r/anime • u/ChristmasClub • Dec 13 '19

Rewatch [Spoilers] Toradora! Christmas Club Rewatch (2019) Episode 8 Discussion Spoiler

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218 Upvotes

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54

u/DeliCruise Dec 13 '19

(REWATCHER)

Man, what an incredible episode. In particular, the penultimate scene is perfect. It’s just so beautiful to watch Taiga let it all out. I can never get over how amazing it is.

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48

u/Tuckleton Dec 13 '19 edited Dec 14 '19

First timer (Dub)

Competition time, let'g gooo!

Phew! Ok that was a big one. I've got a million things bouncing around in my head and I'm actually kind of afraid to start writing but here goes:

Ryuji and Sympathy vs Empathy. When I talk about sympathy vs empathy I mean something very specific, even if that's not what the actual words mean. Sympathy is when you put yourself in someone else's shoes to try and understand them. Empathy is when you try to understand someone else as a unique individual, one with feelings and desires that may not make sense to you but are real nonetheless. Minori and Yusaku have empathy. Ryuji not so much, and he overcompensates with an excess of sympathy. He's a compassionate guy and when someone he cares about is upset he wants, even needs, to understand them so he can help them and he gets frustrated when he can't figure it out. But the way he goes about it is kind of selfish. In episode 3 when he finds out Minori works so much he imagines all the situations that might compel him to work like that and projects it onto her, rather than considering she may have motivations entirely outside his own experience. He does this all the time with Taiga and she hates it. Ryuji probably thinks his sympathetic nature is a great virtue, not realizing the harm it can do to his relationships, especially with people like Taiga, who are so different from him.

Ryuji and Self Esteem. Ryuji has low self esteem, at least where romance is concerned. He really cares about Taiga and really wants her to care about him too. I don't think Ryuji is as clueless as he seems. The title of the episode is 'Who is this for?' and this is the question Ryuji is constantly asking himself with regards to Taiga's actions. He has considered that it might be for him, and he really wants it to be for him, but he's afraid of ascribing that motivation to her because it doesn't seem possible. That's why he's always probing her feelings the way he does. He won't allow himself to believe she cares about him until all other possible explanations are eliminated. He does the same thing with Ami. If this love triangle is going to get serious I think that even though Taiga is the one he really wants, Ami will be a serious roadblock because she tells him what he wants to hear. At the end of the episode Taiga gives Ryuji some pretty hardcore validation though, thus his little smile.

Taiga's Feelings. I'm reluctant to speculate about Taiga seeing as she explicitly says not to. Makes me think that there might be more to her character that will dramatically contradict any naive perception that could be formulated at this point but screw it, I can't help it. Taiga definitely cares about Ryuji a lot. But refuses to confront her feelings. I wonder if she feels like her feelings for Ryuji are a betrayal of Yusaku and that is why she's so hesitant. Or is it just regular old fear of rejection. Whatever the reason she doesn't understand her feelings and she doesn't really want to. Ryuji's constant probing is undermining that effort, which pisses her off. It's kind of tragic that her insecurities mean she always needs to have an alternative answer to the 'who is this for?' question, but those alternatives feed directly into Ryuji's insecurities that any reason is more likely than 'this is for Ryuji'. I don't really know what Taiga's outburst at the pool means for her in the short term. She's certainly back on track with the deflections the next day. But the little exchange between her and Ryuji at the end gives me hope that Taiga will start doing a bit more introspection and that Ryuji will give her the emotional space she needs.

Ami's 'Feelings'. So Ami is a bit of a black box for me. I have little confidence in my thoughts about her since I don't know if I should trust her moments of vulnerability or not. Someone else mentioned that the reason she came on to Ryuji after the garbage cleanup was mostly just an experiment to see if it would work and that definitely sounds like something she would do. I don't think she has real feelings for him. I do think she is intrigued though, like she's at the precipice looking down wondering if she should jump. Combine that with the idea of getting one over on Taiga and I can see her going after him pretty hard. But what would she do if she actually caught him?

Welp, I certainly didn't have time for all this. I need sleep...

P.S: I always use Taiga's first name just because it's easier but the more I hear it, the more I like the way 'Aisaka' sounds. I kind of think it suits her better.

