History Manga / KarakaiJouzuNoTakagiSan

** In Chapter 66 (Lottery) they talk about what they'd do if they won the lottery, and Takagi mentions wanting to go on a trip with the guy she likes. She then pointedly asks Nishikata if there's anywhere he'd like to do, but despite this massive hint he still refuses to accept the possibility she's serious.

* ActorAllusion: It's pretty much impossible to watch the anime's version of the chapter "Typhoon" without hearing Creator/RieTakahashi channelling [[LightNovel/KonoSubarashiiSekaiNiShukufukuO Megumin]].

An anime adaption airing from January 7th 2018 to March 26th, with an OVA released in July 2018 along with Volume 9 of the manga.

* PsychicPowers: Most viewers seem to think Takagi can read minds. If this is indeed the case, Nishikata's been going the rounds with a psychic and he didn't even know it.

Lampshaded during the stage event during Anime Japan 2018 when Nishikata's voice actor Creator/KajiYuki is forced to read the line "I like you" in-character as Nishikata. He protests that Nishikata would never say that line because Nishikata himself is completely unaware he's fallen in love with Takagi.

An anime adaption began airing January 7th, 2018; the last episode aired on March 26th. An OVA was announced to come out in July 2018 along with Volume 9 for the manga.

For other related works, see ''Karakai Jouzu no Moto Takagi-san'', which is set ~10 years in the future and depicts Takagi's life with her daughter Chi; and ''Ashita wa Doyoubi'', which focuses on the misadventures of [[ThoseTwoGuys Those Three Girls]] Mina, Sanae, and Yukari.

** In Chapter 31 SeriesFauxnale, we are shown Takagi 10+ years into the future. [[spoiler:Takagi is shown to be an adult with a daughter, reminiscing in a melancholy fashion about her youth with Nishikata, with many hints leading the audience to believe that Nishikata isn't present in her life anymore and not even revealing if he is her daughter's father or not. By the end of the chapter her husband returns home and their front door has the name plate "Nishikata" on it, confirming the two are married and together after all.]]

* CallBack: The first volume of ''Moto Takagi-san'' is a direct reference to ''Takagi-san'''s first volume cover, only with her daughter under the umbrella instead of Nishikata.

* TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou: During the SeriesFauxnale mentioned below, [[spoiler:Takagi tearfully reminisces about middle school, with dialogue implying that Nishikata disappeared from her life, not even confirming if he's her daughter's father or not. At the end when he comes home, (with the entrance conveniently showing a plaque stating that the Nishikata family lives there) she gives the reader a smirk while a sidebar proclaims "How did it feel being teased?"]]

** Chapter 73 gives us a peek into Takagi's daughter's middle school days... and while her more emotionally reserved LoveInterest acts as a {{Kuudere}}, she's the one getting teased despite her efforts. [[spoiler:Like father, like daughter.]]
* GenerationXerox: Chi and a boy implied to be Sanae's son repeat the teasing routine several years later in middle school. [[spoiler: Unfortunately for Chi, she makes justice to her family name...]]
* GoodParents: In the sequel series, [[spoiler: Takagi and Nishikita are very attentive, doting parents.]]
* HairstyleInertia: As we see in the TimeSkip: [[spoiler: Nishikata and Takagi's hair barely changed at all. Nishikata looks more or less the same with a squarer face, while Takagi has the same length and part in her hair, only turned into a low ponytail.]]

* LikeAnOldMarriedCouple: A quibbling duo who are otherwise close to each other is how the rest of their class sees Nishikata and Takagi. [[spoiler:Played literally when they do marry in the future and the dynamic of their relationship doesn't change.]]

* NoNameGiven: Takagi and Nishikata are only really known by their last names, with their given names unrevealed for the majority of the series. Even in the spinoff manga when we see their yearbook, their given names are blocked off and [[spoiler:the two always call each other Dear/Mum/Dad]].

* SeriesFauxnale: Before the comic started a regular publishing schedule, the last irregular chapter flashed forward to [[TimeSkip ten years in the future]] when (née) Takagi has a young daughter. She's still her old teasing self with her, and it ends with her giving an AsideGlance to the audience when her husband, Mr. [[spoiler: Nishikata]], comes back home with the shopping.

