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cyanide_latte's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Let's get something straight: I was not expecting to fall so deeply in love with this light novel at all. Heck, I wasn't even expecting to watch the anime, but two chapters into this, and I knew I was going to have to watch it alongside reading this (and hopefully, the rest of the novels in this series) to get some better sense of footing.
I'm sure it doesn't take much to figure out this falls in that category of media from Japan that sits somewhere solidly between teen school rom-com and slice-of-life angst, with its own sort of set dressing. Typically, that sort of manga and anime hasn't been my thing in the past and I wasn't expecting it to necessarily grip me here either. But Toradora! reads in a manner that is at once fun and light-hearted, yet also very emotional and genuinely heartfelt. We meet our two main characters, who are meant to balance and complement one another's appearances and personalities like opposite sides of a coin, and see how their paths end up crossing and what results.
What else I could possibly say without giving away too much of the story, I'm not certain. Just know that this is very good and I think it's worth reading. I also think it's a wise idea to watch the anime alongside reading this; this first light novel does a stellar job fleshing out and really expanding on what we do get in the anime, but I think watching the show can also help Western readers to get a better grasp on the characters, their individual personalities, interactions, and character voices overall.
I'm sure it doesn't take much to figure out this falls in that category of media from Japan that sits somewhere solidly between teen school rom-com and slice-of-life angst, with its own sort of set dressing. Typically, that sort of manga and anime hasn't been my thing in the past and I wasn't expecting it to necessarily grip me here either. But Toradora! reads in a manner that is at once fun and light-hearted, yet also very emotional and genuinely heartfelt. We meet our two main characters, who are meant to balance and complement one another's appearances and personalities like opposite sides of a coin, and see how their paths end up crossing and what results.
What else I could possibly say without giving away too much of the story, I'm not certain. Just know that this is very good and I think it's worth reading. I also think it's a wise idea to watch the anime alongside reading this; this first light novel does a stellar job fleshing out and really expanding on what we do get in the anime, but I think watching the show can also help Western readers to get a better grasp on the characters, their individual personalities, interactions, and character voices overall.
irayred's review against another edition
3.0
Primero que nada, lo que leí una traducción al español por un fansub así que espero haya sido lo más acorde posible a la historia original.
En esta primera novela conocemos a Ryuuji y Taiga, el dragón y el tigre compacto, quienes aunque no tienen nada en común, se ven envueltos en una situación típica de las series Slice-of-life, en la cual ambos buscan tener un progreso con sus respectivos amores -por ahora no correspondidos-.
Aisaka Taiga es una chica muy bella y literal parece una pequeña muñeca de porcelana, sin embargo, posee un carácter que te hace sentir una simple cucaracha; por otro lado, Ryuuji es alguien comprensivo y amable pero en su rostro se aprecia una mirada de matón heredada de su padre.
Cada uno busca deshacerse del peso que les impide ser chicos comunes y corrientes, así que ambos empiezan a ayudarse mutuamente y pese a que las cosas no siempre resultan como lo planean, su esperanza ni voluntad se esfuman.
Está claro que la historia tuvo su auge hace algunos ayeres, pero igual no deja de ser entretenida y sumamente ligera para el entretenimiento de mi parte friki.
En esta primera novela conocemos a Ryuuji y Taiga, el dragón y el tigre compacto, quienes aunque no tienen nada en común, se ven envueltos en una situación típica de las series Slice-of-life, en la cual ambos buscan tener un progreso con sus respectivos amores -por ahora no correspondidos-.
Aisaka Taiga es una chica muy bella y literal parece una pequeña muñeca de porcelana, sin embargo, posee un carácter que te hace sentir una simple cucaracha; por otro lado, Ryuuji es alguien comprensivo y amable pero en su rostro se aprecia una mirada de matón heredada de su padre.
Cada uno busca deshacerse del peso que les impide ser chicos comunes y corrientes, así que ambos empiezan a ayudarse mutuamente y pese a que las cosas no siempre resultan como lo planean, su esperanza ni voluntad se esfuman.
Está claro que la historia tuvo su auge hace algunos ayeres, pero igual no deja de ser entretenida y sumamente ligera para el entretenimiento de mi parte friki.
grimmarchive's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
imakandiway's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
readwithclaire's review against another edition
3.0
Cute romcom about two misunderstood people.
Plot: Ryuuji likes Minori who is best friends with Taiga who likes Kitamura who is best friends with Ryuuji. Ryuuji and Taiga befriend each other and highjinks ensue starting from misunderstandings to sharing vulnerable moments.
