SENSITIVE INTELLIGENCE REPORT – RESTRICTED DISSEMINATION
SUBJECT: 1. CONCLUSION OF CURRENT OPERATIONS.
……………2. CURRENT STATUS OF MISSION, ASSETS, AND KEY ACTORS.
DATE: LATE MARCH 2010 (31 DECEMBER 2009, 2300-0030 HOURS LOCAL TIME)
1. DATE SETUP OPERATION AT LOCAL SHRINE ACHIEVED A LIMITED SUCCESS. NO KISS WAS ACHIEVED, BUT BOTH PARTIES HAVE BEEN INSPIRED TO GREATER CONFIDENCE. WE CAN ASSESS WITH A GOOD DEGREE OF CERTAINTY THAT A SECOND SEASON WILL OCCUR SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE AS THERE WAS NO ROMANTIC RESOLUTION.
2. SAWAKO HAS OBTAINED A NEW DEGREE OF CONFIDENCE IN THE STATUS OF HER RELATIONSHIP WITH KAZEHAYA, THOUGH UNFORTUNATELY NEITHER HAS MADE A DECISIVE MOVE. CHIZU AND RYU HAVE MADE THEIR INTENTIONS CLEARER AND HAVE PROGRESSED BEYOND THE FALLOUT OF THE ‘TOORU INCIDENT.’ AYANE HAS BROKEN FREE OF JO FOR NOW, ALTHOUGH PIN HAS REAPPEARED AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH HER MAY BE A CAUSE FOR CONCERN. UME ‘VICHY-TAN’ KURUMI WAS ALSO SIGHTED AT THE SHRINE WITH OTHER MEMBERS OF HER ORGANIZATION, HOWEVER THEY TOOK NO ACTION THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED A THREAT TO THE SAWAYAKYAA ALLIANCE AND APPEAR TO BE HOLDING UP THEIR END OF THE CEASEFIRE. A MESSAGE WAS PASSED OFF AT THE TEMPLE HOWEVER, AND WE RECOMMEND TASKING OF HUMINT OR IMINT RESOURCES TO DISCOVER ITS CONTENTS.
The New Year’s date concludes with quite a bit of consideration on the part of Sawako and Kazehaya, bringing them closer together and making their conversations more natural as they look back on how things have changed in the past year. Ringing the bell together, getting and discussing their fortunes, and walking home on the familiar route to school together we get plenty of cute moments and happy recollections of past and current events, but sadly no kiss or confession. I had hoped for such a resolution, but more thoughts on that later. Ryu and Chizu also had a great time together, though it took a little convincing (read: force) on Chizu’s part to get Ryu to come along. They also perform the New Year’s ritual, and Chizu clearly states that she’s over Tooru and even directly states to Ryu that she’ll comfort him if he’s ever in her position. The knowing and sly smiles between these two were my favorite parts of the episode, because as cute as Sawako and Kazehaya are together I really want some resolution already, resolution that Chizu and Ryu are moving towards much more quickly. Rounding out the main cast, Ayane manages to free herself of Jo when his parents come looking for him, only to get hit on by two random guys and then have Pin show up and save her, of all people.
It appears that a second season is in the works given how things ended without much resolution, only a strengthening of determinations and a slight relaxation of nervousness between Sawako and Kazehaya. Unfortunately I have mixed feelings about this. I’ve really enjoyed Kimi ni Todoke, from the initial growth of Sawako’s social skills, to the Rumor Wars against Yuuka and Ume, through the Chizu arc and now into the setting up of Sawako and Kazehaya. But unless the second season establishes the Sawako X Kazehaya relationship and then follows them as a couple, I think it will stretch things too thin. There are not nearly enough series that follow the main couple as an actual couple in a relationship, and this is why I’m somewhat nervous about a second season. It is likely that my fondness for seeing established couples in anime is the minority viewpoint, since most people enjoy the chase and the concluding confession more, but this is what I hope a second season of Kimi ni Todoke will do. If it takes another whole season to get Sawako and Kazehaya together, barring some stroke of writing brilliance, it very well might end up feeling forced. Perhaps I am just in a downbeat mood at present because several winter season shows ended up disappointing me with their conclusions. All in all this one wasn’t bad, but I just worry about a second season delaying the conclusion for too long.
Crusader’s Record of Kazehaya War II
So this is how it ends… not with a kiss but a holding of hands… which is fine since they move slow and Kazehaya has the slows, and oddly enough it was satisfying. The last ep was pretty decent and it was nice to see Kazehaya and Sawako have a conversation that actually lasted for a while. I do pity Yano for having to put up with Jo for the sake of true love on two counts, thankfully though in the end Jo went out in a most inglorious fashion as suits his lecherous nature. I confess his demise was most joyous for me. Zeus was not done handing out punishment though as Pin was condemned to be lonely on New Years while Ume tried to beg for Zeus’ favor at an hour most late. Suffice to say JUSTICE was done and delivered so that Jo, Pin, and Ume can have a suitable start for another year of misery and failed expectations and aspirations. Chizu and Ryuu seem to be getting along nicely, and Sawako is making progress, sadly Yano did not get as lucky as her two friends as she had to endure the company of Jo and Pin. Not a bad start to the new year for Sawako and company, still rather disappointed in Kazehaya for being one step behind Yano and Chizu, though by now it seems to be a running theme of the show. Really disappointed in how Kazehaya was not bold and daring in his improvised gifts but, it seems that SawakoxKazehaya are destined to run at glacial pace. All in all it was a great shoujo series and I did enjoy how justice was delivered upon the head so f Ume, Pin, and Jo. It was relaxing and only had mild amounts of tension which is fine and I am ever so glad that it did not degenerate too far into angsting and crying in a corner. Also the weather effects were pretty nice along with their renditions of the night sky. I would like to have more but time will tell when and if there will be a sequel.
