Kimi ni Todoke 2nd Season - Episode 3

First February, then April, and now May - its primary relationship may not be moving very fast, but Kimi ni Todoke 2nd Season is certainly cracking through the months if nothing else!

Even a month after the rather awkward conversation between Kazehaya and Sawako, both parties still seem to be suffering from the fallout caused by their own actions and their interpretation of the other's intentions - a tension certainly not helped from Kazehaya's viewpoint by the continuing and slightly flirtatious banter coming from Sawako's school desk neighbour Kento.  For anyone who has ever criticised Kazehaya for being too much of a "perfect" character, this episode is an ample reminder that this isn't actually the case as his jealousy, selfishness and unwillingness to accept help all come to the fore, although at least he does have enough guts to admit his feelings for Sawako to Ryuu.

Against this backdrop, Ken certainly seems determined to swing some kind of plot surrounding Sawako into action, although his exact intentions are anything but clear despite his constant assertions that he's a good guy in current proceedings.  Good guy or not, Kento sets up Sawako for an after-school crash guide to the forthcoming mid-term exams on the back of some comments going around class; before Sawako knows it she's the centre of attention, surroundied by fact-hungry classmates who marvel at her obvious teaching ability.  This takes us to another empty classroom meeting between our two lead characters, and yet another mass of misunderstandings and unspoken thoughts which makes for an emotional climax to the episode - although with Ken waiting behind to speak to Shouta things only look set to get more complicated still.

So, another episode brings little direct progress in its key relationship, but once again Kimi ni Todoke 2nd Season brings plenty of entertainment and small yet beautifully delivered drama to the table to more than make up for that.  The little flashes and moments of comedy are just enough to amuse without becoming boring, while the emotional crux of the show delivers itself effectively without slipping into outright melodrama.  Put simply, I still love this series - its pacing might not be for everyone, but I can't get enough of it, and it keeps reminding me that I really need to get back into reading the manga after lapsing a couple of (altogether excellent) volumes in.