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Ok, so I’ll say this first, this post is a complete 100% spoiler post. If you haven’t watched 25, clicking Continue Reading will kill all the thrill Toradora ever built up. Hell, if you’re still reading on anyway proceed at your own risk.
First of all, I think Yasuko in her non-slut mode is actually extremely pretty. In this scene she reminded me a LOT of Alicia from ARIA. It actually made me realize that even though she’s the kind of mother she is, and acts childish and all, she is still, after all a grownup, and has been through more than most of us can only imagine. At the beginning of the series I must admit I didn’t think much of her, but this scene made me realize that, no matter what she seemed like in the series, she’s raised Ryuuji all the way without him going bad. Ryuuji’s right, I think that’s something pretty damn respectable no matter how you look at it. Just think of the number of parents who failed doing that.
Now, on to the lovebirds. The reason why Toradora trumps 90% of all anime love stories in my books is because this anime has closure. That’s right. Closure. Unlike other harem stories where the guy is undecided and STAYS undecided all the way to the end of the freakin undecided story, and still stays undecided with girls around him continuing to say “MAKENAI WA!” or continuing to dote on the guy until their lives end of old age, this one actually has an end to the love triangle, with the characters finally deciding who the right person for them is. The director has truly chosen to end this once and for all and close off the story before it gets long ang boring, and I think that even though we will miss the cast, its probably the best way to go.
I can’t say however, that I like how this ended. For one Taiga didn’t get as much screentime as I’d hoped, and there was nothing after Ryuuji and Taiga grew up or anything. Oh well, maybe the rest lies in the manga? Someone tell me if that’s the case.
Unlike a lot of hollywood movies or ero-game based/seinen/shoujo anime, the kissing scenes are left right to the end. This is the best thing about being Asian, the racy part always comes at the end, because realistically, people frown upon acts of courtship at the shallow stages of a relationship. People will only root for it once its grown deep enough, and its taken such a long time for them to get together and muster the courage to do it to each other. Though, I felt a bit confused and awkward when I saw this because it felt sudden and they were acting like mere platonic friends not too long ago. I guess the night tends to get people in the mood.
Oh, and don’t get me started about the no-sex thing. Being a teenager before I’m sure you guys can imagine the atmosphere at the time if YOU were in their shoes (or blankets, whichever way you want to think about it).
This scene is a really good painting of how much Taiga and Ryuuji were meant for each other. Holding hands takes quite a lot of courage (I can hear westerners laughing at us Asians now) because like I said before, public acts of affection isn’t something people around you are usually comfortable with. That’s why I think that it shows how close they are and how close they should be. I must admit, only the dragon can equal the tiger.
Yukari-sensei also earned my attention this episode. Her little speech about crossroads in life really got me thinking. Sure enough, those crossroads tend to force you to make a decision, and its those decisions which will completely change the course of your life one bit at a time. Most of these decisions don’t make or break your well being of course, but some really put so much impact on you it takes some real willpower to climb up again.
I think that Taiga’s choice of transferring and living with her mom has plenty of wisdom in it. It would be terrible to get married if your mom despised you. Her decision to reconcile herself with her family is nothing short of admirable. Reconciliation even during awkwardness has never not been good in my experience, and though we may offend or cast of another person, reconciliation is always a good thing, since everyone wants life to change for the better.
It seems a lot of side characters have been earning my attention in this series. They all seem to be developing so well in the background, no wonder so many other bloggers actually also start talking about the less-noticed side characters. If anything, Toradora has done more for its side characters than probably 90% of the anime I’ve watched.
Group photos are the best. They also represent a form of closure that will mark a part of everyone’s life. In this case, we get a half naked Kitamura, which will instead scar all of us for the rest of our lives. 
Aroduc. Not that it’s a bad thing though.
…and living abroad really isn’t anything to be proud of, but I guess if you’re going on a big prestigious scholarship and you’re Japanese, its probably a different story.
Teachers always look so proud and so happy about their students during their graduation. Perhaps its because its because it also represents a form of closure for them, showing them that they have indeed succeeded in raising good students, even though some haven’t really been ‘raised’… ah you get what I mean.
Also, it seems a lot of things can happen in one whole year. Maya and whatshisface are going all dere dere with each other now. Even though it seemed like a flash to us, they must’ve been really busy this year. Oh how I wish for a sequel now. Toradora ~After Story~
Finally, Taiga returns, and it seems that she’s sorted everything out on her side, and comes back from a school whose uniforms are sailor uniforms (KYAAA~). Somehow, she doesn’t look extremely cute in this uniform. Its probably because I’m used to seeing her in a coat and everything, but oh well. Zettais, DFC, Serafuku and tsundere all in one is any anime fan’s definition of perfection. Ahh yes, good things truly come in small packages.
