English Dub Review: A Couple of Cuckoos: “All that matters is you two are happy”

Overview: After Sachi (Bryn Apprill) and Hiro (Amanda Lee) fail to heal Erika’s (Lindsay Sheppard) sickness, Nagi (Nicholas Andrew Louie) nurses her back to health and makes a huge decision. 

Our Take: For the bickering presence that Sachi is, her bond with Nagi over their dorky dad never ceases to bring a smile to my face. Their shared umbrage over their father’s birthday antics is always amusing in how jaded Nagi and Sachi both are. Most importantly, it makes clear that Erika and Nagi are free to make their own choices about who they marry, taking the mandated pressure off of them. This alleviating development in gaining their own freedom, makes how they choose to proceed with each other all the more impactful.  

Hiro and Sachi’s hairbrained schemes to cure Erika’s sickness are enjoyable in how tinfoil hat or unreliable they are. The sensible ones failing to help also tees up Nagi to save the day like we know he will. It is simple wholesomeness in him being the one true cure, knowing of how much she has pushed herself, giving her a hot, home-cooked meal. It is an organic and wholehearted way of showcasing how deeply they get each other’s quirks and characteristics in growing closer. The decision to reaffirm their planned marriage is a deeply tender and loving moment that resonates in them willingly choosing each other in how they have provided emotional support, from their highest highs to their lowest lows. Even better is how it is solidified by the classical wedding vows in being there ‘for sickness and in health’ with Nagi nursing her back to health, the quintessential definition of love. It also nicely intensifies the competition between Sachi and Hiro, after they listen in, doubling down on Nagi as Erika starts to get a lead on them. 

Erika and Nagi’s potential family is also nicely teased in their sweetly casual body language showing how more natural and relaxed they are becoming.  Sachi is still a narc for Souichirou, unfortunately, filling him in on all their details regarding Nagi and Erika’s relationship. Even with all the gripes I have for her, free gourmet food is a tempting proposition that would be a gripping moral quandary for any person, so I do not blame her…too much. All kidding aside, there is still the looming question: What 4D chess game is he playing at? Despite the glaringly obvious one of wanting to pair his daughter up with Nagi. How does Sachi or even Hiro factor into his plans, if at all? Those are intriguing questions for another time as Nagi and Erika’s lovable squabbling makes for a charming ending to their topsy-turvy relationship, for now.