Let me state it from the beginning. Toradora! can easily be a 10 for everyone. Tho it had so many mistakes. I will mention them through my review.
Well lets start from the sounds. Toradora! has 2 Op and 2 Ed plus some classic and really heart warming OSTs. The OPs are just magnificent. Telling a story,while perfectly depicting the show and how it will evolve.The EDs have a more dramatic and inside meaning for the characters. Also there is some symbolism in them which is interesting considering its a Com-Rom.Overall, a splendid job and i could say that he sounds were 9/10.
Continuing with the story and plot. Well its A School Setting SoL Com-Rom. It's story is as simple. You just follow the to their life's and see their story. Tho its realistic enough to present that "No school life is as simple or as normal as anybody wants and believes".The show deliver some valuable messages and you can say its a "Comedic Romance" more that a SoL. This show is fast paced,can easily make you smile and knows how to set the mood. Also, its comedy its innovative and hilarious.This means that as long as you get absorbed its guaranteed that you laugh to your hearts content. Also I can say its pretty embarrassing at times , have great ironic moments and lastly you will facepalm a lot !! ( Not in a bad mean)Being realistic the show admirably depicts that life isn't as carefree as we think it is.Life is brutal and full boulders you will need to bypass in order to achieve temporary happiness and running away isn't an option. While you live in your serene world you are unaware that other might be suffering and facing harsh situations. Such is the Message of Toradora!
Continuing with the characters which are in their last year at high school. Meaning they will soon achieve Adulthood. The character realistic each of them with their own personality and traits. But each of them had his own problems and hardship. Featuring almost perfectly how they will react in depending on a situation and what are their weak points. All throughout thought and mildly explained.But i can tell you their hormones and puberty can be something completely bad.(will refer to it in the weakness section)
Last but not least, the art. Featuring even the slightest of details.Exhaustion?Injuries?Everything is there! Covering everything with realism and beauty! Always in complete synchronization with the mood. I mean if it was comedic and happy it would support its moe,cute or comedic faces, depending on the situation ofc the opposite can happen! It would depict that people can easily get hurt and that injuries doesn't disappear in a matter of hours. (WELL PLAYED over here, Finally something a SoL should show!)It also had its moments of symbolism which is something praise worthy.Also it contained very detailed eyes design. I call that particular design "Dramatical Eyes". The eyes are big and while they have a color its pupils were black. The main idea of that particular eye design style is to perfectly feature and transmit emotions. Similar shows with that eye design is School Days and a 50% of the show that want to achieve deep emotional impact on the viewer... (sorry nothing else comes to mind and im not gonna go searching for it)
--------------------------------------Personal opinion and weaknesses----------------------------------------
Although all the good points the show sadly had enough faults and weaknesses. First and foremost, the show was unbelievably predictable and "plot" convenient.Even if you get absorbed there is no chance that it will surprise you and that's something lacking considering it tries really hard to surprise the viewer.Additionally, the main romance going on is foreshadowed almost in every episode.While seeing this one expects the BEST EXCUSES why it went that way. How those feelings were bigger and greater than some others! But the excuses weren't the best... Just simple and convenient ones...Also,"Plot" convenient, i refer to how the author lacked the idea's of presenting a complicated Love triangle or presenting the Character emotions and how it will genuinely make them being realized by another party ! (something like a confession, or realization via small details)Sadly, it used convenient plot devices in order to make his plot move forward which were way too cheap and like the "Oldschool" trick in the book of every casual Com-Rom.The motives why they fall in love and with whom are quiet weird and not well explained.(but at least there is a small excuse, barely believable tho) The writing started good. THEN IT BECAME A WRECKAGE!Just search for its logic behind the decisions! Their motive behind some actions of the characters are non existent or even if they exist it doesn't make sense. IT was a pure impulse?? Every time? in other words bad writing was noticable and combine it with how predictable this show is, frustration is an emotion one easily awake here and not in a good mean. Also, at some point after we are aware of our MC and its problems the show slowly drifts away from that and starting to enter a side story, something like fillers, which will further explain some other characters and their problems. Well it will all contribute in towards the climax but still its was in order to explain something we already knew. Like repeating the same story twice. Like calling you a narrow minded. W/e. There were side story "fillers". There was 1~2 pretentious scenes. (its a minor problem but still felt like mentioning it)
Lastly, can you count as the non realistic way of characters thoughts and actions as plot holes?
Well i can. SOoo. . . there were Plot holes!! No to mention, how some characters just didn't develop or show signs of developing until something critical fell upon them. (Combine it with plot convenient devices as the "mean" of the critical situation it was just frustrating all over again)
Overall, I would describe it as an emotional train wreckage. Meaning it had great deal of emotions but it sacrificed objectivity in order to achieve and deliver them. But those emotions... Damn they were delivered and the show message was in a high level. I would recommend it in any Com-rom fan. Just jump in. You cannot disliked it. High success comes at high risk i guess.
Reasons to watch this:
-Top Anime show and especially Romance wise. It was a "Complete" Romance! (っ˘ڡ˘ς)
-Really good if you are around 16~20 years old.
-Relaxing and heartwarming. Will offer you more than a smile. Also,highly potential it will wreck you! I mean it will make you overflow with happiness and a complete feeling.
-A must watch. Also Beginner friendly.
