(L) Kimi ni Todoke (Reaching You) [Anime]

[chinaboat]

Originally Posted by DragoZERO

Kurumi is definitely a lot more complex and that's what makes her interesting. But she wouldn't be nearly as much fun if she wasn't with Sawako. I do hope they become good friends after all of this.

Y'know, I think a second series featuring the quartet of Sawako, Ayane, Chizuru, and Kurumi could be really entertaining. Sawako as, of course, the innocent who makes accurate, sometimes embarrassing, observations; Chizuru as the comic relief; and the natural tension between the soft steel of Kurumi and the sensual steel of Yano. The idea of the two of them defending Sawako against the world is quite delicious.

[darktruth]

In a different spirit relating to this thread today, I just received my order of the first DVD volume of the series , photos below. There's also an application ticket for a special collector's artbox to be sent to those who collects all the rest from future DVD volumes (first press edition I assume). Sucks I don't have an address in Japan but I could get a person I know from an anime club I'm in who's currently living in Japan to do it for me XD.

From what I read on the application ticket, there will be 8 DVD volumes in total and volumes 1-7 first press edition will contain the rest of the application tickets. Deadline to send in all 7 tickets to receive the artbox is 31st of August 2010. Also, bonus features on the DVD are creditless opening and ending animations and a spin off audio drama of the series as well as a cast talk right after it. Haven't listened to the spin off audio drama yet but will probably post up a synopsis once I do listen to it.

Spoiler for KimiTodo DVD Goodies:

Just listened to the spin off audio drama on the DVD, synopsis is below:

Spoiler:

Story is set back when Sawako and Kazehaya have just entered their first year in middle high school. Sawako is trying to make friends on the first day. A girl named Saiyuri sits next to Sawako and introduces herself to her until she is pulled away by another friend telling her about the rumors surrounding Sawako's similar appearance to Sadako's. Because of this, Saiyuri ends up scared and ends up avoiding her. Sawako tries again when she sees a male student in her class asking if there's a mop and another guy says he'll look in the locker to see unaware there's a bucket on top of the locker. As he rummages through the locker, the bucket gets shaken off and Sawako yells out to him to watch out, the guy ends up narrowly missing the bucket falling on top of his head and all the other students in the class scream in shock. They thought she had tried to put a curse on the guy with the bucket and the rumors about "Sadako" pops up again making them believe it's true. This ends up making Sawako feeling a little bit sad despite trying to tell everyone she's not Sadako but she says to herself to try again the next day since it's a little bit difficult to make friends in a week.

Kazehaya and Ryuu have joined the school's baseball club with the senior members, moreso, Kazehaya had decided to join the club when he would enter middle high since he loved to play baseball when he was a small child. The senior members are surprised to get two new members from first year middle high though. They have a practise game on Sunday and on the first try, Kazehaya gets run out which puts him down a bit after hearing a senior member saying they lost the game because of him. Ryuu tells Kazehaya to not worry about it and Kazehaya says he's not but deep down he's hurt. Because of this, Kazehaya decides to practise more so he can be a better player even though he has doubts of continuing to play baseball after joining.

The next morning, Sawako is walking towards the school and finds a dirty school baseball cap. She feels sorry for it and decide to take it with her and give it a wash. Ryuu asks Kazehaya if he's going to go again to the baseball club which he says he is but can't seem to find his baseball cap. He eventually finds his cap and is surprised to find it has been washed and is now very clean. He wonders who had washed it for him thinking it must've definitely been a girl since it was washed thoroughly and says thank you. When Sawako returns to the place where she had left the cap, she notices it's gone and a letter is left there. She opens it and sees it's a thank you note without a name and that he's really happy. This cheers up both Sawako and Kazehaya as they both say to themselves to look forward to tomorrow.

Great spin off story that gives a little insight into Sawako's and Kazehaya's time back in middle high school. looking forward to more spin off audio dramas on the future DVD volumes.

[Shiroth]

Thanks for the images. My copy of the first DVD should be arriving any day now.

Also, does anyone know if the mangaka had anything to do with the drama CD?

[Kanon]

Finally caught up. I must say, I didn't think I would love this show so much prior to starting it, hell, I even enjoy the sparkles, bubbles and pentagons now.

