Which girl is best for Ryuji? *Potential spoilers*

[Daverost]

My vote has to go to Taiga. They're a perfect pair.

Also, first topic in the Toradora forum :3

[yuki-chan]

Taiga, Ryuji and Taiga makes a great pair

[lopez]

I've never seen or heard about Toradora before, but the girl with blue hair looks like a good match

[PunnyFuzz]

>the girl with blue hair looks like a good match
I like to vote for the underdogs too, so yeah, I'm going for Ami.

[dodge]

i say Taiga. Ryuji and Taiga make a perfect pair.

cant wait for the first dvd set to come out.

Dodge

[Minori]

Toradora was an awesome series. Probably one of the best romance/comedies, right up there with Lovely Complex.

Minori was my favorite female character from start to finish and possessed all the traits of an ideal "dream girl" - cheerful, thoughtful, eccentric, hilarious, athletic, smart, hard-working, loyal, and [most importantly] mature. I thought she was the most compatible with Ryuji from a real-life standpoint. Now, the spoiler info which also influenced my choice:

Spoiler:

Point #1:
As the saying goes, 'First impressions are important.' Taiga starts off treating Ryuji awfully and takes his acts of kindness for granted. Ami enters the story as the stereotypical model who is self-absorbed and "two-faced." Although both Taiga and Ami do mature into great characters and relationship contenders, Minori remained true throughout the entire series. For some viewers, they may quickly change their opinions about Taiga and Ami after a few hours. However, I evaluate character based on a real-life timeline (the story spans roughly one year). With that consideration, Minori is an easy choice, because, as I stated above, most nice guys would have been completely turned off by Taiga's and Ami's initial antics.

Point #2
As the synopsis reveals, Ryuji initially has a huge crush on Minori while Taiga is head-over-heals for Yusaka. However, Ryuji plays a role that is all-too familiar in such shows: That of the nice guy who spends all his time taking care of others - and not chasing what's important to him - while being too afraid to admit his feelings to the person he cares for the most. Thus, because Ryuji harbors his love for Minori for far too long, this eventually allows Taiga the time to develop feelings for him later. Despite falling for Ryuji, she should have let her bestfriend, Minori, have a shot with him since she liked him first. Unfortunately, however, the wrong girl [Minori] stepped down. In one of the episodes, the teacher writes a very important lesson on the chalkboard: 'You can't always get what you want.' Taiga should have taken this to heart and considered her bestfriend's situation and feelings before hers.

[Daverost]

Big black post ahoy.

Spoiler:

Point #1:
As the saying goes, 'First impressions are important.' Taiga starts off treating Ryuji awfully and takes his acts of kindness for granted. Ami enters the story as the stereotypical model who is self-absorbed and "two-faced." Although both Taiga and Ami do mature into great characters and relationship contenders, Minori remained true throughout the entire series. For some viewers, they may quickly change their opinions about Taiga and Ami after a few hours. However, I evaluate character based on a real-life timeline (the story spans roughly one year). With that consideration, Minori is an easy choice, because, as I stated above, most nice guys would have been completely turned off by Taiga's and Ami's initial antics.

Spoiler:

The way she acted with Minori and Yusaka was pretty much the way she actually is, right from the start. The tough girl thing is more of a facade, partly due to being constantly hounded by guys. She didn't ever really change, she just let Ryuji into her circle and started treating him like a friend rather than an enemy. There just doesn't seem to be much of a middle ground for her.

Spoiler:

Point #2
As the synopsis reveals, Ryuji initially has a huge crush on Minori while Taiga is head-over-heals for Yusaka. However, Ryuji plays a role that is all-too familiar in such shows: That of the nice guy who spends all his time taking care of others - and not chasing what's important to him - while being too afraid to admit his feelings to the person he cares for the most. Thus, because Ryuji harbors his love for Minori for far too long, this eventually allows Taiga the time to develop feelings for him later. Despite falling for Ryuji, she should have let her bestfriend, Minori, have a shot with him since she liked him first. Unfortunately, however, the wrong girl [Minori] stepped down. In one of the episodes, the teacher writes a very important lesson on the chalkboard: 'You can't always get what you want.' Taiga should have taken this to heart and considered her bestfriend's situation and feelings before hers.

Spoiler:

She did consider her feelings. All the way up through Christmas and even beyond that. She never once made a move to take Ryuji over Minori. It was Minori's choice to let him go and let Taiga have him. They were both too concerned about each other, but Minori was the one who let him go for Taiga. It's not like Taiga backstabbed her or anything. And really, Minori was just as bad as Ryuji since she liked him but didn't confess her feelings either. Blame really lies with both of them.

