Alternative TitlesSynonyms: Tiger X Dragon Japanese: とらドラ!
Information
Type: TV
Episodes: 25
Status: Finished Airing
Aired: Oct 1, 2008 to Mar 25, 2009
Duration:
24 min. per episode Rating:
PG-13 - Teens 13 or older
L represents licensing company
StatisticsScore: 8.551 (scored by 33078 users)
Ranked: #562
Popularity: #27
Members: 50,837
Favorites: 3,056 1 indicates a weighted score
My Info
Popular Tags
No tags found |
SynopsisIt’s a new school year and Ryuuji Takasu discovers not only is he in the same class as his best friend, Yusaku Kitamura, but also Minori Kukshieda whom he's had an undisclosed crush on for quite some time. Along with Kitamura and Minori is Minori's best friend, the “Palmtop Tiger”, tiny Taiga Aisaka whom, despite her small stature, takes nothing from nobody. (When unflattering pictures of her in a bathing suit were circulated, “Of course, I made it rain blood in the photography club.”) Taiga is secretly in love with Kitamura and she and Ryuuji, despite an oil and water relationship, agree to mutually support each other in their quests for their heart’s desire. |
Related AnimeAdaptation: Toradora!, Toradora!, Toradora Spin-off! Side story: Toradora SOS!
Characters & Voice Actors
Staff
Reviews
|
|
tehnominator
269 of 353 people found this review helpful
|
25 of 25 episodes seen
|
| Overall |
9 |
| Story |
9 |
| Animation |
8 |
| Sound |
8 |
| Character |
9 |
| Enjoyment |
9 |
Toradora! is a wonderfully fresh comedy-romance about two unique people finding an unlikely relationship with one another.
There's a simple storyline: I like your best friend, you like my best friend--hey, why don't we work together and help one another out?? Takasu Ryuuji has a crush on the best friend of Aisaka Taiga. Coincidentally, Taiga has a crush on Ryuuji's best friend. Being two of the most misunderstood people on campus, and having certain related romantic goals, they decide to help one another out.
So the story turns into what is one of the most hilarious, interesting, and involving tales of matchmaking by two of the most unqualified people in anime. Sure, the content for the story is not the most original. Even in Shakespearean times, stories of matchmakers end rather predictably. The difference with Toradora! is that perhaps the destination is known but it took a very different route to get there. And as the story continues to play out, it actually manages to surprise us by ending up somewhere that we did not plan for, but is infinitely so much better.
Each action in this anime is handled well; significant things happen during the most inane of moments only to come back a few episodes later to surprise us. The plotting of Toradora! is linear, but it dishes out details so carefully that by the end of an episode, you're left wondering what has just happened and what it means for the next episode, the next few episodes and for the anime in its entirety. The only downfall is again, the mentioned predictability. If you can come up with at least three different scenarios while watching this anime, there's a chance that at least one of those will actually happen. For purely enjoyment's sake, the storyline is actually rather amazing.
Toradora! has a simple art style. The clean character art lacks detail. The use of colour is actually rather commendable, as it has a robust colouring. The character design is very good, although perhaps at points, some characters' eyes may be too large for them for their own good. The animated sequences however are rather excellent. There is great use of the animation for the intense facial features the characters express during emotional scenes; it shows us best that when we're angry or sad, we don't exactly look the prettiest.
Sound for the anime is not exactly the most memorable aspect. The background music suited the energy of the anime. There are some poppy, catchy OP and ED theme songs, sung by the seiyuu themselves. The voice acting for this anime is pretty tight, and each character certainly gives their seiyuu a run for their money, evoking almost every sort of emotion imaginable without once sounding contrived, forced or uninvolved in their roles.
This was what interested me the most about this anime--the characters. Certainly the protagonist Ryuuji is one of the more unusual I have ever met. Unusual in the sense that he's really just a nice guy. Unfortunately, despite being a gentle, caring and easy-going person, everyone around Takasu thinks he's a ruffian bad boy because of his appearance. He has his quirks that make him endearing, such as his penchant to be a neat freak and his ability to manage a home like a housewife could. Ryuuji's one downfall seems to be his inability to take action in his life, to take charge of anything, though throughout the course of the anime, he very slowly learns that despite thinking he's a grown up (living with an excitable, slightly immature, very young mother made him assume the role of the "adult" in the house), he still needs to grow up.
