Kazehaya-kun is definitely the man worthy of calling as the ultimate best boy. The abundance of romance-comedy animes today is impeccable. As the number of this genre of anime grows, so is the number of male protagonists capturing the hearts of fans. However, even with the growing number no one can rival the qualities that Kazehaya Shota possessed.
Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You is considered to be a timeless romance anime by Karuho Shiina. The story of Kazehaya and Sawako has been stealing the hearts of viewers since its release in 2009. The series is not purely romance, for it also explores the daily struggles and experiences of high school students with a splash of comedy.
This classic masterpiece follows the story of Sawako Kuronuma and Kazehaya Shota. In contrast to Kazehaya’s likable and outgoing personality, Sawako has a hard time fitting in due to her shyness and resemblance with the scary horror character Sadako. Behind her looks that make her the perfect lead character in a horror movie, Sawako is a very sweet person which made Kazehaya fall for her.
Kazehaya not only has the heart of his beloved Sawako but is also unstoppable in capturing the hearts of its fans even after 14 years since it aired.
Yes, I know that the industry has a lot of highly potential leading men in various romance animes, such as Usui Takumi of Maid Sama, Kyo Sohma of Fruits Baskets, Miyamura of Horimiya, and more. However, Kazehaya Shota is just always one step ahead of these guys. A total green flag with a pinch of naiveness.
Truth be told, for most fans who have watched Kimi ni Todoke, Kazehaya just hits differently, and here’s why!
1. Openmindness to the Fullest
Kazehaya is just the man you wished you had a crush on in high school. Though many fans today are fond of romance hate to love relationships. Kazehaya’s feelings for Kuronuma were just loved to love to more love, no hate at all. The ultimate boy next door of Kitahoro Highschool has always shown open-mindedness throughout the series, especially in the beginning.
As many of you may know, Kuronuma had rumors about her circulating due to her resemblance with the infamous horror character Sadako. However, this didn’t get in the way for Kazehaya to befriend her. He is someone who truly defines the term ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover.’ Despite the rumors, he was the only one who didn’t look at Kuronuma differently in the beginning.
The best part of Kazehaya’s openmindedness is that he didn’t get close to Kuronuma out of sympathy. His sincere gestures toward her were all because he did want to get to know her for who she truly is. Kazehaya’s openmindedness made it possible for him to build friendships in larger groups, and be known as someone who is friendly and sociable, which became Sawako’s motivation.
2. Kazehaya: The Official Heartthrob and Boy-Next-Door
Kazehaya is probably the number one role model in their school. With his intelligence, looks, and personality combined, there is no question that all students regardless of gender are fond of him. Known as a cheerful guy, Kazehaya’s presence just makes him approachable and dependable.
In addition, as the official heartthrob of the school, many girls have expressed their admiration for him. In season two episode two, Sawako had a hard time giving the chocolates she made him for it was very natural for the popular Kazehaya to receive plenty of them during Valentine’s.
Like many romance animes, it was not only Kuronuma who harbored feelings for the boy next door. In fact, many didn’t see his relationship with Sawako coming aside from their main friends because of them belonging to a completely different worlds. Kazehaya is the heartthrob and Sawako is the sorta outcast of the school; hence, it is understandable why it was unexpected for most. But as they say, opposites attract.
3. Respecting Boundaries Like No Other
If you think Sawako fell first like many other girls from their school. Well, that is utterly false! Kuronuma Sawako isn’t the first one who developed her feelings. During the first day of school, she had already captured the attention of her future lover. It was Sawako’s rarely seen and captivating smile that made our humble boy into a complete lover boy. However, even with his interest, he knew his limits.
Kazehaya is aware of Sawako’s difficulties in fitting in that is why when needed he is always there for her. But, this doesn’t mean that he was Sawako’s knight in shining armor in the whole series. When Sawako gets herself in trouble by being the victim of bullies, he isn’t the type who rushes to save the damsel in distress even though he wants to. If he sees that Ayane and Chizuru are there to defend her Kazehaya won’t get in their way.
He is aware that Kuronuma is still adjusting herself to the people around her. Thus, he would just watch her from afar as she grows independently, and dependently with her newfound friends.
4. Kazehaya’s Faithfulness and Unending Patience
He is a man who’s always the center of attention. Even with many girls fighting over his love and affection, his feelings remained faithful to only one. As mentioned, Kazehaya is practically the one who fell in love first. His feelings for her deepen more after getting the chance to talk to her and gaze at her during the bravery competition. He liked her ever since and waited for her.
But in season one episode fifteen, his and Sawako’s love story became much more complicated when the villainess, Kurumizawa Ume, came into the picture. Kurumi is the female version of Kazehaya in their school. She is popular for her cuteness and constant smiling personality, making Sawako look up to her. But unlike Sawako, she expressed her undying feelings for Kazehaya and caused Sawako some trouble to avoid her from taking a step forward to Kazehaya.
Thankfully even with Kurumi’s charm and determination, Kazehaya didn’t even bat an eye for her and instantly rejected her. He told Kurumi-chan that he likes someone else, and cannot like anyone else more than he likes that person. Obviously, this person is non another than our girl, Kuronuma.
5. Down to Earth Kazehaya-kun
Even with his immense popularity, Kazehaya never let this get into his head. Kazehaya receives praise from left and right because of his humble personality; however, he never once boasts about it nor acted conceited.
