Toradora! – 25 (Final)
Taiga will change. AND BECOME GUNDAM. …..My final impression is included.
Summary:
Yasuko reaches her father’s home in panic, finding that Ryuji is safely waiting for her. She bursts into tears after seeing him, and after expressing her gladness, is scolded by her father. Yasuko later reveals that she had not actually gotten married, and that those around her suggested an abortion, but she wanted to protect her son no matter what. She believes that things still fell apart, but Ryuji contradicts her by showing her how big he has gotten. Seeing that Yasuko had tried to run away by herself, Ryuji tells her that nothing would start from this. He then declares that he will properly grow up, asking for Yasuko to watch over him while he does so.
Ryuji later finds that his grandparents have set up a room for both he and Taiga to use, since if they were going to get married, they may as well start using the same room. Looking to the stars outside, Taiga admits that she was a bit uneasy about running away and getting married. However, she wanted to see a dream for awhile. Ryuji replies by suggesting that they can still obtain happiness with everyone, including Taiga’s parents. Even if this would take some time, it did not matter. Taiga uses the blanket off of her futon as a veil next, suggesting that they practice for the future. She denies the need for promises when Ryuji struggles with his words, then reminding him of his statement that they were dragon and tiger. Despite her judgments, Ryuji takes the chance to kiss Taiga. Taiga sees that the feeling is just as she expected, but this does not stop her from requesting several more.
The new family of three returns home the next day, but while agreeing to stop by the Takasu household for dinner, Taiga first decides to visit her home to talk to her mother. Taiga does not find her mother in the mansion, however; only a series of angry and sad voice mails. Looking at a lone star in the sky afterwards, Taiga recalls her once believing that she was someone that couldn’t be loved. As she realizes that Ryuji loves her though, she decides that she will no longer run. She would change. That night, Taiga does not end up visiting the Takasu household for dinner.
Later at school, the class learns shocking news from Yuri that Taiga would stop coming to the school due to family circumstances. Several of the students attempt to contact her in response, while Minori slaps Ryuji outside for returning alone. Ryuji would have liked to do anything he could, of course, but he could only accept Taiga’s believing in him in the end. Ryuji vists Taiga’s room later, finding that she had forgotten some rather important items. Looking through these, Ryuji comes across the picture she had bought of herself with Yusaku at the school dance. Behind it though, was a candid shot of her with him. To the surprise of Ryuji and other students around town some time after, Taiga sends them a picture mail of a lone star in the sky.
The students wonder about this image at school the next day, until Minori arrives to reveal that it is certainly a picture of a star in the sky. The class wonders about the meaning of this, and despite some of their silly suggestions, Minori further suggests that it is a sign of hope. Even when so far away from each other, if everyone were to shine, they would be connected with each other. Ami appears to mock Minori’s comments in good nature, further mentioning the star they had used in the past as a thanks to Taiga. While looking for this with her, Ryuji mentions how good Ami is during situations like these. Ami agrees, then recalling her past envy of Taiga’s ability to express herself. She now realizes that she was wrong, however, as Taiga would never show her true face despite appearances. Ami then reaffirms her belief that if one person could understand her, she would be happy; even if this was not a relationship of love.
Minori is the one to find the lost star, and upon obtaining it, the class prepares to take a picture together to send to Taiga. As Ryuji walks alone outside afterwards, he recalls the conversation he had with Taiga around the first time they met. The tiger and dragon were already decided to walk paths together, and even if he was not with Taiga at the time being, his feelings would never break.
As Ryuji’s class graduates some time later, rumors are spread through the underclassman about events that had happened in the previous year. A particular rumor spread around that of the palm-top tiger; Ryuji’s girlfriend. After spending time with his graduating friends, Ryuji takes sight of Taiga in the classroom. He enters the room to initially find nothing, but then finds her properly in a small locker. Taiga is disappointed with this, but when Ryuji instantly takes the chance to redeclare his love to her, she punishes him for causing her embarrassment.
