So, I first started watching this when I first started exploring the "romantic/comedy/drama/slice of life" type genre. I personally consider Toradora a little bit of all the genres I just mentioned. I was definitely not disappointed, but it did have a few things I did not find appealing about this anime, despite me loving this genre.
The story starts off with Ryuji Takasu and Taiga Aisaka. The story unfolds, and as expected, they grow closer and fonder of each other. It really shouldn't be that much of a shock, because the story is set up where they will be together pretty much all the time, and it's even in the title. I'm going to try not to have any spoilers in here. So, the story unfolds and at first it seems like these two are just trying to hook each other up with both of their crushes, Minori and Kitamura, and it seems like just any old romantic comedy, or at least for me it does. The episodes seem pretty fluid, picking up just about right where the other left off.
I loved the humor, although it wasn't "haha" funny. It only made you smile a bit, and brighten your mood. The romance was nice and very romantic, I liked some of the drama, but not all of it.
Then this is where it got a bit rocky. Right in the middle of the series it shifts right into a romance/drama, when before it felt like a romance/comedy/drama. For me, it felt like there was a slight plot hole/character development hole between Episode 18 and Episode 19. At Episode 17 and 18 it felt a little more dramatic than what it usually would be, but suddenly at Episode 19 tons of things started happening that I didn't quite understand why they were happening? Like, why was this character saying these things, and why did this character doing these things?
At one of the later episodes, something big and shocking happens, and it seemed very blunt to me? Like all of a sudden this character is just going to act like this now. The last few episodes just seemed a little rushed to me.
The story is unique, there were some things that shocked me, I can't say what, but the story wasn't that predictable (like events happening, etc.).
I didn't really get the ending, honestly. I just didn't understand why that was the ending. Luckily it was an open ending so anything could happen!
Overall for the story, I give it an 8.
For the art, I give it an 8. I really loved the art style because all of the characters looked really beautiful/handsome, and unique yet simple, but two of the characters (Ami and Minori) looked a little bit cookie-cutterish to me. Ami did not look like a model. She is beautiful, but if she didn't tell us she was a model I would've never thought she was one. I think the art style might've changed slightly sometimes, depending on if it's a romantic scene or a dramatic/sad scene, etc. I think the way the characters were drawn really captured their personalities, and it definitely fit their characters. I think the chibi art style was a little bit excessive, though.
I definitely think the (Japanese) voice actors fit all of the characters fairly well. The English voice actors, not so much. I didn't feel like Taiga's or Ryuji's voices sounded anywhere near as I'd imagine their voices would sound like in English.
I really loved the music, especially the beginning and end songs! The soundtrack was definitely fitting with the story and the scenes. It really set the mood for the scenes (dramatic scenes, romantic scenes, sad scenes, happy scenes, etc.) I'm glad that they changed the opening and ending songs halfway through when the story started getting more dramatic, I think if they used the first opening and ending songs it wouldn't have fit the theme the show was going for, and it wouldn't really set the mood as the second open and ending themes would have. I absolutely love "Pre-Parade", "My Silky Love", and "Vanilla Salt" and I'm going to be listening to those songs in the future.
I love all of the characters, honestly. They all have their own quirks and bad habits, and you can't help but love all of them. Taiga is really tsundere and at first I didn't like that type of character but, for me at least, Taiga really grew on me and she's actually one of my favorite anime characters of all time. Each characters has their flaws, and I personally like that in a character. I'm not really fond of characters being perfect and having everyone like them, so it's nice to see characters with small flaws and quirks. I could only kind of relate to Taiga, but other than her I didn't really "connect" to any characters in a personal level, like I never once thought that I could truly relate to most of the characters. But that's not really an issue for me, but like I said, I could only relate to Taiga on the way she handles situations and how she acts. I give the characters a 9!
I very much enjoyed this anime, and I will be rewatching it yet again! If you like romantic/comedy/dramas, you'll love this anime! I think it might be good for someone who has been into anime for a little while, and I think, depending on the person, it just might be good for a newcomer! I don't know if someone who doesn't know anything about anime would like it, as I cannot speak for all of them, but maybe people like that might like this anime?
I think this anime was very memorable and even though it has a few flaws in my opinion it is still a very good anime and I can't wait to rewatch it again! It's definitely one of my favorite animes. I scored it overall a 9. You should definitely check out Toradora if you haven't already, because it's a really amazing anime in my opinion and even if you don't connect or relate to the characters or experiences you will still enjoy this anime and pretty much all of the characters!
