KARAKAI JOUZU NO TAKAGI-SAN MOVIE

DESCRIPTION

CAST

ANIME ComedyKarakai Jouzu no Takagi-san 3

REVIEWS

• 

  ZNote

  80/100
  A genuinely-sweet end for a lovely series. May you find your fireflies!

  The first three seasons of Teasing Master Takagi-san moved slowly, almost like a calm stream rather than a rushing river. The dynamic between Nishikata and Takagi, two middle school students caught in the throes of young love that goes unspoken, lent itself to a fun time of silliness. The vignette-style nature of the story meant that individual scenarios could come one after another, seemingly out of time and place, always ending with the same inevitable result - Takagi reigns triumphant, and Nishikata laments his lot in life as to once again be humiliated at Takagi's hands. His humiliations came in numerous forms, whether it be in getting caught completely off-guard by something, or 5D-chessing his way into defeat because he thought he was craftier than he actually was. Despite the timelessness of the scenarios themselves, there were little kernels of continuity here and there, which the later seasons managed to do a better job of utilizing to progress the romance. We began to explore Takagi and Nishikata's island location beyond just the school, as visits to shrines or festivals and shops added variety and color to the warmth of the franchise. Regardless of how an individual sequence played out, the one unmistakable idea underneath everything was that no matter what, it seemed like it could go on forever. Time seemed to stand still, even when it was clear that things were moving forward between them. Holding hands, walking home together, or perhaps a spirited run to see the other because something needed to be done.

  But here in the Takagi-san film, time seems to be against them in multiple ways. Middle school graduation is gradually getting closer, and the signs of change are around everyone. Takao takes pictures to use as mementos of school daily life, while Mina and Yukari lament that their more straight-faced friend Sanae might be leaving their island for a program at another high school off the island. And for Nishikata and Takagi, a burning question that has loomed over the series seems to finally be approaching its realized moment - will a confession between the two of them actually take place? The tone of seriousness is markedly more present than it has been previously, demonstrating that the film is willing to leave the normal frivolities and cutesiness behind to focus more intently on what truly matters: what the characters are feeling. Feelings have always been at the heart of Teasing Master Takagi-san, cloaked in warm, chuckle-inducing humor and the occasional moment of pure sweetness emanating from one or both of our leads. But this time around the path to school, change is apparent.

  It is often said, in some form or another, that the best way to make something stand out within a tried-and-true formula is to break the formula altogether. Some call it the "narrative collapse," while sitcoms might call it "A Very Special Episode." The Takagi-san film plays itself off as the latter, still embodying the vignette-style storytelling that defined and charmed audiences for three seasons and dozens of manga chapters, but here now, it comes with a sense that something this time around is distinctly different. At first, it doesn't appear to be that way. The film opens innocently enough with Nishikata concerned over forgetting an umbrella as it rains outside, which leads to an all-too-expected round of teasing by the titular teasing master herself. And all the while, a rumor (manufactured for the film) pertaining to love and fireflies fills the air.

  But it's in the film's latter half that the familiar formula is abandoned. As Nishikata and Takagi are about to embark on another summer vacation of teasing and contests, everything changes when they encounter a young, lonely kitten by the shrine. The teasing stops altogether; for a moment, the cosmic tumblers have aligned and allowed both children to leave whatever they might have thought their dynamic to be behind and focus on something that they both sincerely care about. Playing with the kitten (which they've named Hana) allows the franchise to adopt an entirely new kind of cuteness, one in which Nishikata and Takagi are tied together with both of them beaming rather than one beaming and the other blushing. Like the TV seasons, time seems almost suspended for a while. Even if the overall aesthetic may not differ too significantly in the transition from small screen to big screen, and not every one of the jokes the script comes up with are particularly funny, the timelessness of their relationship shines in brilliance. When they smile together, we know why they're smiling. Through facial gesture and laughter, no words need to actually be spoken; the sentiment is strong, having been bolstered by three seasons of thick and thin for both characters.