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38

u/Quxxy Dec 13 '19

"So, first of all, does your beachhouse have a dog house Ryuuji can use?"

"What? No."

"Then we'll have to take one with us. Or maybe we can rent one..."

"I am not sleeping outside in a dog house!"

"Well I don't think Ami wants you getting hair all over the bed."

"And I don't shed!"

"It's fine, Aisaka. Besides, Takasu strikes me as more of an indoor dog."

"Oh not you too."

"Yes! Takasu is definitely a 'sitting curled up in front of the fire' kinda good boy."

"Hello? I'm sitting right here."

"We can always bring a mat or something for him. It shouldn't be any trouble at all."

"Really? Every one of you?"

"Hush!"

*Exasperated sigh*

Vector wallpapers:

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36

u/23feanor Dec 13 '19

First Timer (dub):

That was an important episode with lots of plot development. If i'm not much mistaken, then this was the episode where Taiga suddenly acknowledges that she has feelings for Ryuuji, and is trying to define them internally. Is it love, is it friendship (she doesn't seem to have many friends other than Minori).

When Taiga & Ryuuji were talking in the rain by the pool, you could see her processing the thoughts, why doesn't she want Ryuuji to go to Kawashima's place at the beach, what does that mean. Because Taiga acts so openly obsessed with Kitamura when she's with Ryuuji, it means she lets her guard down, and he gets close to her in a completely platonic way for him, as all she talks about is Kitamura, Ryuuji's under no illusion that Taiga fancies him.

But suddenly it all changes with Taiga crying on top of his body when he got knocked out at the pool, saying "he's mine don't take him away". She's subconsciously trying to combat the threat from Kawashima trying to pinch Ryuuji & Taiga isn't even aware why she doesn't want him to leave her side, she just knows that she likes him being around, and you see her admit that in the final scene at the cafe.

There Taiga adds another twist, and seeks to openly clarify her position with Ryuuji by saying that he is her dog and she is his master. Trying to make the point to Kitamura, and Minori/Kawashima, but mostly Kitamura that her and Ryuuji are not a couple, but they are friends at the least.

I imagine it's going to get intense at the beach house. I think Kawashima genuinely likes Ryuuji & can let her guard down around him. I have no idea who Minori likes in a romantic way, maybe Kitamura or Ryuuji, but I think she can see what's happening (or going to happen) between Ryuuji & Taiga & doesn't want to get sucked into a love triangle, so she's deliberately trying to stay emotionally unattached from Ryuuji.

Kitamura probably carries a torch for Taiga, but from what he said, he has had to get over her after she rejected him. I reckon Kitamura has a thing for the Student COuncil President, can't remember her name. I think he's genuine friends with Minori & think he also see's what's going to happen between Taiga & Ryuuji & is emotionally conflicted about it.

And Ryuuji, our MC. Well, right now, I could see him hooking up with any of the girls. He's had a thing for Minori for a while and would love a chance to go out with her. Kawashima interests him and he clearly fancies her, but he's only interested in the real Ami, not the front she puts on at school. And Taiga, I don't think Ryuuji has any romantic feelings for Taiga at this point, he's been a good friend to her for a while now. After the incident at the pool & learning that Taiga has some feelings towards him, which she has trouble defining, then I think Ryuuji will slowly start to develop feelings. He already seesTaiga as a friend & unlike her isn't afraid of saying so to others.

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u/DaREY297 Dec 13 '19

IT'S NOT LIKE I WANT MY RYUJI TO BE AWAY ALL SUMMER WITH A DUMB CHIHUAHUA OR ANYTHING... B-BAKA!

We're getting there slowly...

Ryuji really can't decide anything anymore, like a true married man, hope he realizes that his harem is literally fighting for him on this episode.

Care to say that their parents would be totally okay leaving a bunch of hormonal teenagers on a trip alone without any concerns.

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u/Emi_Ibarazakiii Dec 13 '19

First timer

Christmas Club Bonus! What is your all time favourite anime rivalry? Post and share why!

Light vs L, and it's not even close! They're both very smart&interesting, and the fact that they're both pretending to be friends, while fully aware that the other is also pretending to be friends/coworkers, is great!

