Toradora! Generic discussion thread

[Midonin]

Zero no Tsukaima's Louise. In some respects, a lot like Taiga, except pink-haired, magical, and uses a whip.

[JediNight]

Rie Kugimiya (the seiyuu of Taiga) gets typecast into mostly tsundere roles. Louise is one of her recent roles of a tsundere who is also very abusive to the male lead and uses "urusai x3" and "baka inu!" quite often. So that's why people are comparing Taiga to Louise.

Although the baka inu stuff stops fairly quickly.

[Ultenth]

To me it's kind of stupid to keep casting her in these roles. I mean the characters are similar enough as it is, why make it seem like you're just watching the same thing over and over even moreso by using the same seiyuu? I'm sure there are plenty of other people out there that can do a tsundere loli just fine. So sad.

[Man0warr]

Besides her voice, it's not really the same as ZnT. Why would they take a chance on another voice actress when shes shown she is the best at voicing those roles? It's not sad, its about making money, and Rie has a huge fanbase because of Shana/Louise/Nagi, for every person that hates her voice there are 100 that are watching this anime because of it.

Later on she really gets away from the similarities between her and Shana/Louise, besides the loli part. That is of course unless JCStaff decides to deliberately keep her being tsun, but in the novel/manga she pretty much gets over it after an important event.

[Ashlotte]

Originally Posted by Man0warr

Besides her voice, it's not really the same as ZnT. Why would they take a chance on another voice actress when shes shown she is the best at voicing those roles? It's not sad, its about making money, and Rie has a huge fanbase because of Shana/Louise/Nagi, for every person that hates her voice there are 100 that are watching this anime because of it.

Later on she really gets away from the similarities between her and Shana/Louise, besides the loli part. That is of course unless JCStaff decides to deliberately keep her being tsun, but in the novel/manga she pretty much gets over it after an important event.

MoW pretty much nailed any points I would have to make...At the start you can see some similarities, but as you get further in she is ,atleast to me, a far better and more interesting character then her 50/50 Louise/Shana vibes give off for now.

Unless like MoW said JC screws it up...

[frubam]

Geh, I'm tired of hearing the Louise, Louise stuff. Ok she shares some similarities, but who the heck doesn't nowadays. Plus, I know that there is a specific reason she acts the way she acts, and it isn't some "Oh I really like the guy but I show it by treating him like ****" scenario I've seen a thousand times and, from what I've heard, is how it is in the ZnT anime. In comedies such as these, the relationships between 'friends' usually always better than the relationship between lovers, which is why Toradora stands apart from ZnT. Taiga doesn't like Ryuuji in that way, so she doesn't treat him any differently than anyone else, and when it concerns Kitamura

Spoiler for few moments ahead of ep1:

she's shy and clumsy, which is what you should expect and that makes her a far better char-wise than Louise, lest someone can tell me otherwise.

Guess all the Louise/Taiga comparisons are starting to get to me .

I supposed I can understand the voice issue, esp when I relate it to Eng dubs(Bosch, Freeman, Lee, etc), but fortunately, I've never seen nor am interested in Shana and ZnT, so for me, her voice fits great and I have no issues with it whatsoever.

And Minori's laugh reminded me of Mio's from SW. Liked the voice, hated the laugh :\.

[BigGimp77]

Seems like a pretty solid series (assuming JC Staff doesn't butcher it eventually). Definatly felt Shana/Lousie from the baka-ino and urusai. I wouldn't have drawn the conclusion from the phrases but Rie Kugimiya 's voice made me link up the similarities instantly lol. Not a bad thing tho.

But overall I thought it was a good watch. I'll probably stick this series out for a couple more episodes.

[Orophin]

Originally Posted by LKK

I give up. Who is Louise that y'all keep comparing Taiga to?

Louise Françoise le Blanc de la Vallière from Zero no Tsukaima.

[2H-Dragon]

Judging from the first ep. This is turning out to be a really good adaption.

[Kyuusai]

I was trying to put my finger on why I liked this so much.

One part is definitely that these are more complete characters than we see in many series. I've seen the "kind guy with mean eyes" type before, and I've seen the "violent, angry tiny tsundere" type before, but never have I seen them with real motivations and meaningful backgrounds. I've taken up the light novel (the translated version, for now, and I'll pick up the original when I'm in Japan), and the author deserves good credit here. The light novel is a bit awkward starting out, but by the time it gets rolling it pokes at the entertainment and emotion centers very similarly to the experience of seeing it in motion.

The other part is some talent on this production that I hadn't expected. The lead writer, Okada Mari, worked on scripts on parts of Rozen Maiden (She worked on some of my least favorite episodes, but a similar charm can be found therein), and she took lead screenplay role on Aria the Animation as well as Sketchbook. The director, Nagai Tatsuyuki, did directing on Honey and Clover, storyboarded and directed much of Mahoraba (particularly what I felt were the stronger episodes), and has credits for scripting/storyboarding/directing various episodes on several other excellent series, including being responsible for some of the stronger episodes of the early arcs in Mai HiME and Mai Otome... Most notably the hilariously epic fourth episode of Mai HiME (the "lingerie trap" episode).

Although I wasn't really aware of them as individual writers and directors before now, at this point it's very clear, and having both of them working together is a miniature dream-team for me. I can definitely see both their hands in Toradora, for better and for worse. Mostly better.

