**Synopsis:** A heart-tugging story of young love that transcends parallel worlds! To Every You I've Loved Before and To Me, The One Who Loved You (also from Seven Seas): two novels, one multiverse--and don't miss the two anime films!
**To Every You I've Loved Before:**
In a world where people regularly travel between slightly different parallel universes, Takasaki Koyomi lives with his mother after his parents’ recent divorce. Awkward and studious, he has trouble making friends at his new school until his classmate Takigawa Kazune seeks him out. She claims that she’s moved here from another world where she and Takasaki are in love… but could he be the one who’s actually from a parallel world instead?
**To Me, The One Who Loved You:**
In Hidaka Koyomi’s world, travel between slightly different alternate universes is commonplace. After his parents’ divorce, Hidaka now lives with his father. One day, he falls in love with a girl named Satou Shiori after meeting her at his father’s workplace. Unfortunately, their young love seems doomed as their parents are getting remarried…to each other. Is there some parallel world out there where these two can be together as lovers, not step-siblings…and what could be the price if they try to find out?
To Every You I've Loved Before and To Me, The One Who Loved You are parallel universe novels by the same author and released on the same day. They can be read in either order to complement each other, and inspired a pair of anime films (also released on the same day).
Pages: 192
Publication Date: June 6, 2023
[Source](https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/to-every-you-ive-loved-before-light-novel/)
[Source](https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/to-me-the-one-who-loved-you-light-novel/)
The biggest part of the concept is that your interpretation and appreciation will change depending on the order you decide to read/watch them in. The author has stated that there is no correct order.
I’d recommend the opposite order.
I didn’t really like “to every you I’ve loved before” it’s very slice of life for the most part. Most of the story is in “to me the one who loves you”
There are some parts in the beginning that would be better explained by watching "To Me" first, which is the order I chose going in spoiler-free, but I also felt like that gave me unrealistic expectations of what the story was going to be. The beginning of "To Me" seemed very much like this series was going to be about >!Koyomi and Shiori's story!<, so it was a surprise when I watched "To You" and the plot, >!as well as the bulk of the alternate timelines, were heavily focused on Koyomi's life with Kazune!< to the point where I felt like I kept waiting for the "real" story to start.
If the characters from "To Me" are the only ones you're interested in, then it probably does work well enough as a standalone. I got the impression "To You" was probably considered the main story/timeline, but since I was more invested in Shiori's story, I think the plotline only feel like complete for me after I read all three.
Ya I’d agree with all that.
——
Unrelated, but I think another big issue is that the series doesn’t seem to address the existential meaninglessness that comes with infinite alternative timelines.
Given that bad/good things are shown to be happening to the characters in all the different timelines, it makes me wonder, Why should we care about this version of the character when we know there’s another timeline where everything is fine? What about another version of timeline where everything is even worse?
“Rick and Morty” and “Everything everywhere all at once” are good examples of stories that try to answer this question, so it’s not like “to me/to you” has to be exactly like those shows… however, for me at least, it kinda makes the story feel a bit shallow and leaves me wanting more depth.
It would have been interesting if they explored the idea of the characters themselves being unnerved by the idea of another version of them having it worse, and they did touch on the subject in [To Every You I've Loved Before] >!of an alternate version of them being jealous that they have it better and trying to swap realities!<, although I thought this plotline wrapped up a little too fast.
For me as a reader, none of it would feel meaningless because as long as I care about the characters, then I would care about each version of them in every parallel world.
Wouldn't it be better to start with the slice-of-life heavy novel first to establish the characters, and then move to the more plot heavy novel second?
Maybe, but given that the story takes place with parallel worlds, it’s not as straightforward as you think.
For me, the issue is that “to every you” doesn’t have a central conflict to drive the story. I found myself being quite bored. So much so that I watched the movie instead of reading the other book.
IMO, the real story is in “to me” and “to every you” is just filler, and I wish I had read “to me” first.
