Taiga is a rough and tuff girl who wont take and crap from anybody, she is however small so this being the fact she is called the palmtop tiger, it is also later shown that her agressiveness is due to a rough childhood.
Ryuuji on the other hand is quite a soft, though everyone is afraid of him because he resembles his dad (who I think he was supposed to be like a realy bag guy, they didn't go much in depth in that area) he is very nice, and unlike Taiga is actually kind of a pushover. Anyway back to what i was saying
Taiga is caught by Ryuuji trying to put a love letter to kitamura in his bag, but ends up putting it in Ryuuji's bag. Ryuuji finds it and is tempted to read it, but he resists. Then Taiga rages in and attacks Ryuuji with a wooden sword. Once things have calmed down Ryuuji tells Taiga about the poems and what not he writes for Minorin. seeing that they each have simialar goals, and the fact that their love interest is the other best friend. They decide to work together and help each other in getting that person. However it is not very smooth sailing
Taiga is very timid around kitamura so she never can really push herself to do anything that Ryuuji plans out for her. she can barely say a word to him at the beginning of the show but towards the end she is more open with him. This I think is due to the fact that she is realising that she likes Ryuuji instead, this however doesn't happen till near the end.
Ryuuji is not near as timid around Minorin as Taiga is with kitamura, but he still mumbles his words now and then. He as well has issues with pushing himself to do what Taiga plans out for him. Toward the very end it is revealed that Minorin actually does like Ryuuji.
Taiga and Ryuuji spend alot of time together because of the fact that Taiga lives alone. Ryuuji cooks for her just about every night. Because of this Ryuuji's mother considers Taiga part of the family.
Later on as Taiga and Ryuuji spend more time together, (though they never say till the very end) they end up having feelings for each other. It does take a while for them to realise it, so sit tight and keep watching. because it is worth it.
one of the best traits about Toradora is it's suspense. I don't know how they were able to put so much suspense in a drama/romance but they did. For me this show left me wondering after every episode. It made me think and want to know what was in the next episode. I had to seriously force myself away from the computer in order to stop watching it. Because after every episode you WILL want to know what happens next!!! I gaurantee it.
Another thing about Toradora. I know in retrospect it is pretty obvious that Taiga and Ryuuji will be together, and I thought that would ruin it for me...but...it really didn't. Because though it may be obvious, it doesn't really seem sensible. It doesn't seem like they'll end up together at the beginning even though you know they will. It's crazy how this show does it but it does it excellently.
I would recommend this show to anyone who likes drama/romance cause this show does both of those PERFECTLY!! and i don't say that lightly. The background's on the character and the storyline would have made the show good even if there was no romance. I would highly recommend this anime.
Story (8) - I am giving this story an 8. Because though it did have interest, and left you wanting to know what happened. It is lacking in resolve. considering Taiga's family that is. At the end of the show Taiga's family is still mad at her for leaving, and they don't really resolve that. Though she does end up going back for a year.
Art (9) - I give this show a high 9 on art. The design of the character's wasn't my favorite design, but the show still made it work out. The art was masterful in my opinion. The work of a genius.
Sound (10) - I am giving the sound a 10 for various reasons. The emotion in this show could be felt throughout every episode. It was like you could almost feel the person's pain. even when the side character had a moment it was great. The sound is really Toradora's shining moment.
Character (9) - I am giving character's a 9. This is the kind of show that you will definitely like all of the characters. Even if you didn't like a character from the start (for me it was Minorin) you will like them towards the end. The backgrounds on all of them are all unique and all interesting. No one's background in this show is boring.
Enjoyment (10) - I have never watched a show that I have enjoyed more than Toradora. As i said before it will leave you in suspense after every episode. it will be 4 am in the morning and you will be finishing episode 17. It will end and you will lie their with your mouth open. Then you will scream because you want to go to bed but you don't want to stop watching it (WARNING!! if you don't like staying up really late than i would sudgest not watching Toradora at night.)
Overall (10) - as for the overall it obviously get's a 10. Which are well earned points. This story will not dissappoint you if you like drama/romance that leave you suspenseful and wondering. Not to mention really excited at some points. P.S. Ryuuji and Taiga do kiss at the last episode. =)
