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While I find real baseball to be dull, this manga actually keeps my interest in the sport. Rather than displaying really tall guys who look hot, the characters actually look like typical freshman boys. The mangaka is a graduate of sports psychology and is able to combine the fun of baseball and scientific tips of relaxation and harnessing energy. Mihashi can get annoying but unlike the main protagonist of other sports manga he isn't a natural talent nor is he confident in his skills. From the start he is weak and timid, achieving his skill through long practice. Abe-kun is my favorite character for his ... no nonsense attitude and moments of thoughtfulness.

At times the story can really drag on, 2-3 volumes on just one game, but this serves to characterize the opposing teams (nearly everyone gets a moment to shine, a true it takes a "Team" to play) and it's near impossible to hate them. I end up rooting for everyone on their good job despite the title of a winner or a loser. If you're looking for a series that displays phenomenal, near immpossible end game wins than this isn't what you would be looking for. If you're looking for something that depicts real emotions and real skills, this is the manga to read.

Recently rated as the top manga for the week of 28th November 2007, I feel that the manga deserves its' ranking. While there are moments of pure shoujo cliches (angry rivals) I love the main protagonist's personality. Instead of having a warped personality from being treated as an outcast, Sawako keeps her naivete and is always wanting to help lighten the burdens of others.

I find the art cute and pretty, not overly shoujo with flower backgrounds but, similar to the style of Honey & Clover. Rather than being a love story of an unpopular girl falling for the most popular guy, I think that ... Kimi ni Todoke is about a journey of a girl trying to reach understanding from her classmates.