Manga Review: Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 30, by Karuho Shiina

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: December 2018

Volumes: 30.

Spoilers?: Light.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 29.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma is the perfect heroine…for a horror movie.

With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma always had trouble fitting in. But her whole life changes when she befriends the most popular boy in class, Shota Kazehaya. Can love trump her cursed life?

Kazehaya and Sawako have finally graduated from high school. When Sawako goes away to university, will their relationship withstand the distance? And what will become of their close group of high school friends? Kazehaya and Sawako’s quirky story about love and life concludes in the exciting final volume of Kimi ni Todoke!

Review:

There are a lot of goodbyes in this volume. They're graduating and going off in their new directions. Yano first, and then Chizu's being left back home. Kazehaya moves into his own apartment, where he gets to learn to take care of himself. And then it's Sawako's turn, off to Tokyo for university.

The middle of the volume features Sawako visiting Kazehaya at his new apartment. It's a big step for both of them, as they are alone for pretty much the first time. And it goes longer than either of them intended, but it was necessary. Especially when they have to part ways soon. It's a very sweet moment, and very well done.

This series ends really well, on a good note without being too cheesy (or ending with a predictable wedding—though that might have been okay in this instance), but I don't think I would have ever been ready for this series to end.

I would be just as happy to follow them all through college, and to get to see more Sawako and Kazehaya interactions, and see Chizu learn how to run the restaurant and wait for Ryu to come home, and Yano to fall in reciprocated love for the first time.

I just love everything about this series, and I will never be ready to say goodbye to it. But, despite that, I will agree it ended at a good point, and it did it well. It didn't go too long, for sure.

I hope that something else of Shiina's gets picked up for print, because I would love to see what else she's written.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 29, by Karuho Shiina

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: May 2018

Volumes: 30.

Spoilers?: Hints given.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 28. 30.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma is the perfect heroine…for a horror movie.

With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma always had trouble fitting in. But her whole life changes when she befriends the most popular boy in class, Shota Kazehaya. Can love trump her cursed life?

Review:

The first half of the volume is the conclusion to Ayane and Pin's potential romance. She takes some persuading to actually go to him, and he's worried and rooting for her to pass her exams. And coincidentally, it's valentine's day.

I will admit that I'm a little disappointed. It makes sense, and isn't necessarily surprising, and I won't spoil it beyond that. But I was kind of hoping for a different ending.

After that, it's graduation. Kazehaya and Sawako get a little time together, there's a lot of tears as everyone is saying goodbye. Sawako gets to make a speech, as the valedictorian. Afterward, there's the tradition of button-stealing and whatnot, with a super cute moment between the main couple (and some between every other relationship).

There's only one volume left, and I'm super upset that this series is ending. It's definitely one of my favorites, and I'll miss it, but I can't wait to see how it ends.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 28, by Karuho Shiina

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: January 2018

Volumes: 30.

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 27. 29.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma is the perfect heroine…for a horror movie.

With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma always had trouble fitting in. But her whole life changes when she befriends the most popular boy in class, Shota Kazehaya. Can love trump her cursed life?

Review:

Christmas and New Years passes, and there are presents, and family visits, and a shrine get-together. There's some cajoling for Ayane about Pin, but mostly a lot of fun cuteness. This seems to be one of the big plot lines left, and I'm for it. It's a little unclear how Pin will react, whether he realizes anything. I like them, and I think it will be fun to see how it plays out.

Sawako visits Kazehaya, and then gets stormed in at his place. This causes some wariness for the parents, but mostly adorableness between the two. I love seeing them share kisses and get excited and embarrassed, and just overall way too sweet to handle. It's fun seeing them spend the night together, even if nothing happens between them. They're so innocent.

I guess this series is ending soon, and that makes me unbearably sad. I don't want it to ever end, and I just love every bit of it.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 27, by Karuho Shiina

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: September 5, 2017

Volumes: 29+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository. RightStuf.

Volume: 1. 26. 28.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sawako Sadako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine for a horror movie.
With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, Sawako Sadako Kuronuma always had trouble fitting in. But her whole life changes when she befriends the most popular boy in class, Shota Kazehaya. Can love trump her cursed life?"

Review:

This series just makes me happy. In the simplest, best of ways, with no wavering.

Sawako gets to visit Kazehaya's family for an evening. She brings them some food, and we get to see Kazehaya's stern father, and how Kazehaya's little brother views them. It's adorable. This leads to a confrontation between Kazehaya and his father, who has always seemed to disapprove of Kazehaya. It's super sweet and adorable seeing how much his father really cares, and seeing them come to an agreement, an understanding that's very fair. They're adorable. I also really love seeing how much his father likes Sawako, as well.

