Story - 10
The story of a girl learning about the world of love and school life, one which she should've learnt a few years ago, is an underplayed plot. While not entirely unique, and not always pulled off with class, Kimi revives this concept with new breath. There's not much more to say other than it's like watching playground politics; 5 year olds learning about interaction for the first time.
Art - 10
Kimi ni Todoke and an animation and artistic paradise.
The art style, pulled directly from the manga, in no way pulls from the true characters, nor the story. One of the few shows currently airing that's not trying to sell it's self by looking good, Kimi visually portrays each character as they're initially percived, allowing the story and developments to help the viewer see them in a different manner. Be it Yano-chi's gyaru lips or Chizu's delinquent eyes or Sawakos...looking like freaking Sadako. I adore this manner of portraying characters.
The color palet of Kimi is enchanting. The playfull coloring of the op animation, to the simple, light and fluffy colors of the show and the water colored ed help the audience reconise, almost instantly, what this show is. A light hearted romance, that is what it is, and dosn't try to be anything more.
Animation - 10
I tend so see art style and animation as two different things. But that dosn't mean the animation isn't equally as stunning. Currently, in anime, animation is becoming much more advanced. A little less recently, we experienced the delight which was ToraDora. Despite being two very different styles of romance, both anime showcase beautiful animation which fully brings out the emotions of the characters. To really show you this, I would have to sit with people and go through an episode, pausing and disecting. To explain it in words as best as I can, Kimi catches those small mannerisms down to the angle at which people lean when they're just standing there, chatting.
What I love just as much is that they don't take liberties with comedy scenes, which are just as beautifully smooth and carefully animated.
Sound - 10
Not a voice actor out of place, there's nothing unatural about these seiyuus. Given briefly, the famous much loved voice actors steal abosolutly no spotlight from the main characters. Everyone does a lovely job.
I adore the OP and ED songs, which are just as light and fluffy as the show.
Character - 10
So.Damn.Good.
I wont go into depth with Kazehaya or Sawako, rather, I'd like to present Kurumi as my case.
Kururmi is the most amazing character I've seen in a while. Without being bi-polar and all over the place, Kurumi represents the amazing development characters in Kimi under go. Starting confident but alone, thinking she didn't need friends, Kurumi soon reveals herself to be unable to change her path and brakes down, saying thing's she wouldn't want. She soon, although she wont admit it, begins to fully accept someone else as equal to her, Sawako. I have a blog written on her, if you wish to read further on Kurumi and why I adore her.
Enjoyment - 10
Kimi ni Todoke just leaves you smiling. Weather it be a small skit of Sawako learning something new and being over innocent or because everyone comes out alright at the end of an arc, Kimi is hard not to enjoy. For all those who need a brake from shows which force you to rethink everything, Kimi is for you. For all those looking for a good romance, Kimi is for you. For all those who want mecha, guns, fighting and testosterone, watch it anyway.
TL;DR, I love this show, I think you will too
