Kakkou No Iinazuke

This sounds like another kind of plot straight out of a manga. And probably it is. Because the last time some sort of strange story of an ex-couple soon become step siblings after their parents remarried, now we have something of that sort. You see, Kakkou No Iinazuke is about a couple of babies getting switched at birth. Both grew up in their different respective families. Until one day they discover who their original biological parents are after both sides set them up to be married to each other. Is this another one of those stories whereby fate is such a cruel sadistic motherf*cker wanting to laugh at how these young couples navigate through life? Yeah, it’s a funny show by the way so don’t take everything so seriously.

Episode 1
Nagi Umino was switched at birth. 16 years later, the truth comes out so both sides will set up to meet each other. Nagi’s sister, Sachi can’t believe it and feels sad if he goes to live with his biological family. Nagi assures he won’t because he was raised in this family. Along the way, he spots Erika Amano trying to jump off the bridge and quickly goes to save her. This is not appreciated because she was just filming and pretending to do suicide to stir up some drama. Turns out her rich parents have an arranged marriage meeting for her and she doesn’t want to go. She thinks of getting him to act as her boyfriend so they’ll give up. He won’t do it but after showing ambiguous photos of him touching her boobs when he was trying to save her, what choice has he got? I mean, she threatened to send it to his school, right? Nagi suggests showing pictures of them instead of turning up physically. Erika likes that idea so they take some photos but it just doesn’t seem real. Erika even splashes the cash to buy expensive hippy matching outfits but it’s not convincing no matter how much she edits. Even when she sends it to her parents, they don’t buy her and tell her to come back. Yeah, what you going to do now? Suddenly a few guys show up, shocked that Erika has a boyfriend. Apparently she is some social media star and recently got doxed. Hence leading to a few guys from neighbouring schools to become her stalkers. She just ignores them but Nagi then claims he is Erika’s contractual boyfriend and then beats them up when they act tough! Those cowards run away. Erika is impressed not because of his strength or bravery, rather she thinks she should beat up her fiancé and ruin the whole show! Yeah… Then her chauffeur is here to get her. Thinking they won’t meet again, she tells him she has no friends because of her personality. She laments he isn’t the one whom she is supposed to get married. Just kidding only, right?! Nagi finally sees his real parents. In fact, both sides have already talked about it and are glad of this coincidence. What do they mean? You see, since both sides love their real kids and the kids they raised, they think this could be settled if both get married! And guess what? Nagi’s fiancée is no other than… Erika! No wonder her parents are so happy! Oh Erika, still want to punch him! Yes, she did. Ouch. In school, Nagi makes a proclamation to his rival, Hiro Segawa. She can’t remember him but apparently she is the top girl in class while he is second. You see, he has a crush on her and promised to confess if he beats her. Because apparently, this dreamy girl likes guys smarter than her. And what’s this about Sachi now realizing Nagi isn’t blood related to her and so she can move in… This is going to get messy…

Episode 2
Nagi refuses to get married but he can’t give his reason either. I guess nobody knows he has a crush on Hiro. His parents tell him that Erika is coming here so be sure to treat her well. As he cleans up the place, he notices Erika hasn’t turned up and she’s an hour late. Turns out she was sitting outside his doorstep! Does she not know how to ring the doorbell? Yup, could have been living the sheltered life as she didn’t expect to sit on the floor or take off her shoes. Worse, she things this place where Nagi lives is some tool shed! He shows her around and look how impressed she is. Just like a drama TV set, huh? Now it is her turn to show her home. So impressive that Nagi is having jaw dropping moments. Yeah, even the dog house is a whole building! She could’ve shown him her other 3 houses but they’re all overseas. OMG!!! This has Nagi realize they are from different worlds and can’t marry each other. Surprisingly, she tells him first she can’t marry him. In fact, she came to his place to talk to his parents about this but since they were out working, she was hanging out to kill time. Nagi says his parents run a diner and won’t come home by midnight. In that case, she wants to see them at the diner now. He brings her there and his parents welcome them. Suddenly Erika refutes getting married and starts overturning the table. But his parents won’t lose out so they dare her and both sides throwing stuffs! Thankfully, this is all just Nagi’s worst possible scenario. In fact, Nagi is worried at every action he observes on Erika. The time bomb is ticking. He fears it might explode soon and his parents are making things worse by asking her to stay over and going fishing. Can a princess do all that? Just when he fears she is going to explode, Erika gets up and leaves. She’s going home. He goes after her as she starts crying, lamenting she couldn’t say it to his parents. They’re so welcoming and she wanted to get closer to them. Nagi says they aren’t into that kind of considerate stuff. As ex-delinquents, they’re somewhat dense. They return to the diner as his parents are relieved nothing untoward happened. When it’s time to leave, Nagi accompanies Erika home. But her dad is here to pick them up because there is a place he wants to bring them. So what’s this new house? Well, they’re going to be living here together for 2 weeks!

Episode 3
Nagi is freaking out. His mom already knows about it and if he is trying to have a talk with Erika’s dad, he’s already 1 step ahead of him because he already left a note that they’ll talk about this soon. But Nagi soon realizes the positives from all of this. No one can interrupt him studying for his tests! Yahoo! Next morning, he hears Erika screams from the toilet. Thinking it is a burglar, he rushes in. Nice body. Okay, there’s a lizard crawling around. Guess what? He is more chicken than her! So pathetic she just grabs it herself and throws it out of the window! Nagi has requested Sachi to send over his studying materials. Then his phone battery died. This whole house has no charger? Erika receives the goods and intends to throw them away if Nagi doesn’t help her. So he has to help take pictures of her to post on social media? All seem passable until he splashes water for her and her reaction is natural. She wants more but he claims that isn’t the deal so they keep splashing water on each other. I guess the whole day gone without him doing any studying. After putting in all the effort, it is time to show its results as it is test day. Lots of people whispering about this crazy dude having ambitions in taking down Hiro. But what’s this? A letter from Hiro in his locker asking to meet in the rooftop after school? He thinks it is a prank but noticing Hiro spying on him before running away and then in class she is stealing glances of him, could it be true? But after some guys talk to him, some taking bets and some telling him to give up, he thinks this is a prank and throws the letter away. When results come out, Nagi gets first place! OMG?! For real?! He realizes it wasn’t a prank and finds that letter again (thank goodness nobody emptied the trash!). He meets her at the rooftop, getting ready for her confession. But what do you know? Instead she challenges him that she will beat him the next time. Not just in exams but everything else from to sports and to even eating the fastest?! This test he got lucky since she didn’t take a paper due to being away for some memorial. So you prepare yourself. Nagi finds her even more awesome. But soon Nagi realizes he is starting to fall sick. Can’t give up. Erika tries to play nurse since she feels responsible but Nagi kicks her out. Soon Nagi is surprised that she is impressed watching him studying so hard because his whole life nobody has said that to him. Not even his family. This gives him the motivation for the next test.

Episode 4
Everyone is still supportive of Hiro. Nagi then gets another letter to meet Hiro. This time she asks his reason for doing all this so he admits so he could confess to her and ask her out. But soon she points out that he just won once while she beat him like 10 times so this fluke doesn’t count. In that case, Nagi will beat her 10 more times. Hiro refuses to accept it as this slowly devolves into some weird competition. Trying to be the first to grab their bag and reach home? So once this ‘fun’ is over, Hiro then reveals she is engaged, the reason why she can’t date anyone. Oh boy. You bet Nagi is going to have sleepless nights thinking about who the f*cker Hiro is engaged to. But he soon thinks the reason he tells her this is because he wants her to steal her away from her fiancé! Dream on! But for now, Nagi realizes today is his last day living with Erika so he packs up his stuffs and head home. But the moment he reaches home, the place is closed and nobody is in. Messaging mom, she says that there was some major plumbing problem so everyone moved out and lived somewhere else until this issue is fixed. Since the place is small, there is no room so she doesn’t want him to come. This means Nagi has to return to that mansion. He thought he would be living by himself but to his surprise, Erika is also there. I thought she didn’t like the experience of living by herself? So she changed her mind and wanted to try living by herself now, huh? Soon, Sachi delivers some stuffs to the place on a pretence to see her real sister. Well, they’re getting awkward with each other. So to help them grow closer, Nagi arranges for them to cook dinner together. Be careful Erika, she can kill with that knife she mishandles! As they eat dinner, more awkwardness from the sister, especially when Nagi comments they are alike. Then they realize they are indeed like each other and just like that, they suddenly bond! OMG. Erika takes Sachi to dress up. Wow. Now they’re like real sisters. Sachi so dolled up, Nagi couldn’t recognize her. He deserves the beat down.

