Just because they’re finally going out doesn’t mean the awkwardness comes to an end.
Creative Staff
Story/Art: Karuho Shiina
Translation/Adaptation: Ari Yasuda, HC Language Solutions, Inc.
What They Say
Sawako and Kazeyaha are now dating! Sawako’s worried that she hasn’t told her parents about it, though. Will her father freak out that his little girl has a boyfriend?
Content: (please note that the content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Even though their relationship is finally underway, Sawako and Kazehaya still have a lot to go through. Summer break has started, and as Yano points out it’s the perfect time to hold hands and kiss. And then another obstacle arises as Sawako is forced to finally tell her parents: “I have a boyfriend!”
Through the dialogue we hear all of Sawako’s continued anxieties and fears about this new relationship with Kazehaya. Shiina really shows us this, howeer, in one bundle of pages that is almost without dialogue. Walking home, Sawako ever-so-slowly reaches out her hand towards Kazehaya. At first he doesn’t notice, then he sees the shadow, then he looks. Sawako snaps her hand back with an apology. Kazehaya then takes the hand she touched him with, holds it in his own, and together they walk down the street. There is almost no text in this scene, but like a pro Shiina shows us everything we need to know about these two, the awkwardness and the determination, with her art alone.
This ordeal is hardly finished with before they run into Sawako’s mom, and the hand-holding has to be explained. What follows is a scene both touching and funny as Kazehaya is invited for dinner, and has to meet Sawako’s dad, who’s almost more awkward than the couple, pacing outside before coming in and trying to show of the gifts Sawako gave to him. It gets a little sappy when both parents, separately are upfront to Kazehaya about how happy Sawako seems lately, but it also serves as a reminder for how much Sawako has grown over the course of the story.
The manga ends with a flashback to the day Yano and Chizu met, and how they were almost enemies before becoming the best of friends. These kinds of stories that expand on the side characters was more of what I’ve been expecting with these later volumes, but it’s been more satisfying to see the manga continue to dwell on our leading couple. Still, this chapter was funny and revealing about both girls, and I hope that Shiina will choose to bring all the character arcs to a full close.
In Summary
The relationship finally began back in volume 10, and yet Karuh Shiina decided to keep going with the story. While many shojo manga come to a screeching halt once the couple realizes they like each other, some do go on to finish the stories of side characters. Shiina does put focus on Sawako’s friends, and we’re beginning to get a hint that there’s still a bit more to Yano’s story at the very least, but still the main focus of this manga is Sawako and Kazehaya. This could have been a boring inside look at a high school relationship, but instead we see the characters continuing to struggle and grow as they take the awkward steps through a new relationship. Even with the confessions made Kimi ni Todoke is an exciting story, and I don’t think I’m being hyperbolic when I say that it’s the best high school romance manga you can buy.
Content Grade: A+
Art Grade: A
Packaging Grade: B+
Text/Translation Grade: A
Readers Rating: [ratings]
Age Rating: 13+
Released by: Viz Media
Release Date: January 3rd, 2012
MSRP: $9.99
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