Toradora! - Character Discussion - Takasu Ryuugi

[NightWish]

The purpose of this thread is to provide a place to discuss all things Takasu Ryuuji related.

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[stormy001_M1A2]

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic anxiety disorder most commonly characterized by obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions. Compulsions are tasks or "rituals" which attempt to neutralize the obsessions. OCD is distinguished from other types of anxiety, including the routine tension and stress that appear throughout life. The phrase "obsessive-compulsive" has become part of the English lexicon, and is often used in an informal or caricatured manner to describe someone who is meticulous, perfectionistic, absorbed in a cause, or otherwise fixated on something or someone. (Wikipedia:Berrios G E,1985)

Ryuji seems to be one, yeap.

[Cat Megex]

Originally Posted by stormy001_M1A2

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a chronic anxiety disorder most commonly characterized by obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions. Compulsions are tasks or "rituals" which attempt to neutralize the obsessions. OCD is distinguished from other types of anxiety, including the routine tension and stress that appear throughout life. The phrase "obsessive-compulsive" has become part of the English lexicon, and is often used in an informal or caricatured manner to describe someone who is meticulous, perfectionistic, absorbed in a cause, or otherwise fixated on something or someone. (Wikipedia:Berrios G E,1985)

Ryuji seems to be one, yeap.

Actually, he's just obsessive-compulsive, according to this sentence taken from above: "The phrase 'obsessive-compulsive' has become part of the English lexicon, and is often used in an informal or caricatured manner to describe someone who is meticulous, perfectionistic, absorbed in a cause, or otherwise fixated on something or someone." It's not that he cleans regardless of whether or not what is being cleaned is dirty; it's that, when he sees something dirty, he wants to clean it until it's sparkling clean. In fact, cleaning almost seems to be a form of relaxation for him. I won't deny that he is, of course, obsessed with cleaning. It's just that he's not totally compulsive about it. (I mean, it may seem compulsive to suddenly start cleaning the men's room, but have you been inside a male bathroom in a high school? Those things are fairly nasty. [This coming from a guy who had to use said bathrooms while at school.])

[frubam]

You do that at your house, you do that at your girlfriend's house, you do that at a person-whom-you're-taking-care-of house, but you don't do it in the men's toilet . Of course, I was under the impression that in that scene, it was his assigned duty to clean the bathroom, hence the reason Ryuuji told that other guy he could leave, and he'd finish it.

[sgwc]

My mom's like that. Can't stand filthy things and she become a good cleaner for that. Ryuuji is just like my mom, a guy who likes cleanliness and I don't think Ryuuji is meticulous, though since i can't find this aspect so far.

[Vexx]

Cleaning the school is a standard duty in Japan - it increases the community spirit in taking care of public works and tends to reduce vandalism. Ryuuji, however, clearly takes the job way over the top.

Ryuuji has already entered my Very Small Pantheon Of Favorite Male Leads. His narration isn't sarcastic but quite humorous.

[Darknemo2000]

I prefer Kyon's sarcassm over Ryuuji's story telling anytime of the day, yet Ryuuji is on that small group of male leads that I like as well.

[JMvS]

Ryuji's attitude toward cleaning reminds me more of a sport than OCD.

I myself feel particularly good after cleaning my kitchen, bathroom or even my room; this feeling is I think connected to an endorphine release following the effort, similar to the one experienced when doing sport.

Now if we consider cleaning in a sport perspective, Ryuji would be already into it's extreme sport form: the sole endorphin is not enough and he is already looking for the adrenaline rush.

I think that the progressive nature of his attitude toward cleaning is pictured in the anime: at first he was mainly conscious of his own interior, later Taiga's house provided him a larger challenge and it is only in episode 4 that we see him overconsciously cleaning the school's men lavatories.

Novel material would concur, as:

Spoiler for novel material:

During an internal monologue, he is glad of having such a relation with Taiga, as with her he is provided not only with a larger staple of cleaning, but also with new, larger and more exciting challenges. (IIRC Taiga's locker during the Ami arc)
Even later it's as if he is thanking the gods for providing him a new challenge he could only dream of (like a climber receiving a trip to Ayers Rock or The Grand Canyon he otherwise could never have afforded). (IIRC Ami's vacation house)

[typhonsentra]

I don't think it's really OCD, people with the disorder don't usually gain pleasure from the actual act they're repeating. Ryuuji just enjoys housework.