Episode 5
Nagi dreads going to school. For real?! After that shocking revelation, he can’t find himself to face Hiro. Erika makes him go anyway. Now he wonders if Hiro’s revelation was a way to tell him to stay away from her. In the library, he finds her there. Because she is interested in how he studies and wants to study together, he now believes she is interested in him. But it gets awkward for him as they study together. He gets clumsy, accidentally revealing some shrine stamp collector in which she is a big fan of too. But the competition is still on as she has got way more stamp than his. Oh, did she mention she was in school earlier than him too? When class begins, Nagi is shocked when Erika is a new transfer student in his class! Nightmare has begun. Later he seeks an explanation and it seems she was expelled from her school. Remember that accidental couple picture with him she posted online? Although she deleted it, someone from her school spotted and reported it. She was going to have a talk with the school on this but missed it because on that day a certain someone got sick. So it’s Nagi’s fault? Since she doesn’t want their engagement to be known, there goes his plans to tell Hiro whom he is engaged to. Now, everybody seems to be admiring and staring at her but too afraid to approach her. Only Hiro manages to do it and decides to show her around. Nagi is worried because imagine if both become best friends and they find out Nagi is two-timing them! Sort of. The whole day he tries to follow them but a whole bunch of people is following them. Seriously, these people have nothing else better to do than to gawk at them?! At the end of the day, Hiro is seen crying so Nagi had to jump in to claim whatever offense Erika did wasn’t so and she’s a good girl. But it turns out Hiro was just holding it in and reveals she is a big fan of Erika. Tears of joy, literally. She is amazed with all the recent photos she uploaded. Yeah, nobody thanks the photographer… Hiro sees the duo close to each other so Erika had to lie that Nagi is also her fan. Of course, competition rearing its ugly head as Hiro claiming she is the bigger fan. You can have that title. Hiro has this great idea that all 3 of them should have morning study sessions together!

Episode 6
Nagi tells Erika about his failed confession to Hiro. She doesn’t understand that but is willing to support him. Next day as they meet up in school for a morning study session, the duo find it hard since Hiro is getting suspicious of them acting close together. WTF Erika even dressed as a cupid to play support? Didn’t work. Because Hiro has better talents than Nagi. Hiro gets more suspicious seeing Erika comfortably being taught by him. Jealous, she wants to visit her home to get closer. Nagi thinks he has the house all to himself since Erika brings Hiro to her original house. WTF this dude starts doing things naked?! And then the ladies return! Hide! I guess he didn’t get the message her house is undergoing renovation (NOT HER TOO!) and her helper pointed out to visit her current home. So now Nagi has to secretly collect his stuffs and hide in his room. He fails at the last moment but fast thinking Erika ‘accidentally’ pushes Hiro into the pool. Saved. Shortly, he hears the girls scream. Something in the yard? Nagi checks it out and finds those stalker dudes. Isn’t this trespassing? Nagi confronts them and they think they could beat him. Too bad Nagi still owns them. Maybe next time. Now scram! When Hiro leaves, she sees Nagi’s shine stamp book. Erika makes excuses that she mistakenly took this instead of his notebook. Nagi and Erika now get invited to Hiro’s place. Wow. It’s a huge shrine! You mean Nagi doesn’t even know about this?! It seems Hiro’s mom treats Erika exceptionally well but is very wary of Nagi. Later Hiro and Nagi talk as he realizes what she meant by having a fiancé. She will inherit this place. He is surprised he hasn’t told Erika yet since they’re already so close. Hiro couldn’t bear to tell her as she thinks she can’t bear the burden of it all. So she thinks Nagi can? Is that a confession? Seeing Erika so carefree, Nagi agrees she doesn’t need that kind of burden.

Episode 7
Nagi thinks Hiro is hinting things to her and thus this is his chance to learn more about her. Maybe this upcoming class field trip to Kamakura should do the trick. Erika claims she won’t be going since as a celebrity, there is bound to be problems. Nagi thought of passing up too until he realizes students can form groups. You thinking what he is thinking? After summing up his courage to ask Hiro to join his group, she easily agrees. Wow. So easy, huh? I’m sure Nagi’s mind is wandering about doing all the romantic stuffs with her but here’s some reality check. Hiro wants to go stamp collecting rather than the beach or museum on this trip. And she’ll collect more than him! As they walk back together, Hiro brings up that engagement issue again. Sounds very sad. Then she hypothetically talks about how amazing and different her life would be if she met someone who could change her fate. Then she asks Nagi to change hers. That must be the green light, right? Nagi is so pumped up for that but looks like Erika is here with an issue. Apparently this guy, Shion Asuma muscled his way in and is now in Nagi’s group. He is also a fan of Erika although he isn’t a stalker type. Erika changes her mind to go on this trip to keep this guy at bay so Nagi can have time with Hiro. At Kamakura, we see Shion being the noisy guy. Then he talks to Nagi privately and after showering Erika with super praises, he seeks Nagi’s ‘permission’ to go after Erika. Hey, he thought they are close enough and had something going. Be my guest, she’s all yours. During the entire trip, it seems Nagi is keeping a close watch on Erika and Shion. Hiro points this out but he claims as the group leader, he needs to keep an eye on them for they like going off on their own. In the end, Hiro went ‘missing’ as it is believed she went stamp collecting herself. Leaving Erika and Nagi alone, the former pointing out he was playing more of a supervisor role than anything. Thanks for also ruining her plan. Nagi then remembers Erika said she had someone she wanted to reach. She is reluctant to say, claiming his fate will change if she tells him.

Episode 8
Back home, Nagi is thinking deep about Erika’s words when a dolled up babe rings on the door. Oh, it’s just Sachi. Before we forget all about her, she’s here to visit Erika but she’s not home. Nagi believes there could be some household problem since she is here. He asks about their home’s renovation. Well, it’s going to take some time since the place is old. They talk a while and this brings back some old vibes like how they used to be. Sachi won’t stay for dinner so she goes home, packs up her bags and leave. Mom is of course shocked Sachi is running away from home. Don’t worry, she will be staying at Nagi and Erika’s place. Mom calls Nagi about this (dad crying his heart out Sachi is no longer around) and needs him to convince her to come back tomorrow. With Erika already back, she is more than happy to welcome Sachi to stay. Of course Nagi won’t so they start to argue about who makes the decision. Sachi doesn’t want to sleep in his room, eat his dinner or even be tutored by him. Can Erika step up to that game? At least she looks motivated for it. When Sachi confides with Erika, she reveals her initial reluctance to meet her was because after learning she was going to be her brother’s fiancée, she was worried if he will ever come home. I guess she isn’t bluffing with those tears streaming. Erika will always welcome her here and what are the chances Nagi heard it all? Next morning, Nagi calls mom and tells her Sachi is staying here for now. And that’s that. Dad must be dying inside… The sisters go out shopping as Nagi accompanies them. With so many guys noting her and even Sachi herself admits of turning down so many guys, Nagi is appalled as he now realizes why so many of his classmates were asking him to introduce them to his sister. And his mom! That perverted face of delusion… So creepy… Later Nagi thinks the sisters got into an accident because so many people around. Turns out these people have no life and are just admiring these beauties. They wonder who this plain dude is but the jokes on them after they heard he is fiancé to one of them and the brother to the other. Later Nagi talks to Erika and he realizes after all this, everyone has got their own problems. It’s not right to pry into those problems but he can’t just ignore them. So he hopes she can wait until he is prepared to marry her. No wonder Erika is laughing. Okay, she accepts. Just let her know when he is ready.