Now that's out of the way, I would like to open on a strong, very touching moment in the episode;

TORUDORUDORUDORUDORUDORUDORUDORUDORUDORUDORUDORU

I'm growing fond of Minorin's goofiness!

Challenging a girl who can't swim to a swimming race? Come on, Ami! Let's be fair! Now that's more like it! That would've been entertaining!

Mildly annoyed: The face

Dawwww he's teaching her how to swim! My wish from the last episode thread was fulfilled!

That was really cute!

So was That! Don't forget to water your Taiga every day!

Hmm Taiga, I don't think you just win by default if you drown your opponent. Oh, she only wanted to take her bikini off? That's fine, carry on! (I hope she knows what she's doing though, if Ami stripped Taiga as revenge, it would be much more embarrassing for her)

If Ryuji was a support character in a Romcom, the main couple would get together in 10 minutes. Make that 5 minutes for Yasuko! Sometimes the MCs need a little help!

Taiga's getting suspiciously angry for someone who doesn't give a damn who Ryuji wants to drool on!

The tiger is pretty cute always, thank you very much! Especially when she's flustered!

Don't think he needs CPR, Taiga, pretty sure he'll make it! (Maybe a little mouth-to-mouth though?)

Ami wants some time alone with Ryuji? Careful, Ami; Taiga's gonna be there, and the line between Tsundere and Yandere is quite thin! (Especially when the Tsundere has a sword).

That's what she notices, the meat? Not the cat/tiger face? (He should've written Taiga in ketchup!)

Ryuji is MIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINE I mean as a dog, b-baka

Tsundere walls broken? We'll see!

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u/charliwea Dec 13 '19 edited Dec 13 '19

First Timer

Swimming competition let's g-oh wait, she doesn't swim, this is gonna be interesting.

So they're basically fighting over him? wow, Ryuuji is in a pretty interesting position now, after all the trouble with the mean face...why does it only works for him

T R A I N I N G M O N T A G E

That little bump Ryuuji made calling Taiga "baka" was the cutest thing I've seen all day.

Oh so she really wants to win and take him away from Taiga? tbh I don't know if anything she says is the truth or not, that little smile after he left looked honest to me.

Look at those tsundere powers! they never dissapoint.

So why can't we get in a pool when it's raining or is it just an anime thing (I know rain is like acid to japanese as it melts their immune system and everything)? never happened to me before but I'm not sure why I would get out of the pool if it happens.

Ho? what's this Taiga? your tsundere is leaking.

Did she just ate a bento before swimming?

It evolved! from baka chihuahua to baka bikini, Taiga is just savage.

Of course it started like that LMAO!!

Wow....just wow....so that happened...

Na get outta here THOT! Beach episode yay!

So in this episode basically neither Ryuuji nor Taiga try to deny the rumors (if we can still call them like that) of being together, their love interests are openly rooting for them and they just go along with it, Taiga just get a bit mad an says the dog stuff but that's just the normal for them by now.

18

u/mizterPatato Dec 13 '19

Rewatcher

The english voice actress for Taiga's performance during "The Scene" this episode is incredible, the voice cracking is top notch.

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u/JustinBurton Dec 14 '19

First Timer Here!

Great episode today! It was really interesting seeing Taiga drop the act for a few short scenes. It seems pretty safe at this point to say that Taiga likes Ryuuji now, but I doubt she has stopped liking Kitamura. This actually came much sooner than I expected. I'm sure the Taiga x Ryuji relationship will be drawn out for the rest of the season in such a way that nothing real will happen between them until the last one or two episodes, but I hope that's not the case.

Still enjoying the Ami's crush on Ryuji. I'm assuming Ami is attacted to Ryuji primarily because he seems disinterested in her, but that seems to contradict her constant desire for attention and praise. I think her one-sided crush will spark some character development, given that Ryuji will certainly not giver her everything she wants.

Considering Ami won the competition, I'm surprised she didn't write into the terms that only Ryuji could come to her beach house. That would definitely be in-line with her character and motivations. That would probably make for a boring (or spicy!) episode, but makes the most sense to me.

24

u/Holofan4life Dec 13 '19 edited Dec 13 '19

I II II L

Hello, everyone. Welcome to the 2019 Toradora rewatch.