Sawako is just too adorable, it's been a while since I saw such a totally innocent character. But she's not the only good character in this show, I actually don't think I dislike any character here. Yes, even Kurumi. I'm glad so many people enjoy her character, I thought she'd definitely be hated by most. Her interaction with Sawako is just great, every moment when her "mask" is about to break is gold .Sure, she's a bitch, but she's a lovable one IMO. At least for now, maybe her ploys will get worse in the future.

I also love Ayane. She seems like the smartest character in the series, at least when it comes to figuring out other people. I loved her little conversation with Kurumi in ep 12. I also enjoy all her teasing, and of course the fact she's voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro is definitely a plus. I hope she'll get more screentime in the future

[darktruth]

LOL, little sister did a parody pic of the DVD cover for volume 1. Just have to post this XD.

Spoiler for alternate DVD cover:

[Sinestra]

oh god they nailed Ryuu's line about only loving Chizu perfectly with the same feeling it had in the manga and the follow up explanation about romantic feelings were again spot on i had the same feelings watching as i did reading it and Kazehaya away from Kurumi towards Ryuu and Sawako was done quite well and they left off where they should have.

Very satisfied with the adaptation so far Sawako is fighter and Kurumi is learning that the hard way.

[MikiMata]

At first, I found Sawako's extreme naivete exasperating, since she is so dense about other people. But her interactions with Kurumi have substantially improved my opinion of her. So many other shoujo heroines, when confronted by a girl like Kurumi, will back off and agree to "support" her, because they would be afraid of looking bad. But Sawako instantly knew she couldn't do that, even if she wasn't clear why. She may be clueless and totally lacking self-confidence, but she is true to her own heart. It is her total honesty that makes her so, well, "refreshing!"

Kazehaya is probably the cutest shoujo guy ever. I do wish he'd be a bit more aggressive sometimes. But that is what makes this story original. How many times do we need to see the shy girl and the super-flirty playboy type that breaks down her outer defenses? Granted, it can be frustrating to watch a romance between two shy people, because everything moves so slowly. But it remains one of the most adorable relationships I've ever seen.

I really hope they continue to follow the manga as closely as they have been. There are certain recent chapters I am dying to see animated.

[Last Sinner]

Volume 1 sold 5-6k in its first week. Was there a Blu-Ray version that was going to be released as well? Because these are definitely lower numbers than I thought would be appearing. Or maybe shoujo anime doesn't do well on DVD. *shrug* Mystifying when the 3rd E8 DVD sold double that...

[rg4619]

Originally Posted by Last Sinner

Volume 1 sold 5-6k in its first week. Was there a Blu-Ray version that was going to be released as well? Because these are definitely lower numbers than I thought would be appearing. Or maybe shoujo anime doesn't do well on DVD.

Correct. Shoujo typically doesn't do well on DVD at all (the target audience is not the one that buys expensive, collectible merchandise). Kimi ni Todoke is actually selling well in comparison, although the price is significantly lower than most anime DVDs.

[Shiroth]

Originally Posted by Last Sinner

Was there a Blu-Ray version that was going to be released as well?

Nope no blu-ray release, which is a huge shame.

[DragoZERO]

Originally Posted by Shiroth

Nope no blu-ray release, which is a huge shame.

That is a huge bummer. Luckily Eclipse's are good enough to archive. A BD would be prime though, even if it is an upscale.

[orion]

Originally Posted by darktruth

In a different spirit relating to this thread today, I just received my order of the first DVD volume of the series , photos below. There's also an application ticket for a special collector's artbox to be sent to those who collects all the rest from future DVD volumes (first press edition I assume). Sucks I don't have an address in Japan but I could get a person I know from an anime club I'm in who's currently living in Japan to do it for me XD.

From what I read on the application ticket, there will be 8 DVD volumes in total and volumes 1-7 first press edition will contain the rest of the application tickets. Deadline to send in all 7 tickets to receive the artbox is 31st of August 2010. Also, bonus features on the DVD are creditless opening and ending animations and a spin off audio drama of the series as well as a cast talk right after it. Haven't listened to the spin off audio drama yet but will probably post up a synopsis once I do listen to it.

Ouch! That means that cdjapan is going to get a lot of business. I pity those people. Having to preorder at cdjapan and paying higher prices to get a stamp to put on a postcard to get to the artbox.

