KIMI NI TODOKE (2010)   SYNOPSIS Kuronuma Sawako is just your normal high school student. The only difference is that people avoid her and call her Sadako. Her distant nature and ominous long black hair make people afraid of her. Sawako copes with the challenges of being different as she manages to make friends and finds love along the way. Based on the manga of the same name, Kimi ni Todoke is the story of a high school girl’s journey in discovering love, friendship, and self-worth. RECOMMENDED FOR: Kimi ni Todoke fans; people who like high school love stories DO I RECOMMEND IT? Definitely. Kimi ni Todoke may not 100% follow through the manga or anime but it still has its own charm. The first time I watched the movie, I could only see faults. Though I was excited for the movie, I am still more faithful to the anime. It is my favorite after all; any unexpected changes were unwelcome. But after seeing it for the second time, I can confidently say that I like the movie, maybe even love it, but my anime-faithful self refuses to accept it. They managed to fit an entire season into one movie, and I bet that wasn’t easy. Nevertheless, the movie’s story is cohesive enough and even those who haven’t read the manga (I haven’t) or watched the anime would perfectly understand the story. Another thing I noticed is that we see more of Kazehaya’s side in the movie. Tabe Mikako as Kuronuma Sawako is incredibly fun to watch. I don’t think a lot of people will agree but she plays the part really well. She’s a cute Sawako, maybe not as cute as anime/manga Sawako, but cute enough. The only thing I don’t like is how she seems to be a little too weepy in the movie. Anime Sawako is optimistic and though she’s painfully shy, she’s still a little bottle of fluffy stuff and rarely resorts to crying. Miura Haruma plays Kazehaya Shota really well. He gives more dimension to the character whom we just usually see smiling in the anime/manga. Though it’s nice to see Kazehaya smile, it’s even better to see him show other emotions. (Anime fans are deprived of this until season two. Heh.) I am not very keen on anime Kazehaya but movie Kazehaya makes me all giddy and frustrated at times. The cast who play Chizu, Ayane and Ryu are really in character, too. I like how the littlest mannerisms and details aren’t left unnoticed like Ayane’s crossed arms or Sawako’s bun during the sports fest. I wasn’t psyched when I first heard of the casting but they exceeded my expectations. I must say Renbutsu Mizaku as Chizu is really pretty despite her tomboy role. Praises aside, I still feel like they didn’t completely translate the magic of the anime into the movie. I guess the anime gives a more time to Sawako’s character development but we do not have that much time in the movie. What I really like about Kimi ni Todoke is that it’s not only about Sawako’s relationship with Kazehaya. It’s also about her self-growth, her path to embracing who she is and uplifting her self-worth. Though we see that in the movie, it doesn’t seem enough. I am also torn whether I like how Kazehaya is less apprehensive about getting his feelings reach Sawako. He also confesses to Sawako even before the New Year and I’m not sure whether I like this Kazehaya. I’m thinking that it’s too early for him to confess to Sawako because they really do not have that much screen time where in they truly get to know each other. I guess what I’m trying to say is that in the movie, Kazehaya and Sawako aren’t given enough time to fully like each other. They are often interrupted and aren’t left to themselves. I need those little moments to believe that Kazehaya and Sawako will work out until the end. Despite this, I like how Kazehaya is always in anguish because his feelings couldn’t seem to reach Sawako. This is incorporated really well in the story and gives more meaning towards the title. Sawako is pretty daft when it comes to understanding messages, resulting in a lot of misunderstanding. In this sense, I guess I really like the movie. I know my review may sound bipolar because I cannot make up my mind whether I really, really like it or I just simply like it. I also cannot stop comparing it to the anime/manga. But I truly I am glad I watched it twice or else I’d be stuck with my first negative impression of the movie. EXTRA FANGIRL RANTS I’m a Miura Haruma fangirl (not the biggest one) and it’s good to see him play Kazehaya. In his previous projects, I often thought his characters aren’t three-dimensional. I didn’t like his image as Kazehaya at first because he looked as if he’s wearing a wig. But with a little getting used to, I go back to fagirl-ing over his side profile. Watching the movie makes me miss the anime and also reminds me that I should make time to read the manga.

KIMI NI TODOKE (2010)  

SYNOPSIS

Kuronuma Sawako is just your normal high school student. The only difference is that people avoid her and call her Sadako. Her distant nature and ominous long black hair make people afraid of her. Sawako copes with the challenges of being different as she manages to make friends and finds love along the way. Based on the manga of the same name, Kimi ni Todoke is the story of a high school girl’s journey in discovering love, friendship, and self-worth.

