This story is so fucking cute. Kimi ni Todoke is a romance created by mangaka Karuho Shiina for being her second ever full length manga amidst many other one shots this story in particular really struck me. After watching the anime and absolutely killing me with its slow burn romance its super cute and funny characters and whisking me away in the little moments I can say that truly Kimi ni Todoke is one of my favorite in romance stories. What really sets this manga apart from most other romance manga anime and even shows on television is the slow build up of feelings from both our main character Sawako and her love interest Kazehaya. I mean SPOILER... Usually when shows do this it just annoys me since sometimes its so obvious. Though with this story its so much more endearing you can tell theyre both figuring out things about one another and how they really feel. Its calm... the manga pulls you in with its innocence and almost teases you with each chapter... love takes time just one more chapter You just end up more and more at the edge of your seat every time they even graze each other in the hallway or catch each other looking. You wait and wait... and then boom Something happens thats big and impactful and your heart just Aaaaaaa... It warms you up like tea or hot chocolate on a really cold night TvT Furthermore you also have Sawakos trusty friends Ayane and Chizuru When I say this trio is one of the cutest girl friend groups... Ayane is a cool flirty type though she has trouble in her relationships shes the one to rely on in the love department. Chizuru is the boyish goofy character that is charmingly airheaded at times. I see myself most in Chizuru from the way she acts in the manga and how she chooses to handle a lot of the situations in the story Shes like the protective friend in the story in the way she protects Sawako physically in the story as where Chizuru takes care of her emotionally the most Till even the very end of the story theyre always there for each other when it matters most and seeing their relationship synergy is so so so sweet and endearing. I will always long for a friendship like they have The other relationships in the story are pretty nice too Though there was one in particular that struck me odd... Im still torn about what I think about it but here goes. Spoilers from now on And onto my final thoughts I loved this story with all my heart there were very very few parts that were a little too slow though all in all it lead to one of the sweetest conclusions. All the teasing to finally come to a relationship was so worth it And not just with Sawako and Kazehaya The art the captivating story and plot the timing adorable characters and the conclusion all lead me to believe this is one of the cutest stories youll read. My faith in true love truly has been rekindled and I am so PROUDD of Sawako and her friends Definitely a big recommend if you love sweet innocent loving stories that will leave your heart bursting at the seams RATING: 89