[Samatarou]

I think Ryuu's nature is a reaction to his mum, who is basically slovenly. Lots of children turn out the opposite of their parents as a rebellion against them, this is just an extreme example. Of course it's also intended as a role reversal comedy element, however more WRT Taiga than Ryuu's mum though I feel.

Personally though I find his character rather tedious and the comedy element of it quickly falls flat, I hope he doesn't stay so obsessively domesticated for the whole series.

[Cat Megex]

Originally Posted by Samatarou

I hope he doesn't stay so obsessively domesticated for the whole series.

On the contrary, I hope he does, because it's an integral part of his personality.

[teachopvutru]

Originally Posted by Samatarou

I think Ryuu's nature is a reaction to his mum, who is basically slovenly. Lots of children turn out the opposite of their parents as a rebellion against them, this is just an extreme example. Of course it's also intended as a role reversal comedy element, however more WRT Taiga than Ryuu's mum though I feel.

Personally though I find his character rather tedious and the comedy element of it quickly falls flat, I hope he doesn't stay so obsessively domesticated for the whole series.

I think it's more appropriate to see it more as a need for someone to take care of the household than any sort of rebellion that he's doing the cleaning. That is, unless his dad is also sloppy, and his rebellious attempt is aimed as his dad, since Ryuuji obviously hates him.

I also hope that he stays that way for the same reason as Cat Megex. Those scenes make me smile. Beside, they don't show that side of him enough for it to be intrusive.

[yezhanquan]

My, my. The dragon gets lucky in ep.3. It's a good ep. for him.

[Cat Megex]

Originally Posted by teachopvutru

That is, unless his dad is also sloppy, and his rebellious attempt is aimed as his dad, since Ryuuji obviously hates him.

I think his dad has been dead since around the time Ryuuji was born, actually, and the main reason Ryuuji doesn't like his dad is because he inherited his dad's eyes/face/mean look.

[Nukerjsr]

Originally Posted by JMvS

Ryuji's attitude toward cleaning reminds me more of a sport than OCD.

I myself feel particularly good after cleaning my kitchen, bathroom or even my room; this feeling is I think connected to an endorphine release following the effort, similar to the one experienced when doing sport.

Now if we consider cleaning in a sport perspective, Ryuji would be already into it's extreme sport form: the sole endorphin is not enough and he is already looking for the adrenaline rush.

I think that the progressive nature of his attitude toward cleaning is pictured in the anime: at first he was mainly conscious of his own interior, later Taiga's house provided him a larger challenge and it is only in episode 4 that we see him overconsciously cleaning the school's men lavatories.

Novel material would concur, as:

Spoiler for novel material:

During an internal monologue, he is glad of having such a relation with Taiga, as with her he is provided not only with a larger staple of cleaning, but also with new, larger and more exciting challenges. (IIRC Taiga's locker during the Ami arc)
Even later it's as if he is thanking the gods for providing him a new challenge he could only dream of (like a climber receiving a trip to Ayers Rock or The Grand Canyon he otherwise could never have afforded). (IIRC Ami's vacation house)

That seems really messed up.

[Spring_sakura111]

I like Ryuji's obsessive personality over cleaning. You don't get those kind of characters a lot. Kinda reminds me of Monica Geller from Friends.

[Haru~]

Yup. He's one of the very very few male leads who deserves a harem at least. Lol.
He's very good in cooking, cleaning and also a brave dude too (being able to get along with someone like Taiga takes a lot of guts). He's very capable and kind too (like doing something even he was never asked to do it).
It's sad that he is always misunderstood as delinquent because of his eyes (I kind of relate to this because I have the same kind of eyes).

[stormy001_M1A2]

I do wonder what does female fans of this series or novel think of him. Since the story was penned by a female writer so I assumed that this male lead will be quite popular with female fans.

[Darknemo2000]

Ichigo100% was also made by a female mangaka yet the male protagonist was never really popular between females (nor manga itself) so I can't say that your assumptions are correct.

[Vexx]

Originally Posted by stormy001_M1A2

I do wonder what does female fans of this series or novel think of him. Since the story was penned by a female writer so I assumed that this male lead will be quite popular with female fans.

My survey of two females watching this say they like Ryuuji and wish there were more guys like him. They haven't seen enough of Kitamura but think he seems a bit distant. Heh, not quite a sufficient sample size though...