Teasing Master Takagi-San Reviews

Warning: Spoilers
While at first sight this series seem to be a sweet comedy, the more I watch it, the more I realize the theme of endurance and sorrow is also buried in the depths of this series, in the most cheerful character Takagi-san.

Let us try reviewing this series from takagi's point of view. Through a few times of teasing, takagi san in fact realizes that she likes nishikata, which she knew she couldn't abruptly propose to him, nor waiting for a guy as shy as nishikata to actively approach her. Therefore, she planned a series of events and action in order to have more time spent with nishikata. Helping him with his day duties, walking home with him despite of having a bike, buying him a drink when he is broke, helping him with mathematics, spending summer vacation together everyday for bicycle-riding ... not to forget sacrificing part of her swimming lesson to accompany him. Takagi actually has done a lot to increase her time spent with nishikata, and these are not the usual stunts that a girl should pull. She knew her actions would raise a lot of eyebrows from her friends, but she was aware that this is the price she must pay in order to get better terms with nishikata. Takagi's time spent with nishikata brings her happiness, which makes her put her reputation aside (Takagi once told nishikata the classmates think it was takagi who likes nishikata because it is always her asking him out) and play the active role in a relationship. (The time when she purposely lost to nishikata in rock-scissors-paper to help him clean the classrom)

Takagi deep down is very sensitive like other girls. But in order to approach nishikata she put away her ego, suppressed her negative emotions and always wear a smile on her face like she couldn't care less. For instance, the calligraphy arc. She knew that at second try nishikata would write something mean to insult her, therefore she pulled a trick beforehand to tease him and leave his insult ineffective. To us readers this is just another win for takagi, but for her, she might just want to escape from nishikata's criticism on her. Takagi is just a normal girl that could break down on a reject from her crush, hence her stunts to make nishikata embarrassed by saying awkward things (this is also portrayed at the two-choice-question arc). Another example of takagi san turning the tables on nishikata expressing his dislike on her is the sketching arc. When takagi saw nishikata's witch-like drawing of her, we can tell how hurt she was and she even took a moment to suppress her feelings. But shortly after, she pulled a funny face on nishikata, pointing out that he could make it worse, and acted like she couldn't care less. Later in the episode, nishikata slipped his mouth and said that he rejected his friends invitation to play Fierce-Soccer because he wanted to walk home with takagi. At that instant, we all could tell how touched takagi was from her stunned expression. However, the warm feeling was let down by nishikata, saying that he just want to land his "critical strike" on teasing her. Takagi smiled at it, teasing him to say it again for her to forget, but nishikata just embarrassingly ran way. The last scene was caught on Takagi's expression, on how she tried so hard holding back her tears.

Takagi spent so much effort to get along with nishikata, and she just wanted him to appreciate her a little, or show a little concern or affection. Sadly for her, at the point, she got no response from him. That is why she almost broke down at the end of episode 11. However at the last episode, takagi finally got back her confidence and happiness when she saw nishikata attempting to sit beside her. To her, that might be the second best gift. Then what's the best gift? You may ask. Undoubtedly, the best gift is the thank-you-note wrapped in the handkerchief! The reason this simple word could bring her so much joy is that this note expresses nishikata's appreciation and affection to her, meaning that nishikata feels lucky to have her as his friend. She squeals into her pillow out of excitement as she knows all her effort and commitment has paid off. And that is all she wanted from him :)

This show ain't no ordinary romance anime about how a boy and a girl's fate converge and fall for each other and live happily ever after. Rather, this show effectively portrays the mind of a teenage girl, trying desperately to bring her and her crush's fate together, at all cost. This element makes this show realistic, empathizing, and beautifully bittersweet. People watch this series while focusing on how nishikata likes takagi but is not aware. But for me I think the character who deserves more attention is Takagi. I personally have so many feels watching this series as my emotions go up and down with Takagi's. I felt at ease with nishikata beside her and felt so bitter when takagi manages to pull out a smile when nishikata expresses his dislike towards her. Takagi is a sensitive and courageous girl I admire so much, and this series subtly but perfectly portrayed her state of mind. By the way I think this show already had a perfect ending and as much as I would like to see more of Nishikata and Takagi together, I think a season 2 is unnecessary and would spoil the feelings I have for it.