Female Friendship Friday: Sawako, Chizu and Ayane

So far, since I've started this writing series, I've written only about pairs, but this time I'll be writing about a trio, Sawako, Chizu and Ayane from one of my favorite series Kimi ni Todoke. This series lives and breathes the power of friendship and is able to present in a way that is sweet rather than sickeningly.

Kimi ni Todoke is a shojo manga series by Karuho Shiina that has also been adapted into an anime series, light novel and a live action film. The series is about Sawako Kuronuma, a girl whose resemblance to Sadako (which her classmates call her) and awkward demeanor cause her classmates to fear her. Her efforts in order to interact with them are constantly misinterpreted as her trying to curse or bewitch them in some way. These issues cause her to be unable to make any close friends, at least until she starts to spend time with the most popular boy in her class, Shota Kazehaya. Their budding relationship opens door for her to get to know their other classmates, most importantly, Chizu Yoshida and Ayane Yano. While the series does focus on the romance between Sawako and Kazehaya (I know his first name is Shota, but I'm too used to calling him by his last name), it also spends a lot of time developing the friendship between the three girls.

Sawako first meets Chizu and Ayane after she overhears them talking about the haunted trail and their plan to somehow convince her to play a ghost. She speaks up to reveal herself and volunteer to be the ghost. She admits to them that she doesn't have supernatural powers, but wants to do her best to create a fun time for her classmates. Chizu is immediately moved by this, and they all agree to have Sawako play the ghost. Sawako is happy that she was able to express her feelings and not be misinterpreted. Later on they visit Sawako during the even to reward her hard work with a bottled drink, which touches her heart, since this was the first time a classmate had given her anything. These small instances are what cause Sawako to try and befriend them.

The second volume spends the most time on the development of the friendship between Sawako, Chizu and Ayane. Throughout the first two volumes, the three start spending more time together and become closer to one another. Although they've been spending time together, Sawako is hesitant to call them her friends, not because she doesn't like them, but because she doesn't want to be presumptuous. The irony of it all is that Chizu and Ayane like her and already consider her a friend. Unfortunately, in typical shoujo manga fashion, misunderstandings ensue.Rumors start spreading about Chizu and Ayane's past, and they start to wonder whether or not Sawako is the one who started them. When Sawako begins hearing about the rumors, she worries that her association with them is what's causing the rumors to spread in the first place and stops hanging out with them in an effort to stop them. This of course doesn't work and just cause them all to think that they aren't as close as they believed, which upsets them all. Chizu and Ayane are able to talk to each other about Sawako and how much they care about her. Even though they've been friends a long time and have each other, they still cherish Sawako and want her to be their friend. Eventually, Sawako proves her friendship towards them, when she tries to stop the rumors from spreading by confronting a group of girls who are talking about Chizu and Ayane. Even when they start to get aggressive towards Sawako, she still tries to clear their names. When they find out about the fight ensuing, they rush into the restroom to save her, and come in just in time to hear her tell the bullies how much the two mean to her.

They are able to scare the bullies away and are able to reconcile and admit to Sawako that they've always considered her a friend. While their friendship was tested by high school drama, they were able to overcome it by speaking truthfully and having each others backs. Which is a theme throughout the series.

One aspect of their relationship that is enjoyable is their dynamic with one another. Although Ayane is the same age as them, she often appears older, both in looks and her worldliness. She's savvy in terms of reading people's motives and actions. She uses her insights in order to help give Sawako advice in how to approach other people, especially her crush. She's also on the manipulative side, but she uses her skills in order to help her friends, especially Sawako. Chizu on the other hand, is much more childish and fun loving. She's a bit dense, although not on the same level as Sawako, and has a very strange train of thought. For example, she wishes to be a ramen when she is older. She's very loyal to her friends and is very protective of Sawako. When she's first introduced, she's admits to being drawn towards innocents. Since Sawako is not used to hanging out people other than her family on a regular basis, they are often the ones to try and teach her how friends act. For instance in the third volume, they tell her it's okay for her to call them by their first names. While it takes awhile for her to adapt, she is eventually able to do it without being self-conscious. In return they stop calling her Sadako and start calling her by her real name. Ayane is the one who guides her, while Chizu's nature often help encourage Sawako to try new things.


Throughout the volumes, their friendship grows stronger and closer and they try and help Sawako become more open around her classmates. What makes it heartwarming, is how they never try and change Sawako in order to make her fit in. They constantly admit that they like her the way she is, and how she should be true to herself. They often just encourage her to show their classmates the side of her, that they see when they got to know her.
" You know, Sawako...our first impression of you was gloomy and out of place, too. But now, we know how cute and sweet you are. We love you. And it's because you mustered up your courage and fought hard to defend us. You, us, Kazehaya...there's no difference between any of us. Not unless you believe there is," - Ayane Yano
Since Chizu and Ayane are two of the first friends she makes in the series, Sawako is always quick to return the favor. When they are down and need support, she is their to cheer them up. Since her kindness is one of her biggest strengths, her presence is always appreciated. She also helps them by tutoring them (particularly Chizu) in various subjects in class, which helps them raise their grades.

This series is filled with many heartwarming moments, many of which are due to Sawako, Chizu and Ayane's friendship. (The other is due to Sawako's relationship with Kazehaya, but that's a topic for another day). They are all supportive of each other and love each other dearly. Their friendship is able to find and bring out each others positive qualities.