Japan Movie Review: From Me to You "Kimi ni Todoke" (2010)

A year ago today, beloved Japanese actor Haruma Miura committed suicide. He was barely 30-years-old.

My friend, Kari, and I were about 75% finished watching his film From Me to You. We watched a little bit every time she was able to come and visit me and we were almost done. Then July 18th happened and I just couldn't finish it with her. She completely understood, but looking back, I wish we had watched that last 20 minutes together. A part of me will always regret that.

Today, after an entire year of not watching any of Haruma Miura's entertainment because the thought of it was just too much for my heart to handle, I rewatched From Me to You.

Those familiar with the story also know it as Kimi ni Todoke, based on an insanely popular and very, very long manga of the same name. I've read possibly 10 volumes of the manga, although that was years and years ago. From the very first moment I watched this film in the late spring of 2020 (only a few months before his death), I fell in love with the story, the acting, the cinematography, everything. I'm hugely in love with sakura さくら (cherry blossoms) and they feature heavily in the movie, so that was undoubtedly one reason for my love.

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Remembering Haruma Miura

 It's almost time.

Looking back, it's hard to believe that it's been almost a year since Haruma Miura's passing on July 18th, 2020.

Only 3 celebrity suicides have ever affected me in a deeply personal way: Jonathan Brandis, Robin Williams, and Haruma Miura. And Pete Duel too, I suppose, although his death happened long before I was born.

But for Haruma Miura, it still doesn't seem quite real.

He was just barely 30-years-old.

I'm sure Covid must have had something to do with it. It's messed so hugely with everybody. I know what it's like to have someone I personally know (a neighbor) commit suicide during this time. It's surreal and impossible, but also something you wake up to every day realizing that it did actually happen, whether I want to forget it did or not. I'm sure Miura-san's family and friends are still grieving his loss. Just as my neighbor's family will always be grieving his.

So in memory of Haruma Miura, I will be reviewing some of his dramas and movies in the month of July.

He was a lovely personality with a beautiful smile and apparently a deeply hurting heart. He deserves to be remembered.

If you are a fan of Haruma Miura, you can always leave a flower on his Find a Grave. 🌸

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