  But time marches on. Summer vacation will come to its end eventually, as will the ultimate fate of Hana and the possibility of Nishikata and Takagi's love. And in that same spirit, this is likely the final chapter, closing the book on the anime adaptation of Yamamoto Souichirou's original manga. The story could certainly go on from here (about that...), but as a finale, it could not have been lovelier. If the Takagi-san film has any overarching message or theme to glean through Itami Aki's script, it's that the things in life that you love are worth holding onto. And why? Because, before you even realize it, they could be gone and the sadness you feel could cut deeply...

  ...so hold them tightly, watch the fireflies, and make each other happy.

  
  Continue on AniList
• 

  JohnPaul465

  95/100
  Love can be found even during the greatest adversities

  

  When I first saw Takagi, it just felt inconsequential and ordinary, even obtuse and unbearable at times. I couldn’t care for the characters, since I believe that in a slice of life anime, it is crucial to build a bond towards them, and Takagi, in spite of its several attempts to perform as a bridge to create that connection, it always failed miserably.
  I had watched two seasons, it didn’t work. I had given it a second chance, so I read the manga, it didn’t work either. But after watching the movie, in spite of my futile attempts to resist it, my opinion regarding Takagi changed radically.

  SAY GOODBYE TO YESTERDAY, EMBRACE TOMORROW
  

  

  There is a lot of symbolism in this movie; one of the most beautiful things about life is to able to meet others, but then there is the other side of the coin. We cling to our past in order to escape the heartrending end. That is a concept that we see in both the story of Takagi, Nishikata and their kitty, and in the story of Mina, Yukari and Sanae. The end will always be inevitable, but we ought to treasure the path we have taken and reminisce it with a grin on our faces.
  There is another concept that we see in this film, and that is FAMILY. Takagi and Nishikata experience their first but solid step towards a parenting style they decide to act on when taking care of the kitty. This is something that continues to develop throughout the story until it is consolidated in the finale, where ambiguity and uncertainty are no longer the protagonists. The fact the they are already a family and have conceived a daughter becomes tangible, and explicit.

  

  THE ART OF MUSIC AND SOUND
  

  Inconsequential to many, substantial to the rest, a proper soundtrack always adds power and meaning to any scene. The use or the lack of it can substantially change a scene. The intrinsic value of music is, in my opinion, unquestionable.
  For instance, the scene where Takagi and Nishikata named their kitty after the flowers, or when they found it after an exhaustive search in the rain, or when Nishikata tells Takagi that he will make her happy for the rest of their lives; the emotionality of this film lies in these small details. Now, I can’t imagine any of these scenes having the same impact without its proper soundtrack. I’m not based on technical or theoretical arguments, but on something more instinctive. A good sound is as important as a good animation and narrative.

  LET’S SUMMARIZE THIS
  

  The film moved me like many others have, but I felt a genuine attachment to Takagi-san the movie. Not only due to its extraordinary concepts or its wonderful soundtrack you can hear throughout the whole movie. My admiration lies in redemption. Takagi taught me that, no matter how much you despise something, our emotions can change. An unexpected transition from hate to love can take place, under the proper circumstances. I LOVE this film with all my heart, and I doubt these feelings will ever change.

  Continue on AniList
• 

  0711jz

  85/100
  A love letter to youth and young romance, moving past the series’ time-tested formula to tell a genuinely moving story.

  This review contains spoilers. You have been warned.

  I watched the first three seasons of Takagi-san—a little less than two years ago now—and, probably like most of you reading this review, enjoyed it. I like a good rom-com a little more than the next guy, and I value Takagi-san’s wholesome slice-of-life-oriented approach: unafraid to put romance on the backburner, the series primarily focuses on the entertaining and endearing dynamic between its two leads, slowly advancing their relationship (and romance) in the process. However, at the time, I didn’t think much more of the series; to me, it was just an above-average rom-com, though more heartfelt and wholesome than the rest.