That said, I wouldn't have minded Minori from the beginning except that she became such a downer for half of the show that it was hard to like her anymore. Ami, though... Ami was always seemed to be too focused on what she thought she deserved the whole time. I never could like her.

[Minori]

Some thoughts on your response.

Big black post ahoy.

Spoiler:

She did consider her feelings. All the way up through Christmas and even beyond that. She never once made a move to take Ryuji over Minori. It was Minori's choice to let him go and let Taiga have him. They were both too concerned about each other, but Minori was the one who let him go for Taiga. It's not like Taiga backstabbed her or anything. And really, Minori was just as bad as Ryuji since she liked him but didn't confess her feelings either. Blame really lies with both of them.

That said, I wouldn't have minded Minori from the beginning except that she became such a downer for half of the show that it was hard to like her anymore. Ami, though... Ami was always seemed to be too focused on what she thought she deserved the whole time. I never could like her.

Spoiler:

I definitely agree that there was poor communication (a staple in nearly every romance anime) between Ryuji, Taiga, and Minori during the entire school year regarding the subject. However, I gave points to Minori because she did confront them a few times and tried to get to the bottom of things. Each instance, however, Taiga and Ryuji responded by adamantly denying there was anything between them. I find it remarkable, that Taiga not once told Minori how he felt. You'd figure that girls who are best-friends would let the other know about something like that and not be so coy about it.

At the end of episode 2, it seemed like Minori was possibly going to confess to Ryuji after she apologized to him for the [first] "misunderstanding" on the rooftop. But because he was preoccupied with Taiga, he walked away and didn't give Minori the opportunity to say what she wanted. I believe after that, she remained skeptical (especially following events such as hearing Taiga scream, "Ryuji is mine!" upon saving him in the pool), which likely influenced her decision not to confess and ultimately leave it up to Ryuji.

Minori's depression was the result of her spacing out during the softball game when thinking of Ryuji and the mixed up signals she continued to get from he and Taiga. This is when I felt the most sympathy for Minori and why, in part, I think Taiga could have done more to consider Minori's feelings by connecting the dots and backing away from Ryuji a bit to avoid any more "misunderstandings." At the beginning of episode 21, Taiga even admits to Ryuji that she had been acting like an idiot for hanging around him all the time while trying to get him and Minori together. This, according to Taiga, explained Minori's numerous misunderstandings as well as her recent avoidance behavior and rejection to Ryuji. At this point, Taiga finally realizes her actions and behavior were inadvertently sabotaging their match-making efforts. She then tells Ryuji she will no longer visit his place and instructs him to chase after Minori to get her "real answer."

I wouldn't say Taiga "back-stabbed" her best-friend, Minori. However, I will put it this way: Taiga should have recognized a certain line that she ought not cross so that "misunderstandings" between her and her best-friend, Minori, did not evolve. However, because she wasn't careful enough, these misunderstandings escalated into rumors and led to Minori having emotional issues such as depression and avoidance behavior. By this time, Taigi should have been perceptive enough to connect the dots, and realize what effect her actions were having on her best-friend. Thus, Taiga's response should have been to distance herself from Ryuji and give up any idea of being with him for the sake of Minori's friendship and well-being. That to me, would have been the mature decision on Taiga's part. Of course, Ryuji should have been just as perceptive; but as is the case, he was playing the role of the oblivious, scared nice guy perfectly.

[Daverost]

I definitely agree that there was poor communication (a staple in nearly every romance anime)

Hah XD Truer words have never been spoken.

[Aereus]

At least it was a realistic level of lack of communication. Rather than the "misunderstandings" in most drama titles that just make you want to beat your head against the wall...

[Louis6507]

First off, GREAT DISCUSSIONS in the blacked-out text. ^_^ You two do such a great job I think there's nothing even left for me to add, except to say:

Spoiler:

I don't feel Taiga intentionally did anything wrong. I think that because of her past with her father and her mother's new families, she was so hurt and confused inside that she didn't even know what she was doing anymore.

Honestly, they almost perfectly showed how I felt after I came out of a battle with clinical depression back in '07. I hurt some people and messed up relations after that as well. But, even with my therapy I was going to, things just seem to happen before I could even recognize it and stop it.

