Kimi ni Todoke Season 3 Review: Production I.G’s Love Letter to Shoujo Anime Fans Brings Back the Nostalgia

The highly anticipated third season of Kimi ni Todoke was released on August 1, 2024, on Netflix. Adapted from Karuho Shiina’s beloved romance manga, the season consisted of five one-hour-long episodes and was produced by Production I.G. After a 13-year hiatus, the franchise made a triumphant return, delighting fans with the familiar characters and the studio’s faithful portrayal of the manga’s essence. It was truly a beautiful love letter to all Shoujo fans.

The third season of Kimi ni Todoke was more than just a faithful adaptation; it was a nostalgic time-travel experience that transported viewers back to the 2010s, with relatable emotions and familiar settings. Through its exploration of teenage love and the complexities of life, the sequel immortalized the slow-burn romance genre.

Despite some occasional pacing issues, the series never strayed from its intended purpose of delivering a heart-warming and satisfying experience to its fans. It was truly delightful to be reunited with beloved characters such as Sawako, Shota, Chizuru, Akane, and others.

Kimi ni Todoke Season 3 Review: Focusing on the Shoujo Anime’s Adaptation, Production, and Other Aspects

Love is a multifaceted emotion that cannot be summed up with a few words. Kimi ni Todoke season 3 portrayed the unspoken complexities of love in five exquisitely crafted episodes. Released on Netflix on August 1, 2024, this sequel beautifully captured the relatable experiences of love, friendship, drama, and heartache for fans to enjoy.

Despite being released a decade after the previous two installments, Production I.G, the same production studio behind them, was well aware of the task at hand. They understood the challenge of creating a series that would resonate with fans, but their skilled production ensured that Kimi ni Todoke season 3 shattered the norm and emerged as a series with timeless themes.

With Sawako and Shota’s growing romance at the center, the series also incorporated various subplots to create a dynamic and engaging storyline. While the sequel is based on the famous Shoujo manga by Karuho Shiina, its success is greatly attributed to the superb adaptation by Production I.G.

Sawako and Shota, as seen in the anime's visual (Image via Production I.G) — Sawako and Shota, as seen in the anime’s visual (Image via Production I.G)

The five episodes, each lasting over an hour, told a story that intertwined themes of love and friendship. In terms of adaptation, Kimi ni Todoke season 3 encompassed chapters 46 (Date) to 75 (Happy Moment) from Karuho Shiina’s manga.

In order to ensure a smooth transition between episodes, Production I.G incorporated short original anime sequences throughout. The initial episode, named There’s No Way I Would Hate You, focused on the much-awaited date of Sawako Kuronuma and Shota Kazehaya.

Despite feeling overwhelmed with emotions, Sawako couldn’t help but hold onto Shota’s hands. As they both navigated the awkwardness of experiencing love for the first time, they shared a captivating time together. Sawako even took the initiative to introduce Shota to her family, and in turn, Shota introduced Sawako to his own family during this episode.

Sawako and Shota on a date (Image via Production I.G)

Continuing on, the second installment of Kimi ni Todoke’s third season, known as School Trip, provided an opportunity for other characters to have their moment in the spotlight, in addition to Sawako and Shota. The excursion to Okinawa proved to be a bittersweet experience for Sawako, Ayane, and Chizuru, as they each encountered unfamiliar emotions.

From the perspective of an adaptation, the second episode was another success, as Production I.G stayed true to Karuho Shiina’s manga while also incorporating new, original scenes that kept the pace and tempo consistent. The episode set in Okinawa felt slightly quicker than the preceding one, mostly due to the storytelling.

During the episode, Ayane struggled with the aftermath of her breakup after accepting Mogi’s proposal. Meanwhile, Ryu revealed to Chizuru that the boy actually had feelings for her. The episode also featured Kento Miura (voiced by Mamoru Miano) comforting Ayane as she came to the realization that Mogi had played her.

Chizuru and Ryu in the series (Image via Production I.G)

The third episode, titled Girlfriend and Boyfriend, continued to explore the aftermath of the Okinawa trip. It primarily focused on the complex relationship and past of Chizuru and Ryu. Through Production I.G’s exceptional production, Kimi ni Todoke season 3 effectively conveyed a blend of love and sadness in this episode.

The acclaimed studio successfully maintained the episode’s excellence by delivering stunning animation and soundtracks that enhanced the adaptation. One of Production I.G’s greatest strengths in producing Kimi ni Todoke season 3 was its skillful use of the objective correlative to convey emotions.

Despite being featured in other episodes, the device remained consistent. The fourth episode of Kimi ni Todoke season 3, titled Christmas Party, marked the peak of the season. As the story unfolded, Sawako and Shota came to the realization that their relationship was not as perfect as it seemed.

Sawako Kuronuma in season 3 (Image via Production I.G)

Despite their efforts, a distance formed between them that hindered their ability to express their emotions. This divide originated in Okinawa, and it blossomed into an imaginary tree, blocking their view of their true feelings.

The episode also served as a turning point for Ayane and Kento’s relationship, with Ayane finally responding to the boy’s heartfelt confession. Similarly, Chizuru and Ryu also had a special moment in the same episode.

In the fifth episode of Kimi ni Todoke season 3, titled Happy Moment, Sawako and Shota were given a special moment. They were able to resolve any lingering issues and reaffirm their love for each other. The highly anticipated kiss scene was also executed beautifully by Production I.G.

Sawako celebrates christmas with Shota (Image via Production I.G)

The absence of background music in the scene created an atmosphere that made it seem as though time had stopped for Sawako and Shota, leaving a lasting impression on fans. In the finale of Kimi ni Todoke season 3, the intricate emotions of love, self-doubt, and friendship were expertly intertwined.