P.S. Our loveable home parrot seems to have finally passed the JLPT lvl 100. Good Job Inko-chan on finally being able to say your own name! Time to get it a square hat and a certificate too.
April 30th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
I would like to complament you on the love story in your anime. It seems that anymore people don’t get true love. Westerners are the worst, unfortunatly I am stuck with them. A vast majority of them are so pathetic at controlling their hormonal urges and it sickens me. I have been single my entire life and have spent these twenty one years looking for true love, what a waste. People can’t seem to look past my skin and see me for who I truly am. Not even my friends get it! All I have wated in my life is to find that perfect girl, some like the ones in anime. Well behaved, kind, loving, and I don’t care what she looks like. I know, it doesn’t make any sense. How could a guy not care what a girl looks like. Hey, it’s called honor, this moderen society has none. Well I am wasting your time, you don’t need to hear this. I guess I just wanted to tell someone how I felt. Thanks.
May 9th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
they truly do need to make a sequel for this love story, like as if Taiga-san’s parents came and kidnapped her, and ryuji had to come and rescue her from the evil people, but having the ending be of romance or something along those lines. Like a romantic thriller. Also for the person above this post, i know exactly how you feel, even though i am also a guy. I watched this entire series and it made me cry until my tear ducts ran dry. I would love it if there were a special girl in her own way, maybe exactly like Taiga-san, that i could meet somewhere on the planet and then fall in love with her in the exact same way Ryuji did, even if i had to live his life EXACTLY the way he did, i would do anything to be him, even if i had to have those eyes (awesome!!!). It is so unfair that life does not come with a guide telling you or showing you who your special person is. IT MAKES ME WANT TO TEAR MY HAIR OUT!!! I just don’t think i will find Her.
May 17th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
On top of that, a whole year passed since they saw one another last?! That’s a while, even in high school, to not let someone go, even though they might not ever come back. I say it’s a good thing that she came back on the last day right before Ryuuji left the school because he might have never seen her again, unless she showed up at his house, or texted him. I know he would not have hooked up with Ami nor Minori because he has very strong binds and feelings with Taiga-san, even when she is so far away, which reminds me, what school in Tokyo did she go to for the last year? Cause she’s wearing a black school uniform with a gold and black badge on the left side, her handerchief is black and white stripped. It’s like she just walked to Ryuuji’s school, so she could not have been very far, right?
June 20th, 2009 at 5:04 am
I Love Tora Dora! For me this is the no. 1 Anime, and i really treasure it in my heart. I wish there is a sequel, i really want to know what will happen next with Ryuugi and Taiga, as they have just met after so long..my heart aches just thinking that they got separated from each other for about a year, but i guess it’s for the good, so i try my best to accept it (it’s so hard to accept). Tora Dora! really reached my heart, i’m glad i bumped into it. I Love this Anime! I just want to show that really appreciate this Anime – I really love it!!!!
August 31st, 2010 at 7:01 pm
it.
June 4th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
Quite interesting comments on the view on “westerners” I didn’t know in that respect that I held as much in common with the eastern world in terms of “dating” and “relationship” in terms of view. (If things don’t make sense, read past them, I’m SO sleepy right now, just pulled a week of 9 and 10 hr days
) I would actually be extremely intrigued to hear more in relation to this specific view and how it’s viewed in the eastern world. I must say though, for the MOST part highschoolers here are not a whole lot better than whores. :-\ Sad to say, most of these kids can’t keep their freaking pants on, or their tongue in their mouth, etc, etc…
On a side note I liked your synopsis on Episode 25, such a charming and CUTE anime that i don’t think I’ve seen an equal. I was commenting to myself tonight as I watched the first three episodes over again, that here in America we don’t get to see such things that are so… pure. very few curse words, no real “violence” and no grotesque sexuality being published on TV.
I must agree with another poster stating how he wishes that he could find someone who would look past their skin and their body and love them for who they really are, I also said that i could almost go with someone who would almost be exactly like taiga. (In the latter part of the series, I’m not down for the being poked in the eyes, punched etc)
BTW.. my location: Iowa, USA
sorry for the post almost A YEAR LATTER just found the website.