These “cheat code” original episodes have effectively made the Karakai Jouzu anime a very different story than the manga. In a good way, I would argue (my face still hurts), but different to be sure. Now, I was wrong about last week’s “Rental DVD” being original, but the meatiest part of it – the “100% Unrequited Love” movie – was. And that was the seed planted for this week’s episode, which I’m certain is anime-original (and I’ll be very embarrassed if I’m wrong again, because you wouldn’t forget it easily).
Again, I’m going to really have egg on my face if this turns out to be from the manga, but truthfully – can you imagine these events in the source material? The relationship aspect is so much more overt in the anime. I mean, going on a ferry to a movie (in beautiful Kurashiki) about a pair of teenagers in love, in order to get a couples gift – at Christmas, no less? Not even Nishikata is that dense – all but the barest layer of artifice has been stripped away from this romance angle of this relationship. And that artifice is a key component of the manga dynamic (in the parent series, though obviously not a certain spinoff) that never really goes away.
Is is better this way, or as Yamamoto-sensei wrote it? Well, given that he’s pretty involved in the anime and claims to love it, I can’t imagine he minds. In fact my theory is that the anime gives him a chance at a vicarious take on NishiKagi that he’d never do on paper. The anime as a whole is better than the manga, of that I have no doubt. An episode like this one, with so much eye candy of all kinds and lovely music, seeing these two kids come to life on-screen – the manga just can’t match that. There’s no shame in it – it’s just how it is. I think anime generally need story more than manga, and this adaptation turns TakaKata into much more of a progressive narrative. Which for me is a very smart thing to do.
All the trappings were on-point here, starting with the claw game. I mean seriously Nishi, did you think there was any way she wouldn’t be jouzu at that? Takagi happily giving the prize to Nishikata without extracting a bit of fun at this expanse is much more anime Takagi than manga, but I’m good with that. That bit where he introduced them as “the Nishikata couple” was absolutely one of the comic highlights of the season – and it even caught her out a little. That happens more in the cheat code eps, too – but again, I’m OK with that. And that touching of knees – that was hard core…
The bit where Takagi-san was pretending to be Kyunko encapsulated this whole scenario in epic (an somewhat ironic) fashion – “she seems way more vulnerable than usual”. That’s the essence of these cheat code episodes – that and Nishikata-kun being more assertive and occasionally winning. His reaction to the movie shows just why Takagi loves him (and this I think is exactly the same as the manga) – Nishi is a total teddy bear, a softie of the highest order. Part of the draw initially for her was the way that made him easy to manipulate, but as they got to know each other (and grew a little older) it became the thing she fell in love with.
Nishi-kun didn’t quite gild the lily by repeating Shouto’s “100%UL” line about Kyunko being cute (Takagi may have gone on a boat ride this week but she did her fishing on land), but this was a big win for him – never mind Takagi pretending to be a dojikko. He got her a gift, it was the right gift, and a nice Xmas card to boot. It was way more suave and cool than manga Nishikata would have been, but given how great it is to see these two in this mode, I certainly have no complaints. May the anime continue to forge its own path.
Sonicsenryaku
March 5, 2022 at 4:39 pmMan this show knows just how to raise my blood sugar to unnaturally high levels as these anime-original eps continue to lannd critical hits on my soul. Loved seeing Takagi’s perspective prior to them boarding the ferry; her subtle expression of excitement at knowing she’d be going on a date with the boy she’s crushing on was just too adorable. Not often do we get to see her emotions peeled back so when we do, it feels like a moment.
I also found Takagi’s Christmas card to Nishi to be profoundly sweet without being too overt. The fact that her message was a simple “thank you for another fun year” says a lot with so little: she genuinely appreciates being around him.
Another week goes by, another winning episode of this show passes. As i said, these anime original eps hit different. They find the right balance between allowing our couple to be more vulnerable than they usually would be, but still keeping them in line with the general formula of the show, which works really well as it provides more emotional heft/resonance to Takagi and Nishikata’s interpersonal dynamic in a way that feels mature and insightful. Only 3 eps left…..gonna miss it when it’s over
Guardian Enzo
March 5, 2022 at 6:32 pmSince the current anime mode seems to be “leave no Yamamoto unturned” I imagine a S4 will happen at some point.
Marty
March 5, 2022 at 7:51 pmIn the eternal words of Thanos, “This puts a smile on my face.”
All memes aside, I think the anime originals are what elevates this series over many other adaptations. It is one thing to take an episodic manga series and weave it into a coherent narrative, but it is another thing altogether to blend anime-original content with manga content so seamlessly to not only tell the narrative, but elevate it.
Guardian Enzo
March 6, 2022 at 9:32 amSee “Minami-ke S1”.
Wanderstrike
March 5, 2022 at 9:10 pmHi Enzo,
Most of the episode was anime original, but the plushie couple crane game is based off Chapter 106 – titled Crane Games, changed a bit to fit the movie date narrative timeline, and all for the better, IMHO.
All in all, another very good episode
Guardian Enzo
March 5, 2022 at 9:18 pmAh, I sort of remember that now – thanks.
Wanderstrike
March 5, 2022 at 9:29 pmThe Santa part is also somewhat modified from an earlier chapter of Takagi – Chapter 69 – was surprised how the tweak they did really elevated the source material into something very special!
Krembotop
March 5, 2022 at 11:50 pmHere’s another one! Probably the last one though: the whole “Takagi imitating Kyunko” segment from late into the episode is also directly based on a Manga chapter, this one being “Type” (Chp. 121 I think). Obviously tweaked a little bit to fit into the movie date narrative. It’s amazing how seamlessly and naturally those Manga chapters were integrated into this anime original story, greatly elevating all of them. Overall, this episode was truly amazing and special. Can’t wait for the remaining 3 eps.