Then there's Taiga, the series' second protagonist, a pint-sized tsundere with a mouth and mind that's as devious as her punch (and trust me... it's pretty devious). Taiga spends most of the anime being an irrational hothead, getting into scrapes and fights to stand up for her beliefs. On the flip side, she is rather incompetent when it comes to her emotions, becoming an insecure mess whenever she realises that she cannot solve a problem by pushing it away from her.
Alongside two interesting protagonists, Toradora! has an amazing supporting cast.
Kushieda Minori or Minorin, is Taiga's best friend and Ryuuji's love interest for the most part. While she comes across initially as a cheerful, carefree airhead, Kushieda manages to surprise both the audience and other characters by being a lot deeper emotionally than her eccentric behaviour allows us to think. Like most of the characters, who are young, confused and are bursting with feeling, Kushieda surprisingly is the type of person who withdraws within herself, keeping a distance from her problems. Though, as she learns throughout the anime, running away and stepping back might actually be more of a selfish thing to do than selfless. And selfless she is, as everything she does is to make other people, especially Taiga, happy. Minori is possibly the most complicated character out of the lot and is the toughest one to understand; you are left at points wondering exactly WHO her affections are directed at, and who it is motivates her and stirs the cockles of her heart. You are left to wonder if perhaps Taiga means something else to her.
Ami provides some rival-based humour to the anime, being a contending force against Taiga's sovereignty in the school. But she's not just the snarky, bitchy antagonist; Ami is probably the smartest, most perceptive character in the entire cast. Not simply because she's sly that allows Ami to be so adept to people's behaviour or feelings, but because of her cleverness and level of maturity, she has a deep understanding everyone's motives before they even have a clue about it themselves.
And then there's Kitamura, who is Taiga's love interest for the most part, as well as Ryuuji's best friend. Kitamura is rather zany, but is probably the most dependable character of the anime. His reliability makes him a source of emotional and logical strength for the other characters, however, as any teenager may be, he is just as flawed and has his weaknesses as anyone else.
Toradora! has numerous strengths, which makes its weaknesses all the more noticeable, however, the magnificent aspects of this anime overshadow any of its flaws. In the end, it remains simply as one of the most enjoyable, fun, emotionally involving stories about the lives of these high schooled kids on their way to being adults. And that way is certainly laden with confusion, humour and bittersweet pain. But that's how it is to be a teenager. The anime does not play out the way we think it will, and when it does, it still manages to add a twist here and there to keep a viewer on their toes.
With a twist on an old story, amazingly absorbing characters, and lots of humour, drama and romance thrown in, Toradora! manages to be a great addition to the anime world, having one of the most different conclusions than other anime of its type would ever have.
Toradora! is a great anime that should not be passed up. Taiga and Ryuuji are two people you will definitely become attached to. And who doesn't want to see the only two beasts who can compare to one another, a tiger and a dragon, try to figure out their lives? read more
|
|
Radeon
22 of 34 people found this review helpful
|
25 of 25 episodes seen
|
| Overall |
10 |
| Story |
7 |
| Animation |
9 |
| Sound |
9 |
| Character |
10 |
| Enjoyment |
10 |
Toradora!= Another normal romance/drama anime involving high school...We had many anime of this kind. In fact, these type of anime are very common nowadays. I had watched this type many times, but mostly ended up so wrongly.
But this time, Toradora! is done the right way. Yup, I ended up loving this "normal" anime. Story involves two high-schoolers, a normal guy, and a short girl....Now where have I heard that from? Many anime had this kind of story. Yup, It kinda gives me feelings of Deja Vu-ness. This time its done the way I like it. On to the review....
Story- Involves a ordinary guy named Ryuuji Takasu and a short and short-tempered girl named Aisaka Taiga. This reminds of Saito and Louise from the Zero no Tsukaima series. Where the protagonist always gets beaten up by the girl, yeah those type. And more strangely, most of these short anime girls are always so strong or feared by many..thats Taiga a.k.a Palmtop Tiger. While Ryuuji only looks scary, but in reality, he's pretty harmless. OK~ enough of that...Why only a 7 for the story? Its pretty common..and its very predictable. I knew Ryuuji would end up with Taiga even just by looking at the cover art without watching the anime!. So obvious, so predictable, which makes it a bit boring. This flaw is common in many romance/drama anime, but its quite annoying. Story have a very good pace but it took quite a while for both of the hero and heroine to fall in love. Yup, they fell in love...but it took so long! But that's a good thing right? haahha- well~ those are the flaws I found here. Story= 7 out of 10.
