[Informal Review] Karakai Jouzo no Takagi-san

So as I have mentioned in my tweet before, it has been a long time since I’ve last written something. Since lately, I’ve been catching up to a lot of animes, movies, etcetera, I decided to give a go at writing yet another informal review. So now, get ready as I fanboy over the newly released anime, Karakai Jouzo no Takagi-san, and even more so on the manga (I hate myself).

So Karakai Jouzo no Takagi-san, or as it’s called, Teasing Master Takagi in English, is a light, comedic, everyday life, romantic??? (okay not extremely romantic but it’s really cute fite me) story about a boy named Nishikata (really, that’s it. I looked it up online and he’s just called Nishikata, and it’s apparently his last name) who constantly gets teased on by his seatmate Takagi (nothing follows here, too). The story is just basically about these two middle-schoolers trying to beat other through childish games and bets. Really, that’s it. So why do I fawn over it so much? I will tell my reasons, but I bet most people won’t be convinced since it could really come off as pointless and childish or repetitive and unfunny.

The words “If you blush, you lose” are what I’ve read on the first line for the description of the manga. Now, those words could probably replace the original title better. It’s not really hard to follow the story at all. It’s really repetitive, following the same pattern: Nishikata vows to make Takagi flustered or embarrassed or whatever, Nishikata thinks up of ways to do that, Takagi-san effortlessly turns the tables around (because she’s 1001% troll). The same cycle goes over and over again, sometimes added with a little variety by being represented in different situations and through different elements. Now if you’ve read or watched a lot of animes and mangas before, this type of storytelling is not new. It’s some sort of a feel-good type of story, one where you don’t have to think too much, just something you’d go to when you are bored or whatever.

What I like about Karakai (from this point on I’d refer to this work as Karakai) is that there are actually points of progression on the character’s story. Despite being told primarily in the style of, as what I like to describe it, a collection of one-shot fluff fanfictions, readers who get past the childishness and comedy of the story could look forward to the advancement of the plot, which is actually where the romance bit comes in. The main theme of the manga is to represent their interactions through comedy, but the driving plot is basically about the development of the relationship between the two leads. At first, I was surprised to see that the manga’s demographic is shounen. Being a sucker for fluff, I saw the manga as more romantic than comedic. It’s very rare for a shounen manga to involve heavy romance, but since the way the story plays out, the romance is not really imposed explicitly and is rather felt as an undertone for the comedy that happens. And I almost instantly forgot that the events are told from the point of view of Nishikata, which actually happens because Nishikata is always on the losing end of the stick, and sometimes you’d even think Takagi is in control of the manga itself. It’s even her name that appears in the title, and not Nishikata’s.

Generally, the situation in the relationship department between Nishikata and Takagi is this: Takagi, the teasing master, has a really heavy crush on Nishikata, and the way she expresses it is by teasing the poor boy. Now this is actually one of the reason why I like this manga so much. Takagi, being the heroine of the story, is not shy in expressing her feelings towards the person she likes. It’s a different and a rather unlikely method of getting your feelings across, but it works considering the manga accurately illustrates the characters as actual middle-schoolers in their first year, so that us, readers will not forget that the main characters of this story are children. Now Nishikata, on the other hand, is desperate in getting back at Takagi. He gets embarrassed easily, he gets flustered when something romantic pops up, he loses his cool most of the time, and his face is literally an open book, which makes it a thousand times harder for him to actually achieve his goals. He thinks up of countless plans just to achieve that little victory that whenever Takagi is around, his psyche tells him that he’s always at war. This actually sounds sad, but trust me, the manga is not dark. Despite all this, Nishikata is a normal boy who likes to play games and read manga and goof around and gets easily excited like any other kid. There’s really nothing special about Nishikata. In fact, you could say that in an anime/manga, he’s not the type to be “romantically liked” by the heroine whose pretty and wise. But when you see his reactions to everything that comes at him, you’d understand why Takagi likes to tease him, or rather likes him very much. His reactions are funny and cute (gawd I sound like a shotacon) and is actually the answer Takagi gives to Nishikata whenever he asks her why he likes teasing her so much (lmao Takagi you sly fox so this is how you want to play “straightforward” in expressing your feelings).

And oh. The romance is not one-sided. Nishikata likes Takagi too, he just doesn’t know it. He’s become too cautious around Takagi that he doesn’t accept the idea of him liking her. In my opinion, he’s afraid that doing so would give Takagi more ammunition for her teasing expedition.

