Teasing Master Takagi-san (2015)

[からかい上手の高木さん]

Volume 3

Author/Artist: Soichiro Yamamoto
Publisher: Gessan Shounen Sunday Comics Special

Synopsis:
Takagi challenges Nishikata to a test of courage.

Story/Characters:
We start with Nishikata becoming conscientious that his and Takagi's summer play dates might actually be date-dates, which then leads to a test of courage in a supposedly haunted tunnel. You can imagine how well Nishikata's courage holds up. Next, Nishikata tries to act cool by taking on the persona of "Dandy of the West", not expecting Takagi to have seen the same show and definitely not for her to outdo him in the role of Dandy. We then have the two of them comparing their height, which would normally not warrant much mention, but this is an activity orchestrated by Takagi, so there's teasing from beginning to end. After that, with the start of the new term, the seating arrangement in the class is being changed and it looks like our duo might be broken up. The next chapter we have Nishikata not paying attention in class because he's too busy trying to think of his latest trick to get back at Takagi. As a side note, the fact that they're back in their summer uniforms after switching over to their winter uniforms two chapters back is, I believe, the first clue that the story isn't being told chronologically, which gives the author plenty of room to fill in the blanks and keep the series going without resorting to comic book time. Moving on, we have Nishikata challenging Takagi to doing a pullover on a pullup bar, with the complication that Takagi is wearing a skirt. Next is a no laughing contest with Takagi trying to bait Nishikata into poking her in the ribs. After that, we have fun with calligraphy as the two exchange competing messages. We then close with Mina, Yukari and Sanae tailing Nishikata and Takagi whilst the more romantically-minded Yukari speculates on their relationship.

Art:
The art is as adorable as ever. Dandy is rendered in a different style, which helps him stand out in his chapter. There's a great gag where Nishikata's thwarted expression is reflected in the image of Dandy.

Other:
We get an omake with the brother and sister that show up at the end of the haunted tunnel chapter.

Conclusion:
The series continues to charm with no sign of letting up. If you like Nishikata and Takagi's antics, you're not going to be disappointed. As before, this is worth adding to your collection.

Rating:
Own It