English Dub Review: Karakai Jozu No Takagi-san “Shopping / Swimsuit / Ocean / Room”

Summer break continues for Nishikata and Takagi in a fun seventh episode.

Overview (Spoilers Below):

While at the mall buying the newest issue of 100% Unrequited Love, Nishikata runs into Takagi, who forces him to help her pick out a new swimsuit. Mina, Sanae, and Yukari visit the beach, but it turns out that Yukari doesn’t know how to swim. Later on, Takagi snags an invite into Nishikata’s room under the guise of helping him with homework.

Our Take:

While episode seven doesn’t raise the bar in any meaningful ways, it still manages to provide an entertaining viewing experience. Nishikata’s attempt to out-maneuver Takagi in the first segment is good to see, even if he’s still doomed to fail. And it’s adorable how the show is really leaning into Nishikata’s obsession with 100% Unrequited Love. I think it’s a little strange that he tries to hide his purchase from Takagi, considering the show has already established that she knows about his addiction to the series. (But Nishikata’s “Robot-Zombie” excuse was totally worth it.)

After spending time in the (extremely overheated) mall, it’s a welcome break to have the next segment set at the beach. Seeing Mina’s enthusiasm contrasted with Yukari’s pain was pretty funny, though there wasn’t much to the scene besides that dynamic. It did offer up my favorite line of the episode: “Do you ever have fun, or do you just suffer?”

The final segment of the episode finds Takagi getting to see Nishikata’s room for the first time. She’s basically invading his life at this point, and I fully expect her to eventually trick him into getting married someday. Nishikata has some awesome reaction faces in this scene.

Aaron Dismuke delivered some A+ line readings this episode. I don’t think Nishikata would be such an entertaining guy without his performances. Sarah Wiedenheft continues to be a good fit for Takagi’s character, as well. Leah Clark did a fantastic job conveying Mina’s excitement at the beach… she’s also a fantastic fit for her character.

Score: 7.5/10