Teasing Master Takagi-san is a popular manga series written by Yamamoto Souichirou and currently being serialized in Gessan, published by Shogakukan. It was originally serialized in Gessan mini, a supplement to Gessan, from 2013, and when Yamamoto's "Fudatsuki no Kyouko-chan", which had been serialized in the magazine, ended in 2016, it was transferred to the magazine and serialized there instead. It became a hot topic for its cute pranks and heart-warming youthfulness that made viewers feel like they were back in their school days, and in 2018 it was made into a long-awaited anime. This time, we will introduce why Takagi-san likes Nishikata, along with some thoughts on the topic.
What is Teasing Master Takagi-san about?
Source: Teasing Master Takagi-san © Yamamoto Souichirou, Shogakukan / Teasing Master Takagi-san Production Committee
Takagi-san and Nishikata-kun are classmates in junior high school and sit next to each other in the same class. Takagi-san teases Nishikata in various ways almost every day, and Nishikata tries to think of various countermeasures to counter it, but in the end, he always ends up being teased according to Takagi-san's calculations. A special feeling slowly grows in the midst of this teasing. This is a new type of "teasing love comedy" that depicts the daily lives of these two.
Takagi-san Voiced by Takahashi Rie
Source: Teasing Master Takagi-san ©Yamamoto Souichirou, Shogakukan/Teasing Master Takagi-san Production Committee
The heroine and protagonist of this work. She has a crush on Nishikata, who sits next to her, and as one way of expressing her affection for him, she teases him in various ways every day, enjoying seeing his reactions. She is a very cute-looking junior high school girl with a good figure for her age. She is very smart, has excellent grades, and uses her intelligence to always read Nishikata one or two steps ahead, and whenever he retaliates, she hits him twice as hard. When she teases Nishikata, she has a very expressive face and shows a variety of smiles. By the way, just like Nishikata, his first name is completely unknown, so let's hope it's not Yutaka (lol)
Nishikata (CV: Kaji Yuki)
The protagonist of this work, and one who could also be called the heroine (lol). Every day, Takagi-san teases him in various ways, and although he tries to get revenge somehow, everything backfires in front of Takagi-san, and he ends up being teased even more instead. He has a completely normal personality as a middle school student, and is basically a serious boy who thinks, speaks, and acts his age. He is a pure-hearted Nishikata-kun who adores reading a shoujo manga called 100% Unrequited Love.
Takagi-san and Nishikata's encounter
Source: Teasing Master Takagi-san © Yamamoto Souichirou, Shogakukan / Teasing Master Takagi-san Production Committee
The two meet on the day of the entrance ceremony. Nishikata is late for the entrance ceremony for some reason. Officially, he overslept, and because of that, he is unable to introduce himself to the classmates, and is depressed because he has lost the chance to become friends with them. In the midst of all this, the seating arrangements began, and as a result, Takagi-san ended up sitting next to me. It was at this time that Nishikata and Takagi-san met, and they would later become a destined couple.
The Beginning of Love
Source: Teasing Master Takagi-san ©Yamamoto Souichirou, Shogakukan/Teasing Master Takagi-san Production Committee
The reason Nishikata was late was because he was returning a handkerchief that had fallen to the staff room. And as you might have guessed, that handkerchief was Takagi-san's handkerchief. Nishikata's kindness in delivering the handkerchief to the staff room even though he was late meant that Takagi's love began. But it really does start with something so trivial. This handkerchief later plays an important role as a bridge between the two of them.
Reason 1 why Takagi likes Nishikata: Nishikata is easygoing
Source: Teasing Master Takagi-san ©Yamamoto Souichirou, Shogakukan/Teasing Master Takagi-san Production Committee
Nishikata never gets bored of being teased every day. For Takagi, it's one of the things she uses to start a conversation with Nishikata, and it's also a way of expressing affection, so being rejected by him is a matter of life and death for her, so she finds Nishikata, who continues to tease her without change, extremely endearing.
Reason 2 why Takagi likes Nishikata: He's good at being teased
Source: Teasing Master Takagi-san © Yamamoto Souichirou, Shogakukan / Teasing Master Takagi-san Production Committee
It's the greatest joy for the actors when Takagi-san responds to their teasing in the way they expect, or even better. Takagi-san loves Nishikata's cute reactions, so she can't help but tease him a lot just to see his face.
Reason 3 why Takagi likes Nishikata: His gentle side
Source: Teasing Master Takagi-san ©Yamamoto Souichirou, Shogakukan/Teasing Master Takagi-san Production Committee
The handkerchief incident was one thing, and the fact that he doesn't mind being teased every day was another example, but overall Nishikata is a very kind boy. Although he does try to get revenge for the teasing, he never says or does anything that will just hurt others, and that type of personality is probably what really appeals to Takagi.
Reason 4 why Takagi likes Nishikata: He lives up to your expectations
Source: Teasing Master Takagi-san © Yamamoto Souichirou, Shogakukan / Teasing Master Takagi-san Production Committee
Well, it's all thanks to Takagi-san's skill, but he'll meet Nishikata if you make up a reason to do so during summer vacation, and he'll even accompany you on shopping trips on the weekends. If you look at it the wrong way, you might see him as a convenient guy, but he's not, he's just responding to Takagi-san's expectations. Or rather, he's being led to meet her expectations (laughs). But, I guess that's why she likes Nishikata.
The Final Critical
Source: Teasing Master Takagi-san ©Yamamoto Souichirou, Shogakukan/Teasing Master Takagi-san Production Committee
Whenever Nishikata, who she loves so much, does something cool or something that gets her points, Takagi-san's love burns even more. When Takagi says that she wanted to go home with him, or when she receives a letter saying thank you inside the handkerchief he lent her, her excitement skyrockets. At first glance, you might wonder if it's really that exciting, but for Takagi, who loves Nishikata, these little things are very important and make her happy. It's clear that the devilish Takagi is actually a cute middle school girl.
A summary of the reasons why Takagi loves Nishikata!
Source: Teasing Master Takagi-san ©Yamamoto Souichirou, Shogakukan / Teasing Master Takagi-san Production Committee
It all started when they sat next to each other, starting with a handkerchief, and then with the daily teasing, Takagi-san's love grows stronger. And, although Nishikata is slower than Takagi-san, he is also gradually falling in love with her... Thanks to Takagi's efforts, Nishikata has become unable to live without Takagi's teasing, and he tries his best to hold on to the seat next to him, and seeing this, Takagi falls in love with Nishikata even more. They should just start dating already (lol). The youth of these two is a must-see, so please do check it out. I also recommend the spin-off work (former) Takagi-san, which tells the story after the two get married. Thank you for staying with us until the end.
