Toradora! - Speculation & Theories (for first time viewers)

[NightWish]

This thread is aimed at first time viewers of Toradora and its purpose is to allow spoiler free speculation and theories to be aired. Having them in a central location may help focus the discussion instead of spreading speculation over the various episode discussion threads. If you are knowledgeable of the light novel / manga and wish to speculate or discuss theories, then please do not post in this thread (use the Toradora - Spoilers & Speculation (for experienced Toradorians only) thread) and do not give away any spoilers in this thread!

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Magazine previews are an exception to the said rule. You are allowed to discuss those. (Properly labeled spoiler tags required).

[stormy001_M1A2]

Taiga and Minorin will be rivals, Ami will be wild card. That's what I feel about the series future.

[Deathscyther]

I sense a Kitamaru < Taiga <-> Ryuuji > Minori relationship building up.

Ryuuji x Taiga will win in the end of course

[GHDpro]

From episode 3 I surmise Minori uses her cheerfulness as a psychological shield of some kind, and the fact she works all kinds of jobs for no particular financial reason and is part of a club suggests she wants to be away from home as much as possible. So maybe her parents have a problem; either with each other or with her, or there is something else going on at home. The fact she stayed cheerful while scared and didn't budge much when hit hard with a box to the head, supports this I think. Either that or she needs more Ritalin (anti-ADHD drug).

I think that if Ryuji can peel away her "cheerfulness shield" and/or solve or reduce the problems she (potentially) has at home, he has a chance at winning her heart.

[Jin Kizuite]

NO i do not want the protagonist to end up with Taiga. Minori is SO MUCH BETTER.

[stormy001_M1A2]

Originally Posted by Jin Kizuite

NO i do not want the protagonist to end up with Taiga. Minori is SO MUCH BETTER.

Oh no, another shipping battle?

[Vexx]

I'm not sure what there is to theorize or speculate about. Too early.

And um, 'shipping will be looked on very poorly by me. Whatever happens should happen because the story unfolds in a manner that doesn't insult the character designs.

[stormy001_M1A2]

Unfortunately people have bad habit to take sides, even here. It is our nature to dominate and fight even things as silly as this.

Sad but irrecoverable truth.

[Vexx]

The title leads me to believe the primary *story* is about the relationship between Taiga and Ryuuji -- even if they end up with other mates or none at all.
As I said somewhat like in other series, it isn't whether *I* like Taiga or Minori -- its Ryuuji's feelings (and the feelings of those two) that will decide the issue.

Whatever... the mods have already shown that they take a dim view of fanboi chanting 'shipping. So I'd just advise providing some explanation or rationale for such positions rather than mere assertions.

[stormy001_M1A2]

You sounded more like warning. hehehe

[The Sandman]

I'm personally pretty definite that Ryuuji and Taiga will end up together, because that's just the way this sort of show works. Plus the name kind of implies it.

To be honest, though, I almost don't care. The fact is that the characters are all interesting enough that any relationship setup would be fun to watch. Although the chemistry between Ryuuji and Taiga is amazing.

[FlareKnight]

Well guess a lot of this thread will be on the shipping for a while. In terms of the story can really only see it dealing with the personal issues of the characters and increasingly strengthening the connection with Taiga and Ryuugi. Not that I'm interested in them getting together in the end romantically. If they can just be a pair of friends that can support each other during tough times that would be fine.

Though almost feel other pairings will be in trouble. Since it seems like Kitamura has moved on from Taiga. With him gone that doesn't leave her with anyone to hook up with, but Ryuugi.

[frubam]

I'll post something random. Kitamura only talked to Ryuuji for his own reputation. The "guy who talks to the scariest guy in the school" can become pretty popular, esp with his personality. Of course, now that he is popular himself, he has no need to be 'close' to Ryuuji, which is when he started telling everyone that Ryuuji is not scary. Of course, he's not going to outright ignore him as he does have that image to protect.

I don't know about the yakuza thing(though that wooden sword in ep 1 would make you think that), but Taiga could have had problems expressing herself, particularly her parents, and esp since she's small. Getting further and further frustrated from being ignored, but no knowledge in how to relieve it, she reaches her limit, resulting in an physical outburst full of all her anxiety and repressed frustration, causing everyone around her to notice. From then on, she comes to the conclusion that in order for others to listen to what she has to say, she has to be loud and get physical, as that is the way she acknowledges that others acknowledge what she is saying or doing. She wants to live in a new place, so that she can start over with her newfound theology on socialism. However, this is the 'self' that was the result of her circumstances, not her true 'self'. Minorin was the only person that really wanted to listen to her, so Taiga can be her true 'self' with her. As for Taiga with Ryuuji... I'm still trying to garner a guess on that one >,<.