Chapters 1, 2, and 3 already gives off the entire situation of the story. For me, this is great because the readers are already given a general idea of how things work out. Readers can easily decide if it’s their cup of tea or not. In Chapter 1, for example, Takagi was teasing Nishikata by borrowing his eraser because she apparently forgot hers. She then asks Nishikata if he remembers a tradition kids usually did in Japan, which is writing their crush’s name on their erasers for their love to be realized. As she speaks, she slowly removes Nishikata’s eraser from its container. Nothing is written on it, but she fools Nishikata, making him believe that he may have written something on it, but he just forgot. Burdened by this, Nishikata already receives his loss, and later even finds out he worried for nothing, and that Takagi’s eraser is just in her desk. Takagi then asks the teacher to be excused for a bathroom break. With this, Nishikata thinks up of a plan: to write someone’s name on Takagi’s eraser and tease her with it when she comes back, only to find out that there’s already a name on it.

From this manga cap, we could conclude that although Nishikata does not entertain the notion of him liking Takagi, there’s that single bubble of pride and hope within him that Takagi might only be doing the things she does to him because she likes him. When he removes the cover on the eraser, he finds out that what’s written is not actually a name, but a phrase saying “look at the hallway” which he does, and he sees Takagi peeping at him from the hallway. Another loss. He swears one day he would get back on Takagi, and then

Which is actually great. See, Takagi has already hinted here that it's not really as complicated as what Nishikata sees it. There is only a 50/50 percent chance of him winning, and that concept applies to everything that follows this chapter. I will explain this more later. Additionally, with this, we could conclude that Nishikata is really unlucky, and that Takagi really does like him, after all.

In Chapter 2, Nishikata laments on not being able to join their pool class because his hand is injured. Takagi sits next to him, looking out at their classmates wading on the water. Nishikata hides the fact that his hand got injured because he tried to pet a cat and he got scratched, but Takagi guesses this perfectly, which says that either Takagi is lowkey a stalker, or she's just a really good guesser. With this, Takagi challenges Nishikata for a game. Since she guessed it right, Nishikata has to guess why she couldn't join in the pool either. If he gets it wrong, it's Takagi's win.

Now, Takagi comments about Nishikata's answer being vague. He was being vague because Nishikata really is a good boy who respects Takagi as a girl. The first answer he could think of was that Takagi was on her period, but he couldn't quite say this because it might be rude. This notion of gender role is another reason as to why I consider Karakai appealing. Like the point I've mentioned before, the manga does a really good job at portraying its characters in accordance to their age group, so that readers will always remember that these people are kids. Other than that, the way their minds work are also in accordance to their age. At this point in his life, Nishikata doesn't know much about gender roles, what he knows is that he's a boy and if he opens up a topic only girls know about, like having a period, it's inappropriate and somewhat rude. This is consistently shown even on the later chapters, like how Nishikata asks Takagi to keep it a secret when she found out he likes a shoujo manga titled 100% Unrequitted Love. He's worried he'd become a laughing stock among all the boys if ever they'd find it. Once, they were talking about what they'd do if they'd have a million yen. Nishikata answers he would buy all the mangas and toys he wants. Takagi answers she'd buy clothes she like, and also to go on a trip with someone she likes. This just supports more on how accurate these kids really are portrayed, and I find it charming how this manga could be so honest.

Well, he loses out anyway because it's always like that. He could never have guessed that there' nothing really wrong with Takagi at all, which from an outsiders point of view means that she's only hanging out with him because she likes him. But as we can see, Nishikata could not see this, even after Takagi inviting him out for a swim in the future, because, as he'd said, Takagi'd only make fun of him.

The manga cap from above is from Chapter 3. In this, we could see that Takagi always being in the upper hand has caused mental effects on Nishikata. He gets overly amused by himself whenever he discovers something he could use (despite it being very normal like in this instance, it's making funny faces) against Takagi.

We could easily see how Takagi could turn anything into a contest when it comes to Nishikata. The winning streak always belongs to her. All childishness aside though, she'd win no matter what. On the later parts of the manga, Nishikata would grow closer and closer with Takagi, their bets and contests tying them together, which is simply what Takagi's goal is: she wants to spend time with Nishikata because she has a huge crush on him.

Takagi is a really bold character. She knows herself too well, and she knows Nishikata too well. She knows the things that would make Nishikata go red, and she uses these as stepping stones to get closer to him. But what does that have to do with bold? As early as chapter five, Takagi has used this kind of bullet to throw off Nishikata.

