OP: “Straight” ( まっすぐ) by Ohara Yukio
Here’s the thing that I really love about this adaptation – aside from the fact that it’s just generally really good. We’re getting the best that Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san can possibly be, pretty much. I enjoy the manga – I’m current with it, after all – but I would never claim it was anything profoundly great. It’s just a breezy, charming look at adolescent romance through a comical lens. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but the anime elevates the experience in every way. It makes sleepy Shodoshima come alive as a setting in a way the manga simply can’t. It captures the things that make the manga charming, while downplaying the things that can be tiresome about it. Not many adaptations can say they max out a series’ potential, and I think this one can.
There’s one other thing the anime has done to lift Karakai Jouzu’s game, and that’s deliver original material that’s often better than much of the canon content (also extremely rare). The second season came pretty much out of nowhere to sneak onto the 2019 Top 10 list (and it wasn’t a bad year), and that original content is a big reason why. I won’t swear to it as some of the non-exceptional chapters blend together a bit in my memory, but I believe much of this premier was original – which makes sense, given that it spins off what happened in the blockbuster S2 finale, which was also largely original.
The chapter (adapted) that kicks off the season, the “Grip Strength Thingy“, is certainly a part of the patchwork quilt of this series. But these sorts of silly teasing vignettes take on less importance the further the narrative progresses – or at the very least, they evolve to signify more than they once did. The meaning behind Takagi’s teasing of Nishikata was never hard to figure out – mangaka Yamamoto Souichirou never tried to hide it but it’s not like it would have mattered if he had. If the narrative had stagnated on this sort of thing the series would have grown stale pretty quickly. Fortunately, it didn’t – which is another reason the second season was so much better than the first.
This is where the anime goes in its own direction. And while that’s often an ominous moment, in Karakai Jaouzu’s case it usually means good things are to follow. The dream sequence is quite cleverly done, the first tipoff being when Takagi-san is suddenly wearing a yukata. The summer festival is a huge Karmic event in this couples’s timeline to be sure, and in fact we’re re-joining the story only a day after that momentous event. What follows makes it pretty clear it’s still very much on both Nishikata-kun and Takagi’s minds (as it surely would be).
“100% Unrequited Love” makes an appearance in Nishi’s dream, but it’s certainly not a factor in his real life. As for Takagi, she has her dream too – and it likewise involves the fireworks. Nishikata actually beating her in a dream isn’t something she can admit openly, but if he were more astute he’d realize she has no poker face – her blush always gives her away. But he’s a 13 year-old boy and hardly observant, and that’s really the essence of the whole premise. We also get some cameos from the “Nichiyoubi” trio (“it tastes like a cucumber dipped in honey” – who’s have guessed?) and Nishikata’s goofus wingmen, which manage to add to the charm rather than detract from it.
Yamamoto-sensei is certainly living his best life. His manga empire is thriving – the parent series is on its third season and has a film coming, and he has two more series premiering as anime this year. Hell, one could even say he’ll have four adaptations, since this series actually incorporates its spinoff manga – and it seems a sure bet that the timeskip sequel to Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san (though he doesn’t actually do that one himself) will be adapted when this one finishes (or even sooner). Also of note, the OP and ED are again excellent – and it looks like we’ll get another season of Takahashi Rie covering oldies for the latter. Shin-Ei is pretty much writing the book on how to do an adaptation right, and we’re the beneficiaries.
ED: “Yume De Aetara” (夢で逢えたら)” by Rie Takahashi
Marty
January 8, 2022 at 8:18 pmNishikata was WILDING in his dream sequence. It does make sense that his subconscious is freaking out in all sort of directions during his dream sequence; if memory serves me right, holding Takagi’s hand at the end of season 2 was the first explicitly romantic act he’s done that hes aware of and his brain is grasping at all the straws to try to make sense of it.
If this year feature S3 AND a movie, but the manga doesn’t show any signs of slowing down, I wonder if the anime will cut its losses and end the adaptation at season 3 and adapt part of the sequel manga in the film. Then again, the manga community seems pretty OK with the simulations existence of both, but the anime community may be a different beast to tackle.
On a quick side note, I found the cameo of Nishikata’s bois (outside the dream world) to be really funny in a sad kind of way. I know saying “our lives are empty” is pretty harsh commentary for a pair of 13-year Olds chilling, but I venture to Speculate it could be some subtle jab at how narratively insignificant they are in the overall story, at least in the manga. Great opening episode for season 3 tho, I didn’t know that the ED songs were covers, that’s a nice touch.
Guardian Enzo
January 8, 2022 at 10:22 pmI don’t think the anime would sweat starting a Moto adaptation while the original is still running. As you said, they co-exist already and honestly, it’s no cliffhanger how these tykes’ lives are going to turn out.
I found that bit funny too, and there may have been a bit of a self-referential wink to it. But for me it was more about how blissfully idiotic middle-school boys usually are, and they were having some fun with Kimura being self-aware about it (and seeing himself as less so than his bro).
Earthlingzing
January 9, 2022 at 11:10 amI take that you’ve warmed up to the Yuki Kaji casting here?
Guardian Enzo
January 9, 2022 at 12:05 pmIt is what it is. I’ve always said it’s among his less obnoxious performances (and I give him props for writing the messaging chapter). But I also think the role would be better in a lot of seiyuus’ hands. He’s fine, not a deal-breaker. For him that’s a win.
krembotop
January 11, 2022 at 8:23 amOne interesting thing that I noticed once I watched the episode (and smiled from ear to ear during the whole time this cute couple were on-screen) is that nearly all of the scenes from the first PV of Season 3 came from this first episode alone. And all but one ended up coming from dream sequences. That shot from the upcoming adaptation of a major chapter was the only thing that wasn’t from it. Basically, it gave very little away. Sure, the 2nd PV did end up revealing quite a lot more and gave us an idea of what to expect (like another major original story); but if one has only ever seen that first trailer, the rest of the season is going to be almost uncharted territory.
Also, the show’s whole international streaming rights fiasco has continued in a very predictable way. 3 seasons, 3 different platforms with each having only 1. And the OVA seems to have remained a Home Media exclusive. Any comments on this? And Netflix Japan does have all 3 seasons, right? It’s for stuff like this that I have to resort to fansubbing and the P word. But it I had extra money to spare, I could buy some random Takagi-san merch just to support the series in any way.
Guardian Enzo
January 11, 2022 at 9:57 amWell, my comment is it’s pretty silly. I have no idea why this has happened but it’s preposterous for consumers to have to graze three different streaming services for the same series. Not an issue in Japan, no.
If official channels make it impossible or nearly so to follow a series, I see no reason to feel guilty about doing so by other means. But that’s just me – I was doing this when there was basically no other way to follow anime in the West.