** ''Karakai Jouzu No Moto Takagi San'' (''Teasing Master (Formerly) Takagi-san'') is a spinoff manga about Takagi's married life and teasing her kid. [[spoiler: Said married and family life is with Nishikata]].

* TimeSkip: Chapter 31 reveals who Takagi end up marrying and have children with. [[spoiler:After a false lead up, it's eventually revealed she married Nishikata]].

* WillTheyOrWontThey: While Takagi is pretty obvious in her interest in Nishikata, Nishikata is either unable to accept she's genuinely interested in him or brushes it off as her teasing him. [[spoiler:Chapter 31 and the ''Moto Takagi-san'' spin-off suggests they do get together. Now the only question is ''when''?]]
* WomenPreferStrongMen: Several of Takagi's schemes involve the overall physical fitness of Nishikata, such as strength and agility. Because the fitness system for boys uses higher standards than girls, he has to strive for a higher percentile rank to beat her scorecard. This ultimately makes him one of the fittest boys in her class: he averages at least 7 to 8 points on a national 10 point scale for his age range (and claims he can score the maximum 10 on grip strength). [[spoiler: In the ''Moto Takagi-san'' spin-off manga, Nishikata has apparently taken up a job as a PE teacher and has a muscular physique.]]
* WrongNameOutburst: A variation in ''Moto Takagi-san''. [[spoiler:Nishikata accidentally refers to Takagi by her maiden name when she brings him his lunch, a result of the two of them being back at their old high school.]]

* ACupAngst: In one chapter, Takagi notes Nishikata's grown taller. Nishikata, eager to count this as a win, tells her she hasn't grown at all. She calls him a pervert in response, flustering him and making him splutter he wasn't talking about her breasts.
** According to the Chapter 31 TimeSkip, [[spoiler:she doesn't develop a noticeable bust and keeps the slender physique]].

** The anime adapted chapters of ''Ashita Wa Doyoubi'' to help fill out episodes.
** Several chapters were expanded in the anime. For example, in Episode 7 there is a scene added to Chapter 28 ("Room") where Nishikata and Takagi study in his room and accidentally touch hands.

* AllAccordingToPlan: How many of Takagi and Nishikata's interactions end, with her gleefully informing Nishikata that he acted exactly how she thought he would. This frustrates Nishikata to no end.
** Even in chapters where she doesn't say this, it's pretty clear she got what she wanted. For example, in Chapter 34, she teases Nishikata about taking pictures, and by the end of the chapter, the pair have photos of each other on their phones. Takagi leaves Nishikata in an extremely good mood, and Nishikata decides to keep the photo (as a [[SuspiciouslySpecificDenial potential weapon against Takagi]]).

* BatmanGambit: Takagi's skill at predicting Nishikata's actions and precise thoughts can stretch believability at times.
** Nishikata tries to do this too, but he's no match for Takagi.
* BeachEpisode: Chapters 57-59, of the "Pool" variety.
* BecauseYouWereNiceToMe: Takagi's interest in Nishikata came about when he was late on the first day of school, and she learns it was because he'd found her handkerchief and was turning it in at the lost and found.
* BelligerentSexualTension: An extremely cute example, as while Nishikata is constantly annoyed by Takagi's teasing, he also tries to give as good as he gets. Pity he's so outgunned...
** When the class gets rearranged and he and Takagi no longer sit together, he gets jittery and tries to switch seats to be with her again. He chalks up how unnerved he is to how he had a brilliant plan, and desperately wanted to carry it out.
* BetaCouple: Their classmate Mano-chan and Nakai-kun, who are shown dating early in the series. While not given too much screentime, their appearance usually provide the topic of the chapter.

* BrutalHonesty: On multiple occasions, Takagi will bluntly state that whatever Nishikata is doing isn't working. For example, in Chapter 39 (Coffee), she tells Nishikata that simply drinking coffee won't make her think he is mature.
** In Chapter 65 (Kendama), she tells him that she wasn't fooled by his atrocious acting for a moment.
* ButtMonkey: Nishikata, Mina [[spoiler: and Chi]].

* CannotSpitItOut: Nishikata can't from embarrassment. Takagi always stops just short, seemingly intent on waiting for Nishikata to confess first.