Episode 9
Sachi sees Nagi asleep. But what’s this? A text from Hiro asking him for a date?! Next morning, you can tell Nagi is so motivated. Yeah, weird shirt he is wearing. Despite this exciting date, Nagi thinks it’s going to be another stamp collecting but it turns out Hiro brings him to an amusement park. So she wants to get a discount to this place and he looks like one who can keep up with her? Why do I feel it’s more than that? While Hiro enjoys all the rides, Nagi is getting freak out. Pathetic. Not much of a ride guy, huh? As they take a break, she says this is also part of her apology for going off herself during the field trip. Then they visit the strange maze. One of the room has mirrors. Nagi flusters and he gets clumsy, causing him to trip and his lips meet with Hiro’s. Don’t worry, it’s just a mirror. But can he not tell it’s a mirror?! I guess that’s the problem with virgins… Heh… Meanwhile Sachi is sending cursed messages to Nagi… She then tells Erika about her brother’s date but she’s not surprised, shocking her. Plus, Nagi likes Hiro so it’s fine. However Sachi still can’t accept this. So they blow off some steam by going to the batting centre and then the public bath. Meanwhile more rides for Hiro and Nagi. Yeah, Nagi continues to be pathetic. At the end after they part ways, Nagi laments that perhaps Nagi doesn’t see him as a guy. Yeah, today’s date was a total loss. I guess he didn’t pay attention to Sachi’s cursed messages… So when he returns home, looks like he is forced to eat the dinner she cooked for him. Not poisoned? Nope. Then she teases him about the date and can tell from his reaction it was a disaster. Yeah, probably it was the weird shirt… 3 in the morning and someone ringing the bell. Who the f*ck? Oh, it’s Nagi’s dad. He is here to bring them fishing! Wow. Erika so looking forward to it. And Nagi… He’s getting seasick. Like always. So this is dad’s idea of trying to get to know his daughter? I guess Sachi running away from home must have taken a big hit. Nagi isn’t interested despite dad putting a prize money to whoever catches the biggest fish. Nagi remembers dad always forced him to go fishing against his will. He wanted to stop. Not until he catches a bigger fish. This motivates Nagi but he catches the smallest! Dad eventually wins and keeps his money. Dad notes Nagi has changed a bit when he is gone. Nagi admits he doesn’t hate his life now. Erika on the other hand has been so energetic and positive all day. It makes her feel happy to know how she would’ve turned out if she grew up in this family. Yeah, dad just accidentally dropped the entire icebox of fish on Nagi!

Episode 10
Sachi wants to buy a Mother’s Day gift so she drags Nagi with her. Looks like all the usual gifts they suggest, they believe it won’t fit mom well. Yeah, she isn’t your usual kind of mom. Then they realize she is always without her apron and they’ll get her a new one. Nagi pets her head and praises her for this idea. But Sachi doesn’t look happy. Please don’t treat me like a kid. Or is she embarrassed? So after purchasing the gift, they just left it at their doorstep? Maybe she’s busy so they don’t want to bother her. Meanwhile as Erika gets excited making her first cup ramen, she gets a text from dad. Instantly she takes Nagi out. Where are they going? Not saying. Soon after a while, both realize they didn’t bring their phones or wallet. Sure, Erika doesn’t want to be tracked and all. Then she reveals the truth. Her dad is coming to visit and she doesn’t want to be home. When Sachi comes home, she is shocked to see an uncle sitting in the living room and thinks he is a burglar. Can’t blame her for she has never seen Erika’s parents before. After realizing he is Erika’s dad, she thinks both of them went out to the convenience store. But dad can tell otherwise since he can see evidence of Erika dropped everything halfway and ran off. Back to Erika and Nagi, she is worried dad is here to take her home. Nagi knows they can’t stay like this forever so Erika admits she is running away and needs to deal with this. She thinks of going back to confront him but Nagi’s family policy is to finish what they started. So they’re going to keep up this running away charade? Yeah, having fun sliding down the grassy slope with a sack. Didn’t Nagi learn he is bad with rides? Yeah, Erika having the best fun of her life! Erika’s dad treats Sachi to his high class gourmet hotel food. Then he asks about her perspective on Nagi and Erika. Despite being total opposites and quarrelling on the smallest of things, this is what makes them compatible. Dad thanks her and can tell she doesn’t look happy. Sachi denies of course. Dad then returns to his office and looks at a photo. That weird look on his face… And the picture… A family photo that includes young Nagi and Erika together?!

Episode 11
A blackout. Not only their home but looks like the neighbourhood too. WTF Erika thinks Martians are attacking?! Why are there sharks, Godzilla and King Kong too?! Too bad their handphone battery can last so long so there goes their flashlight. Thank goodness for the aromatherapy candle. You mean they don’t have more? Don’t they even have a flashlight?! Nagi goes to get some kit in the closet but since Erika is too scared to part her candle, I guess he has to grope in the dark. He didn’t realize Sachi just came home so he bumps into her and trips. A small accident. Wait. Make that a huge one because they kissed! The lights come back on and he is surprised to see her. A short argument before he tells her to forget about it. You think she can? Because of that, Sachi becomes depressed and withdrawn. Imagine her friends talking about a drama whereby siblings kissed each other! It just irritates her more. Sachi continues to act weird and Nagi can’t even figure out why. So after Erika learns what happened, it’s time to give him some lecture. You see, the problem is that Nagi views her as his little kid sister despite not related. He can’t see her as a woman like getting married and all. So she points out if he can still bath together with her. Can’t? That’s exactly the same of what he did. Suddenly he understands. However he is finding it hard on how to apologize to her. Might as well talk to Hiro on how to do that. So while she tells him straight about his insensitivity that could hurt others (I guess she still remember how embarrassing it was when he declared war with her in front of everyone), she also likes how straightforward he is. Like a typical miko priestess, she writes a lucky charm for him. Hope this helps. Nagi returns and outside Sachi’s room, he apologizes for what he did. He also has done some soul searching and will from now on treat her like a proper woman. This has Sachi come out of her room and from the way she talks and acts, yup, our Sachi is back. Like as though all that never happened, huh? Yeah. Women. Welcome to the world of adulthood.

