The Slice of Life Series That Changed Romance Anime (Kimi Ni Todoke)

Before hits like Horimiya and even the recent Skip to Loafer, was the classic slice of life romance series, Kimi Ni Todoke. I review the the manga, the anime and even the recent Netflix Drama adaptation to explore how KNT makes miscommunication beautiful.
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RESOURCES
Series Mentioned:
Kimi Ni Todoke
From Me To You - Kimi Ni Todoke (Drama)
Lovely Complex
Skip to Loafer
Horimiya
Komi Can't Communicate
After the Rain
Great Pretender
The Wallflower
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PURPOSE
My name is Phoenix and I dive into the world of visual storytelling in anime and sometimes manga on a weekly basis.
#kiminitodoke #skiptoloafer #sliceoflife
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[@Koharuno]

Kimi Ni Todoke will always hold a special place in my heart for being one of the first shows back in the day (watched when I was a freshman in high school; and still rewatch every once in awhile) to having a very wholesome and relatable cast of characters. While the miscommunication between Sawako and Kayzehaya turned away some watchers for its slow burn and frustration with how Sawako can be *too* passive with her feelings and communicating them; I really appreciate you discussing the other side of the coin when it comes to adolescent emotions and how it can affect how we express ourselves. I love this show so much and hope there’s more content made on how positive this anime can be for setting an example on healthy relationships and self reflection

[@andreaatalah9484]

I just watched this anime and i cant get enough of it. I think i will read the manga! I think its super cool that you first watched it as a freshman in high school, the same time i just watched it :)

[@Takumi_Did_Nothing_Wrong]

Have you heard that there's a sequel/spinoff to Kimi ni Todoke called Kimi ni Todoke: Soulmate? It's set during Kurumi and Sawako's time in college, this time focusing on Kurumi and her love story. It's getting an official English release in Spring 2024!

[@TheAnimeTea]

I only recently found out about this while researching this video! I'd love to read it, Kurumi is a great character and its sad we only got a little taste of what she thinks in the manga.

[@scope5499]

And now there will be a season 3, after 12 years

[@medeasherbs]

​@@scope5499but when 😢🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉?

[@scope5499]

@@medeasherbs some time 2024

[@Kisaragi_eki]

@@medeasherbs2024 only on nextflix

[@alltheworldatmyfeet]

i love kimi ni todoke too much. I watched it at the perfect time of being an awkward, sad 14 y/o who was changed fundamentally by the saint to a fault like protagonist not only finding romantic love but forming deep friendships and understanding of herself as a person. For me, i think the live action's biggest fault was being too short. I watched it and felt like there was barely any time for the actors to breathe or the emotions of the scene to flourish like in the anime. 11 episodes feels too short for a 30 volume series that they wanted to keep a lot of stuff in at the expense of pacing. Especially since the anime had a longer runtime with only 1/3 of the material to go over.

[@TheAnimeTea]

Agreed, there were even some beautiful moments from the Netflix Adaptation that deserved more time. I also think that Sawako's character was lacking all of the awkward and endearing humor that is clear in the manga and anime.

[@tjcn]

Agreed, I think the character of Sawako in the live action movie was much better than in the live action series

[@narianasands2127]

Kimi ni Todoke deserves a third season.

[@arjunb5026]

Season 3 announced!!!!

[@veryverysilly]

its gunna be released soon!! :33

[@toastoast]

I watched a little of Komi Can’t Communicate recently, and only just now realized the similarities it has to Kimi Ni Todoke. It’s like if Kimi Ni Todoke were written for the shounen audience. I liked Komi, but I really loved kimi ni todoke. It made me feel seen as the quiet girl in middle school. I had forgotten about it since I read it so long ago, so thanks for reminding me ❤

[@UninspiredArtemis]

I didn’t watch Kimi no Todoke until after high school but it resonated so much with how I saw myself up to that point. Definitely one of the best feel-good animes out there and it’s a shame that more people don’t know about it

[@cchryblssm5074]

Absolutely love ur channel and the way u analyse and deliver!!! Also this made my 14-year-old kimi ni todoke obsessed self resurface :,)