  

  A few months back, I heard that a sequel movie for Takagi-san came out. But I wasn’t watching much anime at the time, so I only got around to watching it now. And I only chose this film in particular because I wanted to watch something shorter in length and finally finish a series I started long ago. However, I was not expecting this movie to enthrall me as much as it did.

  To put it simply, this movie completely blew it out of the park: it absolutely shattered my expectations, going above-and-beyond the original series to tell a heartfelt story of youth and young romance. As I mentioned, it's been a long time since I watched the TV anime, so I can't quite remember how good it was. But even I can tell that this movie is a step above its predecessors. It was so good in fact, that I decided to spontaneously write a review for it.

  

  Despite its somewhat short length, this movie brilliantly manages its allotted time, balancing its sincere plotlines without any of them feeling rushed or under-developed. And that's thanks to this film's excellent pacing, which knew exactly when to linger on a moment, when to skip ahead or move on, and when to include a nicely-timed montage with a beautiful Yuiko Ohara insert.

  The production, possibly because of a movie-level budget, far surpasses the TV anime. The art looks substantially better across-the-board: the cleaner and more detailed character designs allow for a lot more expression in the characters, and some of the backgrounds look genuinely breathtaking. The soundtrack, gentle and subdued, beautifully complements the art to create some remarkably touching moments. Even the directing feels more inspired, following “show, don’t tell” to a tee and accentuating the beautiful scenery around them.

  

  This film’s portrayal of youth, and the joys associated with it, is simply sublime. There are so many beautiful examples of the characters just enjoying this wonderful time of their lives: whether they’re passing the time with friends, enjoying a vibrant school life, relishing the wonderful summer weather, making the most of their school break, or appreciating those around them, there are so many wonderful examples of youth that romanticize this idyllic period of life.

  I also love how this film makes far greater use of its setting, placing a subdued yet significant emphasis on rural life and Japanese culture as a whole. There are so many beautiful shots of the coast, shrines, and even birds-eye views of the island that weren’t nearly as prominent in the anime. A scene where a character says “it’s summer” is fine, but a scene where a character says that and then the view zooms out to show a panorama of the gorgeous-blue coast and the sunny island really conveys that it’s summer, and this movie is chock-full of instances like that.

  

  The combination of the art and the setting creates an incredibly soothing atmosphere, one that’s unique to anime with beautifully rural Japanese settings. There’s something intrinsically appealing about this type of anime, which idealizes a certain lifestyle or location. They’re comfortable, nostalgic, and familiar, making me wish I could live this type of life despite my happiness with my current circumstances. And this atmosphere, comfortable yet mildly bittersweet, excellently complements the movie’s portrayal of time and its idealized depictions of youth and romance.

  Time never played a significantly large role in the anime series; while there were small developments in the relationship between the main leads, the series leaned into its timeless formula to create a comfortable and wholesome atmosphere. However, you can consistently feel the presence of time in this film: Takagi & Nishikata's middle school graduation is soon approaching, Sanae is considering transferring to a far-away high school, and Takao is taking class pictures to use as mementos of their tranquil youth.

  

  The first part of the movie follows the series’ tried-and-true formula, including some nice moments between the leads, highlighting the current stage of their relationship, and emphasizing the unavoidable passage of time. It felt a lot like the best parts of seasons 2 and 3, but combined into a single movie with far greater production.

  However, the movie abandons its formulaic nature in the middle by introducing a plotline that throws a wrench in their dynamic. Takagi & Nishikata stumble upon a stray cat by accident and, since she’s so cute, decide to care for her. Lost in the cat’s adorableness, the leads completely forget their roles: Nishikata doesn’t get embarrassed, overly blush, or overthink things, and Takagi doesn't tease Nishikata. Instead, they temporarily relieve their positions and abandon their dynamic to focus on caring for and rehoming this cute cat. Honestly, I found this part of the movie to be super refreshing; it was nice to see Takagi & Nishikata relishing their time together and acting like kids, temporarily forgetting their slowly-approaching graduation or romantic endeavors and just enjoying each other’s company.

