Popular Japanese Manga “Kimi Ni Todoke” Gets A Drama Adaptation On Netflix

“Kimi Ni Todoke” by Karuho Shiina is one of Japan’s most successful manga series. Netflix has taken up the series to make a live drama adaptation which is scheduled to air in March 2023.

Co-produced by TV Tokyo, the show stars Sara Minami as the female lead, Sawako Kuronuma and Ouji Suzuka as the male lead, Shota Kazehaya.

Image Courtesy: Netflix Japan

“Kimi Ni Todoke” follows the life of a girl named Sawako Kuronuma who is teased at school for her striking resemblance to the character Sadako from the horror movie “The Ring”. Just like Sadako, Sawako too has long straight jet black hair till her waist that students find scary and prefer to stay away from her. There are rumours that anyone who looks into Sadako’s eyes for more than 3-seconds dies instantly just like that shown in the horror movie.

Sawako’s life changes when the school’s most popular boy, Shota Kazehaya develops a soft corner for her and befriends her. She then slowly gains the confidence to make friends with other students while oblivious to Shota’s growing feelings for her.

The anime first published in 2005, still continues to be one of the top-selling series in Japan. It was adapted into a movie in 2010 starring Mikako Tabe and the late Haruma Miura.

In my post, Best Japanese High School Movies I mentioned that “Kimi Ni Todoke” is one of my favourite J-movies. That movie has a very nice and happy vibe, especially the lead characters Sawako and Kazehaya.

I hope the new drama cast does a great job but I don’t think I will be able to watch anyone else play Kazehaya. For me, Haruma Miura is Shota Kazehaya and Shota Kazehaya is Haruma Miura. Period. There cannot be another Kaze for me. 

Image Courtesy: Nippon TV

The title theme song “Kimi Ni Todoke” is one of my most played songs even now and I can only imagine Haruma Miura and Mikako Tabe in it.

GIF Courtesy: Nippon TV

 

Feature Image Courtesy: Netflix Japan/Bessatsu Margaret 

 

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