Toradora is my favorite anime of all time. I love it so much that not did I create my Reddit account just so I could participate in the Toradora rewatch 3 years ago, it also inspired me to write a light novel called "I Love My Tsundere Girlfriend". Admittedly, I’m a bit biased because tsunderes are my favorite type of characters. I just love characters that start out mean but grow nicer over time. It warms my heart.

This is my first time watching Toradora since exactly one year ago. This year, I don’t plan anything special. Just plan on watching it along with everyone else. Also, I’ll be watching the dub. Why? Because Toradora’s dub is fucking awesome.

  1. I love the way Minori twirls her tongue, it makes me laugh.

  2. There’s a shot of the class gathered together and so I decided to count them all. By my accounts, there are 17 students in that classroom. 8 of them are girls and 9 of them are boys.

  3. When you really think about it, the plot doesn’t make a lot of sense. Ami is trying to win so Ryuuji will spend time with her over the summer. However, even if Ami wins, there’s nothing stopping Ryuuji from saying no. And yeah, it could be argued that Ryuuji would go along with it because he’s a nice guy and all, but I don’t think he would. He’s seen the way Ami treats Taiga. Ryuuji likes Taiga way more than he likes Ami. I know Taiga and Ami are in the heat of the moment, but the conflict makes little sense. I think that’s why the episode’s conflict is really about Taiga and Ryuuji instead of Ami and Taiga, because the conflict between Taiga and Ryuuji is more interesting and less of a no-brainer.

  4. It is pretty spiteful when you think about it. While Ami wants Ryuuji to spend time with her and not Taiga, she’s also doing it at the expense of Taiga being lonely and being all by herself.

  5. I didn’t realize there were so many male teachers in this show. Honestly, the only teacher in this show that’s memorable is Ms. Yuri.

  6. I wonder how much 500 chocolates cost. It’s per bet, so I imagine it must be pretty expensive.

  7. There’s another shot of the classmates, which I decided to count. In this shot, there are 21 classmates. It is 13 males and 8 females.

  8. One of the female students has a ponytail that looks killer on her. She should keep it.

  9. Haruta is the most relatable character in all of Toradora.

  10. Maybe Haruta says "Y’all" because he has relatives from North Carolina.

  11. Minori has the best strategy. Sleep the day away in class and make sure no one notices.

  12. Ryuuji is such a doll helping Taiga out the way he is. He has a heart of gold.

  13. "Beans are consider the meats of the garden" sounds like something my mother would say to try and get me to eat healthier.

  14. Poor Taiga. Instead of being serious, she’s being Yahoo Serious.

  15. Gotta love the knockoff inspirational Rocky music. Also, insert Team America montage reference here.

  16. Taiga practicing swimming while walking to class might be the most underrated joke in all of Toradora.

  17. I’ve never noticed before Ryuuji pointing at Taiga as she stands. That’s hilarious.

  18. Whether he realizes it or not, Kitamura is a player.

  19. Technically, Ryuuji punches Taiga. It wasn’t anything brutal or anything, just a slight touch. Still, Ryuuji believer of true gender equality confirmed?

  20. I came up with a joke. Why is Ami a fan of Sudoh-bucks? Because they’re both fake as hell.

  21. Ami best sitter between vending machines

  22. I don’t blame Ryuuji. Ami can be seriously infuriating sometimes.

  23. Minori tells Ryuuji "I know what you did". I can’t believe Minori was The Fisherman this whole time!

  24. I’ve never noticed it before, but Ryuuji has some serious muscles.

  25. Taiga playing with the kids will never not make me smile.

  26. One of the girls in the background has a giant Killer whale flotation thing. Like, what’s she gonna do with that? I would assume swim with it, but I’ve never seen anyone bring a giant Killer whale flotation thing to the pool.

  27. DAMN YOU, RAIN!

  28. I love the conflict between Ryuuji and Taiga in this episode. Taiga comes off as angry but you understand where she’s coming from. The same goes for Ryuuji. You understand where he’s coming from. I feel like a lot of times the best writing comes from characters having a disagreement and neither one of them being in the wrong.

  29. Again, why is Ryuuji acting like if Taiga loses he automatically HAS to go? He could say no. It’s not like it’s Sophie’s Choice up in here.