Episode 12
Nagi tries to make up for that embarrassing amusement park failure with Hiro. Another study session but he realizes picking the library isn’t a good idea since they can’t talk! Hiro is smarter. Exchange notes then! Feels like writing secret codes to each other, huh? Having fun? Well, not a lot of study going on and Nagi doesn’t want the day to end yet. Hiro has him accompany her to a kickboxing centre. Recently she is into this. So is he going to be her punching bag? Yeah, one kick sent him flying! Don’t worry, nothing fatal. He tries it out and likes it too. They’re having so much fun but unknown to them, Erika is passing by and sees this. She doesn’t look happy. In the end, Hiro reveals she did this because she wanted to know him better. Music to his ears. So pumped up he goes home doing push ups. Are you sure this weakling correctly counted over 200? Of course Erika is pouting and now it is her turn to force him to date her. They shop for clothes and she gets him some expensive ones. Then the pet shop, you sure the python isn’t trying to eat him? Thinking this isn’t working, she takes him running. Trying to race each other just made them out of breath. More like training than a date. Soon Erika reveals that kickboxing incident. She is annoyed he smiled to Hiro like that but she was never given the same treatment. Did you not forget? Nagi has a crush on Hiro and did she also forget she was going to root for them? Not sure what excuses she is saying but apparently now it’s a different case. Then Nagi points out that she is jealous he went on a date with Hiro. Uhm, she doesn’t understand what it means? After explaining, she flusters and greatly denies. Yup, not in love with him. We all know better… So as Nagi thinks alone about it, he suddenly have this dilemma that his heart is beating faster thinking about Erika. So is this considered cheating? This has him wonder why he likes Hiro in the first place. Does he need a reason?! So he goes back to his home now finished its renovation (so why didn’t he just move back?) to get some reference but stumbles into a box filled with love letters from dad to mom. Can’t resist reading some? Yeah, not sure to laugh or feel cringe! Then he gets caught red handed but dad isn’t mad. Those are his love memories. A brief flashback on how they met. Fell in love with the most popular girl in school. She didn’t like him at first but he remained persistent. See where they are now? This has Nagi thought maybe his love for Hiro would blossom if he did the same thing. Dad now coaches him on love. Close your eyes and focus. The person you see first is your future bride! So what now because Nagi sees all Erika, Hiro and Sachi! Oh my. Are we going down the harem route?!

Episode 13
This has been occupying Nagi’s mind that he isn’t able to concentrate on his tests. His agonizing face so obvious makes the rest thinks the test is damn hard! Yeah, we’re screwed! Nagi further contemplates he only loves Hiro. So why make it so complicated by analysing his feelings for Erika is just sympathy and that Sachi is his sister but not really. Yeah. So when the results come out, imagine to our shock as Nagi drops to 13th place! OMFG!!! WHAT UNGODLY NUMBER IS THAT???!!! Hiro as expected, regains her top spot. Nagi obviously is depressed but nothing is more heart breaking as he sees Hiro’s sad face. Oh dear. Back home, Nagi laments about this. He realizes he has forgotten the important aspects of why he is studying and let top spot get to his head. Of course Erika is here to give him her piece of mind (since he is too busy wallowing in depression instead of making her dinner!). Nagi blames himself as having no worth because studying is all he’s got. After all, he has been having fun lately and blames it for contributing to his fall. However Erika doesn’t care what place he ends up. To her, he still has his worth. He is only worthless if he can’t cook for her! Ugh… With renewed motivation, he decides to start again. He thought of renewing his vow to Hiro again but she didn’t turn up for the morning session. And then when Hiro doesn’t talk much to him, it suddenly dawns to him that Hiro might be avoiding him! Oh, his heart has got to hurt as much as his head. But soon a letter from Hiro to meet at the gym after school. Before that he talks to Erika for advice and she thinks it is over for him. Because Nagi bragged so much about beating her and all, his downfall is seen as an insult because after all, Hiro sees him as her rival. It’s like betrayal to her. Nagi goes to see Hiro and promises to do better. Hiro reveals that she knew he was down after the slump. Her being sad was because she thought she was the only one who could cheer him up but seeing he has his other friends, do you get the picture now? He realize he still loves her. Now Nagi is super motivated to study. But now Erika needs his help to study too. Because if she bombs the remedial test, her parents want her to come home for real.

Episode 14
I wonder if Erika is serious in studying. I mean, she’s dressing up like a military. I know it’s some kind of drill but huh? Nagi better help her out because did he not hear? She ranked dead last in the previous test! No wonder dad wants her back. However as he coaches her, it makes you wonder if she is really dumb or doing it on purpose since Nagi is so frustrated. Just couldn’t understand and she’s being chirpy about it. After 3 hours, not a single problem solved! He has had it. So is Erika. She resigns to her fate that she will go home. So much about being independent. Later Sachi talks to Nagi to really help her. Looks like he has given up too. Hey, if she has resigned to go home, so be it. Sachi claims it is Nagi who wants to go home. He can’t understand why she is so persistent about it. It’s not like they won’t see each other again. Baka onii… But after a short moment of thinking, he decides to really help Erika. Throw away all those university level of curiosity and just start memorizing! With that, Erika passes her remedial test. This calls for a celebration. Erika being proud she can do it when she puts her mind at it but this annoys Nagi since he was the one who did everything for her for the past 2 days. From cooking to her and even losing sleep to make a custom textbook for her. But he can’t stay mad at her since that smile of hers indicating she has never been so happy with her results. I guess for her dad, either way it’s still a win for him. With Nagi’s neighbourhood having their own local festival, the siblings man their yakisoba stall. A dolled up Hiro comes in her yukata. This is the first time she meets Sachi in person so Nagi introduces his sister to her. Sachi doesn’t look happy and acts a bit rude by not facing her. Hiro invites Nagi to walk around after his shift. He will be so delighted. Oh, Sachi pouting. When a girl says she is not mad… Later Sachi dresses up in her yukata to join Erika to walk around. They stumble into Hiro again as Erika introduces Sachi to her as her sister. Oh dear. Hiro is confused. Something smells fishy…

Episode 15
Since Hiro has last minute jobs from her mom, she can’t go to the festival with Nagi. I guess Erika will make do. So we see how much of a country bumpkin Erika is by trying to use her credit card to pay! Luckily Nagi has cold hard cash. See her waste it all away… Sometimes it isn’t the prize that she wants to win. It is first place! Nagi then happen to see Sachi with her friends who are teasing her about her brother complex. Is she going to pout all night like that? Erika such a messy eater since she has never eat standing up before so she’s dropping crumbs all over the place! This is ruined when those stalkers are here! Instead of beating them up (because I doubt they learn from the last time – and Nagi doesn’t want to draw attention), Nagi takes Erika’s hand and run. They catch their breath at an overhead bridge. They talk and while technically this is the most boring summer for Erika (because she’d be in places like Monaco!), but it is also the most interesting. Yeah, get to watch the fireworks from here too. Not bad. Soon, Hiro comes by. She has been looking for them. Because she wants to ask them about Sachi. How can she be both their sisters? Oh, Erika trying to imitate Nagi as she takes him and run! So while they blame each other for the inconsistency, eventually they realize they need to tell the truth than further covering it up. It might risk Hiro hating him but it’s a risk he will take. So they tell the truth and she is shocked at their birth swapping secret. She is glad because she feels they are the same. She admits she is also engaged and of course only Erika is shocked. She accuses Nagi of keeping both their secrets. Hey, you wanted him to break them?! Hence Hiro suggests their group as Engagement Alliance. WTF. Now Erika and Hiro are closer than ever. Later Erika realizes she forgot to buy Sachi souvenirs and heads off. Before Hiro and Nagi part, Hiro tugs his shirt and with that pleading looks in her eyes, she doesn’t want them to keep anymore secrets. You think he could say no? Unknown to them, Sachi saw this from across the street and is in shock. So as Nagi is happily taking his bath back home, Sachi talks to Erika about Hiro. What does she think of her?