[@KimmikooBlossom]

This series and manga made me felt seen when I was going through it when I was in high school

[@mekhalaiyengar5726]

This is a great video

[@badger-1984]

I started reading Kimi ni Todoke a while ago and I was really enjoying it then I moved house and it upended all manga reading while I was trying to get settled. I don't know why I didn't pick this back up when everything was sorted but I'm going to now I've been reminded

[@sarpcarp]

I love what you said about this anime! I watched this in high school so I wasn't thinking too deeply but you're right, Kimi ni Todoke is much deeper than it appears. I'm so glad your vid popped up in my recommendations otherwise I wouldn't have found out that KnT is getting another season!

[@notyourmumsfavorite]

Thank you so much 😭 I read the manga in middle school and watched the anime soon after and it makes me so happy to see that you feel the same way

[@sachinalani]

i just found your channel and i'm so glad it got recommended. i love the vid subjects. can't wait to see more!

[@alibabafosho]

not me crying from your beautiful synopsis of such a nostalgic series for me 😭

[@emilygalloway4865]

My all time favourite series ❤ great review!!

[@FloridaTesfay]

This series sounds amazing and you made me appreciate it even though I never watched it or read it. >333

[@thetravelerkureno1371]

Great video!!!

[@mariacecilia_mav]

kimi ni todoke taught me a lot of things, from the simplest to the deepest! i will never forget how much joy i felt while watching this shoujo :3

[@jduff59]

Both the manga and anime were wonderful, and I've read and watched it a few times, and probably will again,. The pacing was excellent, and it was so easy to follow. The characters were so endearing, and Sawako's growth was heartwarming. A great story and I'd love to see something like this in the future.

[@cloudykiz]

kimi ni todoke was my very first shoujo. I remember eagerly awaiting the weekly episodes to come out when I was in middle school. I think it was a big deal to me at the time because like many of us, middle school was the most awkward time of my life.. and seeing an example of an awkward, shy girl having similar inner dialogue to me and my experiences was hugely impactful. I like to think that it helped encourage me to reach out to the friends I eventually made during that time of my life. Even now, many of its themes continue to resurface in my life as a quiet adult. Navigating new friendships, developing an effect way of communicating, and dealing with awkward situations when feelings are involved.. are all skills that I continue to work on in many aspects of life. I'm very grateful for this anime and hope to see more like it some day

[@chronic_bronchitis]

This anime holds a special place in my heart. I haven’t finished the manga but one day I will

[@taylorbrianna8366]

One of my favourites. Now I have to rewatch it! 💕

[@tyarahernandez9291]

I just wanna say I think it’s so funny that I just started watching this yesterday and I’ll be back to watch this after I’m done. Initial thoughts after the first two eps, I believe, this is so wholesome and cute idk why I waited so long to watch it. 😊

[@halleywalker6520]

Definitely one of my faves, Sawako is such a vibe and her relationship with her friends made me feel all the things. Felt very much like how me and my best friend 💖

[@ansalo]

I only just watched this for the first time in the last month or so, and even though it's slow, I love it so much. In addition to the cute romance, Sawako's friendship with Ayane and Chizu is one of the most wholesome female friendships I've ever seen in anime and I'm completely here for it.

[@heathermooney7013]

I loved this series too and also did not find out about it until my late twenties.

[@frizmagnet2246]

I love this anime it captures my youth perfectly, would have been nice to have this when I was actually going through it probably would have helped me put words to my pain but the genre doesn't get that much publicity.

[@hmurdock]

Recommendation accepted! Just watched the first episode. BTW about a romantic series that deals with miscommunication- There's ReLife too. It touched such a chord with me like nothing ever did. I was basically a male version of Hishiron. I felt if things would've got bad with them it will ruin me, I got really invested in the two characters there.

