Nisekoi (Japanese: ニセコイ, literally: "Fake Love"), published in Indonesia under the title Nisekoi: False Love, is a Japanese romantic comedy manga series written and illustrated by Naoshi Komi. The manga first appeared as a one-shot story before being serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine. The story centers on Raku Ichijō, the son of a yakuza clan leader, who is forced into a fake dating relationship with Chitoge Kirisaki, the daughter of a rival gang leader, in order to prevent a war between gangs.
Since its appearance, Nisekoi succeeded in gaining wide popularity, which later gave rise to various adaptations, including two anime seasons, several OVAs, light novels, and a live-action film. Its popularity also reached Indonesia, where the manga is published by Elex Media Komputindo. This article will review in depth the plot, characters, and the franchise produced by this series, based on the latest information.
Plot
Basic Premise and Initial Conflict
The story of Nisekoi begins with Raku Ichijō, an ordinary high school student who turns out to be the sole heir of a yakuza clan. One day, he meets Chitoge Kirisaki, a blonde girl who has just moved from the United States. Their first meeting goes poorly because Chitoge accidentally kicks Raku in the face. However, their conflict does not stop there. To end a long feud between the yakuza family and the American gang led by Chitoge's father, both of their parents decide to arrange a match between Raku and Chitoge. They are forced to pretend to be a couple in order to keep the peace in the city.
This situation is complicated by the fact that Raku has feelings for his sweet classmate, Kosaki Onodera. Not only that, a story from the past also hangs over them. Ten years earlier, Raku once promised to marry a girl who gave him a padlocked locket, and the girl carried the key to open it. Now, amid the chaos of his fake relationship with Chitoge, Raku must find out who that girl from his childhood promise is, while trying to pursue his true love. The tension increases further when more girls appear and become involved with Raku's past, creating a situation of comedy and romantic conflict typical of the series.
Development and Climax of the Story
Throughout its serialization, Nisekoi develops the relationships among characters with a seasoning of comedy and misunderstanding. Chitoge, who initially hates Raku and considers him a "pathetic yes-man", slowly begins to realize her true feelings. Meanwhile, Kosaki Onodera, the girl who is Raku's first love, also wrestles with her own feelings. The tension increases further with the arrival of new characters such as Marika Tachibana and Seishirō Tsugumi, each of whom also has a connection to the past or feelings for Raku.
The main mystery about the childhood promise and who the rightful owner of the key is finally finds its answer, which becomes the climax of the story. Although it is revealed that Kosaki Onodera is the girl from Raku's promise, Raku ultimately realizes that his feelings for Chitoge are stronger than merely a promise from the past. The decision to choose Chitoge becomes an important turning point in the story, marking Raku's emotional growth in having to follow his heart.
Main Characters
Nisekoi has a colorful ensemble of characters, each with a unique personality and background.
Raku Ichijō is the main protagonist. He is a high school student who aspires to become a civil servant, a desire that conflicts with his status as a yakuza heir. Although he is often trapped in chaotic situations because of his relationship with Chitoge and the other girls, Raku is at heart a kind person who is faithful to his promises.
Chitoge Kirisaki is the main heroine and Raku's "fake girlfriend". As the daughter of a rival gang leader, she is an energetic, outspoken, and often temperamental girl. Her relationship with Raku begins with hatred, but over time, her feelings of love grow and become one of the main drivers of the story.
Kosaki Onodera is a sweet and shy girl who is Raku's first love. She is Raku's classmate who always fails to confess her feelings because of her awkward nature. Onodera is depicted as a gentle and kind-hearted girl.
In addition to these three, there are other important characters such as Marika Tachibana, a flirtatious girl who also claims to have a promised relationship with Raku in the past; Seishirō Tsugumi, Chitoge's capable bodyguard who is initially suspicious of Raku; Shū Maiko and Ruri Miyamoto, friends of Raku and Onodera who often give sharp comments and become loyal observers of the chaos that occurs; as well as Yui Kanakura, Raku's adoptive older sister who appears later and possesses one of the keys to open the locket.
Media and Adaptations
Nisekoi has grown into a large media franchise, with various adaptations that have spread its story to a wider audience. The following is a breakdown of those adaptations.
Manga
The Nisekoi manga series was written and illustrated by Naoshi Komi. Serialization began in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine on November 21, 2011 and ended on August 8, 2016. The story was later collected into 25 tankōbon volumes published by Shueisha under the Jump Comics imprint. In Indonesia, the manga is licensed by Elex Media Komputindo and began publication on October 19, 2016. The manga has also been published widely in various countries and has completed its entire serialization, making it one of the best-known romantic comedy manga series of the 2010s.
Anime
The Nisekoi anime adaptation was produced by studio Shaft, with Akiyuki Shinbo serving as chief director. The first season of the anime aired from January 11 to May 24, 2014, consisting of 20 episodes. The success of the first season was later followed by a second season titled Nisekoi:* that aired from April 10 to June 26, 2015, consisting of 12 episodes. In addition, several OVA (Original Video Animation) episodes were also released as supplements. The anime succeeded in adapting the early part of the manga story up to around Chapter 106, before eventually stopping. Aniplex of America licensed the series for the North American region, and Crunchyroll provides it for streaming in various regions.
Live-Action Film
A live-action film adaptation of Nisekoi was announced and released in Japan on December 21, 2018. The film was directed by Hayato Kawai, distributed by Toho, and starred Kento Nakajima as Raku Ichijō and Ayami Nakajo as Chitoge Kirisaki. Other cast members included Natsumi Ikema as Kosaki Onodera and Haruka Shimazaki as Marika Tachibana. The film is an adaptation of the manga story and has a duration of 118 minutes.
Other Media
In addition to the manga, anime, and film, Nisekoi has also expanded into other media. There is a light novel series titled Nisekoi: Urabana written by Hajime Tanaka, with two volumes published in 2013. A video game titled Nisekoi: Yomeiri!? was also released for the PlayStation Vita platform on November 27, 2014 by Konami. Even a mahō shōjo (magical girl) spin-off series was once produced, showing how widely this franchise has grown.
The conclusion of the Nisekoi story provides an answer to the mystery that had gone on for a long time and resolves the love-triangle conflict that is the core of the story. After a series of adventures and revelations, Raku chooses to follow his true feelings for Chitoge, even though it is ultimately revealed that Kosaki Onodera is the girl from his childhood promise.
The final chapter of the manga, titled "Promise", depicts a time jump several years into the future. Raku succeeds in realizing his dream of becoming a civil servant in the public safety department, but he also continues his responsibilities as the heir of the yakuza clan. Chitoge pursues her dream of becoming a fashion designer and moves to the United States. After years of being apart, they finally reunite in Japan. In the end, Raku and Chitoge decide to marry, and the final chapter ends with a sweet moment of them in a field, where they bury the padlock and key of the past in order to begin a new start together.
References
Wikipedia bahasa Indonesia, ensiklopedia bebas. "Nisekoi: False Love".
Thegioimanga.vn. "Nisekoi - Cặp Đôi Giả Tạo - Series".
Grokipedia. "ニセコイ 25 [Fake Love 25] (Nisekoi, #25) (book)".
Anime News Network. "Nisekoi: (TV 2)".
Skdesu. "What is the ending of Nisekoi? What happens after the Anime?".
TEGASIAN. "Live Action Nisekoi: Kisah Cinta Palsu yang Menghibur".