Episode 16
The sisters spy on Hiro and Sachi is waiting for the moment she would pick up some dirt on her. Aha! She picked up a 100 yen coin… And gives it to the police?! Sachi observes more good stuffs Hiro does. Basically she’s like some super human! Erika is just impressed and wants to stop playing this stalker game. Why not just talk directly to her? I mean, she wants to know more about her for her brother’s sake, right? What if she is a weirdo? Erika can vouch Hiro is a good person after getting to know her. Sachi is still not convinced so she goes home to tell Nagi that Hiro is beyond her. And she beats him up when he questions too much! How is this his fault? Then she decides to go to his high school. Speaking of which, they are holding an open day. Looks like Hiro is her guide and this worries Nagi. What if Sachi rats all his bad habits to her?! But after Erika points out if he marries Hiro and they both can become sisters, he likes that ring. After the tour, Sachi personally asks Hiro what is Nagi to her. Nagi gets so worried that he had to blow his cover and rush to them. What are you girls talking about? But they are all smiles because they believe they can get along with each other. What just happened?! Sachi now studies hard to get into this school. So why is Nagi worried? Well, Sachi has a habit of seeing things through when she puts her mind to it. Whatever competition Nagi entered and won before, Sachi wanted it and worked hard to win it too. Uhm, so is that a bad thing? Apparently Nagi’s worry is that their parents won’t approve because this school is expensive even if Sachi gets scholarship. The battle now is to go talk and convince them. However… They easily give the green light! Nagi’s scream of surprise… So easy! Besides, they are loaded as they have save a lot. If that isn’t enough, they’ll sell the shop. But this doesn’t sit well with Sachi and she will not allow it. Oh dear, mother and daughter going to fight! They’re going to swing chairs?! The men can’t do anything but panic! Surprisingly it is Erika who puts her foot down. They are all good people so why this dumb conversation? She wants them to talk about their happy future and not sad ones. Later Sachi thanks Erika and I guess Nagi is now an afterthought… Not even a single thanks…

Episode 17
Sachi is excited when Erika invites her to join in their study camp. However at the mountainous retreat, why the f*ck is Shion here instead?! Apparently Sachi got too excited and fell sick. Erika thought of calling it off but Shion overheard it and wanted in. Yeah. Nagi don’t even remember this guy… Of course Shion wants Nagi to cooperate with him to get the girl they want. When Shion joins Erika out shopping, Nagi is getting nervous being home alone with Hiro. That tension is eased up when she takes him to the beautiful lake nearby. So as they talk about stuffs, Nagi wonders why she joined this study camp. Because Nagi would come. Hinting? At the supermarket, Shion needs to tell Erika something. So when they go back, Shion brags to Nagi that he has confessed! Isn’t that why Erika is looking so embarrassed and needs Hiro’s advice? Well, here’s what actually happened. When Shion wanted to tell her something, he messed up and said thanks for bringing him along. He considers that a confession but of course to Nagi it isn’t. Erika is flustering because she forgot to bring extra pairs of underwear! Nagi somehow feels relieved at all of this but after Shion learns he confessed to Hiro but is put on hold until he beats her many more times in the exams, this guy feels sorry for him. Now he wants Nagi to be his master? That night they’re supposed to study but Shion wants them to play kimodameshi. Yeah, time for Nagi to impress Hiro. They’re all set for the pairing when suddenly Erika wants to go with Nagi and quickly takes him away. Because there’s something she needs to tell him. Now that Shion is left with Hiro, he asks about her infatuation to be top of her class. Is it wrong to be so? She also knows he wanted to confess to Erika. She offers to help but can’t say why. Am I thinking what this means?

Episode 18
Seeing Erika a bit scared, Nagi thinks of scaring her and goes ‘missing’. She freaks out seeing him hiding under the bush but she thought he knew it. Knew what? She is not wearing any panties! Not sure how far they went but there’s a convenience store for her to get a set and then return to the kimodameshi? Erika told Hiro about it but she didn’t really care so Nagi was all she got on relying. They arrive at the shrine and send proof to the rest. It is supposed to be Hiro and Shion’s turn but they forfeit. They found out it is a shrine for engagement so it won’t do them any good. Back at the villa, Nagi realizes he is having fun. You don’t say. After BBQ and bath, you think it’s time to study, right? Surprisingly, Nagi says no! WHAT?! Time to go stargazing. All is going well until Nagi receives a message from mom. Instantly he abandons camp just to go visit Sachi in hospital. Yeah, her fever got bad so the parents took her there. Rest assured, it’s not fatal. You bet Sachi is not amused that he abandoned the camp just for her. Well, this shows how important she is, right? So I guess the girls must be disappointed he is such a siscon. But like I already said, Sachi is important family. You think Shion might get lucky with this harem vibe but too bad the girls enjoy each other’s company. Yeah, just a loner loser :’(. Back home, Nagi is expecting to be teased by Erika but surprisingly she is quite understanding. This makes him confused as he re-evaluates he doesn’t know much about Erika. Part of Hiro and Shion’s plan is to go on a date. But Hiro can’t help saw that curious picture at the villa. You know, that one with a young Nagi and Erika together. Yup, another moment of confusion. And it seems that picture is planted by Erika’s father on purpose! Nagi confronts Erika about the person whom she wants to reach. He believes that person is as important as how Sachi is to him. Erika warns him to be prepared for the answer…

Episode 19
Erika shows Nagi that picture. Before Nagi completes his delusion that they’ve both met before and she had to move away for reasons, be glad to know this photo isn’t fake or Photoshop. She reveals this ‘Nagi’ is actually her older brother, Sousuke. Yeah, Nagi doesn’t seem to be surprised. Because Sachi is his only sibling as far as he is concerned. The thing is, her parents are pretending Sousuke does not exist in their life. I’m not sure what happened to him because it is hinted he moved away. Erika has been waiting ever since for him to return and hence she became a social media star by posting pics of herself in hopes he will notice her. So on that day when her parents wanted to talk about her engagement, she was furious and left. That was when she stumbled into Nagi and was shocked Sousuke returned instead. Nagi’s obvious answer is to go find him. Says the second smartest student in school. Yeah, Erika can’t help laugh her ass off but okay. So as Nagi thinks back on all the times had with Erika (yup, fun times, no?), he thinks she has been seeing him as Sousuke’s replacement. The nerve to call him a siscon when she herself is a big buranko. Thus Nagi decides to go speak to Erika’s father in person. With Sachi returning at the turn of events, Erika is left to explain. As Erika tells of her past with Sousuke, most of them are complaints that he isn’t a good brother but Sachi smirks because the way she nags actually sounds like he is a good brother actually. Sachi also now understands why Erika accepted her as a sister so fast because she understood how she felt as a younger sister. I don’t think Erika thought of that but whatever. As Nagi sees Erika’s dad, the latter is showing photo albums of loli Erika. Yeah, having a blast reliving the memories, eh? However Nagi is not impressed. What has this all got to do with Sousuke? None. Nagi demands to know more about him but dad says he can’t tell something that doesn’t exist. Then he reveals he has met Sachi before, making Nagi surprised since Sachi didn’t say anything. Because Nagi and Sachi are quite close together, dad hints he should’ve noticed this by now. Because marrying Sachi could also solve everything!

Episode 20
Nagi returns emptyhanded. Yeah, gonna get that I-told-you-so from Erika. So while he mentions about her dad suggesting he marries Sachi, Erika isn’t surprised about it. But she fails to see what he is trying to get: Because this also could mean Erika could marry Sousuke! Oh sh*t… Next day, Nagi is fretting on how to look for Sousuke. There are those TV shows. Yeah, don’t want to confuse the audience with the complicated backstory. What about putting up a missing person poster? Yeah, everyone will think he is mad looking for himself! Suddenly, Hiro invites him on another date! WOW! This time, bring a bicycle. Don’t mind his lame delivery bicycle as they both cycle to the sea while Nagi doubts his biological dad as his real dad because he is just too weird. Seems Hiro noticed him worried recently and did this to cheer him up. After shouting aloud towards the ocean, Hiro assures that she will be by him whenever he is troubled. Meanwhile Sachi has another ‘date’ with Erika’s dad. What a lavish and extravagant private restaurant treat. Because now he too poses the question to her if she is prepared to marry Nagi. Sachi goes home, lying she was studying at the library. Nagi is concerned if she pushes too hard and doesn’t want her to fall sick again. She is not amused and throws her usual tantrums. Then they go out shopping for food. Sachi wonders why he needs to be so frugal since Erika’s dad covers their living costs. He could always ask Erika for help and stop being stingy and take it easy. Of course that won’t do for Nagi. Any balance left he always pays it back. Then they reminisce about their younger days. As she is about to chill, he reminds her to study. Now this ticks her off as she accuses him of not paying attention to her. Because what would he do if she says if she wants to marry him? Nagi is in shock and lost for words. Sachi having the last laugh since she was just fooling around. Gotcha. Oh silly onii, you think I was serious?! We viewers know better…

