Subculture Anime Blog

OP: “silky heart” by Yui Horie – Is it silly to have high expectations for a lovcom OP? The animation is pretty good, and the single itself isn’t terrible, but I can only imagine that this could have been done a lot better after seeing the previous OP. Still, upon a second watch, I do think this could grow on me.

Summary:

With xmas just around the corner, Taiga expresses her excitement to Ryuji while walking in town with him. Taiga eventually brings up that Ryuji has not made any progress with Minori though, and in response, Ryuji clearly suggests that he has not had a chance to be alone with her. With this, Taiga agrees to create a chance for him in the xmas spirit. When Taiga returns to school, she is greeted by several now-fans who were moved by her fight. Moving past this, Ryuji and Taiga then meet Minori who is in a state of despair. Because of her current thoughts and distractions, she had made a terrible miss on the baseball field previously. Yusaku also greets the two, then telling Taiga that she should ask for his help before starting a fight the next time she was troubled.

Over lunch, Taiga learns that Yusaku has started something of a radio show for the school. Yuri is the current guest, but in the meantime, the usual classmates notice that Taiga is acting a bit more mature than usual. Taiga states that this is because Santa is watching, but when Ami shows up, she finds this quite ridiculous. Yusaku eventually mentions an upcoming xmas party, and while walking home that afternoon, Taiga describes this as Ryuji’s chance to confess to Minori. On a later day, however, Minori tells the class that she will have to pass on the party. Because of her previous misses, she has not been in the mood. This causes Ami to volunteer for the role she would have played, seemingly in an attempt to make her jealous. This only causes her to leave the room in frustration.

Ryuji and Taiga go to the family restaurant they usually visit later, but when they arrive, they find that Minorin is not working as she claimed she was. This makes Taiga believe that something has happened between Ryuji and Minorin, as they have seemed to change from before. This is interrupted by the arrival of the pair’s other friends, as Hisamitsu and Koji obviously pair Taiga with Yusaku. When Ryuji questions this, they bring up the good opportunity this would be for the two of them. Taiga obviously seems to like Yusaku, and Yusaku had just been dumped by Sumire. The two believe that Ryuji had not realized this, but this was obviously far from true.

Ryuji becomes worried about why he is bothered about something he has known for quite some time, but when Maya finally gets his attention, he realizes that she seems to like Yusaku as well. Maya suggests that Ryuji is much more fitting for Taiga, before leaving him to rush ahead to the rest of the group.

ED: “Orange (オレンジ)” by Rie Kugimiya, Eri Kitamura and Yui Horie – A celebration of male cooks! I like this ED probably about as much as the last one, if not more. Something as simple as Ryuji’s preparing a desert for his friends becomes a heart warming package in just a few minutes.

Preview: Life continues to change.

Impression:

Man, I love Toradora. I’m amazed at how many fans there are of the show now when compared to when it first came out though. A lot of bloggers have given in after seeing that this wasn’t the stereotypical lovcom trash that has been airing for the past few seasons, and I even got a text from one of my friends about it just yesterday! (He’s one of those losers that only reads Random Curiosity though. ….Loser.) This episode brought us straight into the next arc, with what appears to be a new love interest for Yusaku. (”I remember when this guy was a side character,” right?) I can see a lot of people complaining about this already, but I’m up for anything that gives my favorite Nonaka Ai more voice time. “Majide!”

Seeing Taiga being happy in general was a nice change of pace, and it at least showed some development in her character. I will admit that this was really freaking weird for awhile though. …She’s such a kid too! I mean who believes in angels Santa, right?? I’m also really liking the whole feel of advancement the series is showing, even though this is in simple forms like its being winter now. The way the OP plays in with this is just great, and the overall directing is something I’m totally digging.

Notes:

• A month late for xmas.
• You look like Hatsune Miku, Taiga.
• Unbelievably cute head rubbing action.
• The main characters’ love interests are both weirdos.
• Yasuko is so hip! …Much more than Yuri!
• Poor Inko.
• …Poor us who have to look at Inko.