Photo/Illutration The original “Chihayafuru” manga books by Yuki Suetsugu (Asahi Shimbun file photo)

It has been a long wait between seasons for fans of the competitive “karuta” card game anime “Chihayafuru.” Six years, in fact.

And then another delay when its April debut date was shelved.

But on Oct. 23, fans will finally get a chance to catch up with their favorite characters when the show's third season finally premieres on Nippon Television Corp.’s “AnichU” anime programming block and other channels.

The anime is adapted from the manga of the same name by Yuki Suetsugu, which is a coming-of-age tale about high school students who are enthralled by competitive karuta card games.

“Chihayafuru 3” rejoins Chihaya, leader of Mizusawa Senior High School’s karuta club, after her surgery on her right finger which she injured during a team competition.

Chihaya signs up with Taichi for a summer camp organized by the elite Fujisaki High. Arata also sets off to establish his own karuta club.

A trailer shows Chihaya, Arata and Taichi focusing on a new goal.

A key visual for the latest season shows Omijingu shrine in the background. The Shinto shrine serves as the venue for the national karuta championship tournament.

Visit the official website at (https://www.ntv.co.jp/chihayafuru/).

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To learn more about the latest developments in Japanese anime, visit the official site of Anime Anime (http://animeanime.jp/).