Impression:
Awesome. Forget the haters; I loved the ending. So, I’m assuming at this point that the anime ended similarly to the way the novel did (…and I confirm this through Kurogane’s questioning). That saved us from the horrors of bad anime original endings, making me appreciate how well JC Staff and Toradora’s author worked with each other despite such close conclusion times. It’s funny that I mentioned the meaningless running last week, because this episode totally turned that factor around. There were a ton of great lines in this episode as usual, and they were made even better by tying into the major themes scattered throughout the series previously. The lines that had the most impact on me were probably Taiga’s while she looked up at the lone star in the sky. Taiga’s always being alone was what made me appreciate her character so much in the first place, and her decision to stop running due to Ryuji’s love power™ made for the perfect resolution. This isn’t to say that Minori’s theory about things that can’t be seen at the end was any less fitting (not to mention the title’s Dragon x Tiger theme returning from the start of the series).
Taiga’s several requests to have Ryuji kiss her were sure to satisfy the pairing’s fans, including myself, but I did have to start covering my eyes in embarrassment around the fifth time…. (I also wonder what that fade out was suppose to suggest.) I loved Yasuko’s finally revealing her past situation with Ryuji too, as I definitely got teary eyed during her reconciliation with Ryuji. The ambiguous ending almost had me in rage, but after the half-expected short ED, the graduation made for a perfect conclusion. I loved the all the subtle details, like Yusaku’s going to America and the underclassmen’s squealing over Ryuji’s girlfriend. I could say the same about earlier situations, like Minori’s being the one to find the lost star, as well. Either way, I’ll “save” the rest of the rambling for the final impression….
Final Impression:
Toradora was the lovcom that I had been waiting for before even starting this almost two year old blog. I had high expectations for this series before and after sampling the manga, and I was delighted to see that the anime would retain the same quality after finally watching it. This show was really what I needed after an endless amount of terrible fanservice driven series in past seasons, as it mixed a unique blend of comedy, slice of life, and drama. Highly character driven, I felt like just about every member of Toradora’s cast was completely believable. From Taiga’s struggle of always being alone, to Minori’s using a positive attitude to hide her insecure feelings, most every character seemed to come straight from life. There was also a ton of symbolism both visually and spoken that, while not quite reaching the same level, constantly had me recalling my favorite series Honey and Clover. This was no coincidence, as Toradora’s director had a major role in the said series.
And while I could continue comparing this series to others, as it even went head to head with the major romantic drama series Clannad during the past two seasons, there’s really no reason why I should. This show has a own unique charm that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s not every season that there is a lovcom with as much quality as this one, making Toradora a true gem that has easily made it into my favorites list. While I obviously felt like some episodes were stronger than others (there were a few in the middle of the series that didn’t wow me), I overall thoroughly enjoyed Toradora. It will be awhile before we get another show anywhere close to being like this one, but for now, I tip my hat to JC Staff for their adaption of one of the most prominent light series in resent times.
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Yeah that other guy really does just come off as a hater. Awesome ending.
… Yasuko’s horribly cute, and the director’s a bastard for sticking Taiga in a Shana-like school uniform.
At least this is turning out better than Minami-ke Okaeri…
>>and the director’s a bastard for sticking Taiga in a Shana-like school uniform.
Aside from also being a serafuku, that looks nothing like Shana’s uniform. I oughta know, I doodle Shana all the time. Neither the color nor the design is similar; I really don’t see where you’re getting that.
… since I oughta say something relevant to this entry, I too loved the ending and the series as a whole, and thanks for the summary since I’m still early on the road to Japanese fluency. ^^
Yasuko is horribly cute! ah mah gawd. Feels like good closure though! Glad it’s finished (vs forever ongoing) and glad about the outcome. As I commented at Seiha, there were only a couple bumps that really bugged me, but overall, it didn’t quite peak super-high for me (maybe I’m just sick of real-ish high school and want more of the Rumble)… high enough, and episode 25 prologue was a nice high note to end on.
