with the remaining place at the All Japan Championship at stake.

The team with the best overall record

will earn a ticket to the All Japan Championship.

KANADE OE: THANK YOU! I GOT TO SEE EVERYONE!

YOU: THAT'S GOOD!

Hanano?

-What's gotten you all flustered? -Miss Ayase isn't here yet.

Mr. Meat Bun went to pick her up,

but she got held up in customs or something.

Mr. Mashima says he's going to be late, too, so I'm all on my own again.

Anyway, where's your Mizusawa T-shirt?

Well, the thing is, I've kind of been coaching them,

so I'm afraid to say I'm in the Umezono camp today.

You're joking! How can you be so disloyal?

I'm not not rooting for them.

Then put this on--

Tsukuba!

Hey, Hanano! And Mr. Desk too! Sup?

Don't "hey" me!

Miss Ayase asked you to cover for her, too,

but you never came to Mizusawa once!

At least cheer them on with me.

-No can do. -Huh?

Tsukuba's one of the officials today. Thanks for your work.

Officials?

TOURNAMENT OFFICIAL MANAGEMENT STAFF

So I can't go taking sides with anyone.

-Over here, please, Mr. Tsukuba. -Coming.

You'll just have to cheer for the two of us, Hanano.

-Later. -Okay.

No way!

What's with everyone?

-Come on, Hanano. -Huh?

Wait for me!

All right.

We've got this, Fuki.

Yeah.

Okay.

Let's go, Umezono!

Right!

-Let's give it our all. -Yes.

Announcing the playing order.

-All right. -Let's go.

-Go for it. -I will.

FIRST ROUND: MIZUSAWA VS. HOKUOH

ADORE VS. UMEZONO

Tsukuba? Hey.

Mr. Mashima! Long time no see.

How's it going?

It's the second round right now.

Mizusawa and Adore both won their first games.

MIZUSAWA 3-2 HOKUOH ADORE 3-2 UMEZONO

FINAL QUALIFIER, SECOND ROUND UMEZONO HIGH SCHOOL VS. HOKUOH HIGH SCHOOL

The stubble of reeds…

-On a streak! -Nice!

If we lose this game, there'll be no All Japan for Umezono, will there?

No. And the opposition are ranked higher than us.

Even so, Umezono still has a chance of winning.

Shirano.

Yes?

It was brave of you to have Sota step in for you.

Not just anyone could do that.

Sota.

I want you to play instead of me in the Hokuoh match.

What?

Don't worry, Fuki. You lost the last one, but next time--

I hate to admit it, but I'm not ready.

I can't beat these guys with my left hand.

But…

I can't fill your shoes, Fuki.

I know.

I know how much you've been training.

I don't know anyone else

who likes karuta as much as you.

Please,

Sota.

As I turn around

To behold the sky above Mikasa's mountain

-Switch it up, Hokuoh! -All right!

Sorry I'm so fast.

You are fast.

However…

my friend…

is even faster.

You're right.

I love karuta.

Even though I always lose.

But even if I'm weak,

even if I'm pathetic…

getting a flow going…

is something I can do too!

The white beads of dew…

Snatched it!

Nice!

-Stole it! -Nice!

-Took it! -Snatched it!

-Kept my streak! -Nice!

They found their flow!

One win for Umezono.

Nice!

Hokuoh…

this game is ours!

Right!

At this present time…

Stole it!

Looking at the moon…

One win

for Hokuoh!

Nice!

Chieri…

Near Mount Arima

As Ina's bamboo grass fields Rustle in the breeze

Two wins for Hokuoh!

Nice!

-Way to go! -Nice!

Nicely done, Hokuoh!

Thank you, Sota.

You played well.

Our backs are against the wall.

One more loss, and it's…

I've got it from here.

Are you trying to take all the cards as fast as you can?

Huh? Yes, I am.

Is that wrong?

There are plenty of players with sharper ears and faster reflexes.

You have no hope of out-speeding them.

What should I do, then?

Let them take the cards.

Let them?

You don't need a big lead to win in karuta.

You just need one more hand than your opponent.

As such,

it's inefficient to go after every card on the mat.

Inefficient?

Decide the order in which you'll prioritize cards.

Let them have the one- or two-syllable cards on their side.

The trade-off is that you go for all cards with three or more.

Aim for one corner of the card you have your sights on

and minimize the distance you reach.

Every millimeter counts!

That kind of karuta should suit you.

Incredible!

Her natural strengths have been finely honed.

For nary a soul visits

And the plants die where they stand

Alone in my room

As I lament, I wonder If you know or not

I'm not great at the listening or the physical side.

But I know that even I

can get stronger.

As long as I don't give up on myself!

Driven by the wind…

Two wins to Umezono!

Nice!

Nice!

Meguru! She brought it back to 2-2!

Which means

it's all down to him now.

Forgotten by you…

All right! I stole it!

Nice!

He's keeping up with Hokuoh's ace.

Haruma's come a long way.

He was always

just in his younger brother's shadow.

If against my will

My time in this world is long…

Okay.

I don't accept him as my older brother.

Haruma gave up fighting when he couldn't beat me anymore.

