__Prelude (Season 1 & 2)__

“From Me to You” is a classic Shoujo romance manga that has been beloved by hundreds and thousands of viewers alike. We follow our main character, Sawako Kuronuma (Mamiko Noto), whose journey involves having her own self-growth as a fully fledged person through social interactions such as hanging out with friends and making meaningful memories around them whilst traversing through the harsh environment of her surroundings. It's a beautiful and satisfying coming-of-age slice-of-life anime in and of itself, but it manages to go one step above by involving a cute and wholesome romance between Sawako and Shouta Kazehaya (Daisuke Namikawa) and their journey from a slow yet innocent perspective of romance. Sure, the development of the series is quite slow and comparatively slow given the time this series came out, but it's still irresistibly cute and wholesome, with a great sense of comfort and familiarity with its awkwardly tender moments as well as its gloomy moments.

The series is definitely not the best out there, as there are many other Shoujo mangas that came before and after that have surpassed the level with their storytelling and complexity, but this show is not built to be the best. If you just need a series that fills the vibe of having cute characters engaging in cute moments at a slow yet tender pace, this is the perfect anime for you. ***

__Postlude (Season 3)__

Season 2 of the anime provides a somewhat satisfying ending for audiences alike by providing a high-stakes moment leading up to the reveal of finally being together as a couple. As a chapter closes its pages, another fresh new page opens, which is what Season 3 of Kimi ni Todoke will stand for. We still follow our main characters, Sawako and Shouta, and their navigation about what it means to be a couple. We get to follow their moments together, which is cute and wholesome. The show also does not shy away from providing something that's dramatically intriguing and appropriate for their age. Many criticisms that have been pointed out in the series are that it's just a misunderstanding fest, but it can be argued that the age of these characters would feel that way, especially with first-time relationship partners who would work and discover together.

I also appreciate the series having a proper highlight on its side characters. From the past seasons, Chizuru Yoshida (Yuuko Sanpei) and Ayane Yano (Miyuki Sawashiro) have their own side plots that are impactful and intriguing to watch, especially with the scope of their discovery of true romance, but that has been mostly subsided by the main character’s journey. Not only do we get to follow the main character’s journey in this season, but these side characters as well as their personal growth are greatly condensed into this 5-episode journey.

I would describe Kimi ni Todoke as a simple vanilla sundae with a cookie on top. Sure, it might not be the most interesting-looking amidst the variety of loud-looking or diversely flavored options, but there is nothing wrong with enjoying something that's simple. The comfort it gives is more than enough. Three seasons later, it's still serving that same sundae, and it never fails to give you a smile.