Episode 21
The moment of truth is here… And finally… Nagi is back at the top spot from his exams! Oh yeah. You bet he is happy that this legendary tale of his meteoric rise will be handed down and told for generations! While we leave him to fantasize, of course Nagi taking first place means Hiro is pushed down to second. And then a letter from her to meet at the rooftop. Déjà vu? This time he expects what is coming as he goes to see her. So after he confesses again and wants to go out with her, he is expecting a swift rejection. But eh? A long silence. Does this mean she accepts him?! Sorry, then she rejects him. Bummer. But she feels like fate is changing and wishes that he was the one she is engaged to. Yeah, you bet he is on cloud nine and can’t wait to brag to those sisters about this. While Erika is amazed, Sachi on the other hand is annoyed and unimpressed. With Nagi ‘troubled’ about this, Erika suggests spending their summer vacation at her private beach villa to find out about Hiro’s intention. At first Nagi won’t come since he wants to study. But with Hiro agreeing to come, you bet he is suddenly all for this trip. Nagi and Erika go to buy stuffs. Nagi seems knowledgeable about beach trips because his family often does this. Well, it’s free. For Erika, she was always alone even on the beach. Taking a bus home (sorry Erika, it’s not exactly like a taxi!), they ponder about the secret of living together from Hiro. Back home as they try to surprise Sachi with their aloha getup, it is they who get surprised because Hiro is here! Oh dear. What’s about that secret of them living together? Well, Hiro had her suspicions. I mean, they smelled like using the same shampoo. Oh dear. Nagi used Erika’s shampoo for financial reasons?!

And so on this beach trip, Nagi can’t help steal glances from those sexy girls in swimsuits. Only ruined by Sachi giving that warning look of his lecherous face. He wonders why she told Hiro about them living together. Actually she invited her over to tutor her. Yeah, didn’t want him to teach her? Besides, won’t he be happy if Hiro is here? Soon Nagi confronts Hiro to talk about it. She knows it’s about the secrets he kept from her so immediately he goes into repenting mode. She doesn’t sound mad but she sure made it sound like he is guilty of it all. Obviously trolling him by pretending to get mad that he had several chance to tell her but didn’t (because of their promise not to keep secrets). Even if Nagi can leave any time, it looked like he had fun staying around Erika. Then she plucks a strand of hair because if he does this again, she’ll curse him. Nagi is now bragging over this forgiveness to the sisters. As usual, Erika is impressed but not Sachi. She doesn’t think there is any of a shred a girl would like him! But when Nagi asks her as what Hiro said earlier, if she likes him, this has Sachi fluster like hell and the obvious answer is to beat him up. I guess it’s never fair game when he says things like that to her.

Episode 22
Earlier when Hiro asked Nagi about Sachi and he told her character as the stubborn type, he thought she didn’t want to tutor her and will turn her down for her. However that was not what Hiro implied because she was curious that it looked to her that Sachi is in love with him. Now Sachi confronts Hiro about this and denies she is so. Flashback when they first met during orientation and now we get to hear what they were talking then. Hiro said she too is engaged and only sees Nagi as her rival. That was what made Sachi trusted her but now things have changed. As Nagi is at the outdoor bath, Erika joins him. Because she sounds so inviting, this puts him in the dilemma but ultimately he fears if Hiro sees this, it’ll be over. Well, Erika has always been doing such alone so she is having fun doing this with others. Tonight’s issue: Not enough separate beds. With 2 double sized beds, this means somebody must sleep with Nagi. Sachi’s solution: Let him sleep in the living room. Nagi won’t because he saw a spider and would rather die than let one crawl around. Sachi’s answer: Then die! Hiro has a solution: Draw lots. And yeah, Nagi and Sachi end up together and boy, Sachi is so mad! Even blaming him for drawing the same number as her?! Meanwhile Erika and Hiro are having fun all the way. From Twister to bubble bath. It’s like they’re best friends forever. They then talk about engagement. To Erika’s surprise, Hiro doesn’t know who she is engaged to. She isn’t interested in him either. Erika claims the same since their parents set them up in the first place. Since she puts it like that, Hiro asks if she is willing to give Nagi to her. A shock Erika can’t believe Hiro actually likes Nagi but too bad she has already fallen asleep. So fast?! Next morning, Nagi wonders why Erika is up so early. Why the surprised look on her face? Because suddenly she remembers she was here with Sousuke before! She finds that growth chart on the wall as proof. However, the plot thickens because the Twister game and bubble bath boxes are new. It indicates he was here. With the rest they go search for clues. Nothing. Then when they take a break and play a video game, Erika realizes the save game file. Its recent save is 3 days ago. They came here only yesterday. This means Sousuke could still be in town. Nagi rushing out to find him. Where the hell is he going to start?! However Erika stops him. She doesn’t want him to do that. Why? Isn’t what she has been doing for this moment? True. But now she is scared. Nagi assures her that he will be with her when she meets him. They ask about but it seems nobody has seen Sousuke. They rest as Erika wonders why he is so invested in this. Nagi promised her. After all, he too has questions to ask about his brother.

Episode 23
The gang prepares to leave for home. Nothing gained from finding Sousuke. Nobody in town knows or seen him. But the gang is relieved to know he is around. Are they making that huge assumption?! When Erika’s chauffeur is here to pick them up, Hiro has another idea. She wants Nagi to hang out with her to take the train home. Must be a dream come true for Nagi. Of course, it’s just to go collect stamps from a shrine. Erika tells Sachi about Hiro telling her about wanting Nagi. Both find lame excuses that she couldn’t be serious because why would a popular girl like her like a gloomy nerdy guy like him? Yeah, I wonder too… Due to the storm, the train station is closed. Oh, so they’re going to wait outside till the storm passes?! Thankfully they find an inn where they can stay. You bet the sisters are going to jump when Nagi sends a message that she is spending the night together. Nagi is in a dilemma to fill in the details for fear the inn might not accept a young male and female staying together. Hiro is smart to write her surname the same as his. Damn, I thought she was acting as his sister but nope, she’s pretending to be his newlywed wife! Must be a dream for Nagi. Nothing much happening of note between them. Until Nagi sees a lizard on the wall and freaks out. Because it’s our cue for him to fall over Hiro and troll us with something romantic happening. Hiro hints they’ve done a lot of ‘bad things’ together. She gives him a thousand yen. What does this mean? Alone together and without their parents… It means she wants to buy liquor! Oh man, are you perverts so disappointed?! Yeah Nagi, you’ve been played well. Of course he shoots this down too. Can’t ruin her reputation, right? Suddenly the police knocking at their door! Oh sh*t! Did the inn tip them off?! Nagi fears he will be expelled and Hiro will be forced to marry her fiancé. They’re going to make their decision to escape via window when the police barge in. Oh, it’s just Erika and Sachi. Seeing Nagi in his undies (WTF he is changing?!), they scream and slap him. Luckily no arrests were made as they return home. As the sisters ask Hiro what happened, Hiro makes it sound ambiguous they did lots of things together. Nagi is after all a boy.