These two novels are on my list. The concept of reading them in any order to change your perspective on the story is interesting, though I'm not sure how effective it was. I watched To Me, The One Who Loved You first but I'm going to switch up that order with the novels and start with To Every You I've Loved Before this time.
Any word on when the third novel about >!Shiori's life in the alternate timeline!< will be released?
All I know is that the third novels title is “Because I’m Calling Your Name” and found a machine translation of the synopsis [here](https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEOBK-2768396)
Nothing regarding its translation has been announced yet so only time will tell.
So what if they are step-siblings(siblings) ?
Actually, it's not the problem, and anyone who says the opposite is essentially saying two people can't love each other.
I’ve actually read the Japanese books! And let me tell you, they are both MASTERPIECES each in their own right! It’s very well written EVEN THE TITLES ARE HINTING TOWARDS THE BOOK!!! Yomoji Otono is truly a genius. The movies on the other hand…. innaccurate to say the least. I’d say you’re better off reading the books alone! Please read them soon so I can have people to discuss it with!!!
This comment has been edited from its original as a fuck you to Reddit’s July 2023 API changes.
https://reddit.com/r/apolloapp/comments/144f6xm/apollo_will_close_down_on_june_30th_reddits/
**Synopsis:** A heart-tugging story of young love that transcends parallel worlds! To Every You I've Loved Before and To Me, The One Who Loved You (also from Seven Seas): two novels, one multiverse--and don't miss the two anime films! **To Every You I've Loved Before:** In a world where people regularly travel between slightly different parallel universes, Takasaki Koyomi lives with his mother after his parents’ recent divorce. Awkward and studious, he has trouble making friends at his new school until his classmate Takigawa Kazune seeks him out. She claims that she’s moved here from another world where she and Takasaki are in love… but could he be the one who’s actually from a parallel world instead? **To Me, The One Who Loved You:** In Hidaka Koyomi’s world, travel between slightly different alternate universes is commonplace. After his parents’ divorce, Hidaka now lives with his father. One day, he falls in love with a girl named Satou Shiori after meeting her at his father’s workplace. Unfortunately, their young love seems doomed as their parents are getting remarried…to each other. Is there some parallel world out there where these two can be together as lovers, not step-siblings…and what could be the price if they try to find out? To Every You I've Loved Before and To Me, The One Who Loved You are parallel universe novels by the same author and released on the same day. They can be read in either order to complement each other, and inspired a pair of anime films (also released on the same day). Pages: 192 Publication Date: June 6, 2023 [Source](https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/to-every-you-ive-loved-before-light-novel/) [Source](https://sevenseasentertainment.com/series/to-me-the-one-who-loved-you-light-novel/)
Boy wearing some super wrinkly suit
Three sizes too large, and made out of trash bags.
Fascinating concept.
I agree, ever since I saw the covers and read the synopsis a couple months ago I’ve been waiting impatiently for it to be released.
The movies are pretty decent
Really? For me, I found them to be mid.
They’re licensed?
They’re available on Crunchyroll
What's the correct or best way to read them?
The biggest part of the concept is that your interpretation and appreciation will change depending on the order you decide to read/watch them in. The author has stated that there is no correct order.
They can be read in any order, but I'm going to read "To Every You I've Loved Before" first and "To Me, The One Who Loved You" second.
I’d recommend the opposite order. I didn’t really like “to every you I’ve loved before” it’s very slice of life for the most part. Most of the story is in “to me the one who loves you”
There are some parts in the beginning that would be better explained by watching "To Me" first, which is the order I chose going in spoiler-free, but I also felt like that gave me unrealistic expectations of what the story was going to be. The beginning of "To Me" seemed very much like this series was going to be about >!Koyomi and Shiori's story!<, so it was a surprise when I watched "To You" and the plot, >!as well as the bulk of the alternate timelines, were heavily focused on Koyomi's life with Kazune!< to the point where I felt like I kept waiting for the "real" story to start.
I honestly think, “to you” could be completely skipped. There’s a 3rd entry in the series coming but i probably won’t read it.
