While episode 4 renders in the background for mobile viewing, I find I has a dearth of information about Kimi ni Todoke at my disposal. The first volume of the manga reached my door today, and it extends well beyond the broadcast stories so far. I also have easy access to scanlations, which would take me all the way up to the current point where the manga went on hiatus. And the anime is coming fast and furious.
Same stuff, different medium
Here’s my problem – even from the back cover snippet of the US manga, I know what’s coming soon in the anime. Sawako is going to attract the ire of a rival, and we’re right back into what I call “combat” for shoujo manga. I know the hero will come out on top, but I’d rather see people getting stabbed in the back with an actual knife than the emotional knives at use here. But for this show, I have the opportunity to peak into the future, and find out how this ends. Will it be a triumphant showdown with the tormentors? A devious plan to trick the tricksters? How low will they take Sawako before she fights her way back? These are all things I could find out right now, at the price of the emotional impact that makes one watch or read this kind of story. The degree of emotion is where I have been burned before. If the rise from the depths doesn’t match the lows suffered, I’m left disappointed and angry (KimiKiss). If the return is strong and powerful, I’ll feel elated and excited (Toradora). It’s a crap shoot, and I have loaded dice. Should I throw them?