Takagi is a really wise character. Whenever she knows she will lose, she then uses these kinds of bullets in order to turn the tables around. The game here is easy, whoever shoots an empty can into the trash bin first wins. Takagi has thrown hers successfully. She knows that Nishikata is good at the game, so before he could get a chance to win, she blocks it. She's a really wise character, and I like her a lot.

She has other tricks up her sleeve, too. She knows how to make Nishikata's attacks backfire at him. The very first example is actually on the same chapter as the manga cap above. Nishikata had bought a newly produced canned drink and when Takagi asks for a sip, he immediately brings up "indirect kiss", thinking it would make Takagi embarassed. But Takagi is unfazed, and she drinks boldly from the can, and when she returns it to him, she uses the same method against him. Jokes on Nishikata, he easily gets embarrassed. This is also the reason as to why Takagi could say she'd give his first kiss to Nishikata if he wins, since he was the one who brought up the notion of a "kiss" in the first place. It is not necessarily about a kiss, but this kind of backfire happens a lot more in the future.

Takagi's journey of confession-hinting grows stronger by each passing chapter, and Nishikata is just as dense, okay let's give him props, as cautious as ever.

The "lie" Takagi was talking about here is that Nishikata lied to her about him not buying the manga called 100% Unrequitted Love. She's such a player, and through this we could understand why Nishikata could not accept the idea of him liking her, since whenever he believes he could have a chance, Takagi would take it back or turn it as a weapon to win against him in their "games".

Another manga cap below because bish shut up they're so cute.

Now I know, based on the previous thing I have written, Takagi seems like a manipulative, sly girl who uses Nishikata for her own wishes and mercilessly teases him for her own amusement. I love Takagi as much as I love Nishikata. And there's also as much depth in Takagi's character as there is in Nishikata.

First off, despite everything, (this is only based on my observation) Takagi is afraid. She is afraid that Nishikata might not actually like her back. She is afraid that her feelings might just be one-sided. In this aspect, we could say that she's really not that different with Nishikata at all. How do you think I could say that, you ask? Well, this manga stays really true and consistent to the rules it set from the start. Despite being overly wise, always being five steps (or more) ahead of Nishikata, Takagi is still a normal crush-struck girl who gets excited whenever Nishikata is close. She doesn't tease him because she's toying with his feelings, she's teasing him because she finds it cute seeing his reactions. She repeats this reason over and over again throughout time, and if you'd really read the manga, you'd notice that Takagi doesn't lie. Even if it's embarrassing, she doesn't lie. This is where there difference with Nishikata draws in. She is just a lot better at handling her emotions than Nishikata.

In my opinion, if Takagi is 100% sure Nishikata likes him, this scene would turn out differently. The way I see it, Takagi was asking for confirmation, testing out Nishikata if he really has feelings for her by using the words she'd heard by her classmates as a reason. She doesn't know if Nishikata could really ask her to walk home with her, so as wise as she is, she uses this opportunity to find that out. Notice how hopeful and curious Takagi's eyes are in the bottom-left frame. The fact that she has always been the one who asks Nishikata to walk home with her just proves that she likes to walk home with him a lot, but she doesn't know if the feeling is mutual, and so she is afraid that if she'd stop asking him, it wouldn't happen. She doesn't trust Nishikata to say it by himself because she does not know if he likes her back at all. This is actually a really good portrayal of a romance story, even more so in this type of a manga, and I might say it's even better than most shoujo mangas with school girls and boys in high school as characters.

And then this happens. It is a well-known fact that Nishikata loves manga and games. He encounters this situation and for a moment his eyes light up. But look more on Takagi. Her eyes are fixated not on Nishikata as he was making a decision. She doesn't want to look at him and pressure him into declining his friends' offer just so he would walk with her home. In this case, we could see that Takagi doesn't force herself towards Nishikata, and she respects him and his choices. (Bitch I hate this I love them so much ugh I mean the next caps posted is so cute asdbvlkjdbvkadfkdbvkjabdvjkavbjdf)

GOOD LORD LET ME BREATHE

I'M DYING HERE HOW CAN THEY BE SO ADORABLE UGGGGHHHH

What's great about this is that this chapter is actually the first instance, the first time ever that Nishikata won. The ironic thing is that he doesn't get to see it because he ran away too early.

(TAKAGI GOT FLUSTERED !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN'T TAKE THIS GIVE ME AIR)

*clears throat* As what Nishikata had said, he was supposed to be lucky at this day. His horoscope had told him that that day was a "turning point", which is exactly what that turning point Takagi was referring too. As I had said before, Takagi is much better at keeping her composure, so even when Nishikata suddenly told her he wanted to walk home with her, she had actually lost the real game, but it doesn't feel like it because she was able to come up with a comeback against Nishikata. "If you blush, you lose" remember. But this game, Nishikata doesn't realize.

