-- (Continuing from "World of Chihayafuru" #2) This time, we are continuing on episode 2 from last time. Ishizuka-san, please tell us more about the episode other than the karuta.

Ishizuka: Well let me talk about the scene where Taichi takes Arata's glasses. We stacked up lots of cuts here.

-- What were these cuts used for?

Ishizuka: The intention for stacking the cuts here is that I didn't want Taichi to look like a bad kid… What he's done is cowardly but it's understandable why he does so. Many negative emotions dwell inside him here. He's driven into a corner, he doesn't want to lose, he can't lose, and nonetheless he's jealous about Arata becoming closer with Chihaya. If we were to execute this scene only with Taichi's actions, Taichi would give off the impression as a shallow character. On the other hand, if we show too much emotion, then he will appear as a sinister character. Hence I've taken the method to indirectly show Arata in these scenes.

-- As according to the intention, it appears that Taichi is hesitant about taking Arata's glasses.

Ishizuka: Yes. Also to indirectly depict his inner feelings, we've placed this scene at a connecting passageway.

-- Oh yeah, originally they are outside in the comic.

Ishizuka: We've designed the scene so that there's a shadow that drops down Taichi's face all the way to his upper torso. If this is to take place outside, we couldn't get this shadow so we've altered the location.

The above is the scene with at the connecting passageway. The direction note on the side describes the scene with the shadow. Taichi finds Chihaya and Arata, then tries to walk away but stops. Show his back… he hesitates.

-- I see that there are other indications of Taichi's hesitation like the scene where he clatters Arata's glasses.

Ishizuka: This is one of the important scenes of this episode. One of the primary goals in this episode is to make sure that when Taichi returns the Arata's glasses the viewers are moved.

-- This scene reminded me of my childhood. Taichi is a good kid, being able to come out and return Arata's glasses after what he's done.

Ishizuka: When you're around his age, it's going to require quite a bit of courage to be able to return it in that situation. This is why I wanted to make this scene, a great scene. After the scene with Arata's air karuta, I've tried to create as much beautiful scenes.

-- Past that point is when things get really exciting.

Ishizuka: From the point where Chihaya steps outside, I've tried to show Chihaya and Taichi side on a turn basis. Taichi has Arata's glasses but Chiahaya believes in him and she goes looking for Arata's glasses in dirt. This is very painful for Taichi and the viewers can feel Taichi's pain. There is emotional build up here for the audience to feel the same.

-- It was amazing…

Ishizuka: I was keeping in mind of many experimental ideas while working on this storyboard but I am glad that the overall, thing balanced out together. When I was drawing the storyboard, I was pretty scared about the execution but thanks to director Asaka and other main staff, the episode is put together well.