Toradora! - Episode 23 Discussion / Poll

[nojay]

Re: the novels

Originally Posted by fish eric

However I am reading the work of several amateur translators. So perhaps the original text is better. The thing I didn't like about the translated novels is that the writing style was kinda boring.

They're "light novels", disposable books like mangas for people to read on train journeys and such. A light novel is quite short by today's publishing standards. Compared to regular "literary" novels, the plot structure is simple and there is a certain amount of padding where the characters tell you what they're thinking rather than it being revealed by their interactions with others.

Japanese storytelling traits are different to Western methods of telling a story -- for example I could easily see Toradora finishing without Ryuuji and Taiga confessing their love to each other, but part of that is that they aren't boyfriend/girlfriend, they're Ryuuji and Taiga and they're comfortable with each other which is probably better for them in the long run. Western storytelling requires a climax and a resolution at the end; we might get this in Toradora but it's not guaranteed.

Spoiler for The other odd couple...:

What I'm waiting for is Kitamura and Ami to realise they belong together. Their co-ordinated action at the end of this episode is a good start.

[Darknemo2000]

Relationship is not the same as romance. There are relationship that are not necessarily romance. I agree that relationship plays big part in it, it just is not a romance or not romance yet.

[Tyabann]

Originally Posted by Darknemo2000

Thats because for the bigger part it is NOT a romantic comedy. Romantic part comes only at the end. And at the cost of almost completely killing the comedy.

Uh, Toradora is still pretty funny, even now.

Also, you clearly don't know what a "romantic comedy" is if you think this isn't one.

Originally Posted by Darknemo2000

Relationship is not the same as romance. There are relationship that are not necessarily romance. I agree that relationship plays big part in it, it just is not a romance or not romance yet.

Romance is in the eye of the beholder, try to remember.

[SageGaiGar]

Okay, just finished watching a stream. (not the nico but thanks for the link 4get, I'll keep it in mind. :3 )

Spoiler for ep23:

So looks like they did most of the novel 9 but I think they're going to merge the big climax of vol9 and the start of vol 10 into one. So...

Spoiler for hopefully:

We get the big blowout with Yasuko and Taiga's Mom showing up to confront their respective kids.

Kaisos I can barely understand a thing they're saying but I got a little bit of what went on. Also waiting on subs to get more then the gist.

Spoiler for Haruta:

Holy shit. I heard the rumors but. What the hell... it's the old joke of its the people you 'least expect. They better animate the side story of how he gets a girlfriend. I'd love a summary of it if anyone knows the details. And poor Noto. XD

[Janifuu]

After re-watching the episode, from I could pick up from it:

Spoiler for ep 23:

I appears Ryuuji didn't let Minori in on the secret that it was really him who carried Taiga back after her fall and not Kitamura, and he also lied about the fact that Taiga was unconscious and didn't say those infamous lines that she had. Minori calls Ryuuji out on it calling him a liar in from of everyone, and she then gets upset with Taiga about her not being true to herself (not being straight forward to Ryuuji about her feelings) and tries to restrain her from running away. Minori also continues to yell at Taiga pretty much telling her that she doesn't want Taiga to be the one to create happiness for her despite how much they care for eachother, because she wants to work hard and achieve it herself. Again I could have misunderstood what was said though I think thats the jist of it. I'm also a little surprised by the "bold" move from Ami and Kitamura >_> Perhaps they've been in on this together for a while?

[Peanutbutter]

Felt the episode was, in a way as said earlier, awkward. You kinda had this feeling that they just picked out parts here and there and put it together.

[typhonsentra]

Spoiler:

I have to say, I wasn't really a fan of Noto's contortions when he was confronted about his crush on Maya. They've kept it obvious but low key for so long, it felt odd and out of character for him.

Originally Posted by Peanutbutter003

Felt the episode was, in a way as said earlier, awkward. You kinda had this feeling that they just picked out parts here and there and put it together.

Well given the circumstances it was probably pretty hard to set everything up. They could've even had to start planning for the episode a ways before the book was ready for print.

[Peanutbutter]

Originally Posted by typhonsentra

Well given the circumstances it was probably pretty hard to set everything up. They could've even had to start planning for the episode a ways before the book was ready for print.

If the first scene was (as what I had hoped)

Spoiler:

Yasuko got sick.

Then perhaps they would have more time to build things up better. Instead we have more Ami. Need subs and novel to understand why.

