Most slice-of-life high-school comedies I have seen so far were only comedies and were really light on the plot and lacked sustenance. The one thing I really liked about Toradora! is that it did have a solid plot and good character development. More accurately put, Toradora! is a high-school comedy romance that involves two characters who develop and unlikely relationship to pursue their romantic interests. Ryuuji and Taiga first encounter each other in the most unusual (if not hilarious) circumstances and both create an alliance to help each other get with the others' romantic interest (which is coincidentally enough their best friends). As the series develops the two undoubtedly develop revelations that they were never aware of before. Facing inner demons of the past or battling with ambivalent feelings in the present, the two go through an adventure that all of us can relate to in one way or another.
The one aspect of high school attraction is that it's puppy love, most of the time we're just attracted to them for no reason at all. Most of us like someone during high school on a whim, despite the fact one person likes another, the two people could be in completely different worlds and have nothing in common. I know when I liked someone it wasn't because of their looks or their personality, I just liked them. Toradora! shows this characteristic through both Taiga and Ryuuji. Both protagonists like a certain someone not necessarily because deep personality or similarities with interests, but because of the raging hormones that cause random attraction. However, as the story progresses the two begin to realize there is more to actual love than simple attraction.
In short the series was excellent, it kept the laughs and could evoke some tears, but it was sweet all the way through.
Now for the review:
Story (8): Since this is my first romantic comedy, my impression of the series was highly positive, mainly because I'm used to watching plotless high-school series that just induce random laughs. The story itself was well executed. There were outcomes that were extremely predictable. Yet, within those outcomes were surprises I would have never expected. They story was cute and very fun to watch. Lots of heartwarming scenes as well as sad scenes that really could make a few people cry.
Art (7): Simple, clean, and vigorous. Toradora! has enough detail to attract possible viewers with just aesthetics, but the art is simple enough so that certain emotions and feelings could be exaggerated throughout the series. The colors are bright and keep you awake throughout the series.
Sound (7): The OP and ED of the first half is upbeat and positive to emphasize the comedy part of Toradora! The BGM for those parts were good and served to aid in the overall delivery of the laughs attributed to the comedy scenes. However, what really impressed my is the more deep BGM's that really set the mood for the more serious scenes of Toradora! On top of this is the change in the OP and ED during the second half of the series. Although the songs are upbeat, they contrast to the first two songs used in that the second half OP & ED were slower and clean and had more meaning to the lyrics. I have high praise for the music as well as the seiyuu's who really did a great job in their roles. Taiga's cute, "dere" voice was so adorable in contrast to her sarcastic and angry one! Props to Rie on a job well done.
Character (9): The character development within the series was something predictable, yet I always like to see the development because sometimes I'm able to learn a thing or two by watching the characters develop and face problems that I might have. I was able to relate to the characters so much in terms of relationships, yet I must say that the impulsiveness that comes out of those relationships is apparent, and strike a sense of unrealistic setting since most things don't work out the way we want them to. I liked the characters. From the scary-faced, yet kind-hearted Ryuuji, to the fiesty, yet sensitive Taiga. One character that I really liked was Ami. She was almost like a self-aware foil to all the characters. Ami picks up on even the slightest details which reveal something about another character that that character doesn't even realize. I think the creator of Toradora! was a genius for putting Ami in because it gave us an "adult" perspective of what was going on in the story when there was no proper "adult" in the story who knew the other characters intimately well. Ami reminds me of my parents, who are able to pick up on certain actions and speech patterns I have that give away something I don't even realize. Yet, they do actively help me in the background rather than simply hinting at the issue like Ami does. Ah, I'm getting off topic! Simply put, I loved that cast of Toradora!
Enjoyment (8): Not much more to say about enjoyment. Characters are well developed and their interactions are fairly human. The music and seiyuu's were both very desirable. Art was clean yet simple. The story is just an awesome romantic comedy! If I said anything more I would be a broken record!
Overall (8): Toradora! is a fresh series that any new or veteran anime fan would enjoy. It has an enjoyable plot and a colorful cast that everyone could relate to. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to enjoy themselves in the simple, yet cute story of high school teens and love.
