(L) Kimi ni Todoke - Reaching You [Manga]

[Waven]

Actually when you look at it, nothing much has really changed after the whole arc except for some little details.

Chizu knows Ryu likes her, although I had the impression she knew it all along. Guess I underestimated her naivety after all ... now that's probably the biggest change

Ayane is in the same position as before the arc: She's single and still looking for real love. The only difference is that now there is someone that knows about it and supports her as well as a possible love interest (Kento showed some interest in her before though, see: beach chapter). On a side note, I could imagine that Kento just like her has never really been in true love. Ayane asked both Pin and Kento the same question, whether they have liked someone before. By comparing their answers I think the author could've established Ayane x Kent since they have something big in common.

As for the main couple... they almost kissed... that's it. They grew a little closer, as they always do. Tiny steps forward as usual, and I wouldn't want it any other way, at least not for now. I think they changed the least during the trip, which is fine, since the arc seemed to be mainly focusing on the side chars anyway.

Nevertheless, I really enjoyed the arc.

[Johnny]

I'm much more interested in Chizu and Ayane then the main duo. I know it's their supposed selling point, but I can't look past that they act like this is the first time they've ever seen the opposite sex before. They make Mugi and Yuu from Pastel look like porn stars...

[GreatTeacherKen]

Spoiler for chapter 64:

I hope things turn out well for Ryuu and Yoshida. They play off each other and I think they would be a nice couple, so it's sad to see their relationship suddenly become awkward and distant.

On the brighter side, Sawako's father is letting Sawako go out with Kazehaya before she even asked for his permission. I also find her declaration that she has a mission to accomplish adorable.

[Noon]

I love Kimi ni Todoke a lot and I feel so happy every time a new chapter/volume comes out. All the characters are lovable but I am more interested in Ayane. I am dying to know who is it she is going to end up with.

Spoiler for chapter 65:

It is obvious it is gonna be either Pin or Kento but I want to know which of the two she is going to be with. Personally, I have been rooting for Pin all along but I am not sure what is going to happen anymore. I mean, she seems confused now that Kento has made his move in the latest chapter, so there is a big chance she might fall for him. At first, I was sure she will be with Pin but not anymore. I think they would make a nice couple with their different personalities. I also wanted something different for Ayane. It would be interesting if she were the only one having an older boyfriend and that is Pin. I also want to see everyone's reaction if/when she starts to go out with him.

Well, I guess we will have to wait and see but I hope there is still a chance it is going to be Pin x Ayane.

[Noon]

New chapter finally out!

Spoiler for chapter 66:

So now Kento is really serious about pursuing Ayane. It makes me wonder if things will go easily and he will be able to make her his. Where is Pin? Was I reading too much into things when I thought that Ayane might like him? Is it really going to be Kento x Ayane?

Kazehaya and Sawako are still having their own issues. I wonder how long will it be before they finally resolve things. Kazehaya runs into Sawako's father while shopping for a gift for Sawako. It seems Kazehaya is feeling the pressure that her father unintentionally puts on him and this is what makes him a bit distant and hesitant to do anything with Sawako.

I cannot wait for the next chapter. Hopefully it will be the Christmas party.

[amasposu]

Before, there were several events that hinted the possibility of Pin x Ayane. Since then, the series has drifted toward Kento x Ayane.

I thought about it. The reason why Kimi ni Todoke is so slow is because it has so few characters. If the love between Kazehaya and Sawako, Ryuu and Chizuru, Kento and Ayane all become requited, the series may even end. Or at the very least, Shiina-sensei seems very reluctant to requite these shippings.

[Noon]

I would like to think that there is still a chance it could be Pin x Ayane. Of course there is the possibility that Pin might not reciprocate her feelings and reject her but I want to see some developments. I hope they end up together, though.

[Kunagisa]

Time to catch up ... congratulations.