Art- Graphics are rather unusual but very good..which I would say, Graphics are unique, that's for sure. Good graphics should receive a good score!
Art= 9 out of 10.
Sound- The anime had 2 OP and 2 ED...1st OP was...strange. Same goes for the 1st ED. But the 2nd? Both the 2nd OP and ED are both awesome~. The 2nd OP tells Ryuuji and Taiga's "love" arc is going to start. Don't get any wrong ideas. XD
Sound= 9 out of 10.
Character- All characters are uniquely made...Yup, especially Taiga and Minori. Minori had a very funny attitude which I loved. Awesome characters, awesome score.
Character= 10 out of 10.
Enjoyment- I enjoyed every single episode there was, some were very memorable but few are forgettable. I personally, enjoyed every minute of the anime which included comedy, parodies, romance, and some parts were very sad. Sad, but not as sad as Ef- Tale of memories. Toradora! can make you have "watery eyes", but Ef probably can make you cry. Beyond Awesome enjoyment.
Enjoyment= 10 out of 10.
Overall= Toradora! is not really recommended for everyone to watch, but Its highly recommended for fans of Romance/drama/comedy anime with a bit of sadness. If you bought it, its worth every penny. Anyone looking for some romance, then this could be your answer to that question. If you watch it online, its worth every minute and if you downloaded it, its worth every bits of data.
OVERALL= 10 out of 10. Really loved it. read more
Recommendations
|
|
Both involve two both (of the opposite sex) that don't get along at first and try to set each other up with friends but end up falling for each other
Both in Toradora! And Lovely Complex the male protagonist likes the female protagonist's friend. Comedy is similar, in some ways.
Are both Romantic, Slice-of-life school anime which share similar aspects in the dynamics between the main male and female characters. Storyboard seems to follow the same formula.
From episode one it was easy to tell who SHOULD REALLY be going out, even though they both try to go for other boyfriend/girlfriends (in each show), also making me having to cover my mouth in laughter so I wont wake up people and just about falling over from the hilariousness (is that even a word?) of it.
Both have a guy and a girl working together to get together with another guy and girl.
Both of these animes have a guy and girl that initially hang around each other because of ulterior motives, but while doing so they slowly start to gain feelings for each other. Also both are romantic comedies that are in a school setting.
Toradora and Lovely Complex both share similar a plotline in general: For some reason the two main characters come to agreeing on helping each other out trying to find their love , but as the story progresses the two characters instead fall in love between themselves (though we don't know what will happen in Toradora yet.. :P)
And also not to leave out that both shows are very entertaining, hilarious shows.
Both are great school romance animes with nice art and characters.
Those who like Toradora, will definatly find Lovely Complex as intersting, if not even more. Lovely Complex, like Toradora, has a misleading image at the start, but the same deep charater development in the middle. The plotline drives the watcher mad and leaving him wanting for more. The animation is top of the class, there is a wide range of many, interesting, and deeply developed charaters, and excellent voice acting.
Both of the female protagonist are really bossy. It's easy for the viewer to tell, as well as the two protagonist friends that the to mains characters should be going out. The comedy in both of these is similar. The only difference in comedy is from some of the dialect from Lovely complex since it's all from Osaka.
Both series are romantic comedies about two people who have problems with love. Also they are dealing with similar complexes. In Toradora they are misunderstood for their looks and in Lovley Complex there are problems around their heights.
Also the humour and atmosphere are like each other. Funny, liively and energetic with a little drama ^^
Both are great romantic comedies.
The main couple are very similar, as is the overall feel of the show. Lovely Complex focuses a bit more on comedy though (a very unique kind) and the romance happens much earlier on in the series.
Both are a in a School Setting, both are great comedies and both give a suitable amount of drama.
A storyline which revolves around a similar idea: girl and boy who have a strange relationship try to help each other find love, but end up with each other.
Both Lovely Complex and Toradora involve a girl and boy who act harshly to each other but then end up becoming friends and helping each other try to get together with their love interests. Eventually, the main characters began to develop romantic feelings for each other...
I adore both of these series'. <3
So called "Slice of life". Both are good romantic stories with a good humor.
Series are similar in terms of plot. In addition, both series are full of humor and fun characters. Typical anime for girls.
The main characters are both trying to set each other up with one of their friends, working together. You can tell how it ends.
Main characters are helping each other getting together with their love interests, they become friends and in the end fall in love, both are crazy comedies (but LovCom much more)
How are they not alike?
