Summary
After a 13-year-long wait, the sequelKimi ni Todoke: From Me to You Season 3is currently streaming onNetflix. Animation studios have recently bet on the power of nostalgia, producing remakes of classic Shojo likeSailor MoonandFruits Basket, and the new season ofKimi ni Todoke: From Me to Youis not only exciting news for fans, it’s also the perfect moment for new viewers to be introduced to this heartwarming series, which has established itself asone of the all-time greatest romance anime.
Kimi ni Todokefollows Sawako’s journey from being excluded by others for her resemblance to the character fromThe Ringto finding meaningful relationships after meeting Kazehaya, standing out for itsrefreshingly lighthearted story with interesting themesthat represents a change of pace from other shojo.
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to Youis a universal love storythat has proven to be even more moving with its new season and a must-watch even for those viewers who aren’t fans of the genre.
10 Best Romance Anime on Netflix
Netflix’s catalog of romance anime always boasts a variety of series, from the classics to the less-ventured picks.
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to YouIs More Than Just a Simple Love Story
The Anime Is Also a Slice-Of-Life About Friendship and Prejudice
While the central axis ofKimi ni Todokeis certainly love, something usual in shojo anime, that isn’t the only theme addressed in the story. By beinga great slice-of-life anime,Kimi ni Todokedevelops in each episode the everyday life problems of the characters, showing how Sawako and other characters are misunderstood for their appearance, which showcases how people perceive and judge others without knowing them, serving as a critique of prejudice in society.
Also, Sawako has to deal with her painfully shy and awkward personality, as she doesn’t know how to communicate with others. However, she still remains positive and tries every day to make friends, showing her personal growth and perseverance as she slowly learns to socialize, express her feelings, and understand love.
Additionally, other elements reinforce the plot and make romance take a back seat, giving importance to themes like family, acceptance, and self-esteem. But these themes are expressed through an innocent lens, as the story uses humor to avoid the drama becoming too overwhelming, keeping the lighthearted feeling in the anime.
The Endearing Characters Make This One of the Most Popular Shojo
Kimi Ni Todoke’sPopularity Has Increased Recently Thanks to the Streaming Services
Kimi ni Todokegained even more recognition upon its release on Netflix, leading to not only a new season for the series but also a second live-action adaptation, which premiered in March 2023. However, the story has always been popular, with the original manga by Karuho Shiina beingone of the highest-selling shojo manga to date.Kimi Ni Todokeis also considered a pioneer in the genre by developing its characters even further than just romance, showing how they keep growing and finding their way in life together.
The reason behindKimi ni Todoke’s popularity isits compelling and likable characters. Sawako has the best character development in the story, inspiring her to change Kazehaya, who she sees as an idol; however, despite having a carefree and cheerful facade, he also has his own insecurities. Additionally, the way they both support and attempt to understand each other by describing their emotions makes their relationship more moving.
Also, the supporting characters are the charm of the series: Ayane, Chizuru, Ryu, and even Professor Pin. They not only serve as comic relief, but each character has their own circumstances and motivations, such as unrequited love, age-gap relationships, and existential problems, which give them realism and can be familiar to fans, making it easy to identify with them.
IsKimi NI Todoke: From Me to You Season 3Worth the Watch?
The reason Production I.G. has animated a new season ofKimi ni Todokeinstead of a remake is because of the quality of the early adaptation. The studio returns with season 3 to deliver a faithful adaptation that doesn’t feel out of place. Instead, it elevates the story with its soft color palette and soundtrack that delightfully conveys the emotional scenes.
The first two seasons ofKimi ni Todokehave a total of 38 episodes. Season 3 has six episodes with a duration of 60 minutes each, the first one being a recap of the previous events in the story.
While season 3 deepens Sawako and Kazehaya’s relationship, showing important milestones for them but also some problems,this new installment gives the spotlight to the love stories of the supporting characters Chizuru and Ayane, delving more into their feelings and decisions.Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to Youseason 3 is all about first times, dates, deciding what to do in life, self-doubt, and confessions, bringing a roller-coaster of emotions that will keep viewers enthralled.
Also, there is still more story to tell sinceKimi ni TodokeSeason 3 covers until chapter 75, and the original manga ends in chapter 123.This means that, unlike at the end of season two, when the story was still ongoing, fans can now refer to the manga to learn the ending.Kimi ni Todokeis thebest romance animefor those who enjoy stories about personal relationships, everyday life, and friendship, with a sweetness that overflows the heart and will appeal to even new viewers.
