What I’ve Watched: Kimi ni Todoke / From Me To You | Commentary, Screenshots & Review

After I watched Koizora (you can read my huuuuge post here !) I  have developed a bit of a small obsession with Haruma Miura .  Like I did during T he Great Kenichi Matsuyama Obsession of  2012 , I googled what other films I could get my seedy little hands on.   Kimi ni Todoke was recommended.

(Image from  Wikipedia )

The Plot:

Well-meaning, but socially awkward, Sawako Kuronuma ( Mikako Tabe ) is nicknamed “Sadako” by her classmates because of her similar hair cut with the main character from the horror movie “Ringu”. Her life then takes a turn when Shota Kazehaya ( Haruma Miura ), the most popular boy in school, falls for her.

This post contains spoilers galore so read on at your own peril!

Commentary and Screenshot:

Whilst Koizora was a rollercoaster of emotions; happiness, sadness, grief, heartbreak… Kimi ni Todoke is slow in comparison.   I would liken it to The Perks of Being a Wallflower in terms of how it’s more “coming of age” and focuses on the main protagonist maturing and developing as a person.

Since a young child, Sawako has born a rather uncanny resemblance to the character from The Ring.  This has meant a childhood of no friends and a severe lack of social interaction.

She doesn’t make things any easier for herself does she?

Sawako prides herself on doing one good deed a day , for example picking up litter and placing it in the bin.  One morning, her good deed is to help someone who is lost?   But who is that dashing young man?!

HOW YOU DOING?

(☞ﾟ∀ﾟ)☞

In this film, he is Shota (although please excuse me if I call him Hiro).  Naturally, he is popular and well liked by everyone.   Especially Sawako .  During their first encounter where she mistakenly gave him the right directions (whereas I would have given him directions to the hotel room lololololol ), he picks out a cherry blossom petal from her hair, that had fallen from the trees above them, and gives it to her.  She keeps it and gazes at Shota from afar, with that creepy look of hers.   Girl, stop it.

Not only does the poor girl have the nickname of “Sadako”, there is also the unfortunate rumour that if you stare into her eyes for more than 3 seconds you will be cursed.  Ouch.  Like I said above, she really doesn’t help herself with her creepy way of looking at yiz… but then again, these teenagers (AND teachers!) are a little too old to be believing in curses and the such.  It’s almost as bad as my mum’s theory that it’s bad luck to have your hair cut on a Sunday…

Of course, Shota doesn’t believe in the curse and he is the only classmate to treat her normally.   He tells her she is awesome; she runs away.  I have no words. *shakes screen violently instead*

Shota announces that there is going to be a courage test and of course everyone clamours to sign the sheet.  As Shota said “everyone”, Sawako feels confident to put her name down.  When she approaches the sign sheet, she hears “if Sadako goes, I’m sure the real one (ghosts) will come out!” .  Rather than be annoyed at her classmates for thinking she is some sort of she-demon, she’s annoyed at HERSELF for not being able to summons real ghosts and disappointing her classmates.   GIRL R U SRS?!

It’s okay though; after a little “moment” in the school garden Shota writes Sawako’s name down on the sign off sheet.

Whilst undertaking one of her good deeds for the day, Sawako overhears two girls discussing whether Sawako will turn up as a ghost at the courage test.  Feeling inspired by her “moment” with Shota, Sawako asks if she can turn up as the ghost.   Of course, instead of just saying “let me be the ghost”, Sawako doesn’t ‘alf go round t’houses with her little speech. 

During her little stint as a ghost she has another “moment” with Shota.  Don’t make an enemy outta me, girl.

As his punishment for not completing the courage test, Shota is given the punishment of dating Sawako for a week.   He defends Sawako and stands up to his douche-y friends.   She leaves school visibly upset and has ANOTHER “moment” with Shota.  STOP IT!!!  She admits to “admiring him” and how she finds him “bright” and “refreshing”.   Perhaps if she said “phwoar love, spot on, get in my bus stop” this film would have drastically reduced from 2 hours to 1/2 hour.   Just saying.

It’s new seating arrangement time (remember the good old days of boy girl boy girl? I hated that.  I always got sat next to the definition of BO.  #vom) .  At this time in the film, I do feel sorry for Sadako as her classmates comment that they do not want to sit next to her.  It’s bullying.   *not impressed face* .  Shota volunteers to sit at the side of her, and the two girls from the courage test sit in front of her.   Awww u guiz.

This is her happy face apparently.  This would be my “trying to stop my ovaries from exploding face” .

The next scene cuts to Sawako with Shota, Chizuru and Ayane (the two girls who encouraged her to be a ghost) eating ramen.  I have been struggling with late night Wagamamas’s cravings lately and this scene did NOT help. *cries*

Of course, Sawako gets totes emotional because it is the first time she hasn’t gone straight home from school.  Guuuurl, you are going to lose those friends if you don’t chill out .  This scene did teach me what to do with the massive spoon you get with chicken ramen at Wagamama’s though.    OH GOD SHE’S DOING THE FACE AGAIN.