Characters:
Takasu Ryuuji- I loved Ryuuji. He's responsible, cooks, cleans and its genuinely kind.
Aisaka Taiga- A miniature angry girl. I wasn't enamored with Taiga honestly. She's frustrating, but her emotional moments in this first volume makes up for it to some extent.
Kushieda Minori- Airheaded best friend of Taiga.
Kitamura Yuusaku- Airheaded best friend of Ryuuji.
Takasu Yasuko- Irresponsible mother of Ryuuji who is in denial of her age and depends on Ryuuji for day to day things like meals. Walks around naked or in her underwear most of the time.
I don't particularly do well with stories that have no other plot except for the romance because it tends to follow a formula or meet, conflict, reconciliation, and repeat the conflict and reconciliation. Eventually, feelings will be revealed.
Toradora is a pretty well known series for the anime adaptation despite the light novel being the original source material so I don't think it's spoiler-y to say Ryuuji and Taiga end up together. I haven't watched the anime so I can't say but this first volume does not seem to leave any room for uncertainty about who ends up together (in my opinion).
Overall, I think the gag of the two main characters may become old as new conflicts are thrown in one after another. However, the story itself is quite cute and worth a read if you want a romantic comedy with some emotional moments. Nothing to write home about but the characters are believable and the plot is somewhat engaging, although quite OTT at times for no reason without being funny (although I think that was the intention). The translation comes off trope-y and a bit cringe at points.
If you've read the manga or watched the anime and want more Toradora, I'd recommend. I believe it's also finished at 10 volumes (which may or may not have been released completely in English).
Plot: Ryuuji likes Minori who is best friends with Taiga who likes Kitamura who is best friends with Ryuuji. Ryuuji and Taiga befriend each other and highjinks ensue starting from misunderstandings to sharing vulnerable moments.
Characters:
Takasu Ryuuji- I loved Ryuuji. He's responsible, cooks, cleans and its genuinely kind.
Aisaka Taiga- A miniature angry girl. I wasn't enamored with Taiga honestly. She's frustrating, but her emotional moments in this first volume makes up for it to some extent.
Kushieda Minori- Airheaded best friend of Taiga.
Kitamura Yuusaku- Airheaded best friend of Ryuuji.
Takasu Yasuko- Irresponsible mother of Ryuuji who is in denial of her age and depends on Ryuuji for day to day things like meals. Walks around naked or in her underwear most of the time.
I don't particularly do well with stories that have no other plot except for the romance because it tends to follow a formula or meet, conflict, reconciliation, and repeat the conflict and reconciliation. Eventually, feelings will be revealed.
Toradora is a pretty well known series for the anime adaptation despite the light novel being the original source material so I don't think it's spoiler-y to say Ryuuji and Taiga end up together. I haven't watched the anime so I can't say but this first volume does not seem to leave any room for uncertainty about who ends up together (in my opinion).
Overall, I think the gag of the two main characters may become old as new conflicts are thrown in one after another. However, the story itself is quite cute and worth a read if you want a romantic comedy with some emotional moments. Nothing to write home about but the characters are believable and the plot is somewhat engaging, although quite OTT at times for no reason without being funny (although I think that was the intention). The translation comes off trope-y and a bit cringe at points.
If you've read the manga or watched the anime and want more Toradora, I'd recommend. I believe it's also finished at 10 volumes (which may or may not have been released completely in English).
paperd's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tstone's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
absentminded_reader's review against another edition
5.0
Delightful chaos. It's too soon for me to write a review. I want to process the story and savor it some more, but my ereader is forcing my hand. What did I think of this romcom filled with acts of violence, social awkwardness, insecurity, rumors & misunderstandings, hilarity, the worst (and best) mother ever, the definitive tsundere heroine, and a kind hero who looks like he might kill you? What did I think? I thought, where is volume two? I need it now.
If you are a fan of the anime, the light novel is more nuanced, less confusing, and immensely better. If you are a fan of literature, you may not enjoy this book. It reads like American pulp fiction and anime had an affair. I loved it.
If you are a fan of the anime, the light novel is more nuanced, less confusing, and immensely better. If you are a fan of literature, you may not enjoy this book. It reads like American pulp fiction and anime had an affair. I loved it.
hornyforbooks's review against another edition
3.0
One of my favorite anime ever. The light novels are pretty close to the anime with a few changes, but it is nice to get some of ryuuji's thoughts on different points in the story.