Kimi ni Todoke 3rd Season

Summer is in full swing, and so is the love between Sawako Kuronuma and Shouta Kazehaya. From attending summer school together to meeting each other's parents, the two enjoy quality time together while tackling the feelings of self-doubt and emotional strain that come with their newfound love.

Meanwhile, Sawako's close friends, Chizuru Yoshida and Ayane Yano, struggle through their own romantic dilemmas as their past experiences with relationships clash with their present feelings. Full of inner turmoil, the youngsters' desire for intimacy persists through their second year of high school as they weave through the labyrinth of indecision and insecurity that is love.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Kuronuma, Sawako Main

Noto, Mamiko Japanese

Kazehaya, Shouta Main

Namikawa, Daisuke Japanese

Sanada, Ryuu Main

Nakamura, Yuuichi Japanese

Yoshida, Chizuru Main

Sanpei, Yuuko Japanese

Yano, Ayane Main

Sawashiro, Miyuki Japanese

Kurumizawa, Ume Supporting

Hirano, Aya Japanese

Arai, Kazuichi Supporting

Ono, Yuuki Japanese

Miura, Kento Supporting

Miyano, Mamoru Japanese

Jounouchi, Souichi Supporting

Yamanaka, Masahiro Japanese

Sanada, Tooru Supporting

Hatano, Wataru Japanese

Isobe, Maaya Producer

Shimizu, Norie Producer

Matsuzawa, Kenichi Director

Yamada, Chiaki Sound Director

Reviews

Aug 1, 2024

Marinate1016

Recommended

After more than a decade, most of us had abandoned any hope of ever getting more Kimi ni Todoke. So when news broke that we’d get another season, fans were naturally ecstatic. But as we all know, getting a new season of a show you grew up watching many years later can be a mixed trick bag often resulting in more misses than hits. Fortunately I can say Production IG understood the assignment here. Not only is Kimi ni Todoke season 3 just as magical as we remember the series, it’s honestly better. While not a full adaptation of the manga, it feels like the ... perfect stopping point for the anime and is a must watch for any shoujo fan old or new.

Unlike seasons 1 and 2, season 3 being a Netflix production dropped all at once with 5 1 hour long episodes which although I was initially critical of, I actually came to really appreciate as the way the stories were put together in each episode flowed so well. The hour long runtimes actually go by in the blink of an eye thanks in large part to an even better story than seasons 1 and 2. While I loved the previous seasons, at times I felt they dragged, especially season 1 with the 25 eps. The story feels more focused on all the characters opening up to one another , overcoming their insecurities and ships sailing. It’s angsty, emotional and full of wholesome moments. I feel like I got to watch these characters grow up right in front of me.

One of the biggest criticisms you’ll hear about Kimi ni Todoke is the misunderstandings between characters and for the life of me I struggle to really understand the complaint. Are there things that could be resolved by the characters sitting down and having proper conversations? Yes. But that exists in real life too. It’s not always as simple as it sounds especially with teenage kids who are going through a very sensitive time in life and figuring things out. I will say that the misunderstandings that arise in season 3 don’t drag on too long and the way they’re resolved by the end is very satisfying and direct. That goes back to my earlier point about the kids truly growing up by the end of this. I could not help but feel proud at how the characters communicate and open up about their insecurities to one another. There’s so many vulnerable and tender moments that got me emotional.

Perhaps the biggest compliment about Kimi ni Todoke season 3 is that it genuinely feels like a Time Machine back into 2009. From the art style, designs, direction it feels like a perfect continuation of the story and I can’t thank Production IG enough for that. Most studios can’t even handle doing this for a show from a few years ago, nonetheless over a decade ago but they did it. They captured everything that makes this series special from the chibi faces, Ayane, Chizuru and Sawako’s banter and playful scenes, the cute bashful moments between characters.. even the seiyuus don’t sound like a day has past since 2009. I just couldn’t ask for more.

This is one of the shows that you pause and play dozens of times when watching because you just can’t help but squeal like a girl and cover your face from how cute it is. I love these characters to the moon and back and while this isn’t the full story, there’s some 40 more chapters left to go.. it’s at a spot where you’d feed comfortable leaving the anime. Everyone’s come into their own by the end of this season and while the individual relationships may have issues and struggle in the future, you feel that everyone is equipped to deal with it thanks to the experiences in this season.

I had a blast watching this third season and it truly took me back to an era of anime I miss very dearly. The phrase “they don’t make anime like this no more” gets thrown around a lot these days, but it’s truly apt here. We truly don’t get these sort of shows where we fall in love with the cast and get to see them grow up in front of us over a long period of time. The landscape of the industry has changed, but for the 5 hour runtime of this show, it felt like we were back in the good old days. Thank you Production IG.