Episode 24
This flashy hand delivered birthday invitation… It could only be from that person… Yeah, Nagi and Sachi don’t look happy since it’s their daddy’s birthday. He’s already revving it up with his own disco party! While Erika is amused with all the fun, Nagi and Sachi reluctantly go with the flow. Erika looks through the photo album in which it is papa’s tradition to take a family photo every year. She spots in a photo an unfamiliar girl but that is all soon forgotten after papa presents his birthday cake. So, he is 39, eh? This means he had his first child when he was 19! Do the math. Oh Sachi, you blundered by accusing Nagi of being an accident. It was Erika. Swapped at birth, remember?! Sachi then asks the dumb question of when Erika’s birthday is. Duh! Isn’t it the same as Nagi?! Weren’t they swapped on that day?! Weren’t you paying attention, girl?! Both papa and mama at first wanted them to get married. But now it doesn’t matter anymore. As long as they’re happy, they too are happy. After all, they got married despite mom’s parents’ objecting to it all. Yeah, we’ll leave that story drama for another day. Back home after another study session, Erika collapses from fever. Hiro and Sachi take it upon themselves to nurse her but I think their crazy ideas are going to make it worse! So Nagi who has been quietly studying so as not to get in their way, finally intervenes. I mean, those girls did nothing good to improve, right? He makes porridge for her as she thinks her exhaustion must be due to having fun every day. Never had this much fun before. She asks why he knows her better than she does. Because they’re engaged. Yeah. Timely reminder. A picture of the birthday bash is sent to them. Erika proudly puts it up on the wall as she feels like part of the family. She wonders if she will have a family like this someday. Well, the ball is in your court. Your move. Meanwhile Sachi talks to Erika’s dad and updates him on stuffs. Sachi seems disappointed her parents are no longer insisting on their engagement but looks like he too is okay with it. As long as they’re happy, he respects their wishes. He will continue to watch them from afar as it is still too early for them to leave the nest. And as expected, Nagi and Erika in their petty quarrelling. Can’t stand being engaged, huh? Wait till you get married! HAHAHA!!! Sighs…

Cucked!!!
Uhm… Is that the final episode? Are you sure that’s the last one? Hold on a sec, let me check. Yup. Dang. It is. Sighs. How the heck can they give us that kind of crappy final that feels more like a filler and didn’t go anywhere? Like as though they ran out of steam or something. However because of that, I am in a dilemma whether to feel relieved because this boring series has ended or unsatisfied because none of the mysteries were solved. Maybe both. And the gall they had to include that mystery girl in the photo album! Since I did some Google search, I have an idea of who she is. But as far as this anime season is concerned, good riddance!

Honestly, I feel the entire series is like one big nothing burger. Although it is intriguing to see how the switch at birth couples will play out with their seemingly new life living together, that soon gets awfully stale. Because soon it descends into some sort of cliché romantic comedy sort of shenanigans that ultimately feels boring and a nothing burger at all. Seeing this, that is why I am guessing earlier on they tease us with that intriguing family photo of the Amano family. It keeps viewers like yours truly that there would be some sort of twist somewhere. However they really took their time in revealing another twist on it and in between, more of those boring and cliché shenanigans that got nowhere. Sure, the series would have ended real quickly and then people like yours truly will start to accuse it of rushing it so I guess what better way than to drag everything out for a 2 whole cours with such nothing burger. Because in the end, do we see anything that has drastically changed? I mean, really changed. Yup. Nothing.

So amidst the nothing burger shenanigans of our young main characters, it was more interesting for me to cook up conspiracy theories on that little mystery. Yeah. Are you willing to hear me rant it out? Here goes. At first, I theorize the Nagi in that photo was actually him. Somehow he got into a traumatic accident and lost his memories and went away for a while. Yeah. Not an exciting kind of theory but I guess it’s still better than watching the boring nothing burger. And then the other big twist revealed being that Nagi is supposed to be Sousuke, his brother. So that destroyed my initial theory. But this allowed another new one to come up: What if that is not Sousuke but actually still Nagi?! And Sousuke is just actually a figment of Erika’s imagination! An imaginary friend?! Oh my. Yes. That’s what I wanted to truly believe in. Why are Erika’s parents avoiding such an issue and refuse to tell anything about Sousuke? It’s because he DOES NOT EXIST! Can’t tell anything you don’t know, right? Unless you want to lie about it. The other damning ‘proof’ is that no one around town remembers seeing this missing big brother. So what does this tell you? SOUSUKE DOES NOT EXIST! Then what about the save game data at the beach villa? Oh you know, dad may have rented it out to some young punks who happened to play that video game. Hence the Sousuke that Erika is looking for is Nagi all along. Something traumatic could have happened so to avoid facing reality, she created this Sousuke and believed he existed. Her parents play along because she is their beloved daughter.

So much about my conspiracy theory and so I’m moving on to nit-pick about the title itself. I always had this conception that the title meant a cool couple. Perhaps that is the wordplay the series will give when it gives us another big twist. But it seems that isn’t the case as I have recently found out. Instead, the title meant a couple of cuckoos. Yup, blame that genius or ambiguous Japanese wordplay. For the uninitiated, a cuckoo is a bird that leaves its egg in the nest of other birds and have that surrogate parent doing all the work from warming and hatching the egg. Sorry, they don’t actually live in clocks. Heh. While I can see that sort of connection for this series, however I don’t see how it is really connected. I mean, both Nagi and Erika are switched at birth. Different families taking good care of them. Isn’t that like what many foster parents around the worlds are doing? So are you saying such a family are like cuckoos?! I don’t know. It feels a bit like an insult. Hence this cuckoo theme thingy feels a bit off and I still want to believe that at the very end of it all, once whoever ends up being married to each other, they will eventually transform and become that cool couple. Hence the title. Roll credits.

As for the characters, they are amusing but ultimately nothing all that exciting. It is pretty cliché too considering they need some kind of love polygon and hence this sort of weird arrangement. Yeah, it’s also called a harem. Remember I said that the whole series being a nothing burger of their typical cliché of shenanigans? Yeah, that was probably to show us some sort of ‘character development’ and the bonding between the characters. The series does not have much characters and so in this context, fleshing out the main quartet over 2 cours is quite reasonable. Yes, those moments and times of spending together AKA your nothing burger are supposed to be it. The excuse and ‘proof’ that all our 3 main heroines will have some sort of feelings for Nagi whether they admit it or not. I mean, come on. It is that kind of genre of a series. What else to expect from it? Unless… But I’m pretty sure it’s about that.

That’s why when you have Nagi and Erika being set up as engaged to marry each other, they’re only putting this up so as to make their parents happy. And of course to play out such shenanigans as the duo have their freedom to do almost whatever they want in a home that they have all to themselves. So is there any real love between them? For what I can see after 2 cours, Erika is at the bottom of the pecking order in terms of actually liking Nagi. But as some veteran viewers of the genre can tell, spending too much time together can ultimately change that. However as I have said, from the way I see it and considering Erika’s happy go lucky personality, it is not very likely although there is still a possibility. After all, Erika who was raised as a sheltered daughter, she seems to be having fun with such new experiences that normal people take for granted. Yeah, I can’t say I hate her when she looks and sounds genuinely excited like a country bumpkin over such new experiences but it shows that she is really happy with such experiences. Ah, such simpleton. Of course, being a bit spoilt, it is sometimes funny to see her impose her rich girl personality on normal stuffs. Basically among the girls, even though Erika once lacked freedom, she is now one who enjoys it the most and can’t be bothered with matters of the heart.

Then there is Hiro who is Nagi’s crush. It seems to me that Hiro may be hiding a lot more secrets than we know. Because, how much do we actually know about her? Making it more suspicious is that she has this poker face. And I mean that in the sense that she is mostly always smiling and having a pleasant personality. While it is nice to have such pleasant looking girl, forgive me if I have my doubts that it all looks pretty suspicious. Which means here is another damn conspiracy of mine: You know her fiancé whom she is engaged to and she doesn’t care to know about? What if that fiancé is… SOUSUKE???!!! OMFG!!! I see it’s going to cause a lot of havoc and opening a can of worms. No, make that a thousand can of worms plus a million Pandora’s Box! Oh boy, I can understand why she is somewhat fond of Nagi. So was that challenge to beat her for top spot just a show? Because sometimes she is sending mixed signals to him if she likes him or just messing with him. If I’m Nagi, I bet I would be confused too. She is after all the girl he likes and understandably he doesn’t want to make any blunders. But otherwise among the trio, I have this feeling that based on her actions and the way she speaks, Hiro could be hiding something even more tragic. Unless she’s just trolling us once more.