After that, Kazehaya and Sawako decide to go on a date, to go away for a day. They're literally the cutest, the sweetest things. And so innocent, how they get embarrassed just holding hands. I just can't even contain how much I love them.

They're also finally, fully honest with each other. Honest, and accepting. Because even if they're going different places, they want to stay together.

After their big moment, we get a new one with Ayane, because her feelings for Pin have become apparent and not-so-hidden to some people. I'm rooting for them, but I also love seeing the girls get to talk it out and support each other.

This series just gets me going, every time. I love everything about it, and I will always want more.

 A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 26, by Karuho Shiina

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5-5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: March 7, 2017

Volumes: 28+

Spoilers?: Light.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 25. 27.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma is the perfect heroine…for a horror movie.

With her jet-black hair, sinister smile and silent demeanor, Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma always had trouble fitting in. But her whole life changes when she befriends the most popular boy in class, Shota Kazehaya. Can love trump her cursed life?

Review: 

I am obsessed with this series. I love every little piece of it, and every new volume is always a delight. I love it.

Seeing Kazehaya and Sawako having a real moment, whether they're arguing or making up and understanding each other or just generally being adorable, just hurts my heart because I love it so much. They finally get to continue their discussion from the previous volume when they were interrupted. They've had time to think about it, and now they know what to say. And god, it's so freaking sweet. I'm in love with them.

They're my OTP. I think that's it.

Aside from that, Sawako also has a big development with Kurumi, as they finally mention what happened in the past. We see that Kurumi genuinely feels bad about how she acted, and I'm impressed with this entire development. Along with that, we get to see how much Sawako has really grown. She speaks her mind more freely now, and trusts her friends. It's sweet.

And, finally!, Yano has a revelation, and of course runs into Pin right after. I won't spoil too much, but I've been waiting for this. It needed to happening. I know I should probably not be so behind this, but I really am.

These books come too sparsely and are gone too quickly. I love them so much.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 25, by Karuho Shiina

Rating (Out of 5): ~4.5

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: September 6, 2016

Volumes: 27+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 24. 26.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine...for a horror movie. Nicknamed "Sadako" after the haunting movie character, everyone is afraid to come near her for fear of being cursed. But her whole life changes when she befriends the most popular boy in class, Shota Kazehaya.

Review:

There can never be enough of this series. Each volume is finished way too quickly.

There’s a big moment between Ryu and Chizu in this volume; it’s a big decision for Chizu to make, and it makes a big impact on them both. It’s very sweet to see it work out like that, though.

Then, finally, Sawako and Kazehaya have a big talk, possible fight mixed in, though they’re interrupted before they can make any big decisions. It’s still really good to see them talking things through, arguing and trying to explain their sides. It’s both sad and super adorable. It makes me so happy, honestly.

I just love everything about this series. Every little piece of it is amazing. I am always eager for the next one.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!

Manga Review: Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 24, by Karuho Shiina

Rating (Out of 5): ~4

Publisher: Shojo Beat (VIZ Media)

Release Date: May 3, 2016

Volumes: 25+

Spoilers?: No.

Buy it here: Amazon. Barnes and Noble. Book Depository.

Volume: 1. 23. 25.

Goodreads Synopsis:

Sawako Kuronuma is the perfect heroine...for a horror movie. Nicknamed "Sadako" after the haunting movie character, everyone is afraid to come near her for fear of being cursed. But her whole life changes when she befriends the most popular boy in class, Shota Kazehaya.

Review:

Even if this wasn’t such an intense volume as the previous one, I still love it to pieces.

The school year is drawing closer to an end. Yano is single and working toward her goals for school. Sawako and Kurumi are working together toward their own goals. Chizu is still struggling with Ryu’s decision, and also trying to figure out what being a couple with him is like. Kazehaya and Sawako are doing their best to spend time together and do what they can before they graduate.

Sawako has ignored her want to go to a different school far away, but it’s Kazehaya who knows that’s what she’s going to do. There’s a super sweet, sad moment between them at the end of the volume, as Sawako messes up what she tries to tell him. They just hurt my heart I love them so much.

There’s a school festival, and Sawako does her best to scare people. Sawako and Kazehaya have officially been together a year now. Chizu and Ryu even have a flirty little moment, where Chizu freaks out and ruins it. Yano and Kento are getting along relatively well, and Yano has a moment with Pin. I have been waiting for that, seriously.

There should be some serious conversations happening soon, and I’m excited and nervous for it. I can’t wait for more.

A review copy was provided by the publisher, VIZ Media, for an honest review. Thank you so, so much!