Toradora! 4-10
The fact that Taiga doesn't discriminate when it comes to
is fantastic. Taiga
in Episode 5. Just amazing. Absolutely amazing. I'm impressed and pleased by the camaraderie displayed between the two leads. Instances such as Episode 6 where
The humor is spot-on and I find myself genuinely laughing at the situations the two get into like when
And fucking Episode 8,
My biggest worry once I got invested in Toradora's premise was how they were going to maintain the audience's attention while keeping it believable with so many episodes. It looks like that won't be a problem. Minori's character in Episode 9 and 10 for example,
I've really grown to like Ami as well.
Overall, there isn't one character I don't like (maybe except for the class president but I haven't seen much of her to say I don't like her). This show's got heart and I'm happy to say that I've yet to watch an episode that has disappointed. It's one of those instances where it's truly a shame anime doesn't have a more mainstream presence in the US. Toradora's comedy seems like it would work really well without alienating Western audiences with the overbearance of tropes. It's a shame NIS America picked this up because they're probably just going to sit on their printed copies and let it sell out with no blu-ray release. Had this show been in Funimation's hands, there would at least have been the possibility of a blu-ray run.
The fact that Taiga doesn't discriminate when it comes to
administering physical pain
slapping Ami
Taiga tells Minori that Ryuuji wasn't at home or in Episode 7 where Ryuuji is making those cups for Taiga is really enjoyable to watch. Watching Taiga put her feet up against Ryuuji's back in Episode 9 as they reflect on the day tells me that even if this doesn't work out, there's still a friendship (or a relationship mmmmmhmmmm) that will emerge between them.
Taiga gets thrown into the pool in a really over-the-top manner. It's hilarious but we as the audience remember shortly after that she can't swim. Add insult to injury and a cup detaches from her swimsuit and Ryuuji has to physically reapply it without exposing their plan to the rest of the class.
that's exactly what I wanted to see come from Kirino in Oreimo. Taiga coming to Ryuuiji's aid and tearfully berating the class for not helping him is great. THOSE FLOODGATES, MAN, THOSE FLOODGATES OPENED. I WANTED THE PROVERBIAL TSUNDERE LEVIES TO BREAK AND TORADORA HAS DELIVERED.
My biggest worry once I got invested in Toradora's premise was how they were going to maintain the audience's attention while keeping it believable with so many episodes. It looks like that won't be a problem. Minori's character in Episode 9 and 10 for example,
definitely doesn't come off as someone who is friendzoning Ryuuji. She's still trying to understand what it means to fall in love, so it seems like there is still hope for him. I like how she is being handled so far.
I particularly like the analogy she made about Ryuuji being the moon and Minori being the sun. I feel that said a lot about her intentions (if you set aside that fact that she practically confessed to Ryuuji).
