Kimi ni Todoke Live Action Movie review: Otaku Trauma

Let me tell you all a secret–Blu-rays in Japan are the same regional coding as America.  Meaning if there’s a movie you’re quite desperate to see, but can’t make it to Japan for nor can you afford to have several different DVD region players…buy the Blu-ray.  This one was heck of a lot of money ($71 on yesasia!), but…like I said.  Desperate.

Kimi ni Todoke (From Me to You in America; the manga is being published by Viz) is the story of shy, awkward Kuronuma Sawako (played by Tabe Mikako), who’s the sweetest person you know.  Sadly she happens to resemble the movie character Sadako (from the Ringu movies) and is often avoided because of it.  Rising school prince Kazehaya Shota (played by Miura Haruma) is her inspiration to be a better person; she wants to have the ability to talk and smile with their peers like he can.

This story is so much more than that, however.  What could have easily been one of the sappiest, or stupidest, shoujo mangas created is instead a touchingly sweet portrayal of first love, making friends, and being true to yourself.  Reading the manga you see how the two constantly talk past each other, as misunderstanding and obliviousness cause them to not see what’s right in front of them.  It’s exasperating when you take a moment to think about it, but in another way it’s endearing because the creator (Shiina Karuho) gives them realistic obstacles to overcome as they grow closer.

Going into the movie, I knew Miura from a variety of drama roles (including the recently ended Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta) and I admit to having a wee little crush on him.  He has a truly dazzling smile.  I had no clue who Tabe was, however, but that’s a good thing.  While I could easily see Miura in the role of easy-going and unconsciously charming Kazehaya, I would have more issue picturing an actress as awkward (but utterly naive) as Sawako if I had seen her previously.

Small changes were made to the storyline for ease of flow and also to keep the story from getting too bogged down.  Numerous storylines can be explored over 30+ chapters, but in a two-hour movie multiple subplots can muddy the waters.  Kazehaya’s feelings are also more apparent, the way he observes Sawako and sees the considerate person everyone else has overlooked.

Until the very end, during Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, the movie stuck very close to the manga.  At times this made the movie feel longer then it was, as I anticipated when Sawako’s friendship with Yano and Yoshida would begin, or Kurumi’s actions, so I was constantly in a state of “but I know this already!”  I was pleasantly surprised by Tabe’s performance as Sawako; she was awkward, determined and restrained, her mannerisms and speech perfectly in tune with how I thought Sawako would act!

At this time, and to the best of my knowledge, there isn’t an official announcement regarding a Kimi ni Todoke movie to be released domestically.  However, with the popularity of the manga, and the almost certain likelihood of the anime being licensed, I’d stake a claim that it will receive a North American release.  Until then you can find a fansub group who has subbed it (won’t be that hard) and enjoy a refreshing dose of simply sweet romantic pleasures.