Story: 5
Well, there isn't a real plot in Toradora actually. It's just a typical high-school slice of life, with its typical chapters and arcs (pool, cultural festival, christmas, valentine's day...), but how the story is greatly developed completely belongs to the characters. This anime is fully about bonds and relationships between the characters, and it wouldn't be fair if I consider this as a plot thing.
Art: 7
Toradora has been animated by J.C Staff studio in 2008, and I can say that is a very good work. The animation flows smoothly and the "fight" scenes are gorgeus. It is well directed and shows everything it wants to show. Nothing wrong with the animation.
Sound: 8
Toradora's soundtrack is quite average: it does not mind, but neither stands out especially. HOWEVER, there is one track. A track called "Lost my Pieces". And oh god, it's absolutely beautiful. This one doesn't sound that much during the series, BUT ALWAYS AT THE RIGHT TIME. How this soundtrack is used brilliantly, besides the OPs (Pre-Parade and Silky Love, Pre-parade especially stands out) and the ED (both very good), is what makes this anime sound good as hell.
Character: 10
Toradora's strongest point. As I said before, this anime is fully about characters and their relationship. All its characters are well characterized and developed. For example, You can think "oh, Taiga is so much tsundere, same shit again". However, Taiga evolves a LOT through the series, you can feel her pain, and Kushieda's too. Kushieda is probably the best character in the series (best doesn't mean favourite xD). She hides a lot of things under her mask and you wanna discover it. Ryuuji is also a good character, with fears and insecurities, one of the few MC you can really trust. Kawashima is a bit underated, but she's the common sense of the series, though is a bitch xD. Even Kitamura is enyoyable, while anyone look to him.
The relationships between them are complicated and deep, and toradora manages them perfectly. it's an ode to well-constructed characters.
Enjoyment: 9
I first watched this anime in one day, that says everithing. Surely it has its flaws, like ignoring the obvious, delay the plot, some deus ex machina scenes, or how sometimes male characters are not aware of anything, besides being not funny at all. But you can go through with any problems, even if you are not a romance fan, like me.
Overall: 8
Toradora is is a tender and pleasant anime. It's the difference between liking someone and to love someone, and is credible and natural, no need to preach that love is the force that moves the universe.
"Should I watch this anime?" Well, as I said, yes. Go now.
If you liked Toradora, take a look to:
-Clannad, and especially Clannad: After Story, romance is better in Toradora but Clannad is funnier and more dramatic.
