Toradora! - Overall Series Impressions & Total Series Rating

[Darknemo2000]

I would argue that Lovely Complex or Kare Kano are much better than toradora if you are talking about school romantic comedy. Toradora is good but not that good, at least for me.

[RhapsodyInBlue]

I really felt the last two episodes were rushed. Nonetheless, the series is pretty good overall. It's not your average romance anime. Definitely enjoyable to watch!

8/10.

[Ryuutai]

Talking about others love comedies, Lovely Complex was VERY rushed at the end...It had to end at the episode 18, because the episodes with Mimi and Kohori ruined a bit the story, in my opinion. They were totally out of place.
Kare Kano was ruined by the continual and useless summaries.

Anyway, I like both Lovely Complex and Kare Kano, but I liked Toradora better.
It's a more complete story, where every character has own development and complexity.

My vote is 9/10, and not 10, just because the novels are actually better.

Edit:

For starters, let's start with the Christmas tree episode. That took a lot of suspension of disbelief, because it's physically impossible to take down a tree as sturdy and as large as Ryuuji's class's. The bigger they are, the harder they fall. Inertia dictates that that tree wouldn't fall.

It wasn't a true tree. Try to watch it again...it was just a structure made by circles.

[physics223]

But I doubt a softball could have toppled it down nevertheless. It still wouldn't fall.

Anyway, that's my piece. I agree with Darknemo. Toradora was good, but it wasn't that good. The ending episodes felt rushed, and I don't think I was the only one who noticed that. And since I don't have an Internet connection from where I'm currently staying, I'll just stop at agreeing to disagree.

[Ryuutai]

Originally Posted by physics223

But I doubt a softball could have toppled it down nevertheless. It still wouldn't fall.

I'm not sure you are right about the fact that it wouldn't fall, anyway it's not so important something like this in a fictional work, in my opinion. ^^"

Anyway, that's my piece. I agree with Darknemo. Toradora was good, but it wasn't that good. The ending episodes felt rushed, and I don't think I was the only one who noticed that. And since I don't have an Internet connection from where I'm currently staying, I'll just stop at agreeing to disagree.

You told so many times in this topic (and also in others) that Toradora is not that good, for you...I think that most of us understood your point of view, don't worry.
If they will make an other season based on a spin - off or something like that, now you know that you have to avoid it, simply because it's not the suitable series for you.

[brain]

Originally Posted by Darknemo2000

I would argue that Lovely Complex or Kare Kano are much better than toradora if you are talking about school romantic comedy. Toradora is good but not that good, at least for me.

Kare Kano wasn't really half as much romance as it was simple slice of life.

[typhonsentra]

Originally Posted by Darknemo2000

I would argue that Lovely Complex or Kare Kano are much better than toradora if you are talking about school romantic comedy. Toradora is good but not that good, at least for me.

Having just watched Lovely Complex fairly recently..... dude...

LC was a fun show but especially in the second half after they got together it was basically a cliche a week series up until the end. We had the random rival for the girl, the new guy who just so happens to be just like Ootani who likes her for no real reason. It was just lazy plot devices left and right to artificially create conflict.

In fact, there was very little to their relationship after they get together besides said conflict.

I gotta say man, I have no clue what you even wanted from this show. Did you just dislike the time jump? Because that's the only way I can see how the "Pacing" could be such a deal-breaker for you.

[Tyabann]

Originally Posted by typhonsentra

Having just watched Lovely Complex fairly recently..... dude...

LC was a fun show but especially in the second half after they got together it was basically a cliche a week series up until the end. We had the random rival for the girl, the new guy who just so happens to be just like Ootani who likes her for no real reason. It was just lazy plot devices left and right to artificially create conflict.

In fact, there was very little to their relationship after they get together besides said conflict.

I gotta say man, I have no clue what you even wanted from this show. Did you just dislike the time jump? Because that's the only way I can see how the "Pacing" could be such a deal-breaker for you.

I'm surprised you're still trying to defend this (awesome) show from people who seem determined to not like it, typhon...

[Ryuutai]

Originally Posted by typhonsentra

Having just watched Lovely Complex fairly recently..... dude...

LC was a fun show but especially in the second half after they got together it was basically a cliche a week series up until the end. We had the random rival for the girl, the new guy who just so happens to be just like Ootani who likes her for no real reason. It was just lazy plot devices left and right to artificially create conflict.

Those episodes with Mimi and Kohori were really rushed and useless...Specially those with Kohori. I remember that I had been disappointed by Risa's behaviour, because she had fought so much to get Otani, just caught her happiness, and now she was wasting everything because of a guy who she had just met. Even if I know that she really loved Otani, when I saw that she behaved in that way, I couldn't help to have the feeling that her love for him wasn't so strong, after all...And this sensation was really annoying, after the big satisfaction that I had felt with the episode 18.
Anyway, I still love Lovely Complex, so I can forgive it for those poor episodes...Overall, it's very good and is one of my favorite love comedies. But I admit that it's not really the ideal example of good pacing in a show. The episodes after the 18th are really inconsistent and rushed, much more than the final episodes of Toradora, in my opinion.
Imho, an example of show with a perfect pacing, is Maison Ikkoku. It's really a masterpiece. In our days, very long series and still solid like that probably don't exist anymore. But Toradora could be it, if only J.C. Staff had wanted to use a bigger budget: the original material is really great, and I'm sure that a series of 52 episodes (more or less) would have expressed fully the potential of the novels, without be boring.

