(There will be Spoilers)

First watched it back in October 2022. My only reason for checking it out was because it's Diamondbolt's favorite anime lol. Gave it a rewatch this month for Valentine's Day. Even if I can't relate since dating's for LOSERS amirite lol?

(OK in all seriousness though)

Romcoms in general just aren't my bread and butter. You really have to go above and beyond to get me hooked on the love lives of fictional characters, or else it just comes across as empty time-biding. But I figured I'd give this one a shot, as I hear many people consider it a modern slice-of-life romance classic. And I can confidently say that that thanks to its second half, it earns itself that title. It's just really charming, comforting, and without a doubt, heartwarming. To be honest, I'd give it an 8/10 if I were judging episodes 14 or 17 onwards, but the 1st half isn't groundbreaking or anything. A handful of my definitive favorites are in there, and it is undeniably enjoyable, alongside helping the final few episodes land more. It's fun slice-of-life school stuff, but can feel stagnant and not super fulfilling. I just feel the show is more realized after the halfway point. In terms of what it wants to say about these relationships and how they decide to go forward with them. They start developing more, in a compelling and tangible way. It knows to take its time with really delving deep into who these people are and what makes them tick.

Toradora's! great strength to me has always been these damn characters. The format allows for each of our 5 leads to be well defined, making them just SO well-layered and "full." Even Kitamura, the decided least interesting one, manages to be very memorable and actually feels like a person with goals and likable quirks rather than some blank slate he could've easily been written as. I just love the guy every time I revisit it, and can confidently say he's the goldenboy. Minori remains the best character, Ryuji is just too pure, Ami's a great example of how the show fleshes everyone out in an engaging way, and then there's the Tsundere (or so, at first glance from what I've read) poster-child herself, Taiga. Of course, my first viewing had me get pretty quickly irritated with her. But even then, I could feel they at least tried to explain why and acknowledge the fact that she's difficult and insecure. And like with how Ryuji gets to fully see and embrace the real her, she's inspired to be the best version of herself once she realizes how much the guy means to her. Their relationship is the undisputed heart and soul of the series. Though a part of me feels it works a lot stronger in a sort-of "father-daughter" type of love, like how Ami describes. The canon, romantic part of it I still like, and it is essential. But at least on Ryuji's side anyway, I just wanted to buy his romantic feelings towards Taiga a bit more. I guess the idea is a more "you don't even realize it when it hits you," which I can vibe with. Taiga's side was handled really well and believable however, I'm not knocking that. You do at least root for them in the sense that they realize themselves and manage to get their crap between them figured out. And it's a really admirable sense of willing to let your own personal feelings not get in the way of what feels more right and appropriate. I guess you could say one of Toradora's side messages is "embracing the friendzone" in a way? (see Ryuji and Minori). I mean, I've definitely been there (at least partly), and as someone who's never actually dated: yeah, it can really suck knowing you've never had the guts to actually act and take a shot at her. More so, I've had to go through seeing girls I like end up going with some other guy no less. And yet, idk, you learn to kinda just accept it. Embrace it even. Doesn't mean it's the end times or anything. Be happy for the guy. Be happy for her. No need to get stupidly complicated. "Oh well." It takes time, but you learn to appreciate it. Hell, I'd argue the feeling of watching two people you've grown to like finally get around to dating and being healthy around each other, as someone from the sidelines: ain't all that bad ngl. (excuse the anecdotal tangent).

A phrase I've seen thrown around describing Toradora is "not what you want, but what you need." Which again, feels more realized as you reach the final eloping arc. Eloping in the end feels like just another easy runaway from your issues. Something I only know because I now see it as something pretty irresponsible, something that the show itself rightfully acknowledges no less. But when you have these two confused teens just finally coming to terms with how they feel towards another, and with their own internal emotional baggage-it's rash but definitely earnest. Of course, by the time we get to the finale, they decide it's for the best to take time now that they finally found/realized they inspire the other to be better. And while overall it's handled pretty decently, I will admit, I do feel like the final two episodes, while still really powerful and great as a conclusion, just could've used a biiiitttt more mileage or even time. Though I still find myself loving it whenever I revisit it. It's just a really sweet and satisfying ending that finishes off with quite possibly, the PERFECT wholesome, yet buzzkilly moment I could ask for. Our boy finally says "I love you" to her face. She weeps of joy. And headbutts him in the chin for it as the series closer. And it weirdly works.

Every emotion feels so believable and raw, even amidst the suspension of disbelief you go through (this is an anime romcom after all, not everything's going to be realistic). But it's still realistic in spirit. If you were an insecure teen, then every seemingly little thing feels like the world caving in on you. It's like it takes all this signature teen angst, and bumps them up to make it stick more. It's like hyper-relatability. There's some basis in appealing to and tapping into teen energy.

Some shots capture that quaint, embracive tone of life. The music sounds straight out of a nintendo game (and it's cute), and even the supporting cast leaves you charmed. From Yasuko (who ironically delivers the two most chilling scenes), to (cute) Miss Yuri and her quarter-life crisis (I just get stupidly warm inside whenever she shows up on screen). It's a very inviting world.

As for issues, I'd say the show does unfortunately creep close to being a little too far up its ass at times (Minori's philosophical ramblings, while mostly hits, I feel might turn off some people), not every joke or gag lands, and this is a romance story, so at least more than a few cliches and tropes are bound to be found. Get ready for some inevitable will-they-won't-theys and more misunderstandings plot beats then you count. It's handled pretty decently of course, but again, just know this is what you sign up for when watching romcoms.

Nontheless, I really appreciate how this meant so much for a lot of people, and I'm more than proud to call it my first romance anime, even if it's a genre I'm not too keen or ecstatic over. If at least until I give Kare Kano and Your Lie in April a try someday or somethin'.

Favorite episodes: 2, 4, 14-16, 21-25

P.S. Watched it dubbed, and I really love it ngl. Ryuji's yelling kills me every time.

P.P.S. some songs I like listening to in relation to this are "Beautiful" by the Marvelous 3, and the album, "Every Second Counts," by the Plain White T's (yeah, remember them? lol).

my very first Anilist review!