[MeoTwister5]

I was planning to approach this episode the way I do Clannad Raws i.e. Play the game/read the original text while watching the episode to understand what I can't, but based on people's comments I guess I'll wait for the subs.

[Bonta Kun]

Originally Posted by typhonsentra

Spoiler:

I have to say, I wasn't really a fan of Noto's contortions when he was confronted about his crush on Maya. They've kept it obvious but low key for so long, it felt odd and out of character for him.

hehe wasn't it you that asked about Noto and how he wanted to get Kitamura and Taiga together, I remember answering that question that he had the hots for Kihara

well now we have our answer!

[Ryuou]

Spoiler for Noto:

I have to say, I wasn't really a fan of Noto's contortions when he was confronted about his crush on Maya. They've kept it obvious but low key for so long, it felt odd and out of character for him.

I agree. But it was kind of funny.

Like a few others have mentioned already, there were some parts that felt a bit awkward in this episode, but all in all it was interesting. I wasn't expecting things to come to that little 3-on-1 at the end. Can't say I particularly liked or disliked it as a means to get some questions answered.

[typhonsentra]

Another thing: Is it possible for Taiga to get any cuter?

Spoiler:

That swooning scene before the drama almost overloaded me!

[Peanutbutter]

Spoiler:

Took a few rewinds to finally grasp hold of the final scene, but I think I got the gist of it at the end.

"Come on, say you liked him." "No, I dun want to." "Go on, say it!" "NO, I DUN WANT TO!!!"

Were Kitamura and Ami's actions (i.e. blocking the door, preventing Taiga from leaving, and trying to get her to be honest with herself) a culmination of what their thoughts have been throughout the entire series or was there something missing? That did come out of nowhere to some extent.

Two more episodes, oh I can't wait.

[Tyabann]

Originally Posted by Peanutbutter003

Spoiler:

Took a few rewinds to finally grasp hold of the final scene, but I think I got the gist of it at the end.

"Come on, say you liked him." "No, I dun want to." "Go on, say it!" "NO, I DUN WANT TO!!!"

Were Kitamura and Ami's actions (i.e. blocking the door, preventing Taiga from leaving, and trying to get her to be honest with herself) a culmination of what their thoughts have been throughout the entire series or was there something missing? That did come out of nowhere to some extent.

Two more episodes, oh I can't wait.

Spoiler:

Was that last sarcasm?

Although it can be argued whether or not Ami's actions are in line with her established character, (I'd argue that they're at least in line with what she believes her purpose is) Kitamura's actions certainly are.

He's been trying to get Taiga to open up since Day 1.

[Peanutbutter]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Spoiler:

Was that last sarcasm?

Spoiler:

Maybe because I wandered (or rather, got myself tempted) into the novel thread that somehow or rather, I was left wanting more from this episode.

I mean, I dun need another few minutes from Yuri-sensei confirming with Ryuuji on his ambitions. Oh well...

[Ryuou]

Originally Posted by Peanutbutter003

Spoiler:

"Come on, say you liked him." "No, I dun want to." "Go on, say it!" "NO, I DUN WANT TO!!!"

It wasn't nearly that explicit, but the underlying meaning nonetheless.

The part where Minori says Ami betrays her/calls her a traitor when she gets out of Taiga's way seems to imply that Minori wasn't expecting that from Ami. Which I felt was kind of odd. When did those two establish an understanding where one could expect something from the other?

[gonzo562]

Originally Posted by Kikuchi

Once again, a really nice episode. The outcome is now totally obvious, if you weren't alreadyconvinced by last 2 episodes.
Too bad for me since it wasn't my favored pair, but honestly I don't care too much, since it was well done overall.

i agree was hoping for a different pair but doubt it will happen

[Peanutbutter]

Originally Posted by Ryuou

It wasn't nearly that explicit, but the underlying meaning nonetheless.

It's because it wasn't that explicit, that's why I needed a few rewinds to really understand that scene. And yeah, you're right.

Spoiler:

When did Ami and Minorin kiss and make up?

[Tyabann]

Maybe they planned that entire confrontation. Somehow.

[Ryuou]

Originally Posted by Kaisos Erranon

Maybe they planned that entire confrontation. Somehow.

It almost feels that way but that should be impossible. Unless we're supposed to accept that a bunch of stuff happened off screen.