I can't lose today, Sho.

Seriously?

You took your time.

You finally remembered, huh?

That you're my big bro.

Big bro?

-Stole it! -Nice!

I can't afford

to lose either.

Yes!

Haruma?

I hardly recognize you.

Let's go, Umezono!

Who knew you had this in you?

Why, in the course of my dreams

Do you evade detection?

How the wind rustles

The green leaves of the oak tree

By the stream this eve

Yes!

Yes!

Umezono

has three wins!

MIZUSAWA 3-2 ADORE HOKUOH 2-3 UMEZONO

I can't believe Umezono beat Hokuoh.

Mizusawa, Umezono, and Adore.

They're all still in the game.

But it's Mizusawa versus Umezono next.

Mizusawa's going to take this one home.

I wouldn't be so sure…

Huh?

Anything can happen in a team game.

Just like how ten years ago, a bunch of unknowns like us

made it to the All Japan.

Not you too, Mr. Mashima!

What's going on with all you Mizusawa alumni?

Are you okay, Haruma?

I'm quite all right.

I'll go buy some ice.

Thanks.

Sorry about this.

The third round will begin at four o'clock.

Can we even play like this?

Haruma.

Mr. Shirano.

Will you give me

one more chance?

I don't have much virtue left to cash in,

but please take it.

I promise not to waste it.

I told you, I'm not not rooting for them.

So just whose side are you on, then?

I guess we're cheering them both on, aren't we?

Umezono are Kana's kids, after all.

Same difference, right?

Yeah. That is a pickle.

Hurry up, Meat Bun! The matches will be starting!

Don't rush me! I can't see a thing!

That's…

Anyway, it's happening next month.

…this person right here.

KARUTA QUEEN! CHIHAYA AYASE

-What is that? -Walking bags?

What's she wearing?

Did I make it in time?

Not even close, Miss Ayase! The third game's--

Sorry! They stopped me at customs and opened up all my bags.

It was so embarrassing and took ages to put back.

No wonder they stopped you.

And what's that on your head?

This? The kids gave me all kinds of farewell presents.

It's okay. I have one for all of you too.

Look!

I don't think you know what "okay" means.

Are these all full of souvenirs?

Yeah. I thought I could share them with you since you're all here.

Actually, never mind that.

-Where are my kids? -Miss Aya!

Guys!

I'm so sorry I'm late.

I just got back.

Miss Aya!

You've all done so well to make it this far.

I'm sorry.

The third round will begin shortly.

We'll go book our place at the All Japan now, Miss Aya.

Oh, hold on, everyone.

Your sashes are loose.

Help me out here, you guys.

Sure.

There.

Okay. Give it your all.

Go for it!

That's better.

Believe in yourselves

and in your teammates.

Make it the most fun game of karuta you've ever played.

Yes, ma'am!

Let's do this.

With no karuta,

we never would have met each other.

I hope to be

one of those nameless people who keeps this epic story going.

Excuse us.

All right.

You fought hard. Thank you. Are you all right?

Yes, thank you.

Try not to let Shinohara psyche you out.

Got it.

That damn Fuki…

Huh?

What are you doing, Fuki?

Don't be crazy.

I can't win this match without my right hand.

-Fuki… -It's fine.

I've been saving it just for this.

And thanks to that,

the pain's almost gone.

You're not lying, are you?

I don't lie anymore.

Not to myself.

Not to you guys.

But what if this

makes the injury worse?

That's just fine.

As long as we win this match, I don't care what happens.

-All right. -Meguru?

But, Fuki promise me…

that you'll never say you don't care what happens again.

Because the six of us

are going to keep playing karuta for a long time after this.

Yeah.

You're right.

I won't say it again.

Okay.

I've lived my life till now thinking I went the wrong way.

But it was by going this way

that I found Miss Oe,

found karuta,

and got to meet all of you.

That's why

I'm going to prove today that it was right to go this way.

Let's win.

Win and go to the All Japan.

We'll take everything we've learned

and throw it at Mizusawa.

Here we go.

Let's go, Umezono!

Right!

Is that really our girl?

Huh? Oh, it's you…

Announcing the order.

Number 1 for Mizusawa High School, Yosuke Shinohara.

Yes.

Number 1 for Umezono High School, Miss Chieri Murata.

Yes.

Number 2 for Mizusawa High School, Kota Niwano.

Yes.

Number 2 for Umezono High School, Sota Yono.

Yes.

Number 3 for Mizusawa High School, Miss Nagi Tsukiura.

Yes.

Number 3 for Umezono High School, Miss Meguru Aizawa.

Yes.

Number 4 for Mizusawa High School, Kenshin Orie.

Yes.

Number 4 for Umezono High School, Fuki Shirano.

Yes.

Number 5 for Mizusawa High School, Miss Oto Yoshino.

Yes.

Number 5 for Umezono High School, Chikara Yakumo.

Yes.

Now, please deal the cards.

Let's have a good game.

Your reader is Kanade Oe, an A-class official reader.

We will now begin the third round.

In Naniwa Bay Behold how the flower blooms

After winter's sleep

Subtitle translation by: Lewis Williams