Genre: Shoujo, Romance, Drama, Comedy
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
General Set-up: Kuronuma Sawako is viewed as an outcast because of her solemn manner and because her stark facial features make her look like a ghost. It doesn’t help that her nickname comes from a popular horror film. Usually when she tries to interact with people they run away scared. Kazehaya is the first person to look her straight in the eye and say thank you when she gives him directions on the first day of school. As she gets to know him Sawako begins to make friends with more of her classmates. She becomes fast friends with two other girls, but Kazehaya is special for some reason.
Characters: Sawako has a sweet personality despite her frightening face. She is optimistic, but is naive to the point where insults fly over her head. Kazehaya is popular with his classmates, but doesn’t let it get to his head. It is pretty obvious he likes Sawako. Ayane and Chizuru are Sawako’s first friends. Ayane is sophisticated and pretty, while Chizuru is more of a tomboy. The characters change over the course of the show, but it is gradual.
Plot: The pace of the plot is similar to a slice of life show and it isn’t too complicated. The main purpose of the story is for Sawako to learn things about the world and herself. The second season has more tension than the first season. However, the anime as a whole is really cute and sweet. I enjoyed watching it.
Ending: The ending is pleasing, if a little long in the coming. I mean, it takes 30+ episodes for Sawako and Kazehaya to get their minds on the same page and figure out that they both like each other. It also doesn’t help that there are a few ‘misunderstandings’ along the way. But nothing ever works out perfectly in real life, so if nothing I guess it is realistic.
Things to Watch For: This show was really clean. I have nothing else to say!
Humor: Kimi ni Todoke did not focus on humor as much as other shows. Not to worry, it is still present; it just isn’t as in your face. Other similar shoujo anime create humor by placing the characters in awkward situations that are funny, but can be painful to watch. I easily get stressed when watching such situations, so I was glad that Kimi ni Todoke did not do this.
Moral Lessons: By the time you call someone a friend you have been friends for a long time. Misunderstandings can be fixed with kind words. It’s okay to have romantic feelings for someone.
Sights and Sounds: The animation style used in Kimi ni Todoke is different than most I have seen; it is still stylized, but more realistic. The look fits the show very well. I really liked the second opening and ending, especially the ending. It is just beautiful and it balanced well with the tension in the second season. Plus, there is something about it that feels like an ending. Kind of sad and happy at the same time.
Other media: Kimi ni Todoke is based off of a manga that is currently ongoing, as well as a light novel series. A live-action film and two video games were also produced that were based on Kimi ni Todoke.
Fillers: There are two fillers in this anime. Episode 16 from the first season is a summary episode and the first episode of the second season summarizes the first season from a side character’s point of view.
Length: Kimi ni Todoke is split up into two seasons. The first season has 24 episodes while the second season has just 13.
Where to Watch: Kimi ni Todoke is available on Hulu and Crunchyroll. However, you have to be a premium member of Crunchyroll to watch past the sixth episode.
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