Is Toradora! worth watching? – A Complete Review

Toradora! is a Japanese light novel series by Yuyuko Takemiya, with illustrations by Yasu. 

The romantic comedy manga series revolves around the relationship between kind, selfless Ryuji Takasu, and the fierce, short-tempered  Taiga Aisaka.

The title Toradora! is derived from the names of the two main characters Taiga Aisaka and Ryūji Takasu.

The series comprises 25 episodes, which aired between October 2, 2008, and March 26, 2009, on TV Tokyo in Japan. 

Toradora! - Official English Trailer

The Mainichi Shimbun reported in April 2009 that over 3 million copies of the light novel series have been sold in Japan.

1. Quick Review

The main character of the series is Ryuji Takasu. He is a high school second-year student who always trying to look his best but is frustrated by his efforts.

He has a gentle personality, but people still mistake him for an intimidating troublemaker because of his glaring eyes.

Ryuji is happy in the company of his best friend Yusaku Kitamura, as well as the girl he has a crush on, Minori Kushieda. 

Unexpectedly, Ryuji runs into the school’s most hot-tempered girl—Taiga Aisaka—who also just happens to be Minori’s best friend.

Taiga tends to stay away from people. She takes an instant dislike to Ryuji, but as it turns out she is Ryuji’s neighbor.

When Ryuji discovers that Taiga has a crush on Yusaku, they make an arrangement to help set each other up with their crushes.

As the story unfolds, the two characters try to set up romantic situations to help each other get to know their friends, but many of the situations backfire.

Their classmates observe that they are spending a lot of time with each other, which then leads to rumors that Ryuji and Taiga might be a couple.

Although both of them try to dismiss the rumors, they realize that they do enjoy being in each other’s company.

Toradora! is a wonderful, feel-good romantic comedy. The predictability of the show is successfully banished by the small twists that occur every couple of episodes and the wonderful characters are enough reason to keep coming back for more.

2. Info Card

3. Is it worth watching?

Toradora! is such a beautiful coming-of-age love story. The character development really sheds light on what youngsters think love is versus how it really is once you meet the right person who you’re willing to do anything for.

Through Ryuji and Taiga, is narrated a beautiful slice-of-life anime that is sure to sweep you off your feet with animation that complements the story.

I. Plot

Despite Ryuji Takasu’s gentle personality, his eyes make him look like an intimidating delinquent. This trait that he inherited from his father makes him want to try his best to appear decent and the constant efforts he puts into doing so leaves him frustrated.

Class rearrangements on his second high school year bring him together with his best friend, Yusaku Kitamura, and his crush, Minori Kushieda.

Along with these two, we are introduced to Minori’s best friend, Taiga Aisaka. Her doll-like appearance contrasts with her brutal personality. Secretly in love with Yusaku, Taiga agrees to help Ryuji with his love interest as long as he helps her get closer to hers.

Toradora! is a wonderful tale about the relationship that blossoms between two characters. The story really knows how to pull at your heartstrings with the right combination of comedy, sorrow, and empathy.

It’s one of those shows that makes you think about the first time you had a crush on someone which makes it all the more nostalgic.

II. Characters

Ryuuji Takasu

Ryuuji Takasu is one of the series’ main male protagonist. He is a seventeen-year-old high school student in his second year. 

He is often mistaken for being a delinquent because of his glaring eyes that he inherited from his father. Despite this, Ryuuji is seen to be rather calm in most situations and is responsible, smart, and has great grades.

Taiga Aisaku

Taiga Aisaku is the other protagonist of the series. She is described as the hot-headed narcissist. 

She is feisty, short-tempered, strong, and quick to get into physical confrontations. Throughout the series, we see the most development in her character, although it may seem to be a bit predictable. 

Yusaku Kitamura

Yusaku Kitamura is Ryuji’s best friend and seemingly his only friend at the start of the series. 

He’s the nice, smart, popular, and driven support character. Yusaku is given almost equal depth and character compared to the two protagonists. He tends to provide some of the “lighter” comic relief. 

Minori Kushieda

Minori Kushieda’s starts off as the typical happy go lucky character. 

She seems to be playing a similar role to that of Yusaku where she’s used as an element to provide some comedy as well as a reason to bring the main characters together. However, as the story progresses, you can see some unexpected developments in her character.

Kawashima Ami

Kawashima Ami is Yusaku’s childhood friend and also a magazine model.

She’s pretty, popular, and also very manipulative. Her “pretty girl” character naturally clashes with the female lead. Her character may seem pretty basic but turns out to be rather complex yet subtle as the plot moves forward. 

III. Setting 

The neighborhood of the main characters is unknown to the viewers but based on the backgrounds, we can tell that the series is set in Tokyo in different neighborhoods and of course, Ohashi High School that the characters of Toradora! attend.

IV. Theme Songs 

The first opening theme is “Pre-Parade” (Pureparēdo) by Rie Kugimiya, Eri Kitamura, and Yui Horie. This song narrates the cat and mouse relationship between the two main protagonists and really sets the tone for the kind of relationship the two have in the first few episodes.

The first ending theme is “Vanilla Salt” ( Banira Soruto) by Horie. The concept of this ending theme really depicts the emotional development of a Tsundere (a Japanese term for a character development process that depicts a person who is initially cold before gradually showing a warmer, friendlier side over time).        

The second opening is “Silky Heart” by Horie. This opening theme song along with its visuals shows Ryuji and Taiga’s journey of falling in love. It creates a sense of nostalgia for the viewers who have been dedicated to their story up until this point. 

The second ending is “Orange” (Orenji) by Kugimiya, Kitamura, and Horie. The final ending song is soothing with its beautiful harmonies and feel-good music.

The insert theme for episode nineteen is “Holy Night” (Hōrī Naito) performed by Kugimiya and Kitamura. The piano in the song sounds incredible and definitely brings the cheer of Christmas and new year through its music.

4. Grade