..can't be as slow as another very good shoujo out there : Skip beat (try 190 chapters without a single kiss). What makes Kimi ni Todoke special is that it doesn't just focus on the main couple and forget all about other characters. This manga focuses on just not romance, but also friendship between the 3 girls, between the guys or even relationship between rivals etc. Flash backs are there to explain and further solidify that specific "couple"'s bond. Overall a very solid manga, which caters to a wide range of interests: popular guy-shy girl, shy guy-shy girl, childhood friends, love triangle, bromance, etc. Kimi ni todoke deserves its popularity and is definitely worth reading.

at the beginning, you may think the story progresses slowly, but it gets much better as you read on. you may get annoyed with sawako's naivete, but that's only because of her lack of social experience. kimi ni todoke is a heart-warming series that makes you laugh and puts a smile on your face.

i love sawako in that she's not weak. she stands up for what she believes in and cares deeply for her friends. the supporting cast is not a bunch of cardboard cut-outs, so they actually have personalities and depth, unlike a lot of other shoujo mangas. this manga isn't about who ends up with who, but more about the journey.

i totally recommend the anime as well. it's one of my favorites this season.

Why are some people who reads this just gives it a bad comment just because the romance is slow? The romance is simply slow because the girl can't just go on with her love life when she understand a few. She needs friends first and knowledge, because of these her feelings slowly evolves into the pathway of love. She can't just focus on romance first. If you put yourself in her shoe. It takes time to make friends and when you lack the knowledge of love you cant just keep pursuing for it when you don't even know it. This manga shows what real friendships go through, and how you need to be patient for love. This is a great manga, the plot is great and how the characters slowly evolve.

Guys, I can understand why some of you would say it's a rip-off of PGE. It's because you're not even reading. =_=

I mean, COME ON. This is way WAY different than PGE. For one, PGE is more on the wacky comedy side, but this one is more on the lighthearted heartwarming *insert more compound-word adjectives along the same lines here* side.

What's more, this HAS A PLOT. And a fairly progressing one at that. I'm not saying PGE doesn't have a plot (well, if it didn't segue too much to other stuff, then what's left of the shredded plot would also progress well), but EACH CHAPTER I've seen in this story is actually essential to its plot, a fact that PGE notably does not exhibit.

I don't think it's right to judge this story to be terrible just because you THINK you've seen something like it before and you THINK it's a rip-off. (Don't get me wrong, I also like PGE and I'm not putting it down, but geez some people should really think before they go and accuse stories of being rip-offs. Pissed me off.)

And so to end this very long comment, I would like to say that this story is at the top of my reading list. And it's a VERY long reading list, if I may add. The characters are all incredibly lovable, even though I think the main girl lead has a very ideal personality. I definitely recommend this to anyone who would like a very heartwarming read.

... Last updated on February 15th, 2009, 8:38pm

Despite this being of the shoujo genre, I can--as a male--say I'm sincerely enjoying Kimi no Todoke. It's a bit more realistic than your average manga (ie in the shoujo sense, the male leads aren't some stoic, unbelievable superhumans; in the shounen sense, the most attractive girls aren't the exclusive love interests of the male leads). There is a very interesting and memorable cast of characters, and they serve for great comedic value. The story is well paced and, despite Sawako's oblivious nature, it refrains from dragging on (Though, at the time of this comment, I've only read up to vol 5, ch 19). While there isn't a whole lot of depth to the main relationship, it is sufficient (and it isn't something as shallow or artificial as "he's/she's cute/cool/popular," which is frustratingly common in manga), and its charm developes to something much more as time progresses--never becoming stale.

The only thing that struck me as odd is that the author--while trying to foster a creepy image for Sawako--really ended up making her gorgeous. In my opinion, the closest thing to fear one might experience from Sawako's appearance would be intimidation from her beauty. Now, while I understand that mangaka may not yet be ready for "more sobering" character appearances (especially with regard to females) in their stories, Sawako's character design could have been portrayed as much more frightening while maintaining her beauty. Despite her "The Ring" bangs, she's still a princess.

I don't know about any of you but in the high school that I attended, this kind of romance is pretty common. We didn't have much of those roller-coaster relationships. Sure, it happens but it's not the norm. Guys in my school really respect the girl they like so courtship is rather slow. They almost always starts off as friends. Which I believe is memorable. *gosh* I miss high school.