Aside from Sawako and Shota rediscovering the lost charm, the episode also featured Sawako’s friends celebrating a Christmas party at her house. A noteworthy addition by Production I.G to end the season on a high note was the final moments of the episode, in which Sawako expressed her desire to stay home and prepare soba noodles for her father.

Looking at it from a production standpoint, Kimi ni Todoke season 3 fulfilled all the expectations of fans. As stated, the studio effectively portrayed the characters’ emotions and conveyed them through visual effects on screen, reminiscent of T.S. Eliot’s concept of the “Objective Correlative.”

Sawako with her friends and family (Image via Production I.G)

Despite the replacement of director Hiro Kaburagi with Kenichi Matsuzawa at production I.G, the audience was still able to receive the love letter 13 years later. Furthermore, Tomoko Konpaku, who had previously handled the series’ composition, returned to deliver another masterpiece.

The S.E.N.S project deserves credit for bringing back the nostalgic OST and capturing the essence of every moment from the manga. Chiaki Yamada, who was the sound director for the previous installments, returned to his role and delighted fans with an exceptional musical experience.

Kimi ni Todoke Season 3: Analyzing Chizuku and Ayane’s Subplots

Chizuru, as seen with Ryu Sanada (Image via Production I.G)

As previously mentioned, the third season of Kimi ni Todoke did not solely revolve around the romantic relationship between Sawako Kuronuma and Shota Kazehaya. The storyline also delved into the complexities of Chizuru and Ayane, providing subplots that added depth to the narrative. While the main focus remained on Sawako and Shota’s relationship, the anime skillfully weaved in the love stories of Chizuru and Ayane, adding a layer of dynamism to the overall plot.

In the third episode, Girlfriend and Boyfriend, the relationship between Chizuru Yoshida and Ryuu Sanada was thoroughly explored. However, prior to this, Ryu had already confessed his feelings for Chizuru in Okinawa. This confession brought a sense of complexity for Chizuru, as she had always seen Ryu as a brother figure.

Chizuru and Ryu as seen in childhood (Image via Production I.G)

Despite not being one to show his emotions, Ryu developed feelings of love for Chizuru, who had been a source of comfort for him since his mother’s tragic passing. She had always been there for him, almost like a sister, and their bittersweet backstory only strengthened their bond.

Despite the complexity of letting go of her past and starting anew, Chizuru made the decision to put her faith in Ryu. In terms of the story’s perspective, the relationship between Chizuru and Ryu served as a contrast to Sawako and Shota’s love story.

Ayane, as seen in season 3 (Image via Production I.G)

Similarly, the subplot involving Ayane was a crucial aspect of Kimi ni Todoke season 3. Production I.G recognized Shiina-san’s skillful storytelling as they portrayed Ayane, a girl who struggled with her complicated emotions. Due to her persistent self-doubt, no one could truly understand her true feelings.

Ayane accepted Mogii’s proposal, convinced that he genuinely cared for her. However, she soon discovered she was mistaken. Mogii had simply played her and left her emotionally vulnerable. It was Kento Miura who truly captured Ayane’s heart. In that moment, she realized that she may have finally found someone who truly wanted to get to know her.

Miura hugs Ayane in season 3 (Image via Production I.G)

Miura stood out from the rest of the boys. His heartfelt declaration in season 3 episode 4 of Kimi ni Todoke brought tears of joy to Ayane’s eyes. The girl, who had always admired Sawako and Shota’s ability to express their feelings, finally found her own. These two subplots enhanced the storyline of season 3.

In addition to Ayane and Chizuru, Sawako’s family, particularly her father, played a significant role in season 3 of Kimi ni Todoke. While not a major storyline, the sequel showcased a father’s love and concern for his daughter. The scene in which he expressed gratitude to Kazehaya for his support of Sawako exemplified the depth of a father’s love.

Kimi ni Todoke season 3 review: The Voice Acting and Critical Aspects

Sawako and Shota share a moment in Kimi ni Todoke season 3 (Image via Production I.G)

The third season of Kimi ni Todoke featured the reprisal of the talented voice actors from previous seasons. Mamiko Noto and Daisuke Namikawa brilliantly portrayed their characters, Sawako Kuronuma and Shota Kazehaya, transporting the audience back to the 2010s with their familiar voices and emotions.

Mamiko-san expertly portrayed Sawako’s constant concerns and unabashed expression of her emotions towards Kazehaya. The Seiyuu (voice actor) flawlessly conveyed Sawako’s sentiments, as seen in the previous two seasons. Similarly, Daisuke-san delivered a brilliant performance in his role.

Sawako and her friends (Image via Production I.G)

In addition to their impressive portrayal of their respective characters, Yuichi Nakamura (Ryu), Miyuki Sawashiro (Ayane), Yuko Sanpei (Chizuru), and Mamoru Miyano (Kento Miura) each brought their own distinctive style to their voice acting. Despite the 13-year gap, their performances made it seem as though they were voicing completely different characters.

In addition to voice acting, Kimi ni Todoke season 3 preserved the essential elements that made the series stand out in previous seasons. Production I.G utilized chibi versions of the characters to bring liveliness to the comedic moments, while the vivid background art and character designs further amplified the charm of season 3.

Conclusion

Season 3 of Kimi ni Todoke was a beautiful blend of love, friendship, and drama. Following Karuho Shiina’s story, the continuation was a heartfelt tribute to all the Shoujo anime enthusiasts who had been devoted fans of the series.

In order to deliver on its promise of a faithful adaptation, Production I.G left no stone unturned. Additionally, the renowned studio released the series in an ONA format, creating a cinematic experience for fans. The sequel’s gradual romance undoubtedly sparked feelings of nostalgia among many.