RECOMMENDED FOR: Kimi ni Todoke fans; people who like high school love stories

DO I RECOMMEND IT?

Definitely. Kimi ni Todoke may not 100% follow through the manga or anime but it still has its own charm. The first time I watched the movie, I could only see faults. Though I was excited for the movie, I am still more faithful to the anime. It is my favorite after all; any unexpected changes were unwelcome. But after seeing it for the second time, I can confidently say that I like the movie, maybe even love it, but my anime-faithful self refuses to accept it.

They managed to fit an entire season into one movie, and I bet that wasn’t easy. Nevertheless, the movie’s story is cohesive enough and even those who haven’t read the manga (I haven’t) or watched the anime would perfectly understand the story. Another thing I noticed is that we see more of Kazehaya’s side in the movie.

Tabe Mikako as Kuronuma Sawako is incredibly fun to watch. I don’t think a lot of people will agree but she plays the part really well. She’s a cute Sawako, maybe not as cute as anime/manga Sawako, but cute enough. The only thing I don’t like is how she seems to be a little too weepy in the movie. Anime Sawako is optimistic and though she’s painfully shy, she’s still a little bottle of fluffy stuff and rarely resorts to crying. Miura Haruma plays Kazehaya Shota really well. He gives more dimension to the character whom we just usually see smiling in the anime/manga. Though it’s nice to see Kazehaya smile, it’s even better to see him show other emotions. (Anime fans are deprived of this until season two. Heh.) I am not very keen on anime Kazehaya but movie Kazehaya makes me all giddy and frustrated at times. The cast who play Chizu, Ayane and Ryu are really in character, too. I like how the littlest mannerisms and details aren’t left unnoticed like Ayane’s crossed arms or Sawako’s bun during the sports fest. I wasn’t psyched when I first heard of the casting but they exceeded my expectations. I must say Renbutsu Mizaku as Chizu is really pretty despite her tomboy role.

Praises aside, I still feel like they didn’t completely translate the magic of the anime into the movie. I guess the anime gives a more time to Sawako’s character development but we do not have that much time in the movie. What I really like about Kimi ni Todoke is that it’s not only about Sawako’s relationship with Kazehaya. It’s also about her self-growth, her path to embracing who she is and uplifting her self-worth. Though we see that in the movie, it doesn’t seem enough.

I am also torn whether I like how Kazehaya is less apprehensive about getting his feelings reach Sawako. He also confesses to Sawako even before the New Year and I’m not sure whether I like this Kazehaya. I’m thinking that it’s too early for him to confess to Sawako because they really do not have that much screen time where in they truly get to know each other.

I guess what I’m trying to say is that in the movie, Kazehaya and Sawako aren’t given enough time to fully like each other. They are often interrupted and aren’t left to themselves. I need those little moments to believe that Kazehaya and Sawako will work out until the end. Despite this, I like how Kazehaya is always in anguish because his feelings couldn’t seem to reach Sawako. This is incorporated really well in the story and gives more meaning towards the title. Sawako is pretty daft when it comes to understanding messages, resulting in a lot of misunderstanding. In this sense, I guess I really like the movie.

I know my review may sound bipolar because I cannot make up my mind whether I really, really like it or I just simply like it. I also cannot stop comparing it to the anime/manga. But I truly I am glad I watched it twice or else I’d be stuck with my first negative impression of the movie.

EXTRA FANGIRL RANTS


I’m a Miura Haruma fangirl (not the biggest one) and it’s good to see him play Kazehaya. In his previous projects, I often thought his characters aren’t three-dimensional. I didn’t like his image as Kazehaya at first because he looked as if he’s wearing a wig. But with a little getting used to, I go back to fagirl-ing over his side profile.

Watching the movie makes me miss the anime and also reminds me that I should make time to read the manga.


14 notes | 10 months ago
Posted on July 26th at 6:48 PM
Tagged as: Jap. kimi ni todoke (live action). miura haruma. ramblings. Tabe Mikako.
  1. missnumb reblogged this from asianmovieramblings
  2. ciel-anime reblogged this from asianmovieramblings
  3. azlizafuzi reblogged this from janeyyy
  4. bittermedose reblogged this from janeyyy
  5. janeyyy reblogged this from asianmovieramblings
  6. asianmovieramblings posted this
Comments
blog comments powered by Disqus
Theme By: Dyarenesis