English Dub Review: A Couple of Cuckoos: “You aren’t going to beat me!!!!”

Overview: Nagi (Nicholas Andrew Louie) and Erika (Lindsay Sheppard) adjust to their new home that they now share while Hiro (Amanda Lee) gets a fire lit under her against Nagi. 

Our Take: In order to not play into their very persuasive parent’s plan, especially Erika’s adoptive father, Nagi and Erika choose not to get involved with each other as a result of their new living situation. Of course, within close proximity that was never going to happen and thankfully the episode doesn’t harp too hard on that plot point which would just feel like a lengthy stepping stone to their connection. Instead we are treated to a swift way into them simply reaching out and wanting the other’s help and eventually growing closer because of that. The understanding of Nagi’s overly strict studying habits and Erika’s social media obsession is rooted in something personal not only makes them more personable but their relationship as well. To add icing on the cake, their poolside antics with the hose are just sweet and refreshing because of it and how we got there. It is also animated well with their subtle movements and has a nice amount of natural jerk and flexibility. 

Shifting gears to school life, Nagi’s sudden open challenge to Hiro adds a nice bit of status quo goofiness into the mix. Nagi getting the attention of popular boys and/or geeks as well as the student body as whole makes for some fun exchanges in how shockingly popular he is becoming. Hiro feels as if she is finally making her debut with this episode too with her seemingly beginning a star student in every sense from her intelligence, athleticism and kindness. So when she loses to Nagi on their last test, it makes for an interesting meeting when she invites him on the roof. Hiro declares that she has no intention of losing and will beat him at virtually all tests, exams, activities as simple as eating. Her competitiveness is an adorable new treat to flesh her out with that makes her more enjoyable in having more fire in her. One that changes nothing in Nagi’s passion as noted by him and his continued religious studying, 

Getting sick from playing with the hose, Nagi gets sick and just as he must put his nose to the books. After collapsing, Erika nurses him back to health, feeling responsible for his condition based on her request. It allows for Nagi to get the one thing he never has in being harshly dedicated to school: recognition. Erika being impressed makes for a warm scene in experiencing a kind feeling he never has. A member of Hiro’s family criticizing her similarly strict studying habits makes for a nice parallel between her and Nagi as she is motivated to win against Nagi.