Toradora is a romantic comedy drama series. The story centres round Taiga Aisaka and Ryūji Takasu as they pursue their love interests, which just happen to be each others best friend. Ryūji helps look after Taiga, taking on the role of her absent father. Throughout the series he tries to tame the Palmtop Tiger(Taiga's nickname) whilst attempting to set her up with his best friend Yūsaku Kitamura. Taiga tries to help Ryūji overcome his shyness to Minori Kushieda. She initially treats Ryūji like her 'dog' and constantly demands he obey her. But as the series continues she begins to rely as Ryūji as both a fatherly figure and a friend. The series tells a very refreshing tale that true love is always closer than you think. I loved the art style, it was simplistic and bright but didn't come across as generic as most of the art styles that make up this highly popular genre. The 4 Opening and Endings where top notch too however I must say the second opening didn't pull me in as well as the previous one. The characters are a stand out. It has quite a small cast for this genre of anime. But it soon proves you don't always need a huge cast *Lucky Star, cough*. The main protagonists are so different in contrast other rom/com anime but they manage to pull it off in a remarkably, refreshing fashion. They are very well developed and you will(unless you're dead inside) get very attached to them. Taiga is one of the strongest female leads in an anime. She can have you in tears of joy and laughter but she can drag you into tears of sadness and pity in the blink of an eye. There is one scene in particular had me in a 'awww she's so cute,' mood but i suddenly felt so sad and sorry for her very quickly. Ryuji like Taiga is very well developed. He is a very caring and gentle character. As the main lead he is very good but does lack a but of personality. But the relationship he maintains throughout the series to both Taiga and his often tipsy single mom Yasuko Takasu, as the role of the father is a emotional and often heartbreaking one. This is by far the strongest aspect of the series. The love interests Kitamura and Minori are very likeable too. Kitamura is a strong and selfless character. He suffers from Ryuji's case of a slight lack of personality but he plays the role of the popular classmate well. Minori is far stronger as a side character. She is an extremely deep and complex character and it will take you right up until the end to fully understand her true feelings and personality. She is the highest point of comedy and WTF? moments in the series but pulls it off brilliantly without coming off cheesy and lame. Ami Kawashima is the fifth and final main character. She is a model and a childhood friend of Kitamura. She initially appears to fit the spoilt, man eating tag well. But as the story progresses, much like the rest of the cast her personality evens out and she becomes much more likeable and down to earth. And this is what the series nails completely: CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Bleach and Naruto need to take note on this extremely well developed small cast of characters. The story was at the outset easy to predict but it begins to throw you off course and builds to the point where you are so caught up in it you won't realise it's over until it's over. That for me was my smallest complaint. The final arc seems to stumble under the enormous emotional build-up. It pulls it off very well but it felt a tiny bit rushed. However I loved the ending, one of the most satisfying anime endings you will ever find.
VERDICT
Probably the best romantic comedy anime I have ever seen. Great characters, great story. The emotional depth and build-up is of the highest order. Just a fabulous anime. I foolishly dropped round episode 3. BUT STICK WITH IT!!!! Around episode 6 you'll be pulled into the dramatic story. So please watch it and enjoy the well crafted plot and wonderful cast of interesting characters.
