![]()
This is, and mostly likely always will be my favorite tv series/movie of all time (basically just my favorite thing that I've ever watched). At first I was skeptical, I've never liked romance stories and in this one you already know from the first episode what the ending will be, even if watching KorewaEden didn't spoil some of the episodes for me. But this is one of the best written shows that I have watched, and I plan on buying the manga and light novels once it is complete. Throughout the series not only do you get to see some of the most realistic/relatable character development for the 2 main characters, but you get to see every student in class 2-C mature in their own way, leaving me loving every character and making the final class photo all the more heartbreaking. At first you see Taiga Aisaka as a stereotypical small but mean girl, and Ryuuji Takasu as a cliche "looks mean but is really just a nice guy". But immediately after introducing the characters, they show the other side of them, with Taiga being a shy klutz and Ryuuji being at a level of maturity and house-wifeness that no highschooler could ever achieve. It introduces the other main characters in a way that not only shows what their role in the series is, but also shows their character and what their strengths/weaknesses are, letting them slowly overcome them throughout the show. The art is fantastic, showing great attention to detail and staying very consistent, which is only assisted by the great voice acting/sound (I would highly recommend sub over dub, I've watched the series in both formats, and I was honestly pretty bored while watching the dub, and didn't like how any of the characters sounded), with Lost My Pieces being my new favorite song in anime. I am very strict on what an anime has to achieve to be a 10, it not only has to reach my emotionally, making me come to a point of tears at some parts while smiling/laughing at others, but I believe that a truly good anime can also change your outlook on life, no matter how minor it may be. This anime not only has the best character development that I've ever seen that leaves you liking every character in the series, but it also teaches multiple extremely valuable lessons. I've re-watched Toradora! multiple times now, and I can still get a lump in my throat, goosebumps, and a stupid smile throughout the series, which very few things can do on their first watch. I would highly recommend watching this series, even if you don't like romance, even if you don't like anime, this is one of the best written shows out there right now, that will leave you wanting a second season, as many people do.
Quick Spoiler, so don't read unless you've already watched the show.
Speaking of ending, I've seen many complaints about a bland ending and it seeming rushed, but in my opinion, they ended it that way for a reason. Taiga left to go live with her mother, Ryuuji didn't come along out of respect for Taiga, and a mutual understanding. I would've loved to see her work it out with her parents, and would've been even more happy to see them get married and progress through life, but if it did that, then it would've just been another romance anime. They did that to not only reinforce all of the lessons taught in this series, but to permanently engrave this series into out minds. I can guarantee you that if they had not ended it at that point, then I wouldn't be able to write the review that I am today, because even weeks after I originally watched it, and finishing multiple other shows, I can still lie in bed and think about Toradora. I installed an emulator and Toradora Portable just to get its ending, but never played it, not because I don't want an ending, but because I still got to see a happy ending, and anything more than that would have potentially ruined the series. It is like the phrase goes, all good things must come to an end.