This is the reason I adore this manga. It's highly realistic and devoid of too much perversion which pervades the current shojo manga scene. Sawako is dense, sure. That's because this is her first time falling in love. She's not exactly a veteran who can read guys' intentions. And anyway, she believes that Kazehaya is merely being friendly and nice to her. Most of us makes this mistake when we're young. Kazehaya hasn't exactly confessed right? Besides, I don't think she has reached the level of love as Kazehaya where he wants to possess her. His jealousy stints are highly amusing. If she reach this, maybe she'll open up her mind to a relationship, which she doesn't covet as of now.

This is like a breathe of fresh air. I can't wait for the anime to start. And Daisuke Namikawa as Kazehaya, woah. Now that is cool!

I've been reading manga under the romantic genre since pre-teen years. Now that I'm 19, I have to admit that Kimi ni Todoke has been one of the first shoujo manga to pique my interest despite such jaded plotline. Original plotline is difficult to find, however, Shiina Karuho transcends the normal expectation those plotlines often depict by using character development and interaction to substantiate and create a story that shows depth. The interaction between the characters are realistically portrayed excluding the highly superstitious classmates. Sawako's naivete makes up a lot of her personality at first, but as you continually read on, you find that she has individual strength despite such strong rejection in the beginning. That individual strength develops as she begins to understand the need for human companionship and friendship which fuels the connection among her and the people around her. Concerning Kazehaya, I was slightly wary of his personality (the easy cheerfulness) but you find that despite such happy outlook in life and in friends, he easily agonizes over the developments in his relationship with Sawako. His desire to be with Sawako creates creates a pleasant tension but because the tension continues, it gives us a chance to see their friendly development not just as individuals but as a couple. That sort of slow romance is perfect for the pace of the story line. The supporting characters (Yano, Yoshida, and Sanada) are surprisingly realistic. Each are well-rounded in their interests and personalities. All of them are also very different persons. That gives the character interaction a more interesting perspective because Shiina uses their perspective to help move the story along. Their involvement is incredibly natural and amusing, as well. The story is not without its trials and sufferings and Shiina utilizes it well, allowing her audience to relate to each situation as the character's reaction is authentic to the youth portrayed creating refreshing and endearing moments that won't let you stop smiling.

... Last updated on August 14th, 2009, 9:40pm

I loved this series as it was unique in its own way. The romance can be described as touching, hilariously awkward, and sweet. With that said, now I feel the author is dragging the story which is killing the series. The author is delivering a reality effect onto this which to me, is really boring. I used to be eager to read whenever a new chapter is out. I even bought the volumes. But now I find the lack of incentive to continue reading...I'm at the ch 90s...well, I'm considering dropping this and just remember up to the point of them confessing. End. I recommend Stop reading after the two main couple got together bc now it's no longer hilarious and the refreshing touches are gone. It's quite stagnated...dull...right now. Used to be a 9 for me, but now it's 6.5.

... Last updated on April 18th, 2015, 7:28am

I picked up this manga when it was already 90 chapters in. Had I started earlier in the run, I think this would have gotten me down quickly because there were whole dozens of chapters where no one seemed to move forward (like a certain other manga I can think of ::cough cough:: Fairy Tail ::cough cough:, but since I could read two whole years of their relationships all in one block, it was very enjoyable.

Now that I've caught up and things are at an emotional peak, we'll see how I handle the updates. But, regardless of that, the romance is sweet, if a little dense (though it fits the characters, innocent, dense, and self-loathing as they may be), and the daily life can be quite interesting, though we mainly hit the holiday-high-points.

Pin is a great teacher. You don't think that early on, but he's an amazing teacher. And that's coming from a teacher.

I started watching the anime first then I moved on to the manga. It is a sweet and endearing series but recently, I am losing interest in the manga after Sawako and Kazehaya got together. 65 chapters in and they still haven't kissed (if my memory serves me well) and the series is now focusing more on the side characters which is great but there's nothing of a major importance that is happening in the storyline to keep me interested. I ended up just skimming the pages. Sigh...I hope the pace will pick up soon. It used to be the manga that I waited for every month. It's still a great manga though I just wish it can be a more fast-paced than it is now.