Toradora!

Synopsis:

Ryuji Takasu is a nice guy, really... he is. The only thing is that practically all of his fellow classmates think that he's out to kill anyone who gets in his way. The constant scowl on his face along with the eyes of a murderer strike fear into anyone who gets near him before he can even say two words. While making a trip to the bathroom, Ryuji accidentally bumps into Taiga Aisaka. A small girl in stature that practically makes her look like a doll in Ryuji's eyes but before he even has a chance to speak, he gets a fist to the face courtesy of Taiga, or, The Palmtop Tiger as she is known for due to her short-fuse attitude. Later, Ryuji discovers that he is also the neighbor of the diminutive ball of fire when he accidentally finds himself in possesion of an envelope written by Taiga that was meant for his best friend, Kitamura. Just as Ryuji realizes that there is nothing in the envelope he is attacked by his undersized assasin of a neighbor, Taiga, who actually snuck into his apartment to get the letter back. After a brief fight, Ryuji explains that there was nothing inside the envelope and that she has nothing to worry about and then strikes a deal with Taiga. He will help her get a date with his friend Kiramura if she in turn helps Ryuji get a date with her best friend Minorin. And with a simple hand shake, the bond between two of anime's most mismatched people has only just begun...


Reviewer: Endosanity
Number of episodes watched: 25


Review:

Toradora, it's plot is re-hashed. Toradora, it's predictable. Toradora... you'll find yourself hanging on every episode from the moment it begins till the very last credit has rolled. This is the prime example of how to take a story that you've seen time and time again, drop in some remarkable characters to help tell it's tale, and give it back to the audience in such a manner that you want to watch it even though... you already know what will happen. This is what makes Toradora such a fantastic show. Throughout the series you watch Ryuji and Taiga help each other out in trying to set up dates with thier friends but that is when this series puts a a small thought in the back of your mind that calls out in a feinted voice "You know this is wrong, Taiga needs Ryuji more than she realizes and Ryuji would be a confused mess without having to keep after Taiga." Yet as the series goes on it ignores this and instead presents real world conflicts that arise and are intelligently handled by the cast in a most pleasant and mature manner while that nagging voice persistently calls out to you making you move onto the next episode as you need to... no, you *want* to know what happens between Ryuji and Taiga.

As the series moves on you almost start to feel that you're being teased because even though you want to know how Taiga and Ryuji's relationship stands, other events present themselves having to put that situation on hold. While some may deem this as somewhat annoying, I think it's fantastic because it makes the viewer progress onto the next episode while at the same time fleshing out all the other characters no matter how small their bit-part is.

With great animation, a predictable yet compelling romantic comedic plot, and set to one of anime's most remarkable cast of characters, Toradora should not be missed as their emotions will become your emotions. Watch it and then sit back it in awe as there really is nothing out there that will present itself as unbelievably as Toradora has.

Toradora! (opening)

Recommendation: |Very High|