Finally the little sister who isn’t actually the real blood sister, Sachi. Not being blood related opens up a whole new possibility. And you wonder why she’s part of the harem too. But if there is one thing that I find unlikeable about her is that she is quite a grumpy person. I believe she is a tsundere personality because obviously she is acting so towards Nagi to hide her feelings for him. AM I RIGHT???!!! However the way she sulks and pouts is just way too much for me to see her as a tsundere. I mean, what the f*ck is her problem?! It’s like she is worse than a child who has reached the rebellious age as she is constantly not impressed with Nagi. Like as though she is covering up her feelings… I’m not saying that Sachi is a hateful person, but because of this cranky outlook that specifically targets Nagi, I just find her quite unlikeable. Yeah, it would be too easy if she just admitted and confessed her feelings, no? Would that be the Sachi we know?! Yikes. Such dilemma… And to think she once loved her brother so much and was suspicious of newbie Erika. Remember that?! My, how things have changed.

And lastly, the main guy in contention, Nagi. I won’t say he is a smart guy despite being almost the eternal second place in his grade. Well, what else can I say about him? Like he is caught between a rock and a hard place. Turning up that difficulty by several notches is that he is poor. Yeah. Financial limitations. But it is so typical that poor guys do better in their studies because they have nothing to do, right? I mean, take a look at the male protagonists in series like Go-toubun No Hanayome and Bokutachi Wa Benkyou Ga Dekinai. Not well off. Studies hard and pays off. Has a few chicks by his side. Woah. Shows you that money can’t buy you the chicks unless you’re filthy rich. HAHAHA! Sighs… All I can say is, although Nagi may be your typical cliché male protagonist, because he is a guy and that is what limits his options. Period. He’s got a goal to achieve and point to approve by impressing the crush his love by being good at his studies. He’s got a grouchy little sister to take care of because obviously the sisters suck in cooking. He’s got a fiancée to look after (remember, his worth is only when he can cook for her!) and to make do just to impress both set of parents. Wow. This guy sure has a lot on his plate. Glad I’m not him. Heh.

As for the other characters, if there is one who is being the most redundant, I figure it would be Shion. WTF is this character for? I know, it’s for some comic relief but he is so minor, he doesn’t even actually matter and can be done without. My guess is to make him a much more loser than Nagi. Oh sorry, I take that back. The ultimate losers are Erika’s stalkers. Almost forgot about them, eh? Yeah. I don’t blame you. These guys don’t learn and think if they have gotten strong a bit, they think they can rule the world. Only, not! Thank goodness they only appear a couple of times as annoyance. Imagine if this is a running joke, how annoying it would be and we won’t get to see some ‘quality time’ between Nagi and his harem.

Then there are the parents. Both respect their young growing teens’ life and don’t interfere too much. So it doesn’t matter if your parents were ex-street gangs or high corporate magnates, as long as they love their children and respect their children’s wishes, aren’t they already the best parents? And of course, you wonder why Erika’s dad is being sneaky as he planted that photo. Even making strange statements like asking Sachi to marry Nagi. It’s like he has an ulterior motive. And yes, MY CONSPIRACY THEORY! Assuming that Sousuke imaginary friend is true, he set up that picture so as to force Erika to move on in life. Thus in order to further make her realize that, set up the thought of Sachi to marry Nagi so that Erika might feel alerted or threatened and make a move. Yeah, it’s a long shot but I won’t dismiss something of this nature. It is Erika’s dad we’re dealing with. He’s got aces up his sleeves. How do you think he accumulated his business and reputation over the years?

Furthermore, I have this crazy theory that he might not be even be parents of any of the kids! He could be some imposter and a human trafficker or something!!! Oh my! Why do I think so?! Because the way he invites Sachi and treats her to lavish meals, this makes me think that he is trying to get on her good side. Like as though he has some sort of ulterior motive or something. I mean, how can he say with a straight face to her about marrying Nagi? Unless it was to push her into taking some action but I think he is some serial baby swapper or something. I don’t know his goal but perhaps he want to swap whoever’s kids in the future. Yeah. Sure, it could be his intention to make Sachi to act as his unwitting spy and make periodic reports-cum-updates about Nagi and Erika since his daughter won’t be so earnest in telling him everything (yeah, too busy having fun maybe). But I just can’t shake off that ulterior motive thingy. Isn’t that why he is playing the waiting game and using this excuse to watch over them for now? Boy, I’m sure going crazy with my dumb and wild conspiracy theories. But hell yeah they are still much more interesting food for thought than the boring show itself! Admit it, it is!

Art and animation, well, I have to say that I am not impressed and although the characters do look like your today’s conventional anime standard, sometimes I can see the quality dipping. It’s not even an action piece but you do notice that sometimes the art style gets a bit weird AKA drop in quality. Then there is the case of our cuties, Erika, Sachi and Hiro. I know they want to make these girls look cute and doll them up. However upon taking a closer look at them, I just find that they have this one kind look. I’m not saying that they are ugly, just that they look, uhm, one kind. For instance, look at Hiro. Cute… But uhm… I don’t know, doesn’t she look a bit weird? I don’t know, is it the lips or something? Of course it goes without saying Nagi looking like your typical bland male protagonist. Even more bland with such drop in quality! Serious. This anime is jointly done by SynergySP (Hayate No Gotoku, Taishou Otome Otogibanashi, Deatte 5-byou De Battle) and Shin-Ei Animation (Karakai Jouzu No Takagi-san, Subarashiki Kono Sekai The Animation, Doraemon movies).

For the voice acting, it’s pretty okay and decent. Nothing really extraordinary. A few recognizable ones include Nao Touyama as Hiro, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Shion and Youko Hikasa as Nagi’s mom. The other casts are Kaito Ishikawa as Nagi (Iida in Boku No Hero Academia), Akari Kitou as Erika (Nezuko in Kimetsu No Yaiba), Konomi Kohara as Sachi (Chika in Kaguya-sama Wa Kokurasetai), Ryohei Kimura as Nagi’s dad (Tsubasa in Kyoukai No Rinne) and Toshiyuki Morikawa as Erika’s dad (Naraku in Inu Yasha).

The first opening theme is Dekoboko by Kiyoe Yoshioka. While it is your lively typical generic anime pop and nothing much special, it is still way better than the second opener, Glitter by Sumika. I don’t know, the song has strange vibes for me. Starting off with some banjo pickings (yeehaw!), some parts of the song almost had this Dear Bob vibe (an opening theme for Witchblade). It is also a mix of hip hop and jazz. And the vocals accompaniment, oh I just don’t know where to put my finger on it. For the first ending theme, Shikaku Unmei by Sangatsu No Phantasia is an okay rock piece that tries to sound badass (because the animation tries to portray the girls as so and Nagi as a wanted guy! WTF?!) while the second ending song, Hello Hello Hello by Eir Aoi sounds like a bit like country music. Must be the guitar pickings in the background.

Overall, this series is a disappointment and wait for it, a nothing burger. It had its potential but that quickly got doused out and replaced with typical clichés of a rom-com genre that ultimately is, wait for it, nothing burger. Nothing gets resolved and it feels like we’ve wasted our time trying to follow it all. I guess we’re the ones who got cucked, EH???!!! Oh worse, the ones who got f*cked in the ass! Sorry for the slightly strong language but I guess I can’t hide my sentiments any longer for this show. While I agree there were some enjoyable moments (term used very loosely), but overall the whole thing is a mess and mediocre. Forget about being a cuckoo. Now I’m just waiting for the vulture to pick off clean the dead corpse of this anime! Don’t leave any traces of any disappointment behind!