Spoiler for large:

[GreatTeacherKen]

Spoiler for chapter 71 and 72:

A really heartwarming duo of chapters. Not only did Kazehaya and Sawako kiss, they kissed three times! Plus, I like the call back to earlier when the series when Sawako was told to close her eyes for a few seconds a few pages before they kissed.

Plus, Kazehaya and Sawako open up to each other after quite a few chapters of not communicating properly. It's kind of funny how many times Kazehaya says, "I like you!" in chapter 72, but I suppose he just wanted to make sure it got through to her; kind of like a romantic version of an overkill.

[Arararagi-kun]

Is anyone keeping track of this manga? Like when new chapters get released and such? I just read up to ch 89 which is the most that's been scanlated, but I definitely want to keep following it.

[FredFriendly]

Originally Posted by Arararagi-kun

Is anyone keeping track of this manga? Like when new chapters get released and such? I just read up to ch 89 which is the most that's been scanlated, but I definitely want to keep following it.

I'm not as enthusiastic about the manga as I used to be. The turning point was when Kento became a "regular character" instead of being banished to the wasteland of useless characters, as he should have been after his initial introduction and the trouble he caused Sawako. How Ayane (or anyone else) could consider him boyfriend material is beyond me.

I still enjoy most of the other characters, except for Kazehaya's dad.

[Utsuro no Hako]

At this point I feel the author's milking it. The initial premise of the series has faded into the background and we're left with two dopey teenagers angsting for twenty chapters about whether they should hold hands, and then another twenty chapters about whether to kiss, and so on. Even Chizuru and Ayane's subplots are reaching the point where there's little dramatic potential left.

[FredFriendly]

Originally Posted by Utsuro no Hako

At this point I feel the author's milking it. The initial premise of the series has faded into the background and we're left with two dopey teenagers angsting for twenty chapters about whether they should hold hands, and then another twenty chapters about whether to kiss, and so on. Even Chizuru and Ayane's subplots are reaching the point where there's little dramatic potential left.

Hahaha! Almost three years later and I just read chapter 111 where Kazehaya and Sawako are still angsty about holding hands.

I must admit that I haven't been keeping up with this series, mostly because Ayane began dating Kento, combined with Sawako calling him "Master" (a title he deserves even less than I do), which really grates against my nerves. I've only read a few random chapters since chapter 89, and it doesn't seem like I've missed much.

Somewhere along the line, at least for me, interest in Kazehaya and Sawako's relationship had taken a back seat to Ryuu and Chizuru's relationship, which I find much more interesting and endearing. There's just something really satisfying about the long-suffering Ryuu finally getting Chizuru to see him as a man and fall in love with him.

And in chapter 111 Ayane finally admits...

After just reading chapter 111, I jumped ahead to chapter 117 and that was the most emotionally heartbreaking rejection I've ever read. I may not remember many of the individual chapters of story, but this is one that I'll never forget!

[Verso Sciolto]

Originally Posted by FredFriendly

...

I see that reaction a lot for this series. Personally, I never lost interest.

Did you go on to chapter 118 as well?

Spoiler:

I really like the nostalgic tone. Like it how Shiina-sensei had another pair of small steps forward incorporated into the bookend moments of reminiscence. Right before, one day before, "See you tomorrow" - That choice of days to depict was also funny, to me, and so in-line with the series as it has been told for years now. I've enjoyed this pace, adopted fairly early on, and settled into ...

Really hope chapter 119, and what could be chapter 120 - the anticipated final chapter of volume 29- isn't going to be the end of the entire series. A milestone moment which might come and go as a fitting time to stop but I hope she has continuation on her mind. She still has enough of an audience to support the decision to carry on, if she so desires.

Perhaps Kimi ni Todoke has become predictable and less interesting for a lot of people, because of the slow pace or perhaps because of the seeming lack of surprises and progress, but I love how well she understands the people she portrays through her characters. The highlight moment you allude to was also so "in character" from both sides of the equation. They both behave as expected in such a moment and it still delivered the emotional impact it did.