* DefeatCatchphrase: "Darn you, Takagi-san!" (in Japanese, "Takagi-san-me!")
* DidntThinkThisThrough: Sometimes Nishikata will come up with some brilliant plan, only for Takagi to point out the huge gaping flaw (or for Nishikata seeing the flaw himself, much too late to do anything about it). For example, he once challenged her to doing a flip on the monkey bars, only for her to point out she's wearing a skirt. She suggests that he turn around while she takes her turn, and he agrees. However, while she's grunting, Nishikata realises that he's basically trusting Takagi to not lie.

* ExactWords: One of Takagi's most potent weapons. For example, when she meets Nishikata after he bought a shoujo manga, she forces him to admit he lied to her out of embarrassment. She then promises not to tell anyone, and offers to tell Nishikata a secret about herself. She tells him she likes him, and follows that up by informing him that since he lied to her, she lied to him. [[spoiler:The lie was that her affection [[OpenSecret isn't really a secret to anybody.]] ]]

* FailedASpotCheck: There have been times when Nishikata actually has gotten to Takagi. However, he normally does this completely by accident and is so embarrassed himself he fails to notice. An example is in the chapter where he off-handedly tells her, "I wanted to walk home with you." He freaks out and excuses himself, only for Takagi to reveal she was fighting down a blush and struggles to keep herself from smiling stupidly as she bikes home.

* TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou: During the SeriesFauxnale mentioned below,[[spoiler:Takagi tearfully reminisces about middle school, with dialogue implying that Nishikata disappeared from her life, not even confirming if he's her daughter's father or not. At the end when he comes home, (with the entrance conveniently showing a plaque stating that the Nishikata family lives there) she gives the reader a smirk while a sidebar proclaims "How did it feel being teased?"]]
* FriendlyTickleTorture: Nishikata is ticklish, and Takagi is quite willing to use this against him if he's putting on too good a show of being stoic.
** Takagi mentions that she's fine with Nishikata returning the favour, but since she's only ticklish around her armpits there's no way Nishikata would dare.

** Chapter 73, [[spoiler:"Nishikata"]], gives us a peek into Takagi's daughter's middle school days...[[spoiler:and while her more emotionally reserved LoveInterest acts as a {{Kuudere}}, she's the one getting teased despite her efforts. Like father, like daughter.]]

* GoodParents: In the sequel series, [[spoiler: Takagi and Nishikita very attentive, doting parents.]]

* HeroOfAnotherStory: Yukari, Sanae, and Mina are the main characters of ''Ashita Wa Doyoubi'', another work by the same author.

** There have been occasions when Nishikata's gut instinct for winning against Takagi were correct, but he always second guesses himself during these moments and ends up losing.
** Nishikata fails to comprehend Takagi has an excellent poker face. [[GaveUpTooSoon There have been moments he's embarrassed her, but thinking it didn't work (or feeling embarrassed himself), gave up and didn’t press the advantage.]]

* HopeSpot: Nishikata generally gets one in each chapter, making it seem as though this time, '''this''' time he'll finally be able to on-up Takagi. Then she springs her trap or he notices the huge gaping flaw in his plan...

* LikeAnOldMarriedCouple: How the rest of their class sees Nishikata and Takagi.

* LoveConfession: Takagi gives several, but she does them in clever ways. For example, when she comes over to study with Nishikata in the summer, she notes that the room is very much "him", and states how much she likes ''it'' while staring directly at him.
* LoveEpiphany: Nishikata comes close to having these on several occasions, but can't quite bring himself to believe it.
* LuminescentBlush: With Takagi around, Nishikata makes at least one per chapter.
** In Chapter 76 [[spoiler:we finally have a good look at Takagi blushing after she has a text conversation with Nishikata.]]

* MinimalistCast: The only major characters are Nishikata and Takagi. All the others, named or unnamed, range from ThoseTwoGuys to RecurringExtra.
** This was played up during the Karakai Jouzu No Takagi-san stage event during Anime Japan 2018, when Creator/YukiKaji (Nishikata) and Creator/RieTakahashi (Takagi-san) were the only two cast members on stage, and they both poked fun at how empty the stage was compared to some of the other stage events.