1. LOTS of comedy & romance
2. the main girl and guy characters are always fueding
3. the main characters try to set eachother up with someone else in the beginning until.. :)
4. the development of the characters are similar
5. if you loved one youll definately love the each other!
:))
Lovely complex focuses on complexes between the two and mainly on the two main charcters' long road to love, while Toradora is more heartwarming and deeper stuff as they try to help each other to get in love with their respective targets whom they liked.
Lovely complex is a lighter version of Toradora imo, and lovely complex has more comedy and less deep moments than Toradora.
The later 1x - 25 episodes of Toradora seems more similar to Kanon 2006 though, because of the complicated relationships involved.
It showcases the struggles of ones image, and overcoming the stereotypes. They both show that love really does come in all ways, shapes, forms and sizes and when you're not looking for it, it'll sneak up behind you.
both animes are heartwarming and makes you sympathetic towards the characters--even the unlikely ones--at times.
|
|
|
These two anime are completely different in plot but in characters you can definitely see a similarity... The main characters Ryuji and Taiga have a very interesting relationship.. one of a master and her dog (like Louise and Saito)...
In both anime the characters share a close relationship in which the chibi fearsome female dominates the male...very interesting to watch..
(both females have the same voice actor as well..)
Taiga is Louise (Or Shana, if you will) with a different hair color. While I have only seen the first episode of Toradora so far, I suspect the plot will develop similarly.
Taiga is almost exactly like Louise in just about every way. They both treat the main Male protagonist the same way. Only, it seems so far, Taiga is not in love with Ryuuji. Of course, it is possible that she is, but only seeing 2 episodes into to this, its highly unlikely.
both has romance and both the girl who treat the guy like a dog
If you like what funny and a bit of romance, then this is the right one.
Basically, Toradora is Zero no Tsukaima but traditional Japanese school anime style. Same voice actor for protagonist, pretty much same plot. However Toradora is a lot less ecchi based than Zero.
The realationship between the two main leads are very similar. A somewhat spoiled and bad tempered female and a really nice guy who is often abused by her. Although ZnT is in another world and fantasy, the main story and atmosphere are like each other.
Both have the characteristic master-slave sort of relationship. Taiga and Louise are also voiced by the same seiyuu (Japanese voice actor) so you may notice a similarity in the way that they talk. Ryuuji and Saito are also pretty similar because they are accepting of the position that they are put into. The way the relationship develops between the main characters also hold importance as each of the series progresses.
Zero is a fantasy setting where as Toradora is based in more of a real life setting. The romance progresses more quickly in Zero as well. Apart from those differences they are near carbon copies. If you like one you will almost certainly like the other.
They are both about two totally different persons that for some reason have to live together, the female character is almost the same, voilent and rude with few friends, but really just wanting to have some that care for them, they even look the same and it is the same actress that have the voice. Zero no Tsukaima is a little more perverted and harem like, still they are both great love stories with characters that develop during the show.
They are both funny, but in general it'ss about girls in love with some guys they mistreat.
Characters and love story
Tsundere loli with the same voice and complex. Beautiful harem, but in Toradora they have smaller breasts ;P
All the characters are funny, the heroin is a little... strong XD (she have the voice of Louise) and it's romantic... ^^
both the main girl chars have the same seiyu, and are both of the tsundere type... ok, there're so many others similarities... even the main girls look similar!! (just with different colour hair!)...
difference is that toradora is set in the real world and zero no tsukaima's set in another world (one with none other than... care to take a guess? ... MAGIC!...).
Louise and Taiga don't just share the same voice actor, which wasn't chosen without reason. The voice suits their enthusiasm and powerful character. Both girls treat they (boy) pal as servants and play with them, as if they were dogs. But in both animes, the relationship starts to grow and the girl realizes that she starts to get to like her servant. Though Zero no Tsukaima has got more "ecchi" in it - but not in a extreme art - , and deal with two total different siuations (and in Toradora the boy is more likeable) they both run out the same :)
Not only are they made by the same people but if you were to watch one of these and then the other, you would swear that it's the same character but with different hair color. Taiga = Luise
Both are romances and comedies, main characters' seiyuu is the same, and aparition is similar, too.
Heroine very similar(and actual same voice actor)
Louise = Taiga (chibi tsundere dominating occasionally violent female, similar clothes, same voice actor, calls male lead 'dog', etc.)
Oh, and Saito = Ryuuji of course.
