The Flowers of Hard Blood

Season 1

As a child, Shion Ishiwatari's parents were murdered in their own home. Shion escaped unharmed, yet the trauma caused her to lose her voice. The only evidence police found was a shougi board and one piece "the King". Neighbours and close friends of the family, Shinji and Sachiko Yasuoka, adopted Shion and taught Shion how to play shougi. As the years passed, she became known as a genius and quite a famous player. Now, as her fame rises, her past resurfaces and she discovers that being a professional shogi player may just lead to finding her parents' killer.

Where to Watch The Flowers of Hard Blood • Season 1

22 Episodes

Shion's Path
E1
Shion's PathEight years after witnessing her parents' death, Shion qualifies herself as a professional shogi player. However, her precocious career starts to draw unwanted attention.
Secrets
E2
SecretsShion is saved in the nick of time from a dangerous stalker. However, her drama continues as she receives a threatening letter before an important match.
The Sound of a Shogi Piece
E3
The Sound of a Shogi PieceA little relief comes to Shion when the man who attacked her six months before is finally arrested. She also recognizes Ayumi as the boy who saved her at that time.
Demon Move
E4
Demon MoveShion has another fiery match against Ayumi, while the police discovers that the man who killed her parents started to move again.
The Courageous Move
E5
The Courageous MoveShion is hospitalized after having a glimpse of the night when she lost her parents. Meanwhile, Nikaido and Ayumi have their first duel.
Provocation
E6
ProvocationAfter Shion recovers, she goes on a trip with her family. Upon returning, she and Nikaido receive a sudden request from Hani-Meijin's younger brother, Satoru.
Playing Pieces
E7
Playing PiecesShion and Nikaido have their first match as a demonstration of their abilities to Satoru, who wants to create an all new, unrestricted shogi tournament.
The Door to Dreams
E8
The Door to DreamsShion visits Ayumi's mother at the hospital, and later, she and Ayumi start to make plans for the upcoming tournament.
Master and Apprentice
E9
Master and ApprenticeNikaido has a tough match in the tournament against Kamizono who also happens to be Ayumi's master. Kamizono however, is not at the best of his health.
Magic Spell
E10
Magic SpellShion's next opponent is a young prodigy who polished his skills in online matches, and learned from an anonymous source a way to leave her mind unstable.
Doubt
E11
DoubtShion received a threatening call from the murderer, and Hisatani gets himself in trouble when the police finds out that it was made from his cell phone.
Reading the Fox
E12
Reading the FoxShion, Ayumi and Nikaido prepare themselves as each one has a strong enemy to face in order to gain a place in the finals.
Two Sides of an Object
E13
Two Sides of an ObjectDuring Shion's match with Satoru, she starts to get a glimpse of his hostility towards her.
Musical Challenge
E14
Musical ChallengeNikaido discovers Ayumi's secret, but decides to not expose him. Later the tournament's remaining contestants decide their opponents in the finals.
Time's Answer
E15
Time's AnswerShion's first opponent in the finals is none other than her foster father. During the long match, she eagerly looks for a way to defeat him, while he reminisces about the time when she became his apprentice.
The Heavenly Eye
E16
The Heavenly EyeAyumi is devastated with the death of his mother, and looks for a reason to continue playing shogi before his match with Satoru.
Mind Reading
E17
Mind ReadingShion's got a chance to play against Satoru once more in the tournament's semi-finals, but during the match, he questions her about the night her parents were murdered, which brings up some memories she had long forgotten.
Halted Time
E18
Halted TimeShion and Satoru's match continues, while Hani-Meijin introduces Ayumi as his disciple.
Recalling Move
E19
Recalling MoveSatoru and Ayumi meet up and from the evidence figure out who the murderer is but are unsure of motive. In the mean time, the police are looking up Satoru after what he said to Shion after their match.
Demon Killer
E20
Demon Killer
The True Criminal
E21
The True CriminalPurposely goaded by Hani-Meijin, Shion fully remembers the incident. Meanwhile new evidence is found.
Towards Tomorrow
E22
Towards TomorrowThe evidence is conclusive, Hani-Meijin is the killer of Shion's parent's and his younger brother's girlfriend. Despite this, the match goes on. Hani-Meijin confesses that he killed Shion's parents to raise up a competitor that would be strong enough to take him to new heights and claiming he "raised her", but to do so, he must win the match. However, Shion wins with a perfect defense. She regains her voice to tell Hani-Meijin that she is not a product of him, but her family and friends. Hani-Meijin is arrested and Shion is promoted to a 4-dan professional kishi. Ayumi is shown winning a match and also becoming a professional kishi. Nikaido announces her intentions to become one as well. The final scene shows Shion in a match as a 5-dan and having retained her voice.