hontou ni » Toradora

Dear Ami I would like to

Zyl — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 16:22:27 +0000

Somehow it's actually more disturbing to learn that I have something very much in common with Shin than to realize that I am, actually, quite partial to traps.

If you're ready to be thoroughly spoilt re: the fourth panel, see this post.

And thanks to Kabitzin for letting me use the screencap of his Matsurika Guitar post.

On Toradora and siscon shows – Denying your love

Stripey — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 17:48:27 +0000

Have you ever denied your love? Tried to smother those overwhelming, bittersweet emotions because it seems 'the right thing to do'? All my love life I've been doing that. For some inexplicable reasons, I kept meeting the right girl at the 'wrong time' or simply getting involved with 'off-limits' girls. (No not my sister you knucklehead - like for example the one your good friend fancies/ex or other folks' girlfriends or your very BEST female friend while you're attached etc etc...). So the dichotomy of denying your love yet at the same time expressing it through wanting the best for your love is a powerful theme for this tanuki in romances. That's why I enjoy siscon shows. That's why I love Toradora.

Toradora is almost all that I love in siscon shows (only lacking moelicious imoutos with ribbons) - drama from 'taboo love', fierce catfights, the struggle of the shoujo heart and others. The series only took off for me starting from the cultural festival. There, we saw the first casualty from denying her love - Sumire Kanou. Her (un)timely confession was just a small sampling of the pain of trying to reign in those unstoppable emotions.

Minori's tale kicked in next where we realised she's not only doing a Sumire but actively aiding her best friend at the expense of her own bliss. Thanks to some brilliant storytelling, we are then led to Taiga reciprocating a 'Minori' while Ami watches from the sideline, painfully aware that she's not EVEN in the race. Indeed, Taiga has come a long way from the terribly unlikeable tsuntun brat of the first 3 eps to the sacrificial angel of Christmas who blesses at the expense of her romantic fortunes.

I noted that my enjoyment of any show is proportional to the amount of nobility/integrity exhibited by the cast - whether heroes or villains, protagonists or antagonists. And the Toradora cast has exhibited a great deal of such attributes in their self-denials of love.

To the naysayers who have deemed the best segments of Toradora 'draggy', 'melodramatic' or 'unrealistic'. Simply because it hasn't happened to you doesn't mean it's unrealistic. And when it does, you'll then realise how powerful the emotions or how poignant the struggles were. Do watch it again when you gain more experience in love or life. I believe Toradora will blow you away then.

Winter 09 :: tis the Good Ends season for KugiRie tsunderes

Zyl — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 16:03:50 +0000

Well well well, what a pair of pleasant surprises. I tend to apply heavy discounts against series starring Kugimiya Rie tsundere characters due to, among other things, the tendency to take two steps forward and one step back (or more). But I actually enjoyed the endings for ToraDora! (Aye: Totali and Kurogane | Somewhat dissenting opinion: Aroduc) and the fourth season of MariMite and, what's more, found myself cheering on KugiRie charas that I had previously disliked.

Prior to Ami's appearance, Taiga reminded me of all the worst characteristics of J.C. Staff KugiRie loli-tsunderes, particularly ZnT Season 2's Louise whose behaviour rubs off very very badly against my own personal traumas. From the Rainy Blue arc in MariMite, I began to associate hair drills with evil, bratty Ojousama type charas and so I had been rooting for Kanako over Touko this season even though it was hopeless in view of the determinism of the ED.

But I had to change the way I thought of Taiga and Touko after seeing other sides to them, such as Taiga's Christmas good girl mode and Touko's dedication to her craft in drama. After learning more about their personal family histories. After seeing how the people around them were changed by and changed along with them.

And thus came to be happy with their Good Ends and to be happy for them. Good job!

If Minori had been voiced by Nakahara Mai, I bet the word would have been USODA!!! Marvellous scene at the end of Ep 23 - who wouldn't snap if all the responsibility had been dumped on your back, behind your back?

And now to the main and serious business of All Hailing Kawashima Ami:

Confession to Taiga via Ami first. Because she is that awesome.

Breaking down in front of Ami only. Because she is that awesome.

The offhand remark about the end of Minori's dream of a bisexual harem with both Taiga and Ryuuji. What an awesome idea.

Mobile phones: Communication of the Rebellion. I really Laughed Out Loud at the class's reaction and Yuri Full of Tanaka Rie Goodness sensei's reaction.

Awesome Ami calls Minori out on her shattered dream of a bisexual harem yet again...

I was concerned too but I Waited for Subs FTW. I actually found myself thinking about the parallels with Genshiken Ch 53; it's so fitting that Ryuuji understands Ami's character so well but still hasn't got a clue about her feelings. Or perhaps he understands her so well that he knows better than to get a clue - like Saki's relationship with Madarame, ignorance is truly bliss.

In conclusion, we need an Ami spinoff OVA or series. Because she is that awesome.