Many would act differently if they were put in his position. Just imagine girls like Kurumi confessing their feelings, being the ultimate role model of your school, and the center of almost every group. These things can lead to him exaggerating his importance. Fortunately, this didn’t happen. Kazehaya’s humble personality is probably one of the major traits that make him super attractive.
6. Head Over Heals Kazehaya
A lot of romance animes portray the characters as the male having a cold hard-to-get personality, while the female is the one who is completely in love at first. However, our Kazehaya from Kimi ni Todoke shows no embarrassment in showing how he truly feels.
As someone who has watched the series, Kazehaya has not only blushed once but a couple of times because of Kuronuma Sawako. Her effect on him is just out of ordinary, and it’s just their naiveness that keeps getting in the way. Kazehaya just can’t help from blushing even with just the mere thought of his Kuronuma. In the final episode of the series, Kazehaya told in front of all their classmates that he is totally crazy about her now girlfriend, Kuronuma Sawako. And yes, his face was as red as a tomato at that time.
7. Always Killing with Kindness
Kazehaya is someone who possessed immense kindness within him. Just like Sawako, Kazehaya is also thoughtful and considerate of others. He is known to be a person who always acts with empathy. His classmates define him as the type of guy who wouldn’t want any of his classmates to get left behind. No matter what their backgrounds are, he tries to understand them.
During the seat change in season one episode two, no one wanted to seat beside Sawako. Their classmates were even whispering about luckily avoiding being seated next to her. But, Kazehaya asked to exchange his seat number and carried his desk beside Sawako together with their friends.
Furthermore, in season one episode twelve, Kazehaya was about to go home when he was stopped by Kurumi. After Sawako’s encouragement, Kurumi decided to confess her true feelings for Kazehaya. It was a now-or-never situation. If it was our usual bad boy type boys Kurumi would have gotten the worst of worst rejection. However, Kazehaya immediately rushes toward her to apologize for not feeling the same way and politely told her that he likes someone else.
Although these gestures of his are deeply rooted in his feelings for Sawako. We cannot deny that he was already popular for his good traits before even meeting her. I mean, he even adopted a stray dog. Wasn’t it the cutest?
8. Has the Power of Honesty and Sincerity
Yes, I know! Their relationship was at a very slow pace because of the two not being straightforward and honest with each other. But hear me out! Kazehaya is a transparent and straightforward person. He always encourages Sawako to let out what she truly feels. Although he didn’t immediately gain the courage to be honest with his feelings. Kazehaya never failed to express how he truly feels, in actions I mean.
Kazehaya never failed to share his thoughts and feelings with Sawako, especially when it’s making him furious. In season one episode ten, jealousy got the best of Kazehaya and pulled Sawako away from Ryu. For he thought that his beloved Kuronuma was starting to develop feelings for his friend. Hence, he courageously asked Sawako if he likes Ryu, to which she answers no. Kazehaya said that she’ll take Sawako’s word, and sighed in relief and embarrassment. Again, while blushing.
Moreover, he even admitted to Sawako that he can be selfish and stubborn sometimes which probably took a lot of his courage to say. This specific scene between Kazehaya and Sawako in season one episode thirteen truly screamed his genuine feelings for her.
9. Protective not Possessive
Kazehaya wants Sawako to be his. However, he never once acted as if he owns her. As one of his traits, he knows his limits when it comes to Kuronuma. He knows that Sawako belongs to no one else and that the only one who can make decisions for her is also herself.
That is why he has never shown any signs of toxic masculinity. Instead, Kazehaya just protects her and his feelings toward her. Yes, he gets jealous sometimes but it’s always those cute little jealous moments that were never toxic. In episode eleven of season one, he told Ryu that he wished that it could have been him who saved Sawako from the ball. Even though he knows and understands that Ryu was nearer to Sawako, he just can’t help to feel that way due to his feelings for Sawako.
In addition, his protective action toward Sawako again ignited when a new character came to light, Miura Kento. In season two episode seven, Kazehaya grabs Kento by the collar because he thought he made Sawako cry. To his anger and frustration from witnessing his classmates make fun of Sawako, he bravely admitted the love he has been keeping for Kuronuma for a long time in front of his classmates.
10. His Love Languages are Unreachable
The first nine traits of Kazehaya molded into a love language that is beyond what girls even dream of. Actions speak louder than words, which is completely accurate as we were able to feel his unconditional love for Sawako even without telling her straightforwardly. During their confession, it wasn’t only Kuronuma who felt butterflies in her stomach, but also us. Because Kazehaya’s actions finally turned into something we all have been waiting for.
I am completely aware that we were all so stressed as we watched the two constantly misunderstand each other up until they finally confessed. However, all’s well that ends well. We cannot deny that their love story was a well-written one.
Words of Affirmation. Quality Time. Physical Touch. Gifts. Acts of Service. Kazehaya Shota has definitely checked every list and used the five main love languages. With all his love languages combined, Kazehaya’s feelings were able to reach Sawako at long last.
Kazehaya Shota has set the bar high for men out there. Kimi ni Todoke is one of the few romance animes that will certainly survive through time, and will still be appreciated no matter what. This series has plenty of well-rounded characters that teach you deep learnings in life. If the animation is what’s been keeping you from watching it. Trust me, it will grow on you because the plot is not your typical romance anime.
Read More: Live-Action Kimi ni Todoke Show Announces Release Date and Additional Cast
