Production IG has confirmed that Kimi ni Todoke Season 3 will premiere next year.
Released in 2009, Kimi ni Todoke introduced those unfamiliar with the original manga to the touching love story of Sawako “Sadako” Kuronuma and Shota Kazehaya. According to Anime News Network, this famous animation studio recently announced the release date of Part 3 with a new promotional poster featuring the two main characters. While casting and casting details are not yet available, it has been confirmed that Mamiko Noto and Daisuke Namikawa will reprise their respective character roles of Kuronuma and Kazehaya. Netflix also has exclusive streaming rights to the series for viewers both in and outside of Japan.
Karuho Shiina’s Kimi ni Todoke manga series debuted on Bessatsu Margaret in December 2005, and was serialized until its conclusion in December 2015. The series’ plot revolves around a high school student named is Sawako, who is nicknamed “Sadako” by her classmates due to her resemblance to the main character of The Ring. Although feared by many of her peers, Sadako is actually a kind and gentle girl who longs to connect with others. Her life changes forever when she meets Shota, a popular classmate who is attracted to her. As the two spend more time together, they realize they love each other.
Kimi ni Todoke exploded in popularity in the years following the manga’s release. The series ranks as one of the best-selling shoujo manga of all time, with over 36 million copies sold worldwide. The series’ sensitive and heartfelt portrayal of a high school romance earned the series the Best Shoujo Manga Award at the 32nd Kodansha Annual Manga Awards in 2008. The first two seasons of Production IG’s popular anime series aired from October 2009 to March 2011. Hiro Kaburagi serves as the director while Tomoko Konparu is in charge of composing the series. Both individuals collaborated with Mamiko Ikeda (Basket of Fruit 2001) and Norihiro Naganuma (Yowamushi Pedal) to produce the script.
The success of Kimi ni Todoke has led to several adaptations other than anime. Japanese authors Kanae Shimokawa and Kanako Shirai wrote a series of light novels based on the popular shojo series. In 2010, Nippon Television, Nikkatsu and Django Film co-produced a live-action film adaptation in 2010. Directed by Naoto Kumazawa, this version stars Mikako Tabe and Haruma Miura as Kuronuma respectively. and Kazehaya. Earlier this year, live-action Kimi ni Todoke was also released. This film has a completely different cast than the movie, with Sara Minami and Oji Suzuka portraying the roles of Kuronuma and Kazehaya respectively.
Kimi ni Todoke Part 3 will be released in 2024. This manga series is available in English on VIZ Media.
Source: Anime News Network