Final Verdict: A
Recommendations: Kimi ni Todoke is a good bet for fans of shoujo and fans of True Love who aren’t terribly interested in weepy children with “problems.” A thoroughly enjoyable fare if one is looking for something relaxing with the occasional laugh here and there. The only real fault is the glacial pace at which Sawako and and Kazehaya cement their true love, but it is understandable given how long Sawako was a pariah, and she is such a sweet young lass that I think she will earn the viewer’s forgiveness. Kazehaya on the other hand… well the boy is too cautious and has confidence issues, but at least he wasn’t pressuring her for sex or as lecherous as Jo. Side effects include excessive DAWWING, girlish squeals of KYAAAA!, RAEG against Ume, Jo smashing, tossing bowling balls at Pin, makeover plans, new found love for hair pins, gentlemanly behavior, reduction of tears, and rioting for a sequel. Please contact Chaplain Crusader for a Hurt Feelings Report and Tough Shit card if you liked Spikey-kun/Jo/Ume and lamented how Zeus kicked them in the teeth. Do not take if allergic to shoujo and True Love, use only as directed.
Well at least it wasn’t a total recap ep…
It was all she ever really needed.
Talk to the hand Ume, talk to the hand…
Almighty Zeus was most annoyed at this lecherous ne’er do well…
Hell will freeze over before that…
Poor Yano taking one for Team True Love…
You are not alone!
Such sparkles Jo will never see.
Looking forward to season 2.
Seems Kazehaya got pre-empted again…
Striking at the speed of light…
…
About damn time…
You are not dreaming…
Would have preferred a first kissu but hey, not Sawako’s fault that Kazehaya has the slows…
Ryuu being Ryuu…
IN THE NAME OF SHINING ZEUS I bless thee…
Well it’s not as good as Patrick Luck that’s for sure…
Yes your gift is lame think of something better…
But Zeus thinks that you deserve so much more…
Finally some responsible parenting!
Consider it to have been SMASHED INTO ATOMS.
Zeus curses the likes of Pin with eternal lonliness.
Well you did have the best year ever.
Wait until you two are old enough to try Guiness…
Zeus laughed most heartily at Ume for seeking his favor…
Jo got his just deserts…
Yes it was.
See you next time kid…
ExecutiveOtaku’s Unadulterated Adoration of Sawako and Current Intelligence Report
In the beginning…
Don’t worry, you look just as cute without it.
Misery.
Ryu departs after burning Jo with the reminder that his jacket has been burned by the fire. Oh, double burn! Kicking him into the fire 300-style would have been better though.
Good effort Chizu, good effort. Though as sweet as it would be, Ryu doesn’t indulge in such games.
Awww. One of my favorite parts of the series was the Chizu arc, and I’m glad to see them moving along quite well.
Ryu just loves messing with Chizu. Well played, sir.
Unfortunately the most physical contact we got, Kazehaya helping Sawako down some slippery stairs. Still very sweet, but KISS ALREADY!
What a sly declaration of feelings, and from someone who’s not usually very subtle.
More secondary character DAAAWWWW.
Kazehaya received the ‘Patrick Colasour excellent luck’ fortune. May the devotion of the AEU no Ace guide you in your love.
Sawako’s fortune, as delivered by Mameshiba.
Such misfortune!
JUSTICE!
May Menoth grant her wish, and may Jo be chained to a wrack to collect focus points.
That’s…some jacket there, Pin.
Pin would have redeemed himself by scattering the two random guys, only to continue following and annoying Ayane. Poor girl can’t catch a break.
The scene at the hill was my favorite Sawako X Kazehaya moment of the episode. Nice atmosphere, linking the past to the present without beating you over the head with it (or with too many flashbacks.) Very sweet, with the promise of much to come.
AMAZAKE GET!
While I did enjoy Ayane scaring the crap out of Pin with her ghost stories, it had the unfortunate effect of making him follow her even more closely.
Do not attempt to write anything about Kazehaya on that, Ume, unless you’re wishing him a long and happy life together with Sawako. The gods will not answer any petty attempts at interfering with True Love and Friendship!
Even Sawako’s parents got some cute time during the ending credits.
EO’s DDAAAAAWWWWWW of the Week: Saving the best for last.
Now that the realization has finally come, let us hope for swift action in the second season.
