Another Kugimiya Rie series can mean only more swooning moments for fans and more facepalms for critics. Yes she has the same voice practically, but as long as a market exists for loli tsunderes and the fans (like myself) exists, then she’ll be around.
In Toradora, though, she takes on a deeper, huskier voice. And hopefully it’s enough of a change for those who don’t prefer the high-pitched version of her voice (Shana-tan or Potamayo’s Nene). Still has the same rasp undertone, but that’s just necessary. Taiga is a blend of lots of memorable girls (for me at least). Aside from the obvious Shana and Louise, I think people are seeing a bit of Minami-ke’s Chiaki in her. And perhaps on a really far stretch, Rima from Shugo Chara!
Above screencap is hilarious. It was bad enough Ryuuji’s house had to be shadowed by a tall apartment complex. But now Taiga lives there. I guess it’s convenient? It took me a while to figure out the pun on the title of the series, too. I was just thinking about how Ryuuji sounds a lot like Yuuji, especially when Kugimiya says the name. We had two urusais in the middle of the ep and one at the end, but not three. And Taiga also tosses around ‘inu,’ reminding fans of Zero no Tsukaima. I’m personally not tired of it yet; it’s still funny all these references, intentional or not.
Ah, the ‘nice guy with mean eyes’ trope. It’s been a while since we’ve had one of those? Makes for a refreshing story I guess. Or maybe it’s good because I just finished Nogizaka Haruka no Himitsu and following that wuss of a guy known as Yuuto. Ryuuji is a much better male lead.
A friend tells me of an Ouran episode where this trope was used. And I remember Mitama Mayo from Sayonara Zetsubou Sensei; hilarious stuff. So we have a nice guy with mean eyes against the ferocious palmtop tiger (so cute!) who has a hidden romantic side to her. And then we have the mysteries behind both characters’ parents. Hmm…
On the Wiki page, I see Mizuki Nana, Chihara Minori, Nonaka Ai, and more in addition to Horie Yui’s voice appearance in ep1. This will be a lot of fun. Here’s hoping for a nice and different performance from Kugimiya Rie.
Oh I haven’t gotten to Akaneiro ni Somaru Saka just yet.
~Crisu
Oh and what the heck is that parrot… >_>
Yes! Ryuji will kick Yuuto’s ass…I wish.
This lead is almost too nice and he actually doesn’t fight at all. Most mean looking outside but nice inside (most? We barely have these!) actually get into fights, he’s actually mean enough that he doesn’t have to fight. It’s funny.
Oh, he fights… but he does it with words and stops Taiga cold on more than one occasion with them. It’s just he… well, he really feels a need to take care of her, and he does. Given her rather shitty family life, it’s not surprising she takes advantage of it – but she can be nice… and unlike Louise, doesn’t try to kill him everyday.
Hmm this is actually looking promising. Think I’m sold and shall watch it – can always drop it later if it gets bad, like ZnT.