Ryuuji doesn't just see Taiga as some klutzy, loud, strong-willed, semi-helpless girl. What Ryuuji really sees in Taiga is, in perspective, himself. By helping Taiga, who is a mirror of himself, he will become the person he strives to be... uh... brimming w/self-confidence and stuff >.>(lazy w/the wording there). In essence, to have the ability to help Taiga is to also have the ability to help himself(redundant?), so he will continue to help fulfill her goal to get with Kitamura(though of course, it's also because he's just a great guy ).

Yes this is all[random and fun] speculation, no, I don't read and haven't read the novels, and yes I've read the manga, but all of this is purely based on what is in the anime.

[Samatarou]

I think Minori might be a time traveller: the interest in pudding is a dead giveaway. In The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Makoto has an obsession with puddings, and actually does her first time leap simply so she can get her hands on some pudding. (There's also the softball/baseball type interest that all time travellers seem to have.) Moreover, if she has arrived from the future, Minori would have to support herself, hence the part-time jobs. She also seems a little scatty like Mikuru in Haruhi, it could be that time travel does this to your brains. So it all fits!

[frubam]

I've come to think that Kitamura's whole intention of becoming friends with Taiga, and not going out with her is to make her act more natural(will it EVER happen ?). Looking at his adoration of the student council president, i think he really goes for that aggressive, tough personality. However, since he noticed that she acts natural with Ryuuji, and not with him, he figured being friends and starting from that angle would eventually allow her to express herself naturally around him. IF it ever happens(I doubt it), he would then, perhaps, make a decision about Taiga.

[Peanutbutter]

Spoiler for My own guess of the relationships to be explored:

In black, the relation so far.
In red and green, my predictions.
Blue is explanatory.

Ami's character from Ep 6 onwards interests me. What face would she show right now?

[Baka Ronin]

Spoiler:

As of the most recent episode that I have seen, 8, It appears that Taiga really does have some pretty strong feelings for Ryuuji but does not understand these feelings herself. Until she does, she will not admit that she likes/loves him. Everyone else sees it, even the socially backward Ami. I wonder how long the animators will drag that one out, not much longer, I hope.

[TwinRivers]

To: Peanutbutter003

DUDE! that diagram looks like a 5 point star pentagram...thats some pretty freeky shit..

[KeitaroNagato]

As always, doing research and surfing around the web for Toradora! Came across this from sankakucomplex.com

http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2008/1...son-confirmed/






Hopefully they are right about this..... AND SORRY FOR THE BLUR OF THE INFORMATION, I'M CURRENTLY EXPERIMENTING JASC PAINT SHOP PRO AND OTHERS.



The site text says this:
Taken from http://www.sankakucomplex.com/2008/1...son-confirmed/


Tsundere anime Toradora looks very likely to get a second season in addition to the currently confirmed 13 episode run, bringing the total up to 25, if the officially announced DVD release schedule is to be believed.

The reasoning is most persuasive:

Starchild have announced a total of eight DVDs for the series, with the eighth due almost a year hence. They further announced that the first DVD, due January, will contain four episodes, of the total 13 thus far confirmed.

This leaves nine episodes spread over seven DVDs, or one episode per DVD, spread over a year; this would represent a very bold pricing strategy (¥6,000 per episode), which seems difficult to believe.

Much more plausible is the speculation that the DVDs will span two seasons and 25 or so episodes, which would be in line with industry standards.

This via CAX.

If this is correct, then we might further deduce that the next season would fall in the spring, as there is an approximately three month lag between release of the first DVD and the start of Toradora, and the fifth DVD is due at the end of May, so it would need to be months in advance of any episodes.

One issue which has not yet been mentioned in connection with this otherwise positive news, is the fact that the very rapid progression of the series through the novels, with the first novel having been used up in but two episodes, does look as if it could become problematic with an extended run.

Presumably, they know what they are doing on this front? We can but hope so.

__________________________________________________ _____


Definitely I'm hoping too....

[Tyabann]

Or maybe we'll just get one 25 episode season.

And episodes 11, 12, and 13 are all one volume. It's not like they can't spread them out some more. Or add content from Spin Off.

Also, for that matter, the presence of a second opening and ending definitely suggests a single season...