Placing it just below the first run of Clannad and Shigofumi ^_^
Very nice ending. Taiga, in a similar way as Ryuji, stood up in order to solve her own familiar problems. And, afterwards, she returned to him, and heard from him a love proposition (or declaration, whatever).
Aw man, it’s over. What do I do with my Wednesdays now?
I’ve gotta say, Toradora provided very few disappointments in my book. They took a story that looked like it was over after two episodes and made it great by adding characters that really developed over the course of the show. This is the first lovecom where I actually liked all of the possible pairings.
Glad to see lovecoms can be more than just fanservice and harems. Wish more stories would come up with dynamic characters who actually notice what’s going on around them. Toradora’s #1 for me!
One of the best lovecom/harem shows I can remember. All the main characters had some depth, and Kugimiya-san deserved her seiyuu award. But I personally felt this last episode introduced unnecessary separation. Perhaps there was longer to build up to it in the novel, and perhaps when I see a sub I will grasp the nuances better.
One thing I don’t grasp is why one need be embarrassed by the kisses. They were some of the best I’ve seen in anime, I thought. And it was clear what was quite delicately implied to come next — or not, as the viewer prefers.
By the way, I have lost interest in Clannad, but not in this. Not sure why, since I know there have been some big emotional happenings over there.
Raiga: Perhaps it’s the dark colors of the uniform, combined with the sailor scarf, which (combined with KugiRie playing Taiga) lead to the idea that J.C. Staff might be putting in a Shana reference.
^^d -completely spoiled by this series- I really don’t think I’ll find another series like this one. Clannad is surely a rival, as Honey and Clover, but other than those, I can’t think of anything better. ^^;
The kiss scene so made my week. -adores this show-
It was a good funny romantic show. It had it share of touching moments. Like when taiga confessed to ryuji on accident and the kiss scene in the last episode was nice. But far as best romantic show of the year Toradora is second to Clannad. To me it just didnt have as much of a emotional impact as Clannad. And Toradora felt more like a tennager love story as Clannad felt more on the adult level. But it still was better then most shows that came out in 2008 and I would be lying if I said a didnt enjoy it.
Well, compared to other recent J.C. Staff shows, Toradora is a breath of fresh air – no tsundere dynamics (in fact, Ryuji and Taiga started out helping each other win their love interests [which obviously failed]), no overblown focus on fanservice (save for bits of Ami in a bikini and Taiga in a towel [at least in that idiot Haruta's mind]), and for once J.C. Staff follows the novels pretty close.
While some may complain that the Ryuji x Taiga ending is predictable, the path leading to the pairing is the most realistic I saw in many months.
This, and some more I can’t tell, are the reasons why Toradora, notwithstanding its flaws, managed to get a place in my favorite anime list (alongside Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei).
Hashi: speaking of Rie Kugimiya, Taiga’s quite a breath of fresh air for her after several shows typecasting her as a tsundere-loli character (like… *cough* Louise, or… *cough* Shana).
A decent finale as the characters came to their senses and all the problems are resolved. Still the ending feels rushed (and probably was). At least we got a AmixMinori end though lol.
It would of been nice to see ami and ryuji get together. Ami was such a well liked character. They should of gave her a bigger part in the series.
@megalos5889: Actually you’re wrong about the tsundere thing there. At least according to the original version of the term. Taiga is one of the best examples of a tsundere, a person who is Tsun Tsun or (for the lack of a better way to put it) bitchy at first and gradually warms up revealing the Dere Dere or gentle side in the end. That’s how you define Taiga’s character development in a single word; Tsundere.
This episode was absolutely amazing.A great end to by far one of the best animes i have ever seen. I would have liked to have seen Ami confess to Ryuji but i guess the director thought other wise. Now to wait for Nodame Cantabile!!!
Kagekyuubi: Uh, Taiga WASN’T that bitchy towards Ryuji – in fact, mostly they got along pretty well in their collaboration to get their love interests. “Tsun Tsun” refers to that part that exhibits near-complete disdain. Taiga did so initially (after a pretty bad encounter in school), although as early as the first few episodes both Taiga and Ryuji managed to form an alliance (pretty fast for a romance anime, I think). The Tsundere dynamic usually takes most of the anime series, but here in Toradora Ryuji and Taiga quickly agreed where their love interests are concerned – after all, Ryuji has a crush on Minori (Taiga’s best friend) and Taiga has a crush on Yusaku (Ryuji’s best friend).