P.S. Sorry for my bad english.

[SakuraAyanami]

Originally Posted by typhonsentra

I gotta say man, I have no clue what you even wanted from this show. Did you just dislike the time jump? Because that's the only way I can see how the "Pacing" could be such a deal-breaker for you.

Wasn't it because he never liked Taiga and wanted to be Ami the female lead? Well, that's what I understood wile reading Darknemo's comments. True to be told I just can't comprehend the obsession so many people have with that character

[Tyabann]

Originally Posted by SakuraAyanami

Wasn't it because he never liked Taiga and wanted to be Ami the female lead? Well, that's what I understood wile reading Darknemo's comments. True to be told I just can't comprehend the obsession so many people have with that character

You and me both.

As an aside, physics was always an Ami fan too before the show killed that pairing completely.

[Tiran86]

I'd give it an 8.5/10, rounded up for the poll. The characters were great and it was a really fun story, but the events in the last few episodes could've been better paced. I also didn't really think Taiga's leaving in the final episode was handled well.

[hyl]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

You and me both.

As an aside, physics was always an Ami fan too before the show killed that pairing completely.

If you want different pairings, you can always opt for the psp game ^.^ (will be released next week)

[stardf29]

10/10 for high enjoyment, great comedy, and what many people mentioned about the romance being handled quite realistically, especially for a romantic comedy. For that last reason in particular, it shall be in my Hall of Fame of romantic comedies and of anime in general.

I haven't read the light novels, so no comments there.

Looking back on it, it did seem that the last few episodes were somewhat rushed. Somewhat. Not enough to detract from the show, in my opinion.

[attobyte]

Spoiler for ToraDora's end:

Unfortunatelly Minori x Ryuuji did not happen.
I mean based on how eager Minori was into avoiding hearing Ryuuji's confession I really thought they would be together in the end. Also I can't help but agree with Ami when she said that Ryuuji and Taiga were like parent and child in fact I can't see them as a couple, more specifically Taiga(husband) x Ryuuji(housewife) however this is a very personal opinion which I don't think is neither right nor wrong so I'll stop here.

Overall, I liked this drama focused non super power version of Shakugan no Shana.

[kyosak]

Hmmm... Am I weird for thinking that the

Spoiler:

Taiga/Ryuuji end

was really obvious from the beginning? Seems like a lot of people were supporting Minori more, lol.

Just finished watching the show a couple of days back and it is definitely one of my recent favorites. TBH, I absolutely HATED the show for the first few episodes. It felt really generic to me (tsundere - check, girl somehow living with guy - check, etc.). I think it was around the time

Spoiler:

Taiga's dad betrayed her

I started really getting into the show! Very satisfied with the end, 10/10.

One thing that did bug me all series though...

Spoiler:

Minori really got on my nerves for not knowing to care about herself for once... I know that she was caring for Taiga the whole time but it just caused problems for everyone and it was very frustrating to watch.

[Keio]

Originally Posted by kyosak

Hmmm... Am I weird for thinking that the

Spoiler:

Taiga/Ryuuji end

was really obvious from the beginning? Seems like a lot of people were supporting Minori more, lol.

Actually you're among the more level-headed ones for thinking that. A lot of people rage because they didn't get their preferred couple in the end, failing to notice that this show is not a shipping one nor a harem. And they call it "generic", "bland", "tsundere-wins-at-the-end", "shit", etc. etc. etc.

Funny, I notice that there are more Ami supporters than Minori ones.

[Vexx]

Ami was simply quite an interesting character, particularly once she "grew up" a bit. But from the beginning this story was focused on how a relationship between two particular people (Taiga and Ryuuji) evolved ... it was just nice that it was placed within the context of a lot of other "somewhat off-stage" stories that gave it an air of realism we don't usually see in romances.

In some ways, it was like a pair of parents explaining to their kids how they met via flashback.

[BetoJR]

I still think the opening and closing monologues are Ryuji and Taiga framing the story to their kids, or something. I mean, it does fit the general theme, no?

[frivolity]

Lots of people say that the whole mess could easily have been avoided if just one out of the main 5 characters had been honest and open with their feelings.

1. Kitamura: If his feelings for Sumire had been stated earlier, Taiga would know from Episode 1 that he was off-limits, and Sumire might have responded.

2. Minori: If she had admitted her growing feelings for Ryuuji, both of them would probably become a couple before the latter's relationship with Taiga progressed beyond friendship.

3. Taiga: If Taiga had been honest about her feelings when she realised her love for Ryuuji, there would be no hairclip-misunderstanding, no snow accident, etc.

4. Ryuuji: If he had taken the direct approach with Minori early in the series, or if he had revealed his new-found feelings for Taiga, a lot of things could have been avoided.

5. Ami: Less QQ, more pew pew. Danger avoided.

While I acknowledge these points, I believe that the characters would not have developed so much had they not gone through the entire process. Taiga would still be the Palmtop Tiger, Ryuuji the Delinquent, Minori the Genki Girl, Ami the Bakachi, and Kitamura the Exhibitionist. I can't help but think that the end result of the entire set of events was the best outcome for everyone. Even for Minori and Ami, who did not get what they wanted, the end had them learning a lot more about life in general.

Such is life - you don't always get what you want, but whatever doesn't kill you simply makes you stronger. While it is true that the entire storyline could have been simplified a great deal if the characters had behaved differently, I don't necessarily think it is a good thing. In my opinion, these events are what make ToraDora! unique and endearing.