* NervesOfSteel: Takagi has an extremely powerful poker face that allows her to hide embarrassment behind a veneer of girlish laughter. It's yet another reason that Nishikata has never been able to trip her up.
** When he unthinkingly tells her he wanted to walk home with her instead of play video games with his guy friends, Takagi freezes and stares at him. Nishikata, realising what he'd just said, quickly [[VerbalBackspace explains that his horoscope suggested he'd finally beat her]] and he hadn't meant it romantically. Unluckily for Nishikata, after he flees Takagi's poker face finally breaks down and she reveals she'd been fighting down a major LuminescentBlush.
* NoNameGiven: Takagi and Nishikata are only really known by their last names, with their given names unrevealed for the majority of the series. Even in the spinoff manga when we see their yearbook, their given names are blocked off.
* NoSenseOfPersonalSpace: Takagi sometimes gets up ''real'' close to Nishikata, which is usually when he notices that a) she's a girl and b) she's actually really, really cute.
** In Chapter 26, she snuggles up against him while they're hiding from some of their classmates. Takagi is fine with it, but Nishikata is totally self-conscious about how close she is.
* NotADate: In Chapter 18, when Takagi and Nishikata meet up he realises that it's the first time they've actually agreed to meet up (they normally run into each other by coincidence). He then wonders if it counts as a date, but then shakes those thoughts out of his head by reminding himself they only met up because she's helping him learn to ride a bike with a passenger.
** The pair then wind up walking through a supposedly-haunted tunnel, and upon emerging on the other side a passing little girl points them out to her brother with the line, "Oh, another couple is dating in the tunnel!" Nishikata freaks out.
** Later still in Chapter 53, the two of them are having ramen together and Takagi points out it's the first time the two of them have sat down to eat together. Nishikata insists it isn't a date, and Takagi wonders aloud what their classmates would say about that... just before two of Nishikata's guy friends walk into the shop.
* NotSoStoic: In chapter 36, Nishikata unthinkingly tells Takagi he wanted to walk home with her before realising what he said. She maintains her grinning demeanor until he runs off, then suddenly breaths out and reveals she was rattled. The cover of the same chapter even shows her trying, and failing, to fight back a smile on her way home.

** Creator/RieTakahashi (Takagi's voice actress) admits one of the things she loves the most about Takagi is how she looks cool and aloof, but then makes all sorts of cute expressions.
* NotWhatItLooksLike: In chapter 53, Nishikata's friends see his upset expression and assume it's because he was having a date with Takagi and they interrupted it. In reality, Nishikata was upset because he thought they'd think he was on a date with Takagi, and he's not. But he can't explain that to them without looking paranoid.
** In the chapter Eyedrops, Nishikata and Takagi are playing a game where they try to drip eyedrops into the other's eye. Alas, Yukari walks in as Nishikata looms over a sitting Takagi, reaching for her face. She takes one look, comes to the logical conclusion he was about to kiss her, and then hurriedly leaves again.
** In the chapter Hide and Seek the pair end up hidden behind some barrels when a couple of their classmates come along. Takagi suggests that if they came out the others would get the wrong idea. Her solution is to do something to make that idea ''right.'' Nishikata doesn't go for it.

** During the Karakai Jouzu No Takagi-san stage event during Anime Japan 2018, Nishikata's voice actor Creator/KajiYuki is forced to read the line "I like you" in-character as Nishikata. He protests that Nishikata would never say that line because Nishikata himself is completely unaware he's fallen in love with Takagi.

* OOCIsSeriousBusiness: One chapter has Nishikata worried because Takagi hasn't played any pranks or teased him in a while. It turns out that day she had a fight with her mother, and was feeling pretty down about it.

* ParanoiaGambit: Yet another of Takagi's most potent weapons. She'll hint at something, and Nishikata will drive himself nuts trying to figure out what her plan is. In the very first chapter, she asks Nishikata to lend her his eraser, then casually mentions a rumour going around that writing someone's name on an eraser and then using said eraser up will get the person to like you back. Nishikata claims that he doesn't believe in such nonsense, only for Takagi to make a big show of uncovering his eraser and studying it carefully with a smirk on her face, leading him to wonder if he'd written someone's name and just completely forgot about it. [[spoiler: He hadn't.]]

* TheRival: Nishikata thinks of Takagi as this. She kinda plays along, but clearly doesn't take it as seriously.