  

  However, good things don’t always last. Due to an unfortunate circumstance out of their control, the cat is taken from them right after they resolve to adopt her. The cute kitten they've spent their summer break caring for is now gone, and they'll likely never see her again. You can really feel just how painful this separation was for our leads; the director did an outstanding job demonstrating their anguish, never showing us their faces and lingering on a melancholic scene of them slowly walking across a bridge with the beautiful sunset in the background.

  

  The introduction of the cat was not only a refreshing suspension of Takagi & Nishikata’s dynamic, but also a grim reminder that happy times don’t last forever. Things change, people move on, and sometimes it's better to let go. This ties in perfectly with the movie’s emphasis on the passage of time from the beginning, warning our leads that they should seize the things they care about before they disappear.

  It’s in this vein, when Nishikata sees a crying Takagi, that his resolve comes forth. No overthinking or crazy blushing. The girl he loves is crying in front of him. What else should he do but say he’ll make her happy? I really like this scene, because it’s not some overdramatized or melodramatic confession with loudly swelling music and constant blushing. They’re both sad and have just witnessed firsthand that things don’t last forever: why wouldn’t they advance their relationship before it falls apart? No “I love you” or “Will you go out with me?” is necessary; they’ve both been long aware of each other’s feelings. All they need is resolve and a promise for the future.

  

  Needless to say, I love this part of the movie, and I love the way it finishes: it ties up so many loose-ends, both from the TV anime and the film’s first half. There are so many small details in this final part of the movie that add so much to this already great product. For example, the movie not only resolves the romance, ending with a mutual promise to make each other happy, but also does so at the festival they promised to return to in the second season. The film also parallels its beginning montage with the leads playing the same rock-paper-scissors game in the same spots, demonstrating how, although their relationship has advanced to its next stage, they're still the same as before, and they'll continue to get up to the same antics now and in the future. They even pass by a cat and smile, showing how they've fully moved on from the loss of their kitten from before, and there's a nice scene of Nishikata offering Takagi his hand, clearly demonstrating how he'll continue to look out for her. Not to mention the post-credits scene that teases the author’s spin-off manga, showing Takagi & Nishikata happily married with a child, finally getting to experience the fireflies from the first part of the movie.

  

  This movie is a love letter to youth, young romance, and coastal Japan, maintaining and enhancing the anime's best qualities and combining them into one brilliant movie. The story and message may be simple, but it’s executed with such brilliance that I can’t help but love it. And there’s no BS romantic drama or pointlessly overdone melodrama, just a simple yet powerful story building off of three seasons of development. Because of that, I cannot suggest this movie enough, especially to fans of the anime.

  Continue on AniList

SIMILAR ANIMES YOU MAY LIKE

• MOVIE

  DramaNakitai Watashi wa Neko wo Kaburu
• ANIME

  ComedyKubo-san wa Mob wo Yurusanai
• MOVIE

  ComedySaenai Heroine no Sodatekata Fine
• MOVIE

  RomanceCider no You ni Kotoba ga Wakiagaru
• MOVIE

  RomanceTamako Love Story
• ANIME

  ComedyTada-kun wa Koi wo Shinai
• ANIME

  ComedySoredemo Ayumu wa Yosetekuru
• ANIME

  ComedyIjiranaide, Nagatoro-san
• ANIME

  ComedyIjiranaide, Nagatoro-san 2nd Attack
• ANIME

  ComedyUzaki-chan wa Asobitai!
• ANIME

  ComedyUzaki-chan wa Asobitai! ω
• ANIME

  ComedyKunoichi Tsubaki no Mune no Uchi