[Cat Megex]

Originally Posted by neothe0ne

Anyway, the teacher: Is she Haruka Tomatsu? Sounded a lot like Chika Miderazaki from Kyouran Kazoku Nikki.

I don't think this was ever answered, so: no, that's not Haruka Tomatsu. The teacher is voiced by Rie Tanaka.

[Asrialys]

Originally Posted by JediNight

I believe that's Ai Nonaka. She's done roles such as Shima from Stellvia, Konaka from Negima, Mikan from Manabi Straight, and Fuura from Zetsubo-sensei. Rather distinctive voice, just like Rie Kugimiya.

Thanks. And she does sound like Konoka. Tried and failed at remembering other characters with a similar voice.

[Slick_rick]

Seems like a solid starting episode. Not as good as in the novel but still a pretty good episode. Can't wait to see what else they have in store for us.

Made some freebie avatars for the first episode also.

- -

[neoeagle]

One of the series I m gonna watch.I have a pretty high standards I have to say.

[Sorrow-K]

Originally Posted by frubam

Geh, I'm tired of hearing the Louise, Louise stuff. Ok she shares some similarities, but who the heck doesn't nowadays.

I don't think you really appreciate just how many similarities there are between between Aihara and Kugimiya's previous characters. It's not just the same voice and that she's a tsundere, there are so many things she did in this first episode that couldn't help but remind you of Louise and Shana and co. It's not so much a consequence of Aihara's character as it is the combination of her character and Kugimiya's voice. There's no doubt that she's being typecast.

But, then again, I'm not sure what would have been worse, the constant comparisons and discussions about typecasting if Kugimiya accepted the role or the outcry of her not playing a character a lot of people could well think was made for her if she didn't accept the role.

Originally Posted by rg4619

In terms of making decent, watchable shows (writing and animation quality), J.C. Staff is among the most consistent names out there. By just following the brand, you can expect an acceptable level of quality.

On the downside, J.C. Staff has few home run hitters, which is probably why they get criticized so much. Story is often mishandled along the way and animation is never extraordinary. However, while other studios might produce absolute garbage at times, they sometimes follow up with a big winner (i.e. Doumu -> Crescent Love and then Minami-ke by the same team), which might vindicate them in the eyes of fans.

Which is why I generally think director is a better form guide than studio. Good directors tend to make good anime, and that's usually no coincidence.

[rainnydaiis]

Finally got around to actually watching the subbed version, and have to say that i'm having a fun time watching this anime. Can't wait for the next few episodes to see if it goes uphill or downhill.

[nikorai]

Oh it seems I'm 21 pages late for the discussion.
Finally got to episode 1. Watched it raw. Apparently my japanese is pretty bad but I hope I'll manage to do without subtitles, however tempting it may be for me to use them.
Actually I was starting to read the manga a while back but only managed to get though the first 10 pages. It's that it was in Japanese and, to my surprise, it was full of unknown kanji which made reading quite difficult. Or, rather, considerably slowed down the process as I had to refer to the dictionary every now and then.
So, Taiga is like Chiaki, only better (ok, much better). Also I have to say that I didn't watch Zero no Tsukaima so I won't have fits of deja-vu, which is a plus.

As I get it, this was sort of a small pun:
あのラブレターは空っぽだったんだ
(the love letter was empty)
Karappo.. And the next moment we hear Taiga's stomach rumbling .

Apart from that, she's pretty bad tempered (basically it is about "tsun-tsun de ikimasu" thing).

不法侵入
Trespassing (as in 'trespassers will be shot...")
しかも押し付け掃除
Moreover, intrusive help with chores
マーキングしてないでしょうこの犬
You dog, I hope you don’t mark the territory

So, on the whole the anime is in my must-watch list. Clannad is supposed to be very depressing and Toradora looks to be the only anime I can watch without getting stressed.

[Kaoru Chujo]

Originally Posted by Kyuusai

...The other part is some talent on this production that I hadn't expected. The lead writer, Okada Mari, worked on scripts on parts of Rozen Maiden (He worked on some of my least favorite episodes, but a similar charm can be found therein), and he took lead screenplay role on Aria the Animation as well as Sketchbook...

Good comments. I just want to add that Okada Mari is a woman, and that she also wrote many episodes of Simoun (my favorite anime) and was lead writer on true tears (one of my two favorites so far this year). I think producers and directors have discovered her ability: she's the lead writer on three shows this fall season -- this one, Vampire Knight Guilty, and Kuroshitsuji.

I actually managed to find a photo of her. It's either an excellent photo or she's fairly good-looking herself (click to enlarge):



I also agree with the point Sorrow-K just made: I think that the director is a better guide to what a show will be like than just the studio. Although studios do tend to have visual styles, perhaps because of their particular stable of animators.

[Kyuusai]

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

I just want to add that Okada Mari is a woman...

I swear, I did know that. Her name gave it away for me, but it's been a long day, thus me referring to her as a man since I had originally typed that when I got the staff profiles mixed up. Thanks for the correction and the picture!

I agree, there tends to be too much focus on the studio instead of the individual directors and writers. I think part of this is simply lack of visibility. As much as we can try to do our parts in recognizing individuals, due to how these works are created often the credited roles don't give a full understanding of who is responsible for what.

[DragoonKain3]

I personally have switched from paying attention to the studio to paying attention to director ever since Honey and Clover, and haven't regretted it since. *worships the ground Kasai walks on*

But wow, lead writer of True Tears? Now where's Taiga's rival in love... what are the odds of her being the childhood friend?