Sawako was born ready.
I finally got over my jet-lag or at least I think I have, so I can finally give praise to Sawako. Sawako might be shy and overly modest but she is holding up just fine and making steady progress. I like how she is dealing with the walls that everyone put around her by SMASHING THEM INTO ATOMS with her polite attitude and saintly qualities. While usagijen thinks the rest of the class as unworthy miscreants who are undeserving of Sawako, Sawako is of such good quality that she cares not about their misconceptions and her desire to be friend them is undiminished by their spiteful ignorance and craven fear. Indeed many in Class 1-D are unworthy of such a friend, but they will be turned eventually. Yano and Yoshida may be rough around the edges but they are genuinely nice blokes, and do a decent job of providing snarky rabu rabu commentary. Yosida and Ryuu seem to have some history and Yoshida delightfully reveals how utterly ignorant the Kazehaya fan girls are. Seems back then they went communist and decided to institute the collectivization of Kazehaya. I look forward to seeing Sawako end this Kazehaya Soviet, though I think that Kazehaya is going to end it himself.
Pin the assistant homeroom teacher seems to have set integrating Sawako as an objective given how he took particular interest in our dainty heroine. While Pin comes off as a selfish prick I think part of him wanted to dispel the rumors of ill-fortune that surrounded Sawako, Zen probably wanted to as well but Zen was far too meek a man to alter the situation. Sadly his attempts to make the rest of the class pull their own god forsaken weight was all for naught as Sawako selflessly volunteered. Kazehaya adroitly sensed that opportunity was knocking and elected to help out, at point his fan club came out in force. I laughed when Kazehaya was overawed by looking Sawako directly. If nothing else Pin deserves some credit for giving that worthless puppy from ep 2 a proper name, Pedo Matrinez or Pedo-san. That dog is most fortunate that Sawako even gives the mutt so much as a snack.
I thought the note taking thing was pretty sweet, it made me dawww that Sawako could not imagine herself as the intended recipient, but the integration continues as two more girls come to understand Sawako. Using her brilliant mind that SHINES IN THE NAME OF ZEUS Sawako gets the whole class to gather around her. IN THE NAME OF SHINING ZEUS I must say that Sawako’s smile is something to behold and now the whole class caught a faint glimpse of Sawako’s true nature. Sawako had a little run in with the French whom I shall name Vichy-tan. We must be cognizant of the fact that Vichy-tan is not an ojou-sama but a coward and therefore thinks deviously. I for one do not fully understand her nor do I want to understand anything about her except for how much lead it would take to kill her. At any rate this weak and puny girl would not dare go head to head with Sawako’s might and decides to spread vicious rumors about Yoshida and Yano. I hope Sawako can stem the tide and rectify this situation and turn that bitch Vichy-tan into a honey comb. One could hope, but I think Sawako is going to consolidate her new newly won friends before launching a breakout to put Vichy-tan into a pocket and annihilate her win her over.
Kazehaya is unfortunately no Patrick, and it is starting to show in how he wants to keep Sawako all to himself, while at this juncture he is willing to help Sawako join the rest of the class, I am suffering from a bit of Bad Feeling Have I. Now that the rest of the class is starting to realize how great Sawako is I think Kazehaya might get tempted to start shutting Sawako away to keep her all to himself. I can understand on some level how Kazehaya wants to position himself optimally once Sawako’s feeling of love is awakened, but there is no reason why at this point Sawako should not be hanging out with the boys for a walk home… after I give Sawako a police baton, FN Five-Seven with two extra mags, a taser, and OC Spray, and of course hand to hand combat taught by Alphard to follow. Epi thinks that Sawako’s reaction to Kazehaya is too perfect I just think she’s stuck in a phase of hero worship where she doesn’t see the hero’s faults yet. Given how Sawako was pretty much alone for so long it is understandable that she has a special regard for the first friend she has probably ever known. Sadly being a social neophyte means she has little understanding of love, given how the general emotional response she gets is fear.
ExecutiveOtaku’s Unadulterated Adoration of Sawako
“I am secure in my masculinity. Now let’s watch shoujo!” ExecutiveOtaku here, beginning my joint operation here with Crusader on Kimi ni Todoke. It’s probably better that he is the primary on this series, because 90% of my blogging would just be one long string of “daaawwwww” interspersed with me going on about how great the visual style is. With that out in the open, this episode our lovely Sawako consolidates her new friendships, gets to know others in her class, meets her (much inferior) rival, and has some more touching moments with Kazehaya. Sawako and Kazehaya continue revolving around each other, each giving the other confidence to open up to others in their own ways: Sawako on a more general level and Kazehaya in his growing relationship with Sawako. It’s so nice to see a romance-centered series that starts off the main couple as something of a pair, instead of the many one-sided romances in shoujo that only get reciprocated at the half-way point or possibly not even until the end. Internal monologue from Kazehaya, though rare, is key to this. It reminds me of how in Honey and Clover the viewer was able to see different facets of the relationships by having ‘access’ to the thoughts of most of the characters. And the art continues to impress with elements of watercolor and sketch techniques. Like the riverside and classroom scenes between Sawako and Kazehaya. Daaawwww.
