“Nisekoi”, which translates to “False Love”, is a romantic comedy anime series that had me in stitches from the start, with its zany humor, endearing characters, and a love polygon that’s as entangled as they come. This high school rom-com has all the charm, drama, and unpredictability that you would want from the genre, all set against a backdrop of rival gangs and fake relationships.
Nisekoi Story Summary
“Nisekoi” revolves around the life of Raku Ichijou, a high school student and the heir to a Yakuza family, who, ten years ago, made a promise of love to a mysterious girl. He carries a locked pendant as a memento, while the girl holds the key. However, Raku doesn’t remember the girl’s identity.
The peaceful life of Raku takes a turn when he is forced into a fake relationship with Chitoge Kirisaki, the daughter of a rival gang’s boss, in an effort to maintain peace between the two factions. What complicates the situation further is that Raku has a crush on Kosaki Onodera, a sweet girl from his school. As the story unfolds, more girls from Raku’s past show up, each with a key and a potential claim to his heart, leading to hilarious and often heartfelt situations.
Nisekoi Characters
- Raku Ichijou: The protagonist of the series, Raku is kind, honest, and often finds himself caught in the middle of various romantic escapades. Despite being a Yakuza heir, he dreams of having a normal life.
- Chitoge Kirisaki: Initially abrasive and violent towards Raku, Chitoge gradually warms up to him. She’s spirited, strong, and occasionally clumsy, often resulting in comedic situations.
- Kosaki Onodera: A kind-hearted and shy girl, Kosaki is Raku’s crush. She’s incredibly sweet and is always seen with a red ribbon in her hair.
- Marika Tachibana: Another key holder and Raku’s childhood friend. Marika is assertive, expressive, and not shy about her feelings for Raku.
- Seishirou Tsugumi: Chitoge’s loyal bodyguard who initially disguises as a male student. Tsugumi is cool, competent, and struggles with her growing feelings for Raku.
Summary of First 5 Books
The first five volumes of the “Nisekoi” manga series introduce us to the main characters and the intricate love polygon. We see Raku and Chitoge being forced into a fake relationship, the arrival of Marika who claims to be Raku’s promised girl, and the growing feelings between Raku and Kosaki. Throughout these volumes, the romantic tension grows, the comedic situations become more hilarious, and more keys to Raku’s locket are discovered.
My Personal Review/Reading Experience
Watching “Nisekoi” was like riding a rollercoaster of emotions. The series effortlessly balances the comedy with the drama, and the romantic scenes never fail to tug at your heartstrings. I found myself laughing at the characters’ antics one moment and then rooting for their love stories the next. The characters, particularly Raku and Chitoge, have such compelling chemistry, and their slow-burn romance kept me on the edge of my seat. Plus, the mystery surrounding Raku’s locket and the identity of the promised girl had me guessing right till the end.
Nisekoi Quotes from the Anime
- “When you’re around, my heart beats so loudly I get worried you can hear it.” – Raku Ichijou
- “Even though I’m like this, I’m still hoping for love. Is it okay for me to fall in love?” – Chitoge Kirisaki
- “You can’t just give up on things because you’re afraid they won’t work!” – Raku Ichijou
- “Things that have form will all eventually break. But as long as you keep everyone in your heart, you will never lose them.” – Marika Tachibana
- “People change, you know. They grow, they shrink, they bald, they get wrinkles, they get spots… but… that person… will still be that person.” – Raku Ichijou
- “I thought I’d rather die than be apart from you, who I love from the bottom of my heart.” – Marika Tachibana
- “I guess even if you know you’re going to lose, and you’re scared, you still have to put up a fight.” – Raku Ichijou
About the Author/Artist
“Nisekoi” is the creation of Naoshi Komi, a Japanese manga artist known for his knack for romantic comedies. His talent for creating charming characters and intricate love stories truly shines in “Nisekoi”.
TV or Movie Adaptations
“Nisekoi” was adapted into a successful anime series with two seasons, bringing the colorful characters and comedic high jinks of the manga to life. It also has a live-action movie adaptation, which was released in 2018.
Nisekoi FAQ
- Does ‘Nisekoi’ have a conclusive ending?
- Yes, the manga series of “Nisekoi” does have a conclusive ending. However, the anime series ended at Season 2, which doesn’t cover the full story of the manga.
- Who is the promised girl in ‘Nisekoi’?
- The identity of the promised girl is one of the major plot points in “Nisekoi”. To avoid spoilers, it’s best to watch or read the series to find out!
- Is ‘Nisekoi’ suitable for all ages?
- “Nisekoi” is generally suitable for teens and above due to its romantic themes.
And that’s a wrap on my review of “Nisekoi”! If you’re in the mood for a light-hearted romantic comedy with endearing characters and a twist of mystery, this is definitely a series worth checking out. So grab your popcorn, settle in, and let the whirlwind of romance, laughter, and locket-related mysteries take over!
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