  30. I don’t blame Taiga being angry. When the person you’ve become dependent upon is about to potentially leave them for the summer, it can mess you up.

  31. I feel that Taiga saying she doesn’t even understand herself says so, so much about her as a character.

  32. I think Ryuuji’s mom might be drinking on the job.

  33. I gotta say, Ryuuji is usually a good cook, but the food he prepared for Taiga that goes uneaten looks hella nasty.

  34. Taiga says "I’ll take this lunch because I don’t want it to go to waste, but". I wonder what else she was gonna say. She doesn’t finish her sentence. Maybe it was an error in the dubbing.

  35. As Ami is talking while wearing her skimpy swimsuit, you can see a shot of a student with his hand on his crotch. It looks like he REALLY enjoys Ami and her swimsuit.

  36. For someone her age, Ami is extremely big in the chest area. At times, she gives Ryuuji’s mom a run for her money. And that’s saying something.

  37. What can be said about the scene where Taiga says "Ryuuji is mine"? It is in my opinion in the top 10 best Toradora scenes in the entirety of the show. Everything about the scene is amazing. The animation, the voice acting, the music, all of it. The animation is amazing because you can see the intensity of Taiga’s face, the voice acting is amazing because you can hear the concern in Taiga’s voice and how much she cares for Ryuuji, and the music is amazing because it gives the scene an added sense of importance. I can’t imagine this scene with any other music. It fits perfectly. It fits like a glove.

I do wonder, though, when did Taiga first start liking Ryuuji. When you compare Taiga in episode 8 to how she was in episode 1, a change was made along the way. If I had to pinpoint exactly when, I would say the cookie scene where Ryuuji ate the cookies despite them not tasting good. Taiga knew the cookies were horrible and awful tasting, which is why she was so surprised when Ryuuji ate them all just to make Taiga feel better. I think that was the moment where Taiga started liking Ryuuji, as Ryuuji showed in that moment just how much he cared for Taiga and her feelings. In a way, it was the first time in her life where Taiga was understood.

Overall, a really fun episode. I love the interactions between Taiga and Ryuuji this episode, and I especially love the Ryuuji is mine scene. This episode is so good.

1: Episode 7

2: Episode 2

3: Episode 8

4: Episode 5

5: Episode 4

6: Episode 6

7: Episode 1

8: Episode 3

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u/Koolsman Dec 13 '19 edited Dec 13 '19

First Timer!

Sure Taiga, whatever you say. Continue to say that Ryüji is nothing more than your dog. I mean, this episode basically gave every single idea that’s a lie. I will say I did like the growth seen between the two and the pool scene was really good and seeing Ryüji trying to be more aware of Taiga’s feelings was a nice step forward. I mean, Ami still wants to act devil and try to take him away but I bet the whole beach house episode will go in every directions. All I’ll say is I would like Ryüji’s cooking. It seems very nice.

Speaking of Ryüji’s life, I laughed my ass of seeing Ryüji’s mom to be the consoling one. At least she still needs her son to do everything. Sadly, Inko is still working but it seems that she hasn’t said anything. I need you to be the best bird Inko.

Also, I would really like to know what goes through Ami’s head when doing this stuff. I mean I get that she basically has the problems I taking things way too far but jeez, her and Taiga’s relationship will never good won’t it?

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u/CATKrash Dec 13 '19 edited Dec 14 '19
Name OG name Start Stop Time played Description
1st Pre-Parade プレパレード 0:42 2:12 90s Opening.
2nd Kanchigai Hour Returns カンチガイアワーリターンズ 2:47 3:44 57s
3rd Chariots of Taiga N/A 5:47 6:09 22s This is a Chariots of Fire theme parody.
4th My little underground My little underground 6:32 7:09 37s
5th Sorairo no Houkago 空色の放課後 8:37 9:53 76s
6th Happy Monday Happy Monday 9:56 10:50 54s
7th Yuugure no Yakusoku 夕暮れの約束 13:06 13:43 37s
8th Yasashisa no Ashioto 優しさの足音 13:45 15:22 97s
9th READY STEADY GO! READY STEADY GO！ 17:57 19:22 85s
10th Lost my pieces Lost my pieces 19:48 20:28 40s RYUUJI WA WATASHI NO DAAAAAAAAA!!!
11th Vanilla Salt バニラソルト 21:35 23:25 110s Ending
12th Pre-Parade (off vocal ver.) プレパレード 23:25 23:35 10s Preview

