Karakai Jouzo no Takagi-san understands this completely. It's a lighthearted romance story between two middle school students. A girl named Takagi likes to tease the boy she sits next to in class for the fun of it. Meanwhile, the boy, named Nishikata, tries to get back at her everyday but fails endlessly. Though simple, the formula this manga manages to portray interesting scenarios with a few twist and turns along the way.
Story: 8
Generally, the manga focuses various independent scenarios that have minimal connections to each other. However, a few overarching chapters are thrown in and show progression from chapter to chapter. Most of the time, these chapters aren't always one after another meaning that the "story" isn't told in order.
In most cases, this would lead to a disjointed and imperfect plot, but it works well here. If the "important" chapters were told in order, the manga would be unbalanced resulting in a lopsided distribution of development.
As for the chapters themselves, nothing is ever taken too seriously. We get to see a boy and a girl go back and forth with the girl always prevailing. While this is predictable, you'll never know how Takagi will deceive Nishikata. Even then, there are a few curveballs that change up the formula, albeit temporarily.
Art: 9
The art of Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san is generally well-polished and distinct. The environments are pretty standard, while the character designs are unique, yet very effective.
Takagi-san's wide array of facial expressions are enough to fool Nishikata and us as well. However, even with her smugness, we can always tell that her intents are never malicious. If this wasn't the case, it would hurt the manga severely.
As for Nishikata, his facial expressions display his overconfidence and dread when needed. You can truly feel when he has his hopes high and tell when he's contemplating his next move.
I'd like to note that in the first few chapters, the art is a bit rough around the edges, but only compared to later chapters when the author had a sense of the manga. You won't be bothered by it in your first reading, but if you were to look back at the first dozen chapters or so, you'll notice a bit of a difference.
Nevertheless, the artwork does a fantastic at amplifying the humor and satire of any given situation.
Character: 10
A character doesn't need deep motivations and constant development to be great.
Much like it's premise, the characters are simple, yet charming in countless ways.
Nishikata is a bit dense and overconfident at times, but he is more aware than he lets on. He spends more time questioning his actions than he does simply trying to figure out Takagi's schemes. This makes him a likable character that you want to root for. He always takes into consideration how an action will affect him and how others view him, which is the exact thought process of a middle school student. Even if he could outsmart Takagi by underhanded tactics, he knows when to let go of something. Granted, even when he has a reasonable chance of gaining the upperhand, he still messes it up. But this is why many readers will resonate with him. With that and his constant motivation to improve (to no avail), we can't help but laugh not only with him, but at him (while still feeling sympathetic).
As for Takagi, she is the real star of the show (or manga in this case). She's obviously the most emotionally mature of the two of them, but she's never seen as stuck-up or cocky. Even if she does constantly tease Nishikata, she always gives him a fair chance to win (that he never seems to take, or know how to take for that matter). Usually, the end result of Nishikata's humiliation is brought about by his choices and not hers. Nevertheless, she legitimately cares for him and wouldn't put him in any serious danger. With that being said, the most important part of her character is how un-malicious she is. She could easily become a generic tsundere, but she is more than that. Nevertheless, her various schemes never fail to be funny. In addition, every situation she puts Nishikata in is completely realistic. It's exactly what you'd see between two middle school students who wouldn't admit that they want to be around each other, but feel that way anyways.
While the side characters aren't worth mentioning, they often provide another perspective on Takagi and Nishikata's relationship.
Enjoyment: 10
No matter who you are, you will enjoy Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san for what it is. Everybody can relate with Nishikata and will find Takagi's trickery funny. Even more so, everybody will find it endlessly heartwarming and is very nostalgic for anybody who is no longer in school. Every chapter offers a new scenario that puts a twist on a formula that could become repetitive, but doesn't.
Overall: 9
Overall, Karakai Jouzu no Takagi-san is pure-hearted fun that everybody will enjoy. Even if you're an edgy teenager, or a middle-aged parent, you will fall in love with these characters and the various scenarios they get themselves in. The art is distinct and displays every situation fantastically. This is undoubtedly a must-read for any manga fan, or anybody who wants to see an illustrated version of a middle school relationship.
Overall, I give this manga:
10 Smug Takagis + 1 Clueless Nishikata/10 (which translates to a 9/10)
