Story/Character: 10
Lights, sound and art might make an anime shine and sparkle (there’s plenty of that as well, so we’ll talk more about that later) but the story is what keeps you from dropping the show. And when you consider that KnT is a spin on the usual “boy-meets-girl” scenario, it does very well to make itself stand out from the already crowded pack. KnT also does well to avoid any cliché events, so there is no beach/onsen/fanservice scene that most anime show these days.
Most of the development for the other characters were back in season one, this time around the focus in solely on the two main characters, Kuronuma Sawako and Kazehaya Shouta. It showed how they slowly figured out their feelings for each other and finally (and I do mean FINALLY) got together as a couple. There were a lot of times when I found myself actually shouting at the TV, frustrated by the madness that was going on with these two. Nevertheless, it was great seeing how Sawako changed from the first season. They managed to tie up all the loose ends, even the one with another character, Kurumizawa Ume. In some way, a character or two will endear him or herself with you.
Art/Sound: 9
If you could pardon the reference, the world of KnT was simply “shining, shimmering, splendid”. There were so much color and so much sparkle (or what I call “bokeh”) that it would make a good piece in an art exhibit. Though it might feel over the top sometimes, the art does help portray and intensify the emotion or action being showed. Nothing feels out of place, from the “bokeh” of Sawako’s smile to the chibi-fied and simplified versions of the characters to show comedic appeal. Quality is the key word here and the studio, Production I.G., didn’t skimp out on eye-candy as far as I can see.
As for the sound, the majority of the music from KnT is piano and violin ensembles which fit the overall feel of the show. Just like with the art, not one note felt out of place. For comedic scenes, the BGM would usually be something quirky and funky to make you laugh out loud. And for romantic scenes, the music would be enough for you to shed a manly tear or two (or womanly tear, for the ladies out there). Overall, both the art and the music meshed together to help deliver the story the best way possible. And it has surely done its part well.
Overall: 9
As with any second season, it is recommended that you watch the first season first (duh~) unless you want to feel out of place with the story. That being said, Kimi ni Todoke is certainly an anime worthy of anyone’s Top 10. It shows us love, makes us love [the characters] and let us feel love in return. True to its name, this anime absolutely reaches out to us.
