WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Teasing Master Takagi-san Season 3, Episode 9 "Christmas" now streaming on HIDIVE.
With the winter 2022 anime season nearing its end and the world slowly turning toward spring, fans may not necessarily expect a holiday celebration this far into the year. Nevertheless, Teasing Master Takagi-san's most recent episode not only delivered on Takagi and Nishikata's previously promised movie date, but gave viewers a belated Christmas special to cuddle up with. In doing so, the series used the festive setting and the context of an in-universe film to show off its central couple at their absolute cutest.
Episode 9 of Season 3 opens with the moments leading up to Nishikata and Takagi's latest outing. After a quick dream sequence featuring a Santa Claus version of Takagi and a subconsciously anxious Nishikata, it cuts to the duo meeting up on the ferry to the movie theater.
At this point, it becomes clear the episode is taking place in the deep of winter, portraying all of its characters in warm attire and filling the backdrop with Christmas decorations. Still, it reminds viewers that this is one of the moments Season 3 of Takagi-san has been leading up to, with the visuals of the boat ride being reminiscent of both the season's opening sequence and promotional key art.
Of course, while Takagi and Nishikata partially used the pretext of the movie to spend time together, Nishikata was equally drawn to it by the "special present for couples" being given out at the screening. The item in question turns out to be a pair of matching figures modeled after characters from the film, which pair up to create a heartfelt scene. Nishikata's excitement at this prize is palpable, which makes it all the more significant that both he and Takagi waited to unwrap it until they could do so together. Such consideration implies that just like the figures, the two of them fit together in perfect harmony.
The movie itself is not only a great addition to the content of 100% Unrequited Love, Takagi-san's most noteworthy series-within-a-series, it acts as a beautiful parallel to Takagi and Nishikata's relationship as well. The comparison is brought home when the movie's credits reveal that the lead roles are voiced by Rie Takahashi and Yuki Kaji, who voice Takagi and Nishikata respectively.
However, while both couples may match perfectly with their partners, the roles are more of a contrast than anything, since Nishikata and Takagi are respectively far cries from the slick Ikeo and airheaded Kyunko. Takagi even highlights this herself, pretending to act like Kyunko in an attempt to get Nishikata to notice her uncharacteristic shift in personality.
While Nishikata has demonstrated his appreciation of 100% Unrequited Love throughout the series, the sequence makes it pretty clear that rather than being attracted to Kyunko, Nishikata might actually relate to her. Likewise, Takagi with her cool demeanor resembles Ikeo far more than Nishikata does, especially whenever her smooth flirtations leave him emotionally flustered. This is made all the more apparent when Nishikata is left awestruck by Takagi's smile under the first snowfall of the season, which is perfectly timed to the illumination of the surrounding Christmas lights.
Though the choice of the holiday setting for Episode 9 may seem out of place, there is a sort of sense to the thematic logic of it. Japan heavily associates Christmas with couples and romantic developments, and this setting gives Takagi and Nishikata a fitting opportunity to show their thoughtfulness toward each other. Even though this is far from the first time the two have given each other a present, this particular scenario highlighted their attentiveness and harmonious synchronicity together, thanks to their complementary gifts and similar choices in Christmas cards.
That said, the biggest reason behind Teasing Master Takagi-san's holiday thematics could simply be to show the passing of time. One of the trailers for Season 3 implied that this arc would have a thematic focus on Nishikata and Takagi's relationship throughout the seasons, following the climactic events of their first date at the summer festival. With the narrative reaching the apex of winter, it would seem things are ready to come full circle. Perhaps Takagi's premonition of a springtime confession, seen all the way back in Episode 1 of this season, is just around the corner.