* SeriesFauxnale: Before the comic started a regular publishing schedule, the last irregular chapter flashed forward to [[TimeSkip ten years in the future]] when (née) Takagi has a young daughter. She's still her old teasing self with her, and it ends with her giving an AsideGlance to the audience when her husband, Mr. [[spoiler: Nishikata]],comes back home with the shopping.

** A lot between Nishikata and Takagi, though it's mostly on Nishikata's side. [[spoiler: Mainly because Takagi actually ''does'' like Nishikata.]] As of Chapter 34, Nishikata now has a picture of a smiling Takagi on his phone. He's worried about what might happen if people saw the picture, but as he prepares to delete it he falters and decides to keep it. As a potential tool against Takagi, of course.
** A bit between [[ThoseTwoGirls Sanae and Mina]] as they have a similar relationship to Nishikata and Takagi's.
* ShipperOnDeck:
** Yukari seems pretty happy about thoughts of Nishikata and Takagi dating.
** Their classmate Mano-chan is also pretty clearly rooting for them too.

* SitcomArchNemesis: Possibly the cutest example of such a rivalry ever.

** ''Karakai Jouzu No Moto Takagi San'' (''Teasing Master (Formerly) Takagi-san''), a spinoff manga about Takagi's married life and teasing her kid started running a ways into the series. In case you were wondering, [[spoiler: yes, it makes her marriage to Nishikata explicit, in the first two or so pages even]].

* SuspiciouslySpecificDenial: One of the ways Nishikata often leaves himself open to Takagi's teasing is by making these.

* ATasteOfDefeat: Nishikata certainly would like to give it to Takagi. There have been a few times when she arguably ”lost”, but she never seems to be bothered by it, depriving him of the satisfaction of ”winning”.
* TheTease: Takagi is not above doing this, such as the time she and Nishikata were going to do homework in his room, and she suggests "using his bed to study" while looking as seductive as she can. Nishikata almost has a heart attack until she points out that by folding his blanket just so, they can use his bed as a table. She then innocently asks if something is wrong, even as he tries to fight down a LuminescentBlush.

* TimeSkip: Chapter 31 reveals who Takagi end up marrying and have children with. [[spoiler:A false lead up for BreakingTheFourthWall eventually reveals it was with Nishikata]].

* ValentinesDayEpisodes: Two. The first was an extra comic while the second was a regular chapter. Both of them follow the same premise, though-- Nishikata is antsy and a bit upset about not receiving chocolate, Takagi tricks Nishikata into thinking she didn't give him romantic chocolate, gives him a small obligation chocolate instead, and teases him about the chocolate in his locker (which came from her).
* VerbalBackspace: Nishikata is prone to this when he realises he's given himself away or accidentally said something embarrassing.
* WillTheyOrWontThey: While Takagi is pretty obvious in her interest in Nishikata, Nishikata is either unable to accept she's genuinely interested in him or brushes it off as her teasing him. [[spoiler:The SeriesFauxnale suggests they will. Now the only question is ''when''?]]
* WomenPreferStrongMen: Several of Takagi's schemes involve the overall physical fitness of Nishikata, such as strength and agility. Because the fitness system for boys uses higher standards than girls, he has to strive for a higher percentile rank to beat her scorecard. This ultimately makes him one of the fittest boys in her class: he averages at least 7 to 8 points on a national 10 point scale for his age range (and claims he can score the maximum 10 on grip strength).
** [[spoiler: In the TimeSkip spin-off manga, Nishikata has apparently taken up a job as a PE teacher and has a muscular physique.]]

* YankTheDogsChain: Occurs multple times.
** Nishikata unknowingly does this to Takagi in Chapter 33, when he's waiting for her in the classroom when she arrives early for cleaning duties. Nishikata tells her he came early because he knew she had cleaning duties, making her think for a moment he specifically came early to see her. Then he pulls out some cards and challenges her to a game, making her realise it's just another plot to get one over on her.
** Later on in Chapter 36, he brushes off a group of his male friends to walk home with Takagi (because his horoscope said that it would be his lucky day and he interpreted it as him finally beating Takagi). Takagi asks if it was okay that he didn't join the other boys, and Nishikata off-handedly replies he wanted to walk home with her. He quickly realises what he'd just said and performs a VerbalBackspace. Unfortunately for him, he failed to notice Takagi had been stunned into silence, and after he leaves she reveals she was fighting down a major blush.