[@mandisaw]

Showed S1 at our old anime club back when it aired. A wholesome, funny, "breather" series in the lineup. The pacing/payoff by the end of S1 was painfully slow though, and I ragequit S2, since nothing much really advanced in the main+side relationships. This was the series that basically convinced me to quit school romances altogether, and focus more on series with older protagonists (late HS, at the youngest). Still listen to the OP/ED occasionally tho :)

[@wisehead1830]

Lol same. I loved it when I was a teen but I was trying to watch it again about two weeks ago and 'ragequit' season 2 because of the pacing. But I love the opening and outro. And I still love it overall but I just kind of outgrew the highschool drama.

[@mandisaw]

@@wisehead1830 I suspect I would have dug it more when I was a kid. I was out of my "shell" by 9th/10th grade, and a social butterfly by the time I graduated high school. So I see the show as nostalgic, but in a detached way, if that makes sense.

[@jessip8654]

Yeah the pacing is brutally slow, especially by modern day standards.

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

It wouldn't because these shows are ultimately wish-fuflillment and won't tackle the tougher end of the topics they've established, like Bokura ga Ita, or even Love Lab or Haganai in a much different tone. They really have no room to go anywhere except do like the Saw horror franchise and become exploitative, running in circles. And all the mushy girly people destined to become wine aunts think they're so much more justified, in this, THEIR preferred form of gross simplification.

[@mandisaw]

@@sboinkthelegday3892 Eh, dude, you just sound like you haven't read or watched many romances, either shojo/shonen or josei/seinen. There are plenty that are wish-fulfillment but also heavy on drama & consequences, or light & fluffy but do dig into the hard ups/downs of relationships. But saying "mushy girly" kind of comes off as hostile/low-key misogynistic. Everyone's got a right to their emotional side, even boys.

[@sarafinalights]

I'm so glad it's getting a 3rd season!

[@stefcat6188]

I remember watching this one as part of the anime club lineup at university, and this show growing on me after a couple of episodes. By the end, you can’t help but root for Sowaka and her happiness, and she is a champion for anyone of any gender who had a tough high school time. By the way, this is first show I thought of in your Shoujo video, as it’s one of my all time favourites of genre

[@takkun169]

Oooh fun. I just started watching this a few days ago.

[@imwatchingyouppl1016]

Great anime analysis and I conCUR. New Subscriber alert! Also, plz tell me what's the name of the anime at 7:03

[@Kisaragi_eki]

3rd season is coming next year!!

[@Bidibidibunny]

I like how love is war handles miscommunications too

[@kris1123259]

I watched this anime and I totally understand why people like it: great animation, likeable characters, voice acting, etc..., but it was just way too slow for me. Skip and Loafer is more to my taste because the conflicts / arcs are resolved quickly enough, most of them within the same episode.

[@lifeofbekahh]

I’m currently watching this anime 😊

[@-mandi1063]

I just finished this anime today, and it is by far one of my favourite romance animes. It is so realistic compared to the ones we see today, no fanservice at all, genuinely funny.. This anime was honestly very complex in a secretive way. Kurumi is by far the character i dislike yet understand most, i only dislike her because i relate to her way too much than I should. Every single character in this show was complex and unique, yet had their similar traits/actions. Definitely wish i could see it for the first time again.

[@RikaRieGaming]

After reading the manga of Horimiya, I understood why I didn't like Hori when watching the anime XD also Izumi was ten times better when he had long hair now he looks like every boring MC LMAO. Kimi Ni Todoke cast shined, it was like a calm version of my favorite Lovely Complex which has never been topped.

[@leizee1011]

omg I’m glad to meet another person who shares similar feelings towards Horimiya 😭hori as a MC just couldn’t do it for me and I’m so neutral towards the rest of the cast. I love Kimi in Todoke bc it’s got me feeling for majority of the cast and I can genuinely care for them! Plus I just absolutely love Sawako and Kazehaya so much

[@noneofyourbusiness7965]

I greatly disagree (which is okay). If we are talking season one then I'm totally with you, I think it was done very well. All the characters were great, the development of the relationships between the cast were very enjoyable to watch. The art style wasn't fantastic but I still liked it, it is unique. The music really set a good tone for the show. The miscommunications made sense considering where the cast started in the story. I found season 2 to be the greatest decline in the quality of writing of possibly any anime I've seen. People simply do not behave that way. The poorly written MacGuffins of people just so happening to be in the right place at the right time, so that other poorly written Macguffins can show up and the exactly right time to interrupt yet another overused eavesdropping session. The main leads were lazily set back in character development, and changed in their behavior from one season to the next. The pacing was abysmal in season 2, just terrible. I really enjoyed season one but it was a great struggle to sit through season 2. Very disappointing. I will say however that I think the side characters were very well done throughout. They were fleshed out, interesting, and consistent. The only exception being the blonde D-Bag, which I also had to suffer through in season 2.