Kimi ni Todoke season 3 gets an extremely easy 10, out of 10.

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

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Aug 1, 2024

Sakib910

Recommended

From 2009 to 2024, We all grew up, but kimi ni todoke still comforted us. We are all adults now. We all had ups and downs in our lives still I found it very very comforting to watch. This whole series will always have a soft spot in my life

Story was good
Plot was good
Another great ending to the anime
art was good
All the things brought together and made it a whole package

Don't know if there will be any other series like this my I can assure you that it will always stay within you

Try it I am sure you wont ... regret it

Reviewer’s Rating: 9

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Aug 31, 2024

wenchips

Mixed Feelings

Spoiler

I’m gonna be honest, after a 13 year long wait I definitely expected more than what we got from season 3.

First of all, I just have to say that I feel played?

In essence, S3 definitely gives Ayane as well as Chizuru more spotlight and elaboration in terms of their character as well as their own (developing) relationships with their respective love interests, which don’t get me wrong I LOVE IT. However, Sawako and Shouta’s (NEWLY OFFICIAL!!) relationship on the other hand just ended up being pushed into the background which I’m incredibly disappointed by. I will elaborate.

Episode 1 starts off STRONG and exciting with them ... finally going on a first date as an official couple, and I squealed so HARD and loved every minute of it! I was like, “FINALLY, after 2 seasons of being teased and being frustrated this is the season of their fluffy romance and dating in full force!”
However, that’s about it in terms of their dates in the whole season…literally. There is one other time where they go on a ‘date’ but it’s actually meeting each other’s parents/family, and I don’t really count that as an actual date because it’s not with just the two of them?
Don’t get me wrong, I loved that they were excited to meet each other’s family, but I just expected WAY more romance especially considering the fact season 3 is only 5 x 1 hour episodes long? Which I did not expect either, I really thought they were going to release a 24 episode season as usual.

So yea, the disappointment started growing right after episode 1, however it was still somewhat bearable. The moment I got fully disappointed, which is also the reason why I rate this season a 6, is when S3 decided to go with the classic ‘misunderstanding trope’ again and create unnecessary drama between Shouta and Sawako to pull them apart nearing the Christmas party arc. I was legit SO mad about this.
To explain, when the last Christmas party took place in the previous seasons (which in the story took place a year ago) Sawako actually didn’t manage to go because she chose to celebrate with her parents because of her dad being sad about it (unintentional guilt tripping coughs), so she ended up not being able to spend that quality time with Shouta during Christmas. This year, they decided to celebrate it together as an official couple and make up for last time when she couldn’t give him all the presents she prepared either. I was excitedly anticipating this.

However, what happened was the class went on a trip together to Okinawa and during the trip Shouta almost kissed Sawako but then they got cockblocked unintentionally by Ayane and he then basically got embarrassed and ran away. After that ‘almost kiss’ incident he started acting super distant and strange. Sawako upon sensing him becoming distant, decides to ask him about it and so she pulls him apart during a class break and gently asks him if something is bothering him whilst even holding his hands. THE NEXT SCENE PISSED ME OFF. He legit removed her hand, and chose NOT to communicate, saying a mere ‘No’. Not even looking her in the eye and acting all cold, not bothering to explain anything. Honestly so much for a ‘boyfriend’ so far…
From then on, there are barely any interactions between them for the rest of the season, and when there are, it’s just Shouta being cold and distant. This just made me incredibly disappointed and bummed out. It didn’t even feel like they were boyfriend and girlfriend at all, and this thing felt very out of character for Shouta because he was always so open and proactive during previous seasons. Homegirl literally tried to communicate and he just rejected it essentially!

But wait, then it gets even worse. When this year’s Christmas party (during Christmas Eve) finally comes around, he ends up not even saying 1 WORD to her. That’s right, you read it right. I observed it, there were legit none. I get it, he chose to be the leader/organizer for this year’s party which makes him busy to an extent but that still doesn’t make it an excuse to not talk to Sawako at all?! It had to get to the point of Sawako once again pursuing him for an explanation, and then breaking out in tears for him to FINALLY open up to her and clear the misunderstanding.