From the restaurant, Shota walks Sawako home.  Rather than making the most of it, Sawako lags behind Shota.  What are you doing?  Even I’m getting the ~vibes~ from Shota!

Sawako slowly begins to build a friendship with Ayane and Chizuru.

Ooh, who’s that lurking by the doorway?  It’s Kurumi, a challenger for the affections of Shota.

( ^Made by me!)

Sawako is sat at her desk, pondering over the upcoming test and wondering whether her notes will help her friend study.  It seems she has framed the petal from her first meeting with Shota!

A quick recap, we are 40 minutes into the film and we can all agree that Shota likes Sawako and Sawako likes Shota.

Let’s continue.  (◡‿◡)

Undertaking another good deed of the day, Sawako overhears some bitchy gossip; about how she will drag her friend’s down and how she affects Shota’s image.  Sawako takes this incredibly personally and runs away from Chizuru and Ayane, who then themselves hear some weird rumours! From the same girls! Apparently being in a biker gang  is a believable rumour in Japan? Discuss.   Anywho, the gossipers are quick to blame Sawako for the rumours.  They go to find her and overhear her telling the teacher, that tries WAY too hard to be “cool”, that Ayane and Chizuru are not her friends.  Chizuru approaches Sawako but Sawako does what she does best; runs away from awkward social situations.   RUN SAWAKO, RUUUUUUN.

Now it’s Chizuru’s turn to have a moment with Ryu, a childhood friend.  Ryu looks way too old to be in high school.   (⊙ω⊙)

Sawako is now having a little cry in the school yard about her friends when Shota appears, as usual.   This is going to sound awful, but she is annoying me.  If you wanted friends so badly, why let them go so easily?  If you like Shota, why are you not digging on him?!   Stop looking so sad all the time! *rolls eyes violently*  Her friends are just as bad, standing round moaning about why Sawako isn’t their friend.  Hang on a sec, you two were friends before.  Why don’t you just go do something together?   ヾ(｀ε´)ノ

Sawako is in the bathroom when she overhears the gossiping girls again; apparently Ayane charges men for dates? Of course, Sawako’s idea of standing up for them is to say “they are really nice people” and “please take what you said back” .  Hmmm.  To be fair though, the main gossiping girl is wearing a scrunchie, and not even in an ironic hipster way.   (◕﹏◕)

FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT in the girl’s bathroom.  Shota overhears and runs to tell Ayane and Chizuru.

Oh dear, Sawako is off on another one of her over dramatic speeches that takes 10 minutes… good job Chizuru and Ayane are here to save the day!  After the most unthreatening threat ever from Sawako, Scrunchie Girl says she takes what she said back.

We are now an hour into the film and I have had NO serious romance!  I’m sick of lingering glances and “moments”, give me some hand holding, texting, a date.. SOMETHING!!!  (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

It’s now the Sport’s Festival and of course it’s Shota who scores the winning point.  High fives galore and ANOTHER lingering glance.  Uh-oh, Kurumi (scroll up to see my amazing image yet again) is not happy.  Watch out, Sawako.

Kurumi asks Sawako to be her friend, and for Sawako to help Kurumi to stay away from a “person” that she likes.  Sawako cannot do that as that person is Shota, who is a “special person” to her.  Kurumi, not willing to give up without a fight, tries to steer Sawako towards Ryu.  Sawako does what she says (*facepalm*) and goes and finds him in the sport’s hall.  Kurumi continues her evil plan by telling Shota how Sawako only had eyes for Ryu throughout the game.  Ever so conveniently, they walk past the sport’s hall where Sawako and Ryu are…. And Ryu is admitting his love for Chizuru! FINALLY, SOME ROMANCE … Wait… what’s Shota doing?  

YESSSSSSSSSS!!!! GIMME SOME EMOTION!!!!

KEEP HOLDING HANDS!!!

NOOOO WHY HAVE YOU LET GO?!  Argh, why can’t you just ADMIT YOUR FEELINGS?

Oooh, Kurumi.  U so sneaky.  Turns out she placed a fake note in Ryu’s locker, pretending to be Sawako!  However, Detective Ayane is on the case.  Turns out Kurumi was also responsible for the rumours about Sawako.

It’s time for Kurumi to show her true colours; she thinks Sawako is annoying! (I agree that she kinda is).   Even though Kurumi has been rather sneaky, Sawako pleads with Chizuru and Ayane not to tell Shota what’s happened.  After that, Kurumi confesses to Shota that she loves him but alas, Shota has a person that he likes.  WELL WHO COULD THAT BE?  *rolls eyes*

The scene cuts to Sawako taking the saved petal from the frame and placing it in her student book.   So we have seen Shota admit he likes ~someone~ and now we have seen Sawako getting emosh over a petal.   We have just over 1/2 hour to go…

The next scene shows Sawako, Chizuru and Ayane discussing New Year’s Eve.  More importantly, it seems Chizuru has a cruuuush on someone; a childhood friend.  Is it Ryu?   Could I finally have some of the romance that I crave from this movie?!