[@TheAnimeTea]

Honestly I have to agree about the quality of in terms of Sawako and Kuronuma's relationship and even individuality lacking in season 2 as well the random introduction of Kento. But I do love the expansion of Chizu's story in that season. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[@noneofyourbusiness7965]

​@@TheAnimeTeaI agree about the Chizu focused storyline for sure, I think that would be the one major highlight for me. I didn't think of it when I wrote my comment, good callout. Glad you didn't take my comment as though I was dunking on you.

[@hawyeefish4846]

kimi always was so n ice

[@PAClark101]

I watched the Netflix live action first. Then I watched the anime version. My perspective is a bit different. The anime is more fine tuned towards a Japanese audience. The Netflix Live action is geared better towards an audience that’s not as familiar with anime. I have not seen the film version, but have watched clips on youtube. That tries to follow the anime more closely. Netflix version is a coming of age story in the end. That’s why it will appeal more to romantic comedy and romance audiences. Also, a lot of the anime style humor isn’t present. Two areas where Netflix does a better job are when Kazehaya takes Sawako by the hand and runs off with her to ask if she likes Ryu. Much more impactful. Again, when she is confessing she likes him and she starts to cry. He pulls the class door open and pulls her towards him to comfort her. That is less impactful in the anime. Netflix also does a better job with exploring the Ryu, Chizuru relationship. Chizuru becomes more than a comic relief character. Ryu becomes more forefront. I have heard Netflix wants to do a Komi Can’t Communicate live action version. Again, it will probably be more serious. Taking anime versions and turning them into live action seems to work if the relationship aspects becomes the focus. This seems to be a new avenue Netflix is trying. If I had to pick which I liked better, Netflix is more well rounded. The original is funnier. But probably lingers a little too long on some of the conflicts. That’s fine for anime, but doesn’t translate well to live action. Also them dating is the end game. In Netflix all the characters get closure.

[@ColidzZ]

can someone here please suggest me an anime similar to kimi ni tadoke basically where an popular guy falling for unpopular girl...please

[@luizairinam2136]

💖💖💖

[@jessip8654]

I wish I'd liked this anime.

[@mandisaw]

If you like the setup, but would rather something a bit funnier & less slow-paced, I recommend Yamato Nadeshiko Shichihenge (manga US Eng title is The Wallflower). A shy, sheltered girl gets the makeover+friends treatment from 4 guys freeloading off her rich aunt (or grandmother?, idk it's been awhile). They can all live in the mansion for free, so long as they help the girl blossom into the confident beauty her family thinks she ought to be. The girl in YMN was an actual super-freak goth though, whereas Sawako just has massive social anxiety. Both need some communication/confidence lessons though.

[@jessip8654]

@@mandisaw I remember the Wallflower. The ending made me want to throw my phone out the window.

[@mandisaw]

@@jessip8654 Can't quite recall the ending of the anime, I think it was fine?? 🤷 Never picked up the manga

[@jessip8654]

@@mandisaw Yeah it was the manga ending. It's an absolute nothingburger ending that makes you feel like reading the previous 30+ volumes was just a complete and utter waste of time. However there's a lot of romance anime/manga coming out right now that is well paced and well written so I don't feel wanting for choice.

[@mandisaw]

@@jessip8654 Indeed! There are still some series I'd like to see licensed, manga & LNs, but we're definitely spoiled for riches these days 😍

[@rittataylor_2000]

If I am not wrong kimi no todoke had 2 live action adaptations and she only mentions one

[@TheAnimeTea]

I didn’t watch the live drama movie…. But I should have mentioned it whoops 😅