Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You: Soulmate

###CW: Some Spoilerinos
I actually just read Kimi ni Todoke for the first time recently (and watched the anime). Love the original manga, though the plotline leading up to the confession will always be ridiculous and terrible. It made no sense for the characters and made even less sense in the 2nd season of the anime. Kind of a dumpster fire but it smoothes out in the end.

Now, all THAT being said, this manga is a perfect follow-up to the series. You get to see Sawako really come into her own as a person even though she is a side character in this. Compare it to who she was in the first issue of the original and it is such a night and day difference. In fact it weirdly makes you proud lol. She becomes an absolute force. She's still a total sweetheart and a beam of light, but she's also finally come into her own and has got a good bead on things. She becomes Kurumi's rock.

And then yeah, there's Kurumi. OH Kurumi lol.
She was a nightmare in the original but was the catalyst Sawako needed in her life to push herself.
She was treated more as a plot device rather than a character but in this, she is fully fleshed out, unhinged, a hot mess and I love it.
They don't shy away from her terrible behaviors and garbage tendencies to lie and create drama. But it's done in a way that is very human, really character driven, and shows amazing growth.

And THEN, there's Eiji.
Smooooooooth Eiji.
If I met someone this smooth in real life I would fall for them right then and there.
Every word from his mouth and every action he takes immediately sets Kurumi's Hot & Bothered settings to max.
It's seriously a delight to read and witness. One little word or touch and she becomes a blushing mess.
Their relationship is simultaneously overtly outlandish and extremely realistic.
He is the perfect foil, and perfect love interest for someone like Kurumi.
He brings out the best and the worst in her and is also a really interesting character himself to boot.

The overall story is pretty cut and dry for the most part. Sawako and Kurumi got into the same university, they both attend said university. They become the BEST of best friends. Having had become best friends with someone I myself used to hate and fight when I was younger, this story hits pretty close to home. Then enter love interest stage right, and watch everything go nuts. During all this hullabaloo you also get to see how Sawako's and Shouta's long-distance relationship works and evolves. You get a little sweet before returning to the spicy lol.

If you're a fan of the original, or even if not, pick this up.
I scramble every time a new issue is released.
As of this review it is still an ongoing series. (the english translation that is)
The witty dialogue and extreme tensions alone are worth the read lol.
So yeah, give Kurumi one more chance and read this manga!__

EDIT: The english translation was fully released and I just want to say that the whole thing is perfect!
This story was a perfectly wonderful extension to the overall story.
Kurumi and Eiji are just amazing together.
If anything I just want more.
Make sure to give this a read, it's totally worth it.