ALAS, Shota begins to take action and passes Sawako a note.  Sawako, who is really annoying me now, passes the note to Ryu.  Shota grabs the note and marks it for her attention.  He wants to meet her outside school!   Will Shota confess?

Surely I cannot be the only one getting annoyed at this?  IF HARUMA MIURA SAYS HE WANTS  TO MEET YOU AFTER SCHOOL GIRL YOU MEET HIM ALONE!!!

(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

(ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻

We should note that Chizuru has just admitted to being in love with Ryu…’s brother.  What a love triangle!  Sort of… maybe a love straight line?

It’s winter now, and I don’t think my ovaries can handle Haruma in a parka…   (σ≧▽≦)σ

In an attempt to get Sawako on her own again, Shota asks if she would like to meet him to arrange the Christmas party.  Of course, Sawako is completely OBLIVIOUS and allows Chizuru to tag along AGAIN!  It’s ok though, Haruma is still wearing the parka.  ヽ(゜∇゜)ノ

*Cue unnecessary scene about Ayane’s man troubles*

Chizuru cops for Ryu’s brother and lunges at him… only to be told he is getting married and being rather awkwardly introduced to said woman.  Poor Chizuru.   (◡︿◡)  Poor Ryu.  (◕︿◕)  I feel even more sorry for Ryu when I see him at waiting at the spot where Chizuru goes where she is sad… that means he KNOWS!! (◕﹏◕) (◕﹏◕) (◕﹏◕)  AT LAST I AM GETTING SOME FEELS!!!

OHHHHHHHHHEMGEEEEEEEEEEEE SHOTA JUST ASKED SAWAKO TO GO OUT WITH HIM!!! FINALLY!!!

OH MY GOD SAWAKO – “but today I have an urgent matter” – ARE YOU FOR REAL?!  HOW CAN YOU BE SO NAIVE?! HE JUST SAID HE WANTED YOU TO BE HIS GIRLFRIEND!!!  HE IS PRESENTING YOU WITH TICKETS FOR JUST YOU AND HIM!! ON CHRISTMAS EVE!! HE WANTS TO BE WITH YOU!!

Give me strength, WHY have you got on the bus?! GIVE THE BOY AN ANSWER!!!

I am full of Sawako-induced rage.

Aw, Shota don’t scrunch up those tickets, I’m always available!  ★~(◡‿◕✿)

… Don’t you start snivelling for attention now, Sawako.  You had your chance and you got on the bus!  WHO DOES THAT?  At least Chizuru is actually telling the silly bint off!

It seems Sawako has a dilemma.  Does she attend the New Year’s party and see Shota or does she spend her birthday with her parents, watching her dad perform with his orchestra?

It seems Sawako chooses her family and Shota is mardy; Artic Monkeys mardy .  He is about to leave the party when Ryu grabs him and leads him to the field; for some man to man talk and advice.

OH FOR GODS SAKE WILL THIS TEACHER £$%& OFF!!! HE IS SO-  wait… he has Sawako’s student book!  Inside, there is a note to Shota! AND HER PETAL!

Time for some father-daughter time.  Her father reminisces about the time he ran out of his orchestra performance when he heard Sawako was being born.  He was so happy and eager to meet her; so much so he abandoned something important to  got there.  Sawako admits that tonight, she wanted to go see someone she really wanted to see, even if it meant walking out on something important… like her father’s performance.   Her father gives her his blessing to leave and off she goes.  RUN SAWAKO, RUUUUUUUN (again).

She races to the party; where is Shota?  Where has he gone?  Help comes in the unlikely form of Kurumi… but he isn’t there any more.  He is at the bus stop, flicking through her student book.

AHHH SHE HAS FOUND HIM.

*Cue Sawako taking about 5000 years to just admit her feelings*

Well would you look at that… they’re right where they met at the beginning of the film, underneath the tree…

And then that’s the end.  *blinks*

Review:

You may think I enjoyed this film, but in all honesty I didn’t.   I found it boring and slow .  I even found myself texting and tweeting whilst I watched this as it just didn’t engage me .  There was nothing to relate to .  I found myself getting angry at Sawako for being so helpless and at Shota for slowly turning into Sawako towards the end.  At the beginning – confident Shota.  At the end – shy, nervous Shota.   I’m also a little angry that the film was over 2 hours long and they finally admitted their feelings at the very end.  That was it!  There was no ending to the Chizuru/Ryu storyline either…  It seemed to be rather pointless if I’m honest!  This film is easily forgettable and won’t be one that I will recommend.

I’ve now began to watch Last Cinderella.  I have seen more than enough evidence that Haruma Miura plays a sexy toyboy.  I think I deserve a reward for wasting 2 hours of my time on this movie!

 Danniella x x x