Sawako follows the Natsuki Minami school of smiling.
Sawako can see time, the universe, and Kazehaya’s abilities. Yes, her Newtype abilities are manifesting nicely.
Daaawwww.
A sweet moment, in a beautifully drawn schoolroom.
More love for this art style. Nice sketch-looking lines flowing from the sunlight. It really creates a very ‘active’ feeling for the shadows.
I think Crusader likes where this is going.
More great art, more cute moments between the cute couple.
Her true powers revealed.
Vicious rumors and lies, likely spread by that blond haired rival b****. Her day of shoujo reckoning will come soon enough.
Crusader’s Screen Caps with Liberal Interpretations
Good to see that Yano and Yoshida don’t want to make Sawako mad.
Turn that frown upside down!
Sawako has much smiling practice to do.
Oh but she already does…
First blush of the morning to ya.
I’d go with Good Day instead.
Seems only scary Sawako is recognizable.
Same here I though I have a tendency to make up names for people like dip shit and dumb fuck.
Name it Shinji Ikari, to reflect how much of a loser and puss-cake it is.
Man that is pretty low.
Hehe Pedo…
Pin was picking a fight…
Soon this one will have grave misfortune.
But if he is, it would be great for the whole class!
:3
…
Sawako WINS FLAWLESS VICTORY.
Sawako has never been stalked before.
Such a do gooder.
And much blood was spilled right?
They committed Hara-kiri right?
Fuck they resorted to Communism.
Kind of like every one’s bitch…
Indeed this Collectivization of Kazehaya was doomed to fail.
Sawako’s saintly sense is tingling.
Wow so sparkly this week.
Welcome to High School.
This makes me dawwww.
Will marry at 20.
Sawako will make a lovely blushing bride.
Better memorize Patrick Colasour’s On Love, if you want to see her at the altar.
Like that time in middle school when Yoshida…
Sawako would make a great yakuza boss.
Well I’d be pissed too if I had you guys for classmates.
Ah the domino effect.
Sawako do you now realize your importance?
I am happy too that you made some new friends.
At least they realized Sawako brings blessings.
Hey Stalker-tan you ready to run into that fatal funnel?
…
Such modesty.
Yano and Yoshida realize that they should not take credit like Sayaka.
I stammered too.
Yano has been through this for some time…
…
Sawako was most ready to break class rules.
EPIC MANUEVER.
Well I hope your love will be as persistent as a cockroach.
What three eps in and already treachery?!
FISSION MAILED.
Kazehaya needs to work on his manners.
Dawwwww.
Yes you are Kazehaya’s target.
So you decided to finally show your face…
Indeed she’ll hardly put up much of a straight up fight, feel free to turn that bitch into a honey comb.
Sawako is smart and industrious, thus she is most suitable for a position in Yang Wenli’s staff.
Ain’t friendship wonderful?.
Yes and she can help you idiots too.
Permission granted.
Sawako proves her intellectual superiority once again.
I like her attitude, this one fights for something rather than live for nothing.
10…9…8…
7…6…
5…4…
3…2…1…
0…We have a smile and what a beautiful one.
I took a picture did you?
How polite, but no need to thank him.
Dude this selfishness bodes ill.
Well Sawako’s radiance is far too great for your puny abilities to hide.
Sawako fear not for you can turn him into a honey comb too if need be.
Patrick is most disappointed in this one.
Ah yes High School rumor mongering.
I prefer to call it the War Academy.
Yano is of the hetero, but that’s okay.
Yoshida has not the time to waste on the likes of you, I want names.
…
It seems the French Doll must be taught a lesson on how generous Sawako is…
17 Comments
Funny how your blog title immediately brought up the name Joan of Arc. Because there might be some parallels to what Sawako goes through the next couple of eps in somewhat tame comparison.
Why can’t the “rival” be a worthy contender instead of a backstabbing bitch? I actually find her pretty hot too.
I’m not so sure if it is the rival that is setting off these rumours. That would make the most sense of course, but it would be nicer if she were totally innocent, which would make the drama so much more.
@ pagan poor
I’ll leave speculation on that parallel to Crusader since he wrote it, but I will say that the only burning at the stake (in a metaphorical, non-deadly shoujo manner) will be that of the rival’s heart when Sawako finally secures Kazehaya!
@ Shin
Just watch her. You can see it in her eyes and the way she carries herself. Vichy-tan (props to Crusader for that nickname) is EVIL I TELL YOU! EVIL! Her character design reminds me of Susie Evans from Valkyria Chronicles, but unlike Susie she’s too cowardly to even reluctantly engage in a straight up fight.
@ Epi
There could be another force at work that has yet to be revealed, but as in the intelligence community we operate in an environment of incomplete information and produce an analysis based on what we are able to see. The only actor with a stake in smearing Sawako’s name at this point is Vichy-tan unless Kazehaya turns out to be some crazy yandere or something equally bizarre.
So far this is looking like pretty much the best the season has to offer.
very technically proficient animation, not as stylistically adventurous as Bakemonogatari was(but then pretty much nothing recently has been), but it achieves everything it sets out to to perfectly.
