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からかい上手の高木さん
182
20
Finished
Jun 12, 2013 to Oct 12, 2023
8.0/10
Average Review Score
70%
Recommend It
10
Reviews Worldwide
So, finally this manga has come to an end. If you are not acquainted with it, this is a slice-of-life romcom that follows the daily lives of middle school students Takagi and Nishikata. Takagi is a master at teasing and pranking Nishikata, who always plans to beat her at her own game but ends up outwitted and embarrassed himself. Then repeat next chapter. It's episodic, so you can even read the chapters out of order, it won't make any difference. This manga has become very recognizable over its long run, and maybe even inspired other stories like Nagatoro. Despite their constant antics, Takagi and Nishikata havea close friendship and unsaid feelings for each other. This is what can be concluded in chapter 1, and this is where any development stops, which is my only criticism of this manga. There is very little progression, for hundreds of chapters. They are still funny and endearing, despite that. And it does have an ending. The art is good, clean and clear, and characters are drawn very consistently. I recommend this to anyone who wants to read a simple, wholesome and cute story. Even a single chapter can make your day a little better and lighter. And if you like this, I especially recommend its adaptation. In my opinion, the anime greatly outshines its manga counterpart: it rearranges some chapters to be more chronological, so it has better build-up, and genuinely heartwarming, beautiful moments sadly missing in the source material.
With a smirk, the mischievous middle school boy Nishikata glances over at Takagi, the girl seated next to him in class. He has just devised a master plan to finally get back at her for all the merciless teasing inflicted upon him. As he is about to set his plan into motion, Takagi intervenes with a single comment that halts Nishikata right in his tracks. She had turned the tables on him yet again. "If you blush, you lose." That has been the unwritten rule set between the two ever since they encountered one another in middle school. Day after day, loss after loss, Nishikata strives to see Takagi red with embarrassment, but his futile attempts are only met by further ridicule. Beyond this vicious cycle of trying to outwit one another, will their relationship ever evolve? [Written by MAL Rewrite]
This series is a hard one to review because it was always intended to be a light read. There are no deep themes, or plot twists, it’s just something you’re supposed to read on your commute once a week and give you a “Aw, how cute” feeling. That being said, it still felt like it was milked way beyond appeal. Story: Almost every chapter follows the same routine. Nishitaka wants to defeat Takagi-san and they play some “game”, he loses, and perhaps there is some hint of romance between them. Occasionally we follow other characters, but they usually just are their own couples with their own routinedynamic. By Chapter 50 you’re probably already tired of it, and it’s not even half way over. There isn’t really romantic progress, though it’s hinted at more and more as the series goes on, the plot is not told chronologically, you aren’t actually seeing a deepening relationship. The series would have been a lot more enjoyable if it was much shorter, or Nishitaka and Takagi’s chapters were a side plot and the manga spent more time with other characters to inject some variety. Characters: The games Nishitaka and Takagi play range from clever to kind of weird and making either Nishitaka look like a moron or Takagi has some sort of psychic powers. They are definitely some of the best “cute” characters in a series in a while, but they get one note at times. The side cast appears sparingly and are also somewhat one note. Art: The art style shifts somewhat dramatically. It becomes much cleaner and more detailed, however Takagi’s design becomes more moeified and looks like a alien at times. Overall: 5/10. It definitely can be enjoyable if you want a light read and cute moments, but due to its length and the time invested to read it all, it could have been more engaging with some changes without losing its main appeal.
Teasing master Takagi-san has been a great soul-healing experience over these great years we were given with it. A story about a young duo of a boy and a girl in a coastal town living their youth whilst competing in different kinds of games. That´s it. Boy challenges the girl out of frustration of constantly losing to her and she gladly accepts every time with a gentle smile. The only thing that changes is pretty much the weather. And that´s occasionally. Definitely a manga for those looking to slow down their heart beats and to relax, maybe remember your own childhood and gently laugh at things you did.This is like seeing one version of an ideal youth, when you were without care, actual problems or anything that could be considered truly stressful. These are stories of two kids enjoying themselves and we are there to enjoy it with them. It´s almost like reading a small Atlas of "Over 100 ways how to pass time with your friends" or something. Even as an adult, I took notes. This piece of manga is perhaps one of the most wholesome creations we have been given and if you are not careful you just might find yourself re-re-re-reading these stories many times over. That´s a lot of times, bring snacks. For those wanting something that is completely wholesome, holds no stress or cliffhangers, and you are guaranteed to have a gentle and kind time while reading it all.
This manga became my new favourite series of all time.. There is just something about that makes every chapter incredibly enjoyable, and you always leave reading it with a good feeling. The main characters are competitive in a very playful sense and both never go too far, always showing a deep care for each other and other people above everything. The art starts out a bit weak but gets simple and yet very pretty over time. This is truly one of the best romance mangas ever, if you ever have children having the volumes in a bookcase would be wonderful to give them the experienceof reading such a wonderful story.
Finished. The teasing/romcom, many side characters to break things up, many places/games they go to and play. As far as it goes it's fun to read/clear it's audience but still fun of chapters to read a few, come back/1 a day or binge. If enjoy fair character moments/no big deal plot but just moment to moment stuff I recommend it. That's what I read it for was the moments/comedy. The art is good. The character expressions and even odd side character moments were memorable. Backgrounds look good. Misdirection happens for jokes/hiding emotions/presenting thoughts but you can usually tell what's going on. The Moto inclusions at times were nice (Motodoes the same having callbacks to the original) but if wanted more to connect to it you'll see it lacking at times. So only keep at as ah a reference/connection, but brief, nothing that much contributing just a nod that it exists I'd say/some advertising/something for those reading it or newcomers not knowing the older characters Moto series exists. It's enjoyable for the formula/some odd story but the ending cheap. Also gave me S2 vibes/fit the season but that's about it, that and some tropey dialogue I hate seeing. Gonna say it, the anime was better. S3 was better. The more story changes then formula was nice there and the manga tries but the ending was cheaper/lamer in the manga of how to end it/now do enough, it 'ramps up', ends in a misdirect a few times and wow they may did or didn't change from that, the anime was better at presenting the build up. Where they went to present it. Some formulaic manga ended better than this one. Not seen the movie as of this review but still. Read this without the S2/3 anime as it may ruin things for you of comparison. But either way the anime presented many things way better. I gave it an 8 like any I like. They aren't perfect, but they don't have to be either it's not that kind of manga. Not all chapters are amazing, not all scenes are funny, not all are touching/tropey, but some are and annoying. But next chapter and move on and it's fine. To me the moments are fun and that's why I kept reading, it's fun to read, see what they do next, who wins, who reacts, what places they go to, what games/what thoughts they have. Emotions didn't mean much, the touching moments aren't my thing, they were there sometimes, but they do the job I guess but after 100+ nah. Just take it as moments to enjoy for fun and nothing deeper. Or seeing some repeat also happens but usually many chapters later so it doesn't feel off. Many are memorable I found though.