* GoodParents: In the sequel series, Takagi and Nishikita very attentive, doting parents.

* TheFourthWallWillNotProtectYou: During the SeriesFauxnale mentioned below,[[spoiler:Takagi tearfully reminisces about middle school, with dialogue implying that Nishikata disappeared from her life, not even confirming if he's her daughter father or not. At the end when he comes home, (with the entrance conveniently showing a plaque stating that the Nishikata family lives there) she gives the reader a smirk while a sidebar proclaims "How did it feel being teased?"]]

* WhenSheSmiles: In one of the special chapters (after Chapter 28), Takagi strongly hints that she's waiting for a certain ''someone'' to ask her to the upcoming summer festival. When Nishikata finally works up the nerve to ask her if she'd like to go with him, she accepts and gives him such a wide, joyful smile that he's left in a daze for the rest of the day.

* SirNotAppearingInThisEpisode: The anime OST reveals a track named after the Clint Eastwood-esque cowboy Dandy, who is mentioned in the SwappedRoles section below. Dandy himself (and in fact the chapter that featured him) wasn't included in the anime.

For other related works, see ''Karakai Jouzu No Moto Takagi San'', which is set ~10 years in the future and depicts Takagi's life with her daughter Chi; and ''Ashita Wa Doyoubi'', which focuses on the misadventures of [[ThoseTwoGuys Those Three Girls]] Mina, Sanae, and Yukari.

* ActorAllusion: It's pretty much impossible to watch the anime's version of the chapter "Typhoon" without hearing Creator/RieTakahashi channelling [[LightNovel/KonoSubarashiiSekaiNiSeifukuWo Megumin]].

* BorrowedCatchphrase: Not in the manga or anime, but Creator/KajiYuki manages to get the better of Creator/RieTakahashi during the third and final Karakai Jouzu Nama no Takagi-san webcast, she grumbles, "Darn you, Nishikata!"

* DirectedByCastMember: Chapter 76 is unusual in that there are two stories, one produced by Nishikata's voice actor Creator/KajiYuki and the other by Takagi's actress Creator/RieTakahashi.

* EvolvingCredits: The end credits of the anime never use the same song twice. Also, there are two slightly different versions: one where Takagi is biking home alone, and one where she is walking her bike home with Nishikata.

** Chapter 73, [[spoiler:"Nishikata"]], gives us a peek into Takagi's daughter's middle school days...and while her more emotionally reserved LoveInterest acts as a {{Kuudere}}, she's the one getting teased despite her efforts. [[spoiler:Like father, like daughter.]]

* TimeSkip: Chapter 31 reveals who Nishikata and Takagi end up marrying and have children with. [[spoiler:A false lead up for BreakingTheFourthWall eventually reveals it's with each other]].

** In Chapter 31 SeriesFauxnale, we are shown Takagi 10+ years into the future. [[spoiler:Takagi is shown to be an adult with a daughter, reminiscing in a melancholy fashion about her youth with Nishikata, with many hints leading the audience to believe that Nishikata isn't present in her life anymore and not even revealing if he is her daughter's father or not. By the end of the chapter her husband returns home and their front door has the name plate "Nishikata" on it, confirming the two indeed married and together after all.]]

** In Chapter 31 SeriesFauxnale, we are shown Takagi 10+ years into the future. [[spoiler:Takagi is shown to be an adult with a daughter, reminiscing in a melancholy fashion about her youth with Nishikata, with many hints leading the audience to believe that Nishikata isn't present in her life anymore and not even revealing if he's her daughter father or not. By the end of the chapter her husband returns home and their front door has the name plate "Nishikata" on it, confirming the two indeed married and together after all.]]

** In Chapter 31 SeriesFauxnale, we are shown Takagi and Nishikata 10+ years into the future. [[spoiler:Takagi is shown to be an adult with a daughter, reminiscing in a melancholy fashion about her youth with Nishikata, with many hints leading the audience to believe the two did not get together. By the end of the chapter her husband returns home and their front door has the name plate "Nishikata" on it, confirming the two indeed got together.]]

* ATasteOfDefeat: Nishikata certainly would like to give it to Takagi. There were a few times when she arguably ”lost”, but she never seemed to be bothered by it, devoiding him of the satisfaction of ”winning”.