Kimi ni Todoke, which translates to “From Me to You” is an adorable love story about to high schoolers who are different sides of the track. The plot revolves around Sawako Kuronuma who is mistaken called Sadako by her classmates because of her resemblance to the character from the horror film The Ring. Because of her shy behavior and long dark hair, she never seemed to have any friends, not to mention the who Sadako thing. Despite all this the Shota Kazehaya, the most popular boy in school begins talking to her, and even teachers her to make friends, with some of the girls he knows. Soon Sawako grows out of her shell and becomes friends with the whole class, only now Shota, find that he is jealous that everyone is spending time with Sawako, when he wants to.
At the same time Sawako’s close friends Ayane Yano and Chizuru Yoshida who are also long time friends of Shotoa, realize that Sawako has a crush on Kazehaya. Avane being the most mature of the group has a hunch that Shota has feelings for Sawako. Thus Ayane and Chizurru, along with Shota’s best friend Ryu Sanada, plot to get the two hooked up. However, since Shota is so popular many other girls at the school resort to devious tactics to convince Sawako that Shota is only friends with her because he pities her.
Sawako never really having self-confidence believes this rumor to be true, and starts avoiding Shota, only for him to think that she doesn’t like him. Their homeroom teacher Kazuichi Arai (called “Pin” by the students) and long time family friend of Shota, realizes the situation and encourages him to talk to Sawako and ask her true feelings and to put in simple terms so she doesn’t get the wrong idea.
The series is both sweet and funny at the same time. Anyone having had a crush on someone and feeling a little insecure will relate to both Sawako and Shota’s situation. The drama and humor from the series all revolve around missed communication and misinterpretations about events. Once again if only open communication was possible the couple would have gotten together from day one, but of course that would not make for a good story.
I really enjoyed to youthful (and family friendly) romance of this series and really felt for Sawako and her slight dippiness. If you’re in the mood for a good shojo anime I would have to recommend this one.