It's why I like the original opening song, Pre-Parade, where the line is "I'm being hurt. I'm hurting you." If taken as Taiga speaking about Minori it would fit the way I felt back then. She's hurting by trying to avoid ever having a "normal relationship" because she got so hurt by her inability to have a "normal family" that she's just too scared to try again. And yet, she's hurting her best friend Minori, just by keeping Ryuji close to her because she's just so tired of being alone. And, to make matters worse, she's realizing she's developing feelings for him as well.

Discussing the end of the series:

Spoiler:

I think this is why in the end, she MUST go settle things up with her family (her mother's family) before she can begin a proper life with Ryuji. She needs to close that chapter of her life, to get beyond her depression and accept that she is worthy of being happy and that she too deserves a "normal" family.

Again, just my thoughts and opinions as to why I got so sucked into this anime. You two did a wonderful job breaking down the story. ^_^

[Daverost]

You've got some very sound points yourself. Always nice to have a good discussion on the series.

[Varyag]

Taiga FTW =)
I like Taiga... well, I also like Ami (but not Minori... she's sorta annoying character IMO), but Taiga's my fav in this anime.
BTW I also like all three similar girls - Taiga, Zero no Louise and Shana - voiced by "tsundere queen" Kugimia Rie... Yeah, I don't forget about Nagi, but I like Hinagiku much more in Hayate series.

[Louis6507]

Taiga FTW =)
I like Taiga... well, I also like Ami (but not Minori... she's sorta annoying character IMO), but Taiga's my fav in this anime.
BTW I also like all three similar girls - Taiga, Zero no Louise and Shana - voiced by "tsundere queen" Kugimia Rie... Yeah, I don't forget about Nagi, but I like Hinagiku much more in Hayate series.

Hmmm...thanks for the post. I've never read The Familiar of Zero (ゼロの使い魔) before. After googling images, they look so much alike. I'll have to look into it. Thanks!

[SjSharks182]

While this thread is dead, Ima share, so suck it :3

Spoiler:

I think Ami is the best. Apart from the facade she has at the begining she is the girl that was the most straight with him. Minori seemed to like Ryuji at one moment, and then completely sick of him the next. Like when they were at the Villa, and then when they got back to school minimal talking and blowing him off. Taiga "loved" him, but she attempted to give Minori to him to avoid her feelings; as well as making it seem as if it was crazy that her confession could be true (although she didn't know Ryuji knew). They kept putting up walls to hopefuly delude their feelings. Ami was straightforward with the constant flirting, saying that he could give her another try, and that he understands her; moreover, she stressed that they are "equals."

Ami also made Ryuji more confident. While this is a mix I think because having Taiga around all the time must have helped. Ryuji helped Ami with her issues with the stalker and her letting down her facade. These were the first instances when he helped someone on a personal level throughout the anime, and I believe these really bolstered his confidence. Sure, he still couldn't talk to Minori, but it was the first step. Ami also seemed to be the only one trying to help Ryuji understand himself. With her persistance of why he wanted to scare Minori, and her talks of not playing daddy. While it may seem as if she was trying to change him; I believe she was trying to show that she understood him while being able to tie the conversation to giving her a shot.

Even as her "true self" Ami had a special charisma to her that rivaled that of Minori's (even if it's primarily due to looks, so what). She was able to get evryone psyched for the wrestling show, the reply to Taiga, and a lot of other instances. While Minori deffinately had charisma and spirit, the problem (well the biggest one) is that she is the "dream girl". The baisic principle of "You want what you can't have" perpetuates here, and while he would have great joy being with her; it will inevitably die out relatively quick.

I blieve it ties down to both Taiga and Ami, because they are both great matches. In fact Taiga and Ryuji seem perfect at the end. This may sound weird though, but I believe Ami beats out Taiga because of that (along with some minor things). Ami and Ryuji have the potential to be a stellar pair, and that's good because their relationship will more than likely just get better as time progresses. Where as Taiga and Ryuji will be "perfect" for so long, that it's no longer surprising. I'm not saying that they will not love eachother anymore, because they will, just that things will likely become stagnant for prolonged periods of time, but they'll still be happy(Does that make sense? Sorry).

This is just a small thing, but I couldn't really fit it in here, but Ami is also the most diligent. She could see through people without any difficulty, and with Ryuji (and I guess everyone XD) being rather dense at certain points, it'd be good to have someone he can rely on who can pick up on stuff he doesn't see. Maybe he could even pick up this ability himself.

Edit: Spelling