“daaawwwww” factor is almost overwhelming at times
@Epi:
It would be a bit of a cliche if it was ‘the rival’ creating the rumors, but i hope it does turn out to be her because the only other option at this stage is Kazehaya..
Aoi Bungaku needs to be checked out, but yeah I like this show a lot. Pay attention on how Sawako does all the progressing… Kazehaya hasn’t made any at all. This is interesting isn’t it?
@ghostlightning
To be fair, Kimi ni Todoke is showing it from pretty much Sawako’s perspective. There probably is progression on Kazehaya’s part, but we’re only seeing him whenever he’s around Sawako.
@pagan poor
Well I hope they don’t burn Sawako at the stake for witchcraft. Though I do not think that Sawako would be partial to fighting the English either.
@Shin
How dare you fraternize with the enemy! I’ll be watching you, if I so much as smell treachery from you…then well Sawako have mercy upon your soul for I will not.
@Epi
She’s the prime suspect at this point, I also sense treachery from you… Since Vichy-tan is the the visual opposite of of Sawako I think that they shall soon do battle.
@Codicier
They may be no Shaft but everything else is fine, I’d rather they focus on the story rather than busy themselves on an artistic adventure.
@ghostlightning
Maybe later my plate is pretty full for this season anyway. At any rate Kazehaya will probably come along though he will always lag behind Sawako, as she is the Once and Future Heroine of this show.
That suspense is killing me! I’m particularly awaiting for Yano and Yoshida reactions: will they suspect Sawako or rather (as i hope) trust her over a third hand piece of information? Phew it’s so hard not looking in the manga (of which the first 5 volumes have been scanlated I believe?) for the answer. Worse I just realized that the first four volumes of the manga have been published down there: I’m so close to running and buying them at my usual bookstore! Argh the mind boggles…
I did take a picture. XD Nice caption lines as usual.
It´s Pedro Martinez not Pedo
mmmm pedo means fart.
seeing as the creator intended this series to be a “refreshing” one, I’d expect everything to be a tad cliche. though with the ridiculously creative character designs i’ll definitely be following the anime as well as the manga. hnnnnn SO CUTE FFFNNNGGGGGHH SAWAKO I HABEEB IN YOU
@elvyse
I am sure we shall have our subs soon enough, but yes this waiting game is most unpleasant.
@RyanA
You are among friends at this errr photography club.
@Alex
I care not whether I mention it’s proper name, for I would soon kick it into traffic as so much give it my table scraps.
@zree
Cliche or not, so long as it is executed well it doesn’t really matter much to me. Sometimes you can still have fun with cliches.
The suspicion you have about Kazehaya maybe trying to keep Sawako all to himself is not quite new in shoujo anime.
If you compare KnT to Kare Kano, Yukino was kind of like Sawako because she wore a mask of vanity and perfection (-looking like a horror movie character) that kept her from having real friends and emotional connections, then Soichiro’s attention & affections affects her like Kazehaya’s relationship with Sawako does, Yukino becomes open and honest and is able to finally make true friends that she can trust. As Kare Kano progresses, Soichiro becomes more jealous and nervous about Yukino possibly leaving him and he gets to the point where he almost can’t see a future without her, whereas Yukino comes to the painful realization that if her and Soichiro’s love doesn’t work out she can picture herself having other boyfriends/lovers.
What I really think the whole point of Kazehaya showing some faults is that it humanises him so he isn’t too perfect.
@Chris K.
While there are some similarities to Kare Kano, I am hoping that this one will be full of surprise and go on a different path. For starters Sawako’s mask was imposed on her by those around her it was not one of her own creation, though she gave it positive enforcement under the assumption that her aura of fear was something she was expected to maintain. Yukino had some social experience where Sawako seems dependent on her freinds and Kazehaya in particular for guidance. How Kazehaya deals with Sawako coming out of her shell and getting noticed will be interesting to see. At this point the only guy interested in Sawako is Kazehaya unless there is a clear and present danger of sorts I hope Kazehaya keeps his own personal desires in check.
He isn’t Mr. Perfect, but I wonder how far he can fall from that pedestal, by series end.
I too hope that this series doesn’t go Kare Kano. It’s damn nice to see your normal, dysfunctional high school instead of a prep school full of smart kids or one full of deadbeat street punks and criminals. Seriously, as fun as it was, I didn’t feel a connection to Kare Kano until I stuck with it for a while. Kimi ni Todoke, on the other hand, reminds me a lot more of my own high school experience. So.. yeah.
Lol at the Kazehaya musings in this post
He’s clearly got a lot of growing up to do, which is nice. If it’s got to be another highschool shoujo, then the kids might as well grow up, even if it is “through the powa of love”. It can’t always be the same damn show about kids with painfully tragic pasts or another tsundere-hitting-her-oblivious-but-otherwise-perfect-future-lover show.
Only show worth downloading this season apparently. Too bad I’m spoiled by manga.
That 3K this season seemed so terrible there’s not even raws available on TT, let alone anyone to sub it.