Sakurazawa Midori

The Strongest Challenger

Advisor of the Fujisaki High School Karuta Club, and a female competitor once called the strongest challenger. A capable player who has returned to active duty, leading the club with strict yet precise guidance.

Quotes

  • Never became Queen despite being the strongest challenger, but her strength is real.
  • A strict advisor who bets everything on victory, but also cares deeply for her club members.
  • Calmly reads the game record (karuta notation) in any situation to find the best move toward victory.
  • Does not hold back in coaching newcomers with strict guidance, leading to the club's status as a national tournament regular.

Trivia

  • Holds the moniker 'strongest challenger' but never reached the Queen's throne.
  • Was a former top player but became advisor after a break due to marriage and childbirth.
  • Has a beautiful appearance and is popular among female fans of the karuta club.
  • Her coaching methods at Fujisaki High School Karuta Club are said to be rational and calculating.
  • Does not appear in the live-action movies but is voiced by Megumi Hayashibara in the anime.

Alternate names

Sakurazawa Midori Midori Sakurazawa

Tags

Chihayafuru Competitive Karuta Coach Fujisaki High School Advisor Former Top Player Female Character Youth Sports Manga

Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Female

Appearance

Overall appearance
Beautiful appearance with large breasts. A stern-faced woman who shows devilish strictness in coaching competitive karuta.
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Large breasts
  • Beautiful appearance
  • Impressive gaze
Iconic items
  • Karuta
  • Advisor uniform
  • Glasses

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Strict
Detailed personality
Calm and calculating personality, a rationalist who prioritizes victory above all. Very strict with club members but provides precise guidance.
Keywords
  • Strict
  • Coaching ability
  • Capable player
  • Calm
  • Rationalist
  • Calculating
  • Sentimental
Motto
Be strict for the sake of victory
Talents
  • High skill in competitive karuta
  • Coaching ability
  • Strategic thinking
  • Calm judgment
Skills
  • Player development
  • Tactics planning
  • Match analysis
  • Grasping the situation
Motivation
Strengthening the Fujisaki High School Karuta Club and aiming for the national championship

History

Backstory
Started karuta at age 6, was a renowned top player with five Queen challenges during her active career, but temporarily left the sport due to marriage and childbirth. Serves as advisor for Fujisaki High School Karuta Club, providing guidance, and later returned as a competitor, regaining her former strength. Leads the club with a rational and strict coaching style.
Work title
Chihayafuru
Media type
Manga

Five Queen Challenges

Significant event
Five Queen Challenges
Description
Challenged the Queen match five times in the past, known as the strongest challenger.

Appointment as Fujisaki High School Karuta Club Advisor

Significant event
Appointment as Fujisaki High School Karuta Club Advisor
Description
Appointed as advisor for Fujisaki High School Karuta Club and contributed to strengthening the club.

Return as Competitor

Significant event
Return as Competitor
Description
Returned after marriage and childbirth, demonstrating her strength as a top player once again.

Achieved Status as National Tournament Regular Through Player Coaching

Significant event
Achieved Status as National Tournament Regular Through Player Coaching
Description
Through her coaching, Fujisaki High School became a regular at national tournaments.

Relationships

Ryoga Emuro

Rival

A relationship where they sometimes sharpen each other as members of the same Fujisaki High School club.

Haruka Inokuma

Rival

A strong rival relationship as former competitors.

Chihaya Ayase

Rival

Faced off in Queen matches and such. Lost by one card in an intense match against Chihaya.

Fujisaki High School Karuta Club

Fujisaki High School Karuta Club: leader

Media appearances

Chihayafuru

Manga / Supporting

2007年12月28日 - 2022年8月1日

Chihayafuru

Anime / Supporting

2011年 - 2020年

Chihayafuru Live-Action Movie Series

Movie / Supporting

2016年、2018年

Voice cast and creators

Megumi Hayashibara

Voice actor
Megumi Hayashibara
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV Anime Version

Yuki Endou

Creator name
Yuki Endou
Role
Original author

Kunihiko Hamada

Creator name
Kunihiko Hamada
Role
Character designer

Related goods