A dozen episodes later, I still can’t care for any of the characters besides Minorin (who is probably more like me personality-wise I guess, which is why I like her). I mean, Ryuuji is simply a dim-witted sloth — yeah he has his good attributes — but it has nothing to do with lovesickness. Ryuuji just lacks the ability to perceive subtleness. Remember how he initially missed Ami’s and Taiga’s father’s “true selves”? I immediately saw through those disengenuine facades, whereas Ryuuji had to be told about them and observe them first hand.

If he could see the forest for the trees, I think he’d catch some things about himself and others would make his decision making much more accurate and real. Honestly, after he realized he was telling Taiga she should treasure her father because that’s how he felt about /his/ father, he should have immediately apologized and stepped out of her family business, he just can’t see his or anyone else’s own motivations for their actions.

Taiga is a conflicted girl, so I can forgive her for her failings, but I don’t think she and Ryuuji would honestly get along well in a less than platonic relationship, Why is it that it’s stated Minorin is the “sun” and Ryuuji is the “moon” and therefore they cannot get along, yet Taiga, one who possesses fervor, gusto , and loudness, is somehow more suited for a calm, deliberate, pensive and disciplined Ryuuji?

I really connected with what Minorin was saying back at Ami’s chateau (lol first time I think I’ve ever used that word seriously), and I completely disagree with Ami’s assessment of Ryuuji and Taiga. Actually, up until this point (episode 18) everything feels very balanced for Taiga, Minorin, Ami, & crew. Ryuuji may not fully understand himself, and Taiga might not acknowledge her attraction for Ryuuji, but the idea that any of these characters could fall in love with each other at this point seems ridiculous. They’re all friends, from what it seems to me, in real life I would expect these people to have fun together and then split off and go to college, probably not seeing each other again for a decade.

Normally I wouldn’t seriously consider any “anime relationship” (I usually mock people who do). But Tora Dora has been making a serious attempt at “realism” or at least novel-quality writing (quite a few symbols I’ve noticed in the series? Unless I’m imaging things or have been infected by eva-ism). It’s worth discussing I think… these characters are fairly well developed and resemble people I’ve encountered before.

I guess I’m rambling, but… to conclude things: I don’t like Ryuuji, Ami, or Taiga (finding their lack of wisdom or perception a large annoyance) and would disagree with their assumptions of each other if I could ever talk to them. Minorin is OK, though honestly I can’t see how any these characters could be romantically interested in one another.

If TD is is at all indicative of normal Japanese teenage experience I can see why no one in Japan has sex anymore, haha.

nuuuu, this is so odd.

@TJ: Perhaps she’s used to giving up her dreams and hopes for her best friend? Besides, had Ryuuji been a man and yelled SUKI DAAA after her, I’m sure she would have stopped dead in her tracks and cried a river. But that’s more like fanfiction material now T_T

@Will: Yeah, that’s true. I’m a roner, on V-Day, calling people who refuse to admit they are in love idiots. They could all be so happy YET THEY HAVE TO COMPLICATE THINGS ;o;

@X10A: Hmm, well Minorin will need some time to recover, especially since it’s now apparent that Ryuuji will want to talk to her to find out what’s the matter. About Taiga… I’d say that she’ll revert to her old tsundere self, because she now recognized she likes him, but most likely will not admit it to anyone else just yet. *blush* *tsundere kick* “What are you saying Baka Inu!” and the likes.
And clichés, yeah well sometimes, a little originality can’t hurt, can it. ;)

@Ryan: I have no doubts… that it will not happen. NO WORRIES MINORIN, I’M HERE ;A;
About that friendship part, I’m not really sure we know the extent of it just yet. There must be something between Minori and Taiga that happened in the past, or so… Something that would make her wary of Taiga’s unhappiness. Dunno. Conjecture, yay!

Besides, I thought Minorin was on her way to school where Ryuuji was waiting, but apparently, in the novel at least, she was about to ask Taiga about how she felt about Ryuuji. Although the way I thought it would be would have been much better because, coincidences are much more interesting! Offers much more room for CONJECTURE! Like, what if she hadn’t seen Taiga crying like a fool on the street, for example! Yay yay festival…

I miss the hyeractive Minorin, and the way she walks in front of the “Toradora” title in OP1. I like Taiga’s new persona. I hope it stays even after Christmas. As for the turn of events, what is a love comedy without these usual cliches anyway!

Yeah I was surprised how Minori didn’t shed a single tear. Seems like she is in some sort of emotionally frozen state, although her decision isn’t necessarily final given how she avoided eye contact with Ryuji when she rejected him. The whole relationship web is in a mess right now, but they’ll have six more episodes to figure it out.

@kimagure: That’s good. I’d appreciate if they stick with that, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they suddenly decided to make it an open ending, and slap a second series behind. Because that’s how things are done these days, right? Franchises milked until the end.