ADDENDUM TO PREVIOUS REPORT: C/O EXECUTIVE OTAKU AND MILITARY LIAISON CRUSADER WISH TO THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED FOR THEIR READERSHIP AND SUPPORT OF THIS OPERATION. YOUR COMMENTS AND FEEDBACK HAVE BEEN GREATLY APPRECIATED AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER IN MANY FUTURE OPERATIONS. THE ENEMIES OF TRUE LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP DO NOT REST, NOR DO OUR FOES WHO ESPOUSE RADICAL ZEONIC IDEOLOGIES OR THOSE WHO THREATEN OUR WAY OF LIFE IN OTHER WAYS. NEITHER SHALL WE REST.
13 Comments
> ‘.. aren’t terribly interested in weepy children with “problems.”’
That’s exactly why I had trouble with this series. At first I thought Sawako was subverting the trope, but she turned out to be a weepy little princess after all. Sure, she was dedicated or something, but that’s all I can remember about her; she’s nothing like the shy kids I knew in highschool, except for her surface traits. And Kazehaya was just as shallow, just a smiling prince there for her to worship. Pretty shallow stuff.
The side characters made the anime for me, and I wish they focused on them more than the boring main characters. Either I’ve either completely outgrown shoujo, or I’m just one of those girls who is too demanding for her own good
Even my roommate, a guy who can outlast me on boring shoujo anime, was asking me if we could please move onto something less banal (sorry for torturing you, TS, I couldn’t resist!)
The side characters had more tangible progress in their relationships, something I wish Sawako and Kazehaya would have had. However, neither of them had weepy emo problems to deal with, just awkwardness and lack of self confidence. Sawako’s weepier moments came not out of angst, but from an overwhelming of emotions and experiences she had little to no experience in prior. I hope that they get more and faster paced development similar to Ryu and Chizu in the next season, but these faults are not, in my view, sufficient to label them shallow or “weep children with “problems.”"
This is of course all opinion, but I’m not going to pass up a chance to defend mine
I got some spoilers, but obviously not giving them away, I hope there is a second season… btw, is it just the whole shipping thing on the air or are we supposed to think Ayane and Pin will have something?
They better not set Ayane up with Pin, although they make it seem like Ayane likes older guys. Pin should only be used for comedy!
Indeed the signs are troubling between Pin and Ayane. I really hope her Kazehaya or Ryu shows up in the likely second season, I don’t think I could take that sort of couple. Only Ume deserves that sort of terrible fate!
Kimi ni Todake is easily a top 5 series for me and one of the best shows of the decade. It was immediately appealing to me from the first episode and I am extremely sad to see it end. This is how more romance shows should be done and is not to be missed by anyone who likes the genre in even the slightest bit. It really doesn’t get much better than this one.
Breaking with much of shoujo convention made for a great series. My minor complaints about the slow pacing of Sawako X Kazehaya aside, it really has been a memorable series in both its social/romance and comedic aspects. I only have a few shoujo series under my belt, but even so it’s clear how Kimi ni Todoke has differentiated itself from its peers. I’m reading the manga, but hopefully a second season will come around soon to see the story told in the very impressive visual style that this season was.
I dig actually exploring relationships, too — it’s why Kare Kano is my second favorite romantic-comedy (behind Toradora!) even though it has a trainwreck ending. More shows should take their cues from Kare Kano, man.
Also, Ayane x Pin would be gross. She deserves waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay better.
I really need to watch Kare Kanno sometime, it’s just that the length of the series and its animation style kind of turned me off. Since it follows the actual relationship more it ought to be right up my alley. Some props to Itazura na Kiss for also following the relationship part all the way to marriage and children. I’m glad to see someone else who agrees that romance shows should be more than the lead-up to the confession.
May the fates inflict Pin on Vichy-tan, for Ayane deserves so much better. I am however worried about some of the setup that seems to be going on with them.
@ExecutiveOtaku
I actually enjoyed watching the Kare Kano anime. Yeah its true that some of the animations is kinda wierd and a turn off (even to me a very big shoujo guy fan) some of its animation in certain parts I really enjoy, becuase of the feelings and thoughts they convey. But if you really wish to see the glorious Powers of Kare Kano, then read the manga.
(anime ends around volume 8 or 9 of the manga)
Interesting. I might have to see if I can get a hold of the manga sometime.
The animation style issues that I have with Kare Kanno aren’t with the ‘style’ per se, but with the type of animation and how washed out it looked. It reminded me a little too much of Evangelion in a lot of ways (the everyday life parts of Eva.)
This show was a breath of fresh air in a sea of unearned relationship shows. It has only been a year, and Sawako has come a long way to understanding her feelings and what it means to have friends and affections for people. To me, it didn’t seem like a slow pace – more of a realistic pace that wasn’t rushed.
It is nice to see a show follow its own pace -and be entirely entertaining throughout. Rather then abiding by a preset formula.
While I thought things went a bit too slowly IF the story ends with the big confession moment, it certainly was a cut above the vast majority of relationships in anime. A lot of it was about developing Sawako’s mindset more than the relationship itself, though I thought that by the end there was enough for a confession or some more solid acknowledgement of feelings. As you say it did follow its own path and remained entertaining, I’m just hoping that a second season will get to the start of the relationship at some point before the finale.