Kagekyuubi: Uh, Taiga wasn’t THAT disdainful towards Ryuji – in fact, mostly they got along pretty well in their collaboration to get their love interests. “TsunTsun” refers to that part that exhibits near-complete disdain, only to exhibit “DereDere”, or excessive love. Sure Taiga did have a bad early impression of Ryuji (after an encounter in school), although as early as the first few episodes both Taiga and Ryuji quickly got on good terms (pretty fast for a romance anime nowadays, I think). The Tsundere dynamic usually takes most of the anime series, but here Ryuji and Taiga quickly agreed where their love interests are concerned – after all, Ryuji has a crush on Minori (Taiga’s best friend) and Taiga has a crush on Yusaku (Ryuji’s best friend).
Okay, third time. At time of writing this, my post somehow isn’t shown for some reason, so this is my third attempt at submitting this, so my apologies if they all pop up together and make it look like I was spamming.
An excellent ending to an excellent series, really. What else could I really say that hasn’t already been said?
I gotta agree with Kagekyuubi here, Taiga really exemplifies the term “tsundere” in its most original definition, not the “Louise-like” tsunderes nowadays which goes hot and cold constantly like Jekyll and Hyde (not that I dislike them), but starts off cold but slowly and surely warms up.
While it’s unfair to make a direct comparison between Toradora and Clannad as their themes are completely different (the former dealing with the inner turmoil and relationships of the characters, while the latter deals with family and life after marriage, not to mention the supernatural element which is amazingly non-existent in Toradora), I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed Toradora better.
Hmm, it seems like if I post html links, the posts will get held up. Upon removing the html link in my post, it now shows up again. Anti-spamming tactic, I guess?
I forgot – by tsundere I mean THE “Louise type tsundere” (although for some reason that one ended up stuck in my head as the general definition for tsundere – gee thanks, J.C. Staff). Looks like tsundere got its true soul back with Taiga Aisaka.
Now I’m curious – are there any other type of tsundere besides Type-L (Louise; hot & cold) and Type-T (Taiga; the original)?
Shana is kind of in the middle
TAIGA HEADBUTT!
clannad and toradora have made me cry like a little girl. the ending was perfect, and remember the bridge part where taiga and ryuji were supposed to kiss? well, they were saving it for this episode, i havent giggled this hard since ever. and ya-chan was ridiculously cute. toradora is definitely one of my favorite lovcoms ever!
im so happy that it ended like it did, but now im really depressed cause its over…. T_T
What I enjoyed more about this series is the character interactions between all of them. Personally, I don’t like Taiga. I also don’t exactly see any romantic interests between Ryuuji and Ami. I see more of Ryuuji and Minorin. However, the interactions between all the characters are wonderful and that’s what I enjoyed most.
it was good…
but it wasnt h&c good due to some issues with pacing.
still i enjoyed toradora immensely.
One of the few lovcoms that I can watch over and over again without getting bored at all. The friendly relationship with Taiga and Takasu before they began to discover each other’s feelings to me is what really set apart this series from others. The ending was perfect, and the way Minorin accepted the fact that Taiga and Takasu were in love, she stepped aside for her friend to find happiness is what really got me.
A+, I really hope they make an OVA or something.
Good end is good. Although I’ll agree about that ambiguous bit. Man, I never thought I’d enjoy a lovecom so much.
Agree with everything, my new favorite anime. But by far, the BEST anime ending I’ve seen in a LONG time, way to do things right by resolving it all!
it was a cute series, i’ll give it that. And like, for-rizzle, my fav ep was when Ryuji was like, copin’ a feel when he inserted Taiga’s tit enhancer thing when it fell off, the pool episode. yea. That scene was tits! :3