Takagi is a really interesting character, She'd found a way to keep Nishikata by her side without sounding like she's the one who needs it. This goes to show how much Takagi is in control of the situation, yet she doesn't even use that advantage to force Nishikata into falling for her. She's just waiting, and teasing, and hoping along the way that Nishikata would admit to his feelings sooner of later. She says things that are bold for a girl her age to say just to tease Nishikata. She knows at this point that she could tell Nishikata, "Just go out with me", and she could just dismiss it as a joke. But she never does because that's the one thing she''s waiting to happen, It also reflects on how much they know, as kids, about what boys and girls should do in a relationship. In the end, Takagi is just a girl who wants to be asked out and not the other way around.

This is clearly shown more on the following caps. (I'm sorry but thinking about the caps I mentioned aksjdbglkdbgbadrbabdrjdj God of Ships why do you test me?!?!?!)

See? Takagi wants to be asked out, and I don't know if it frustrates her that Nishikata is so dense or whatever, but as much as she wants it, she doesn't force it to happen because she respects Nishikata's decision. She could have easily started a game and say,, "If you lose, you have to invite me to the summer festival." But she doesn't because she doesn't want that to be a joke. Or rather, she doesn't want to be invited just because Nishikata HAS to. She wants to be invited because Nishikata WANTS to.

And you know this goes on for a while. It's only until Nishikata and Takagi has to part ways that he invites her to the summer festival. Nishikata is a fragile boy. He double-guesses everything Takagi says because he's afraid to get teased. He doesn't want his feelings to be played, but at this point he was questioning himself more and more whether he really has feelings for Takagi or not. In his dream, Takagi teases her nonstop, but then it ends up with Takagi confessing her feelings for him. In the end, both of them just wants to know what the other person is feeling.

But Nishikata has gone braver here. I really admire him for this. Usually, he'd invite Takagi to something because he has "foolproof" plans of beating her to a game he thought up probably a few weeks ahead. But at this moment, he doesn't have any plans and he was the one who made the first step of courage to get their plot moving.

At this point, Takagi is so surprised that Nishikata really did say it. She wasn't really expecting him to and Nishikata has no knowledge of just how much he makes Takagi happy. You can definitely see Takagi's genuineness as a human character in the following caps.

She was overwhelmed by her feelings that she gave all of her canned juices. And you know, if you follow the manga, canned juices ARE a thing. It's Takagi and Nishikata's thing. It all started with the "indirect kiss" joke, but it has become a recurring element in their interactions, like the way Nishikata doing push-ups, and practicing to ride a bike together are THEIR THING.

(Look at how happy Takagi is she is so precious both of them are too precious they.need.to.be.PROTECTED!!! at all cost!)

I have shown by general understanding of the relationship between the two main characters of Karakai. I hope after reading this, you'd see that it's not just some simple story of chase and catch, but it has actually charming and interesting characters that stay true to themselves. Although the method of portraying love is childish, it fits perfectly to the concept of the characters involved, and that it dives deeper than the premises of puppy love. I'm gonna wrap this up with the 50/50 chance that has been mentioned at the start.

Nishikata does not realize that the games they are playing is not the real deal. They can keep score on all the times they have won each other through their childish acts of betting and teasing, but the actual point is that whoever admits their feelings without hesitation first wins. It's just a 50/50 percent chance Nishikata! You either tell her you like her or not. The only way to gain victory is to be honest with yourself! And you, reader, if there is actually anyone reading this, if you look back and read all the caps that have been included in this long ass informal review, you'd realize that Nishikata could win all the games if he'd just entertain the possibility that HE COULD ACTUALLY LIKE Takagi without getting embarrassed about it and that Takagi could ACTUALLY LIKE HIM BACK without any funny business.

And isn't that what love really is about? To be sure of it, and to not be embarrassed in showing it? Man, this manga cuts deep. It's even better than most push and pull complex relationships high school kids go through. To really wrap it up now, feel free to fanboy with me on the following caps.

I'M DEAD ADJKBJASVHDBJHSBJHVBDBHBMD OKAY GO BYE i'm probably gonna make a fanfic with this thing in mind no SHUT UP leave me alone don't judge me (but there's no fanfiction for karakai pyet as of the moment ugh cruel world)

(i should be the first)

#informalreview