Anime/Kimi ni Todoke

Well, it's only been about 24 hours since it aired, but it looks like first epidose of Kimi Ni Todoke has already been translated!

For those of you who are not familiar with the manga series, here is a review from Anime News Network:

Her straight black hair, her sinister smirk, and her standoffish demeanor—it's no wonder that all of Sawako Kuronuma's classmates have nicknamed her “Sadako.” Unfortunately, the truth of matters is that Kuronuma is so desperate to fit in that she wishes that she could actually see and summon ghosts, as is rumored. But she is so shy she cannot even disabuse them of these misconceptions about her, and whenever she tries, she just makes things worse for herself. But all that changes when she is befriended by Shota Kazehaya, the most popular and kindly boy in her class. He sees her in a way that nobody else does, and his friendship is certain change the minds of others. Maybe Kuronuma can be one of the popular girls after all? Or will the jealousy of others'—remember, Kazehaya has lots of fans—get in the way?

So, has anyone else seen the anime yet? What do fans of the manga think of the adaptation?

I was too busy gasping 'KAWAAAIIIIII!!' while melting into a moe-induced puddle of goo to pay enough attention to give an honest critique. I will say that at least this first episode is extremely faithful to the manga, both in plot and art style. The music leaves something to be desired, but I think the ending theme has room to grow on me.

That's all for now... what do you fine sirs and madams think?

edited 8th Oct '09 3:19:17 PM by Meeble

I thought it was a completely average shoujo romance and didn't stand out in any way, although it had nice animation. I've heard the manga is great, but this episode gave me no indication whatsoever of said greatness. I'm not sure if that's just because of my tastes or if I'll have to wait for it to get to the good part.

I really liked it. I'm a huge fan of the manga, and I had high hopes for this. The anime's greatest strength is its capability to make Sawako more believably scary through her voice quavering.

I would have liked to see something more visually stunning from Production IG, but I guess there's only so much to do in a dialogue driven slice-of-life tale. I didn't really notice the music, but I recall being emotionally stirred at all the key moments, so I guess that's good. The opening theme was cool, by any stretch.

As for Clarste, I think the vast Todoke fanbase (myself included) finds Sawako to be very inspirational, in that she makes friends with people of various backgrounds, without changing who she is to please anyone. Also, it's based around the notion of being nice and learning to understand people, which is (sadly) kind of a novel concept in modern media.

I kind of expected the guy to be an arse (just to be the complete opposite, sweet on the outside, horrible on the inside :p) but doesen't seem to be that way (unless they're playing a longer game than I think)

Still, I liked it.

Some drama will be introduced shortly, however as far as I have read in the manga it doesn't ever come close to meeting the levels you would find in most shoujo series.

This was intended, as far as I know, because the mangaka wanted the series to be a "refreshing look at high school life" IIRC.

Edit @larsies: I agree with much of your post on the series itself, and you touched on something that I forget to mention in the OP. I absolutely love the voice they've given Sawako, as I think it fits her character really well.

edited 9th Oct '09 7:03:52 AM by Meeble

Thread Necromancy.

Episode 14: Kurumi got schooled.

If I ended up a friend of someone as innocent as I've been led to understand Sawako is, I don't think I'd be able to resist "stress-testing" it by discussing the Stanford prison experiment, the Milgram experiment, Kitty Genovese, and so forth with her. Or just giving her a book on World War II.

Ah, the reality of life. Then again, this series is practically the poster child for Rousseau Was Right in Japan.

See here for my reaction.

Yes,I am a heterosexual male,why do you ask?

edited 13th Jan '10 7:24:19 AM by AckSed

So, do I watch the anime or read the manga?

Anime,IMHO. It's what I started with.

Both?

This was a great episode. The very end made me go "awwww", but also made me a little sorry for Kurumi.

Also, I know it's a little weird, but my personal favorite character is Yoshida. She's so silly all the time and it cracks me up. She's probably gotten the most laughs out of me than any other character on the show.

That said, the funniest moment in this episode was definitely when the border of roses appeared around Pin and he did his whole bishonen bit. I cracked up. My laughter extended through that whole part and into the following scene. It was definitely the Crowning Moment Of Funny of the series for me.

It's going to be Pin X Kurumi at the end isn't it?

I can totally see that.

I would ship that, if only for the sheer crackiness.

Methinks the funniest line was when even Ayane said she felt sorry for Kurumi. Being shipped with Pin = NOT GOOD.

And so the Humiliation Conga continues. I hope Kurumi bounces back, as we have 10 more episodes to fill and she's a terrific "villain".

(And I still adore Yano & Yoshida. What an awesome double act !)

Kurumi reminds me of Sae from Peach Girl except without the over-thetop craziness.

Funny how Sawako and Kurumi have so much more in common than either of them think—each of them was just as isolated from their peers as the other. Sawako was obviously so; Kurumi did an okay-ish job of hiding it, but even though she seems popular-ish she doesn't have any real close friends and everyone seems to like talking about her when she's not around. Well, Sawako's probably coming to realize this and reaching out to Kurumi, even if the latter doesn't want to acknowledge that fact yet.

I'm sure everybody's noticed this but I felt like writing about it anyway.

No, actually, I didn't think of that, but now that you mention it, it's very true. It reminds me, of all things, of Neon Genesis Evangelion, in the sense of Shinji and Asuka. Now, it seems weird, but think about it. In that show Shinji obviously had himself walled off from other people. Asuka, on the other hand, looked at first like she was a social person, even outgoing, but in actuality was just as walled off as Shinji, just secretly. She didn't even know it herself. That's very much what's going on here.

...Why am I getting all intellectual about this?

Because that's what these forums are for: discussing things in an overly intellectual fashion.

Either way, I have to say the series has impressed me with how original it's been in its plotting and direction. I think everyone could probably have seen from a mile away that Sawako was going to try and "stay" on good terms with Kurumi despite the animosity, for instance, but the progression of events has never felt cliché or overly cloying to me.

Aw, now I want episode #(whatever the next episode number is) already.

edited 15th Jan '10 5:13:14 PM by Anemotaxis

It's my skill and my curse to notice the little things,so believe me when I say what pushes the anime from 'good' to 'great' is its subtlety. Bothering to animate the movement of one character's eye as she checks to see if the barb went in or showing Kazehaya's ears glowing red from embarrassment when his face is hidden shows they care,and conveys more in a second than a hundred lines of dialogue could.

And that's wonderful.

Aw, now I want episode #(whatever the next episode number is) already.

edited 15th Jan '10 5:18:22 PM by AckSed

@Ack Sed: Yes, that's what I like about this anime so much. Its subtlety, not only in animation, but in everything. There's no overblown Soap Opera stuff going on here, which could very easily happen in someone else's hands. I mean, if you think about it, it's really all about relationships between teenagers, which is the very epitome of What Do You Mean, It's Not Awesome?, but it manages to make it not overdramatic, while at the same time still having emotional impact.

Ah, the reality of life. Then again, this series is practically the poster child for Rousseau Was Right in Japan.

Regardless, I still want to know how she'd respond.

Started reading manga due to this thread. Why do they always start out the same way...? -_-