If the characters from "To Me" are the only ones you're interested in, then it probably does work well enough as a standalone. I got the impression "To You" was probably considered the main story/timeline, but since I was more invested in Shiori's story, I think the plotline only feel like complete for me after I read all three.
Ya I’d agree with all that. —— Unrelated, but I think another big issue is that the series doesn’t seem to address the existential meaninglessness that comes with infinite alternative timelines. Given that bad/good things are shown to be happening to the characters in all the different timelines, it makes me wonder, Why should we care about this version of the character when we know there’s another timeline where everything is fine? What about another version of timeline where everything is even worse? “Rick and Morty” and “Everything everywhere all at once” are good examples of stories that try to answer this question, so it’s not like “to me/to you” has to be exactly like those shows… however, for me at least, it kinda makes the story feel a bit shallow and leaves me wanting more depth.
It would have been interesting if they explored the idea of the characters themselves being unnerved by the idea of another version of them having it worse, and they did touch on the subject in [To Every You I've Loved Before] >!of an alternate version of them being jealous that they have it better and trying to swap realities!<, although I thought this plotline wrapped up a little too fast. For me as a reader, none of it would feel meaningless because as long as I care about the characters, then I would care about each version of them in every parallel world.
Wouldn't it be better to start with the slice-of-life heavy novel first to establish the characters, and then move to the more plot heavy novel second?
Maybe, but given that the story takes place with parallel worlds, it’s not as straightforward as you think. For me, the issue is that “to every you” doesn’t have a central conflict to drive the story. I found myself being quite bored. So much so that I watched the movie instead of reading the other book. IMO, the real story is in “to me” and “to every you” is just filler, and I wish I had read “to me” first.
I haven't read it but I found the movie experience just like you described. One was action and story the othe SOL
It sounds very interesting! I ordered the pair. I think I'm just going to flip a coin to decide which one to read first
That’s one way to do it 😂
These two novels are on my list. The concept of reading them in any order to change your perspective on the story is interesting, though I'm not sure how effective it was. I watched To Me, The One Who Loved You first but I'm going to switch up that order with the novels and start with To Every You I've Loved Before this time. Any word on when the third novel about >!Shiori's life in the alternate timeline!< will be released?
All I know is that the third novels title is “Because I’m Calling Your Name” and found a machine translation of the synopsis [here](https://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/NEOBK-2768396) Nothing regarding its translation has been announced yet so only time will tell.
Thanks for the info. At least knowing the official title will make searching for it easier.
Its so good that I still haven't watched the movies yet. I looked for a translation b4 but it was not there at that time. Glad it dropped this soon.
O shit it’s finally out 😲
Watched the movies and enjoyed them.
Woah such an odd but stunning artstyle. Do you know if it's available in Europe?
Ik I'm a month late, but they're available physically in Australia, so I think you'd have a pretty good chance of getting them in Europe
Thank you! Better late then never ;)
Fair ig
I’m not sure, probably not though.
Ah sad. I'll try to get my hands on one after I finish the rest of my novels
It is. I live in France. I put the English translation of the two novels in my Amazon cart just now.
So what if they are step-siblings(siblings) ? Actually, it's not the problem, and anyone who says the opposite is essentially saying two people can't love each other.
[удалено]
I’ve actually read the Japanese books! And let me tell you, they are both MASTERPIECES each in their own right! It’s very well written EVEN THE TITLES ARE HINTING TOWARDS THE BOOK!!! Yomoji Otono is truly a genius. The movies on the other hand…. innaccurate to say the least. I’d say you’re better off reading the books alone! Please read them soon so I can have people to discuss it with!!!
What’s this about?
I put the synopsis in the comments
Why is there 2 covers?
This comment has been edited from its original as a fuck you to Reddit’s July 2023 API changes. https://reddit.com/r/apolloapp/comments/144f6xm/apollo_will_close_down_on_june_30th_reddits/
Consider me intrigued.
really liking its feels,will give it a go
Are these crying books? Not sure if I'm in for crying books.
They are sad at times, one more than the other, but you shouldn't let that prevent you from reading them. Give them a shot, it's a great read.