‘Chihayafuru: Full Circle’ (2025) Netflix Series Review - A New Generation Rekindles the Flame

I settled into the first four episodes of Chihayafuru: Full Circle with the same excitement that birthed the original story, yet with gentle anxiety, could this sequel capture the same spark? It mostly does, delivering heartfelt character work and crisp competitive energy, though it occasionally trips over pacing and emotional depth.
From the start, the series welcomes us into the Reiwa era, ten years after the live-action films, with sophomore Meguru (played by Ami Touma) reluctantly dragged into her school’s karuta club. The premise is simple and effective: Meguru wants nothing more than to keep her future on track, but karuta pulls her in like gravity. A fresh take on the classic origin story, Meguru’s resistance—then-awakening mirrors Chihaya’s journey, and the writers lean into that nicely.

The series takes advantage of the decade gap from the films. We don’t need to rehash Chihaya, Taichi, or Arata—they’re legends now. Instead, we see their legacy through new players with their own insecurities and hopes. That passing of the torch pays off emotionally. It gives a place for nostalgia without nostalgia’s burden.

The acting is a highlight. Ami Touma’s Meguru is gradually convincing: from stiff and unsure to curious and competitive. Her expressions are gentle, like someone trying a new flavor, unsure yet intrigued. Likewise, Nanoka Hara and Jun Saito bring solid performances as her teammates. Their interactions feel natural. They stumble, get excited, doubt themselves, and then pull each other along, reminding us why ensemble character arcs matter.

The pacing, however, wavers. The first two episodes are brisk and sparkly—almost too polished. We zip from recruitment to club formation to early matches, and while the flow is enjoyable, it doesn’t pause for breath. At times, I wanted the show to linger on a quiet moment: Meguru touching a poem card, glancing at a rival. Instead, it kept racing ahead. A little more stillness could’ve let the characters breathe more deeply.

Plot-wise, the show sets up the early arc cleanly: club formation, rival introductions, initial tournament setup. It’s familiar territory, yet there are fresh flourishes. Meguru doesn’t have a Chihaya-level obsession, at least not yet. She holds back, subtly questioning what karuta asks of her and whether she’s ready for that level of devotion. It’s a welcome tweak when compared to Chihaya’s all-or-nothing plunge.

Technically, the show nails visuals and sound. The karuta matches feel intuitive and dynamic. There's no flashy editing or shonen superpowers—just quick cuts, heightened camera angles, rapid dialogue, and sound design that lands every poem like a high-five. It feels true to real karuta, but exciting. That balance of authenticity and drama is something Chihayafuru has always owned, and Full Circle inherits it well.

Negatively, right around Episode 3, a mid-series lull crept in. Some dialogue felt predictable—a character wonders aloud, “Am I doing all this just for me?”—which is a familiar line in any coming-of-age playbook. It didn’t ruin the vibe, but it did remind me that this is still early series writing; there's room to sharpen the voice. If subsequent episodes bring more nuance, it’ll feel like a stronger evolution.

The supporting cast, while earnest, is a bit clichéd at the moment. There's the hotheaded powerhouse, the quiet strategist, the anxious underdog types we’ve seen before. None felt shallow, but none betrayed expectations either. I’m hopeful future episodes will add more unexpected layers.

One thing I appreciate: the restraint in nostalgia. We hear faint echoes of Chihaya’s legacy but don’t drown in it. Characters mention her, wear photos, and even reference tournaments she rocked. But the series never lets it feel like a fan-service fever dream. That disciplined respect is refreshing, and extends to technical aspects too. The direction is crisp and clear, not overwrought.

By the end of Episode 4, the tournament’s first big round arrives. And here the show finds its groove again. Meguru faces a rival whose gaze never wavers, whose words are direct. It’s in this tension—the mental jousting before hands move—that Full Circle reminds you of why karuta can be presented as theater. The match ends with silence in the room, then a small, charged nod. It’s subtle, but it’s earned.

And that’s the essence: it doesn’t shout. It builds. It rewards small gestures: eye contact, held breath, soft applause. Instead of dramatic flash, I felt the anticipation in a slight tilt of Meguru’s chin, the tap of a card, the hush. This series understands that intimacy and competition can coexist beautifully.

Negative points? A few: pacing sometimes favors moving plot points instead of developing inner life. Some characters still feel tethered to archetypes. And there isn’t yet a standout scene wholly original to this series—no signature sequence that says, “This is Full Circle.” But these are growing pains of new territory, not derailments.

Verdict after four episodes: Chihayafuru: Full Circle is a promising reawakening. It sets a comfortable beat, brings decent tension, and leans into character more often than spectacle. For fans of the original—whether anime, manga, or film trilogy—Full Circle offers a fresh chapter without demanding familiarity. For newcomers, it paints a clear origin: a shy girl, an unlikely club, a sport that means more than meets the eye. In short, it's welcoming.

The humor is light but grounded. There’s banter, awkward apologies, and that delightful moment when Meguru realizes she’s in deeper than she thought. Nobody cracks a joke every two minutes; it’s a comedy that blooms in small silences.

Structurally, the series mirrors the arc of the original but tweaks it just enough. Early episodes don’t cough up the big reveal of a genius rival, but instead drip small challenges: a club culture uneasy with newcomers, the burden of legacy, internal doubts. It’s paced like a late afternoon practice, steady, a little heavy, but filled with quiet promise.

By Episode 4’s close, when we glimpse Meguru’s new daily ritual—preparing cards, glancing at her team’s faces, you sense the hook. She might just chase Karuta the way Chihaya once did. The baton is passed, and the flame catches again, though this flame is its own, flickering with hope and uncertainty.

I’m rooting for this cast. I want them to stumble and rise. To fall off at nationals but learn something vital. To confront personal limits. It's early, but Full Circle already gives glimpses of that old-school Chihayafuru magic, recast in a softer, quieter key.

The first four episodes build the foundation: a club forms, characters breathe, and tournaments loom. If you're in for a mellow, thoughtful sports drama rooted in human moments, this is a solid start. It won’t hit you with immediate fireworks, but it plants seeds. Now we wait to see what blooms next.

Final Score- [6/10]
Reviewed by - Anjali Sharma
Follow @AnjaliS54769166 on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times