The main female characters of the anime Louise (Zero no Tsukaima) and Taiga (Toradora!) are voiced by the same person, Kugimiya Rie. Of course, they are both long-haired tsundere who often physically hurt the male characters with whom they are close to and eventually fall in love with.
|
Opening Theme#01: "Pre-Parade (プレパレード)" by Rie Kugimiya, Eri Kitamura, and Yui Horie (eps 1-16) #02: "silky heart" by Yui Horie (eps 17-24)
Ending Theme#01: "Vanilla Salt (バニラソルト)" by Yui Horie (eps 1-16) #02: "Orange (オレンジ)" by Rie Kugimiya, Eri Kitamura and Yui Horie (eps 17-18, 20-25) #03: "Holy Night (ホーリーナイト)" by Rie Kugimiya, and Eri Kitamura (ep 19)
Fansubbing Groups
Which fansubbers do you like the best? Click + to approve of their subs for this show. Click - if you don't think they did such a great job.
Related ClubsAnime24 Forum users club :3, toradora fanatic club, AnimeWorld, romance club, ~OTAKU 4 LIFE~, Ryuuji Takasu, The Four Tsundere Wonders, toradoraXthe_melancholy_of_haruhi_suzumiya, Short Hair Fanclub, We love Winter and Snow in Anime, The Romantic Manga, Anime and Drama Club, Feito-chan's World, The Anti-Moe Club, High School Anime Fans, Great Romance, MAL anonymous, Mole=Moe, Anime Couple Fanclub (A.C.F), Tsundere Club, harem V.S reverse haremArab Otaku, The Ryuuji x Minori Club, The feeling of warmth in your heart, ♥~ My Pocky Obsession ~♥, Hurt & Heal, SawlSeki's Fanclub ♥ , Ami x Ryuuji, Kage Clan, ✰ Kawaii Otaku Clan ✰, Anime Courtyard, Hime-sama fanclub, Drama CD Club!, PSP - PlayStation Portable Club, Claim a Tsundere, Anime-tion, ♥, [_Comical Corner_], ~ Ecchi 4ever ~, Claim, Claim and Claims!, ☆→Aηเмε Hσттz←☆, Students in Anime and Manga, **J.C. Staff FC**, Anime Weekend Marathons, Zaremfication, Club Insomnia, JACS at LSU, Slice of Anime Life, Mikitea's Fanclub!, Ticklish Characters Are Moe Club, Hime and Viper's Palace, Untitled Club, love twilight! hate the publicity!, Harem Club, Sakura421 and her friends, Ecchi Squad, We love ToraDora!, Unrequited Love Club , +_aN!mE_L0vErS_+, The Anti-Minori Kushieda FC., Aisaka Taiga Fanclub, noushi, `Anime Music Downloader`, School Life Anime Club, Horie Yui Fanclub, Rome's for love and polygamy, Overrated Animé Club, Good Graphics/animation club, Character Song club ^^, Romance Anime/Manga Fanatics, Awesome Moving Pictures~Short For Anime~, MAL Anime Academy, The Muddykipz Fanclub, Breeze Army Fanclub, My Favorite Anime Club, Kushieda Minori Fanclub, We Luv Anime Guys, Claim a School Delinquent, MAL Theme Club, Hetero Pairings, SealkidBrigade-Panic, MALs Comedy Club, Tv5, Tomboy/ Feminist Anime Girls Club, Secret Club, Anime/Manga Mix, Sumire Kanou Fanclub, Taiga Aisaka Fan Club, Tina-chan Land!, Rights for men alliance, Ryuuji X Taiga Club, ~Rie Tanaka Fan club~, Animania, Knee-sock Fanclub, Hug a Pinky! A Pinkylicious day everyday!, Anime Romance FanClub, The Kugimiya Rie Club, Red Sky, Kawashima Ami Fanclub, School Anime Club, Romance Lovers, !~~tsubasalover's Friendships~~!, Toragon's Fan Club, Anime Daisuki... Doushite!, The Cross of Venus Club, CHS Anime Club, ♥Cute Anime Lovers♥, Anti-Tsundere Alliance, Toradora! Official Fanclub!, [S.C] School Claiming., Anime Experience, Anime MILFs & Mature Women Fan Club, Animetr, ·•●}Ж{﹏Sweetest Scene﹏}Ж{●•· see all
Recently Watched By|
3 minutes ago |
9 minutes ago |
26 seconds ago |
11 minutes ago |
14 minutes ago | |
19 minutes ago |
41 minutes ago |
48 minutes ago |
52 minutes ago |
1 hour ago |
|
|