I dare say, she never fails to reach me and can say without reservation that I would love to see this cast of characters grow very old...

Edited Sept. 7, 2017 and [Oct. 13, 2017] as well:
The 29th volume with those chapters has since been released and has gone on to sell over 500 thousand copies to date. The final arc of the series was announced. Chapter 120 has also been published -the series fortunately didn't end at 29- but the distinct possibility exists that chapter 120 will be the first chapter of the final volume. 30 is a nice round number but I'm still hoping she'll be extending the last arc beyond that... [「別冊マーガレット」12月号で最終回.]
11/11/2017:

Images

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13 November:
52 pages to conclude the main story. Sample pages from the magazine have been made available on the publisher's website.
Volume 30 to be released in March 2018. Tributes along the way...
Going to miss this series, these characters...

27 books available in English from VIZ as of September 5, 2017. Vol. 28 to be released January 2, 2018, available for pre-order.

[Verso Sciolto]

... and we need to keep an eye out for the May 2018 issue of Betsuma afterwards ... 番外編 - April 13 release date ...

Before that: 「君に届け」スペシャルトリビュートBOOK - The 36 page "Kimi ni Todoke" Special Tribute Book, included as a bonus with the January 2018 issue.


[expired images removed]
ANN

Japanese Volume 30 is scheduled for release on March 23, 2018. Volume 30 is listed, on Amazon Japan, with a peculiar and intriguing "designation": 君に届け(30) 通常版. (Tsūjō-ban translates to "ordinary or normal" edition. Does that mean this might not be the only version to be released for this final volume...?

Viz Media published their English translation of Volume 28 on January 2, 2018. Volume 29 in English from VIZ is already scheduled for release on May 1, 2018 (Online bookstores list the Viz translation of the 29th volume for pre-order with that date).

In Japanese, tributes for Karuho Shiina, celebrating and commemorating her long running series and career, have been continuing in the -bonus materials- for Betsuma.

[Verso Sciolto]

Originally Posted by Verso Sciolto

...Does that mean this might not be the only version to be released for this final volume...?

It does.
君に届け(30) 特装版 - Special edition - will have the same release date, March 23. These particular links are from Amazon Japan, but both editions are already available for pre-order from various other stores as well.

Slightly longer special edition title for this series completing 30th volume: 君に届け 30 完結記念特装版 - 240 pages (192 pages in the regular edition).

Commemorative Event: 「君に届け展」2018.3.23開催決定, Kimi ni Todoke Exhibition. Venue: 東京アニメセンター in DNPプラザ.

[Verso Sciolto]

Both print versions of the final volume were released earlier today. Noteworthy differences in the illustrations on their jackets as well as in their package contents.

"Standard":
君に届け 30

"Special":
君に届け 30 完結記念特装版

Opening day for Karuho Shiina's Kimi ni Todoke exhibition [... and Yuki Suetsugu's Chihayafuru World as well, as it happens.]

ANN once again translated into English and relayed Oricon charts:
"Kimi ni Todoke 30" sold an estimated 92,596 (205,159) copies and "Kimi ni Todoke 30 Special Edition Commemorating Conclusion" sold an estimated 69,915 (130,216), additionally. The two print versions of the final volume in Karuho Shiina's series combined. In bookstores since March 23.

"君に届け イラストレーションズ high school days", the larger sized softcover book with illustrations, which went on sale the same day, also worth a mention, I think.

Saturday April 14, 2018:
The first special chapter was published yesterday. Fifty-one pages with a colourful title page illustration. Karuho Shiina tells this chapter, primarily, from the perspective of

Spoiler:

Kurumi, whom she portrays as examining the importance of Sawako in her life. As bookended by the first and last page of this chapter.

A second special chapter was announced, for autumn 2018, on the last page of this first special chapter following the end of the main series. Hopefully followed by additional chapters down the line. It feels like she has so much more to tell us about her characters.