First off, I can only sometimes get into rom-coms, and it's usually only when the romantic subplot is in the back seat enough that it doesn't bog down the rest of the show and take away from the comedic value. Oddly enough, however, this anime is very easy to get into specifically because the romantic plot is right up front, working in perfect harmony with the jokes and eccentricities in other ways I haven't yet seen any other anime succeed in doing. From the get-go, you can see exactly which characters are going to be the most important in getting the series to take off properly. So the story itself intertwines nicely with the other elements, including but not limited to its high amounts of drama. And you will get plenty of drama here.
The art direction reminds me a lot of Baka to Test. It's thoroughly bright and flashy without compromise, and all of the elements in the art direction work together well. Character designs are typical, but exercised skillfully, and animation is a nice strong point this anime has going for it. It feels very fluid and easy to watch, which may be part of the reason I stuck with it through and through. The sound work is roughly the same quality, a little over-the-top but nothing enough to hinder the series on other fronts as well.
I do love the characters in this series. I normally get annoyed when the characters take the forefront so commandingly, but they're strong enough to carry the series on their own. Aisaka Taiga, the main heroine, isn't exactly a tsundere, but comes pretty close to being one, leading her personality to some nicely integrated slapstick humor and a surprising amount of emotional depth. She's a character you simultaneously love to hate and enjoy watching way too much. And surprisingly, even though much of the rest of the cast stays out of the limelight, they are important enough and provide more than enough sustenance to keep the series afloat. It was a wise decision to keep the cast small.
In closing, Toradora! is a series I have a soft spot for. I highly recommend it for anyone looking for a decent rom-com.