Turns out, the whole reason he created the ‘distance’ and acted cold was in order to hold himself back from touching her physically because that’s more ‘gentlemanly’ to do. That’s it, that’s LITERALLY it. Which makes NO sense by the way. Why would you NOT kiss and touch each other if you’re DATING? That’s literally the point LOL. I get that this series is branded as more ‘pure’ and that’s one of the reasons Kimi ni Todoke is so popular, but taking it this far is just unnecessary and unreasonable now.
He then also said some shit about him feeling like he ‘isn’t that good like she sees him’ or something, which also felt out of nowhere and out of character to be honest? He’s legit always been a very confident and bright person and very involved with people, so it just felt unfounded to me. I don’t remember him ever showcasing that insecurity or having it at all in previous seasons? But then again it’s legit been a decade since I watched them so there might have been something hinting to it. But even so, I personally find that this just isn’t the right time to be diving into this insecurity. We fans have waited so long for the continuation of this series, and me personally as previously said, I was ACHING for their romance to finally romance!! It unfortunately just pissed me off and frustrated me again.

So yea, in conclusion, literally nothing happens between Sawako and Shouta except for that first date at the start of the season and their ‘make up’ kiss during the last episode when he finally opens up to her and explains his weird illogical ‘cold’ behavior. That’s it, this is literally their ‘romance’ in a nutshell in the entirety of season 3. I wish someone could have warned me for this because I’m just left feeling incredibly played as I said earlier.

Now as for Chizuru and Ayane however, that’s a whole other story (both figuratively and literally), and I loved every second of it!
For Chizuru, they really dived deep into her history with Ryu and their childhood together. We really get a deeper look into the close bond they developed since they were kids. It was very touching for me to see Chizuru announcing she would be his sibling and take care of him after his mother passed away in a car accident. I wanted to cry when she started learning how to make onigiris and bringing it to his doorstep every night through the snow, because it was his favorite food. You could see in the beginning they looked really shitty but day by day they started looking better and more neat, and now in present day it’s become a tradition for her to give him food regularly like that.
Ryu also wasn’t the most outwardly expressive since he was a kid and was misunderstood by classmates sometimes because of it, and I loved that Chizuru was the one who understood him because they’d spent so much time together and she just knew him.
I also LOVED Ryu’s confession to her (finally) in present day, as well as his romantic Christmas gift to her and them finally being open about their feelings with each other!

As for Ayane, I was touched by the fact she finally opened up her heart and took a leap of faith to give Kento a chance to show her that she CAN DO and DESERVES better from guys. As someone with a (suspected) inferiority complex, she’s always thought low of herself but never showed it to people as she always showed up as warm, helpful, encouraging and assertive outwardly. As a result of low self-esteem and image, she never had a serious relationship nor had ever fallen in love with someone, and always just ‘settled’ for casual hookups or ‘casual relationships’ with guys because she thought that was all she deserved or could ever get. Thus, her ending up with Kento was not only touching in a romantic sense, but also in a therapeutic sense. This just reminds me that sometimes it really just takes meeting and opening up to the right person for you to start healing and transforming inside, to see that different (in a positive way) IS possible.
Which by the way, I just need to take a moment and comment on KENTO. We all just need a Kento in our lives okay. He’s so warm, understanding, observant, funny and shameless (in a good way lmao) and him being voiced by Miyano Mamoru just makes it even better LOL. He’s one of those few ‘therapist friend’ examples I don’t mind, because often those can get borderline invasive and also overly self-sacrificing, but in Kento’s case he balances both looking out for others as well as himself really well!
And also, THEIR HUG MOMENT AT THE END AAAA I CAN’T. Him gifting her roses was so romantic too! Seriously, what’s not to love about him? She was bound to give in sooner or later lmao.

In all seriousness though, as I said, I really loved that Ayane and Chizuru got their own spotlight this time round, so I have to give the show kudos for that. It’s refreshing to see because they’d played the ‘supportive’ role for Sawako (in relation with Shouta) majority of the time in previous seasons. I don’t know whether they will make a season 4, but if they don’t and this is the last one, I really have to rate it as just ‘okay’ overall. Ayane and Chizuru’s developments carried and saved this season plot wise, and that’s where I will leave it at.

Art wise, I was surprised and delighted by the fact they kept the art style quite consistent since S1 and S2 at first, but towards the end, especially during the last episode, the art style suddenly looked very different? Additionally, when characters were further away or the scene zoomed out the art got super lazy and people’s faces became so derp and I’m shocked by it. They had literally over A DECADE to make things good and they still slacked off, WHY?

Nevertheless, I like that this season ended on a happy note of everyone celebrating Christmas Day at Sawako’s house, and the fact that they cleared the misunderstanding, but all in all there’s definitely a lot left to be desired. I might just pick up the manga at some point.

Reviewer’s Rating: 6

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