Mari Wataya

Mari is warm, observant and pleased to see Arata form friendships. When Chihaya visits, her first reaction reflects both curiosity and happiness that her normally karuta-focused son has brought a girl home.

Her family interactions also show a teasing, ordinary domestic side that contrasts with the seriousness surrounding Arata's ambitions. She does not share his obsessive relationship with karuta, but she understands that the game is inseparable from both her son and the Wataya family.

Mari is not established as a competitive karuta player. Her role lies outside formal competition, and no karuta rank or specialized playing ability is attributed to her.

Her contribution is primarily familial. She provides part of the stable home environment surrounding Arata as he trains, travels and competes.

Mari first appears through Arata's childhood and family life. Her reaction to Chihaya helps show how unusual it is for Arata to bring a school friend home and gives the audience an early glimpse of the Wataya household beyond his relationship with his grandfather.

She continues to appear when the story returns to Fukui and Arata's home life. These scenes ground his increasingly demanding competitive career in an ordinary family whose concerns extend beyond tournaments and titles.

Arata Wataya is Mari's son. She is pleased when Arata Wataya develops friendships and supports him as karuta remains a central part of his life.

Akira Wataya is Mari's husband. Their exchanges occasionally provide a lighter domestic counterpoint to their son's serious competitive concerns.

Hajime Wataya is Mari's father-in-law and the grandfather whose karuta legacy profoundly influences her son.

Chihaya Ayase makes a memorable impression on Mari when she visits the Wataya home as one of her son's new friends.