Toradora! was and still is one of the most popular and iconic romance anime of all time, essentially defining the genre after its late 2000s debut. This is somewhat strange on the surface, as the series seems to be a rather typical rom-com to the uninitiated. Nevertheless, it was more than the sum of its parts, coming together to create an experience that, at the time, felt fresh and original.
In fact, Toradora! essentially encapsulated and originated (in some viewers' eyes) the tropes of modern romance anime. This quintessential nature is a major reason why so many still go back to it. It's also what makes it a success story of its time, one that will be incredibly difficult to replicate in the future. Here's why Toradora! remains an uncanny romance anime classic over a decade after it came out.
What Was Toradora! About?
Toradora! began as a light novel by Yuyuko Takemiya and Yasu back in 2006. From there, it would receive a spinoff series before becoming a manga, a radio show and finally an anime series. The story's male protagonist is Ryuji Takasu, a boy who, despite his kind, calm demeanor, is seen as off-putting due to his seemingly harsh appearance. He has a crush on a girl named Minori Kushieda, but he also catches the ire of her best friend - the antagonistic Taiga Aisaka. Taiga instantly hates Ryuji, perhaps even more so than everyone else who becomes the victim of her negative attitude.
Despite this, Ryuji and Taiga end up trying to help their best friends become romantically involved with each other, all the while spending tons of time together. This leads many to suspect that they might be a couple, and though they try to disprove these rumors, they end up becoming incredibly attached to one another. What results from all of this is a series of intermingling love triangles and uproarious situations, all of which come together to make Toradora! a beloved anime to this day.
Why Was Toradora! So Beloved?
As mentioned, Toradora! was the quintessential modern romantic comedy anime. Many anime had featured love triangles and other elements beforehand, which is part of what makes Toradora! now potentially come off as somewhat generic. There's one element in particular, however, that made the show stand out, sparking a wave in anime for a certain character archetype: the tsundere. This character trait describes someone -- usually a young lady or woman -- who comes off as incredibly harsh and hateful, only to reveal that they're actually rather soft and caring on the inside.
The tsundere archetype also existed before Toradora!, but this was the show that truly made it come alive with fleshed out, well-developed characters. There were plenty of jokes and comedy to be had, but the actual characterizations were rich and realistic. The subtle hints and touches throughout also made the series lend itself to frequent re-watches, which many have constantly undertaken throughout the years.
This gives Toradora! a theme of appearances being deceiving, and that what's outwardly valued may not be what's inwardly desired. These themes also make the show much more subversive than it would seem, completely upending what audiences might expect by the end of its 25 episodes. That's to say nothing of the equally classic theme song "Pre-Parade," which has become just as popular as the show itself.
Can Toradora!'s Success Be Replicated?
Toradora! is very much a series that's reflective of its era. Those who've never seen the series would feel that its beginning is in the realms of what's now considered cliché, and the same goes for many of its developments. Toradora! inarguably defined the rom-com genre within anime and it's to the point where, if anything similar were made nowadays, it would simply be seen as generic.
The tsundere trope has also become something of a cliché, with almost every romantic anime needing to have one. This proves the influence of Toradora!, but also shows how anything trying to imitate it would simply be considered old-hat. Perhaps it's best to let the series remain a master of its genre, sitting on the throne until a similar but still markedly different series comes along to speak to a new generation.
For those who wish to revisit the budding romance of Taiga and Ryuji or have yet to see what all the buzz is about, Toradora! is streaming on Tubi TV, VRV, Netflix, Prime Video and the Crunchyroll streaming service, making it very easy to watch this modern classic.