Random Curiosity

「夏祭り」 (Natsumatsuri)
“Summer Festival”

I can think of very few cases where an anime has improved as much from a first season to a second as Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san has, and that’s a credit to everyone involved.

「歩数/花火/お土産/約束」 (Hosuu/Hanabi/Omiyage/Yakusoku)
“Steps/Fireworks/Souveniers/Promises”

This season of Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san is an example of something very rare – a good series sneaking up on you and without you realizing it, turning into a great one.

「目薬/スクープ/かくれんぼ宝探し」 (Megusuri/Sukuupu/Kakurenbo/Takara sagashi)
“Eye Drops/Scoop/Hide and Seek/Treasure Hunting”

Takagi-san is very nearly still just as much a child as Nishikata-kun where matters of the heart are concerned.

「あっちむいてほい/特技/お悩み/メール」 (Acchi muite hoi/Tokugi/O nayami/Meeru)
“Acchi Muite Hoi/Talents/Worries/Messages”

I have to say, Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san has really upped its game this season.

「体育倉庫/保健室/宝くじ」 (Taiiku sōko/Hokenshitsu/Takarakuji)
“Storage Closet/Nurse’s Office/Lottery”

In a season that’s pretty light on romance, the kind of idyllic charm this series can conjure up really hits the spot.

「林間学校」 (Rinkan Gakkou)
“Camping Trip”

Now that was one hell of a cameo…

「リベンジ／ドッジボール／買い食い／デート」 (Ribenji/Dojjibooru/Kai-gui/Deeto)
“Revenge/Dodgeball/Buy and Eat/Date”

Even if he spends all his time on the ledge, she’s always the one who gives him a push.

「質問／まゆ毛／放課後／ハッピーバースデー／くしゃみ」 (Shitsumon/Mayuge/Houkago/Happībaasudee/Kushami)
“Question/Eyebrows/After School/Happy Birthday/Sneezing”

I have two coincidences to report about this episode:

「腕ずもう／大人っぽく／にがみ／自転車」 (Udezumou/Otonappoku/Niga mi/Jitensha)
“Arm Wrestling/Grown-up/Bitterness/Bicycle”

I worked in the coffee business for many years – and even I find Japanese black canned coffee unpleasantly bitter.

「エイプリルフール／お花見／呼び方／進級」 (Eipurirufuuru/o hanami/Yobikata/Shinkyuu)
“April Fool’s/Cherry Blossom Viewing/Honorifics/New School Year”

Nishikata should know this day is not his friend, since for Takagi-san every day is effectively April Fool’s Day.

「氷／外見／前髪／バレンタインデー」 (Kouri/gaiken/maegami/barentaindee)
“Ice/Appearance/Bangs /Valentine’s Day”

One of Takagi’s many talents is to take nearly any situation and turn it into a sort of chaste(ish) double entendre.

「教科書／催眠術／寝起き／水切り」 (Kyoukasho/Saimin-jutsu/Neoki/Mizukiri)
“Textbook/Hypnosis/Wake Up/Skipping Stones”

The chapters chosen to start Season 2 are right in the series’ sweet spot.

「手紙/ 入学式 / 席替え」 (Tegami / Nyuugakushiki / Sekigae)
“Letter / First Day of School / Seating Arrangement”

“I called fake mother in Japan. She’s looking for me. Be careful. She is dangerous woman. Please forget about me. Good bye.”

「ネコ / 好み / 似顔絵 / 占い / クリティカル」 (Neko / Konomi / Nigaoe / Uranai / Kuritikaru)
“Cat / Taste / Portrait / Fortune Telling / Critical”

Critical hit!

「背比べ / 寒がり / お誘い / 二択クイズ」 (Sekurabe / Samugari / Osasoi / Nitaku Quiz)
“Who’s Taller / I Hate the Cold / Invitation / Two Question Quiz”

Would you rather squee or XD?