Toradora!
Episode 17, “Mercury Retrogrades at Christmas”
Episode 18, “Under the Fir Tree”
Episode 19, “Christmas Eve Festival”
The Christmas Story
These series of episodes are set during Christmastime. Taiga returns to school after her suspension, and is uncharacteristically excited about the holiday. In this mood, she decides to play Cupid for Ryuji and Minorin in order to be good for Santa. Meanwhile, Yusaku announces a Christmas Eve party, and the students work together to prepare for it. Taiga, who has a special love for Christmas connected with presents, brings in a glass star to top the students’ tall Christmas tree. Unfortunately, Minorin accidentally destroys it with a stray softball. Inconsolable, she refuses to go to the Christmas party, despite Ryuji’s entreaties. As the party begins, relationships begin to evolve with Ryuji at the center of everything.
These series of episodes are set during Christmastime. Taiga returns to school after her suspension, and is uncharacteristically excited about the holiday. In this mood, she decides to play Cupid for Ryuji and Minorin in order to be good for Santa. Meanwhile, Yusaku announces a Christmas Eve party, and the students work together to prepare for it. Taiga, who has a special love for Christmas connected with presents, brings in a glass star to top the students’ tall Christmas tree. Unfortunately, Minorin accidentally destroys it with a stray softball. Inconsolable, she refuses to go to the Christmas party, despite Ryuji’s entreaties. As the party begins, relationships begin to evolve with Ryuji at the center of everything.
Christmas Gifts
A humongous Christmas tree, Christmas decorations, a Christmas bear and Yusaku’s semi-naked elf (?) outfit…that exhibitionist!
A humongous Christmas tree, Christmas decorations, a Christmas bear and Yusaku’s semi-naked elf (?) outfit…that exhibitionist!
The true meaning of Christmas is…
Loving others and being witht he one you’re in love with. If you’re never seen Toradora!, it’s easy to excuse it as another romantic comedy. But these episodes, especially, show that its characters are far more complex than in a typical series of this type. A marked melancholy marks these episodes, especially regarding Taiga and, more surprisingly, Minorin. I think these episodes help remind us that not everyone enjoys the holidays and that it can be a very depressing time. That said, these episodes are still full of Christmas cheer and touching scenes. But most of all, I love seeing Minorin’s character development. Another nice addition is a song sung by Taiga and Ami (below).Stocking Stuffer
On the eighth day of Christmas, anime gave to me:
Broken hearts and ornaments
Mio’s darling dresses,
Chiyo’s dad as Santa,
Haruka crushing,
a blonde Santa Claus,
a Christmas tree comet,
Paper Sisters birthday,
and Sakura knitting a nerdy dollie.
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Baby, it’s cold outside! So don’t forget to close your door – you don’t want to let the cold in (or have a love interest see you comforting an idol singer).
Husband. Dad. Occasionally Korean. Enjoys Star Wars, ASOIAF, and Meg Ryan movies. Tweets before proofreading. Ghibli. Oregairuuuuu. Jesus is King. Follow me on Twitter (@thetangles).
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Ahh, I miss this particular series of episodes from Toradora. Probably the pivotal point of the entire series, I swear I could’ve been cheering for Minorin to take the opportunity to get closer to Ryuuji.
Alas, the series is really destined for a Taiga x Ryuuji pairing, so I’m a little disappointed D:.
Just another 4 days more to Christmas eh? Time sure flies! *gets ready the party poppers*
I have the same feeling for this show as I do for Tenchi Muyo. I like Minorin as a character much more than Taiga, but know that it’s meant for her to be with Ryuuji. Similarly, I like Aeka better than Ryoko, but feel it’s just right for Ryoko to pair with Tenchi.
Yeah, I can’t believe Christmas is almost here! But it’s way too hot over here and doesn’t feel like winter at all – same as with you, I imagine.
Aww…Japanese Christmas music. 🙂 We had to sing some carols in my Japanese class, which was awesome.
And it is almost here, isn’t it? I’ve been distracted from that fact, more concerned with turning 18 tomorrow. I don’t feel like I’m about to be a legal adult. Hmm.
Carols in Japanese? Very cool…
Happy (early) birthday!! 18’s a big deal, though I admit I didn’t feel very different about legally being an adult. I didn’t feel like an adult until I had a kid. 😛
Have a wonderful birthday and Christmas!