English Dub Review: Teasing Master Takagi-san “Uniform Change / Winter Uniform / Lunch / UFO / Night”

Overview: Nishikata (Aaron Dismuke) tries to get Takagi (Sarah Wiedenheft) to admit that the nippy weather is getting to her and later enjoy lunch, try to make a convincing UFO sighting and go for a nighttime walk. Also, Sanae (Kristi Rothrock) becomes irked when Mina (Maggie Flecknoe) is the reason she becomes cold. 

Our Take: There have been various moments where we just have to step back and appreciate how lovably dumb and dorky Nishikata is. Especially when Takagi brings out those inherent elements out of him in their day-to-day competitions. But man oh man does his repeated “penalties” prove just how dense he really is to the true nature of how Takagi feels. Takagi’s true feelings as well as how much Nishikata cares for her, despite his best efforts to conceal it, are the shining light of every little romp.

“Winter Uniform” and “Lunch” are just even more evidence, as if one needed it, that Nishikata’s punishments for losing are heartfelt as all heck and just Takagi smartly tricking him into getting closer with him. Whether it is her teasing him to snuggle or Takagi keeping him from being lonely and sharing lunch, her gags being purely kind are always a wholesome treat. 

“UFO” shows how Takagi will indulge in his stupidly childish yet endearing endeavors, taking pleasure in him fully being himself, especially as he becomes closer with her and it becomes second nature. “Night” is a nice example of how much Nishikata, himself, is still full of surprises for Takagi. The way that Nishikata is instinctively and casually protective of her and, like every other season has taught us, incredibly sweet on her, even causing her to bashfully blush without realizing it. Also, as a quick aside, “Uniform Change” is a short but sweet callback to Sanae, Mina and Yukari’s pact to change uniforms together that is a funny and cute continuation.