It's a shame that there's no BD release. But 5k is nothing to sneeze at either. Maybe in a few years one might materialize. At least it means we will get a decent closure if it can maintain its momentum in sales.

[Last Sinner]

Well, on the bright side, it outsold Darker the Black 2 by a considerable margin. 2ch got owned.

[Zwei]

Originally Posted by Last Sinner

Well, on the bright side, it outsold Darker the Black 2 by a considerable margin. 2ch got owned.

Not surprising. First season placed 6th in the top-selling Blu-ray discs in Japan. Many people would want to wait for the Blu-ray release. I'm mostly surprised about 'The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya' still selling good considering Endless Eight destroyed the whole series.

[Last Sinner]

*sigh* I forgot DTB is Blu-Ray oriented, blame my lapse of memory on New Year euphoria.

That 3rd E8 figure as almost the same as the 1st and 2nd. Even when KyoAni rickrolls you, they still end up selling. While a good title like KnT doesn't get those kind of numbers. *shrug* I don't think I'll ever understand the DVD/Blu-Ray market, it doesn't seem to make sense.

[Guardian Enzo]

I won't pretend I'm religiously following this show like Cross Game, for example - too many things about it don't click for me to take it that seriously. Still - it's a fun watch and it's I.G., so I do follow it - and I must confess I find the continuing impulse among so many viewers to defend Kurumi quite amusing. Basically, she's been sabotaging Kazehaya's romantic life since he was was 13, stalking him, and now in addition to trying to derail his relationship with the first girl he's fallen for she's spreading lies about three different girls and denying it in order to further her ends. I guess cuteness buys you a lot of forgiveness these days.

Kurumi herself may be a big ball of moe, but what she's doing isn't - it's mean-spirited, petty and downright venal. It's the kind of thing that makes high school a misery for so many kids who have done nothing to deserve it - one remove from the sort of bullying and tormenting that causes girls to become anorexics and boys to become hikikomori (or off themselves). It's in no way innocent and in no way trivial - the girl has some serious mental problems.

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Guardian Enzo

I won't pretend I'm religiously following this show like Cross Game, for example - too many things about it don't click for me to take it that seriously. Still - it's a fun watch and it's I.G., so I do follow it - and I must confess I find the continuing impulse among so many viewers to defend Kurumi quite amusing. Basically, she's been sabotaging Kazehaya's romantic life since he was was 13, stalking him, and now in addition to trying to derail his relationship with the first girl he's fallen for she's spreading lies about three different girls and denying it in order to further her ends. I guess cuteness buys you a lot of forgiveness these days.

Kurumi herself may be a big ball of moe, but what she's doing isn't - it's mean-spirited, petty and downright venal. It's the kind of thing that makes high school a misery for so many kids who have done nothing to deserve it - one remove from the sort of bullying and tormenting that causes girls to become anorexics and boys to become hikikomori (or off themselves). It's in no way innocent and in no way trivial - the girl has some serious mental problems.

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that doesn't fully get the Kurumi love...


As for DVD sales... Hey, at least the anime hit the magical 5K number, which I've heard is the number needed to hit in order to "break even". So, as long as Kimi no Todoke is simply profitable, I'm fairly happy with that... especially since this anime isn't getting much hype, from what I've seen, sadly.

[MeoTwister5]

In my case while I do still believe she has way too many mental and possibly moral issues to contend with, I won't so easily write her off as irredeemable.

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

In my case while I do still believe she has way too many mental and possibly moral issues to contend with, I won't so easily write her off as irredeemable.

Oh, I agree with you there, yes.

Kurumi does show brief glimmers of possibly turning out good.

[Guardian Enzo]

Originally Posted by MeoTwister5

In my case while I do still believe she has way too many mental and possibly moral issues to contend with, I won't so easily write her off as irredeemable.

Irredeemable is a big word - and one that I didn't use. But there's a lot of real estate between irredeemable and the kind of free pass she seems to be getting from some folks. Anyone who underestimates the power of this kind of harassment to make a kid's HS experience miserable is fooling themselves. Irredeemable, no - but this is still pretty serious stuff she's pulling. We're talking pretty respectable mental disorder here.