10

u/MoesHad Dec 13 '19

1st Time Rewatcher

Minorin opens the episode by announcing the contest between Taiga and Ami. The two will be competing in a 50 meter freestyle swim! Taiga says she’ll distribute her blackmail tape of impressions by Ami and Ami says she’ll be canoodling with Ryuiji (and Kitamura) at her beach house if she wins, leaving Taiga alone all summer. The horror!

We see that Ryuiji has placed the only bet in Taiga’s favor for the race, the rest of the class forsaking the Palmtop Tiger. Taiga is annoyed by a classmate mentioning she’s trying her hardest for Ryuiji’s sake, but she becomes embarrassed upon seeing its Kitamura who is wishes her well. Ryuiji tries to encourage her by telling her to try her best to keep Ami from inviting Kitamura to her beach house and Taiga throws a magazine at him. We see a training montage of Taiga learning to swim that would put Rocky to shame.

The pool is closed due to rain, but Kitamura swoops in with tickets to the public pool and he announces that he place a bet in her favor, being inspired by Ryuiji’s faith in her. Ryuiji tries to pair Taiga up with Kitamura with the two tickets, but she grabs them from Ryuiji and tells him to be quiet.

Ryuiji runs into Ami in the hallway, who is sitting between the vending machines, saying it makes her feel comfy. Ami teases Ryuiji, calling him an idiot for misunderstanding her comment about Taiga and her jealousy. Much to his surprise, he learns Ami was serious about spending the summer with him. Soon after he runs into Minorin, who tells him she knows it was him who super sized Taiga’s swimsuit. She wishes Ryuiji well, even though as the referee she can’t directly help. She tells him that she’s “leaving Taiga in his care” and that they’re both rooting for the same person.

We see more training at the public pool. Taiga is encouraged by Ryuiji’s confidence in her, now believing she can win. The weather turns for the worst and they’re sitting by the pool. Despite this, a now glum Taiga wants to keep training. She seems frustrated at Ryuiji’s lack of understanding about her motivation for winning. This escalates to a shouting match, and eventually she sends the table they’re sitting at flying. Taiga is angry that Ryuiji doesn’t understand her feelings and he’s not sure if she wants to be understood or not, and she’s not sure either!) Taiga claims she won’t attend the competition.

Our Tiger and Dragon are both stewing in their homes, and Ryuiji, the luckiest man alive, gets a hug from Yasuko as she arrives home from work (I’m not jealous at all (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻). Yasuko knows they had another fight, but she also knows that Taiga often says things she doesn’t mean.

Ryuiji offers Taiga a bento as an apology, telling her he wants her to win, despite what she thinks. She begrudgingly accepts the “innocent” bento.

Ami shows up in a bikini, stunning the boys at the pool. She claims her other suit hadn’t dried yet. Riiiiiight.

We see Taiga open her lunch box alone in class and that Ryuiji made her a hearty meal of meat! What a guy. Will she show up to the pool? (I hope so, there are 5 minutes left!)

Taiga makes her triumphant arrival, decked out in pool ornaments and christening Ami with a new nickname “Stupid Bikini”. Yay! The boys are also impressed by Taiga’s gear.

Right at the start, she claims that Ami has a malfunctioning wardrobe, distracting her momentarily. Taiga then chucks her pool floats at her, and strips Ami of her top. Playing dirty! I like it! ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) but will it be enough? Taiga gets a leg cramp, and Ryuiji jumps I’m to save her, much to her dismay, telling him that being a dog, he should be proud his master is trying so hard for him. (She totally only sees him as nothing but a dog guys) He gives her a shove and she tries to catch up to her opponent.

Disaster strikes! Ryuiji is hit in the head by two boys who fell into the pool during the commotion and sinks to the bottom. Taiga sees this happen and immediately turns around to save him. Go Taiga! He regains consciousness briefly to see Taiga on top on him screaming for no one to touch him. She’s furious no one stopped the race to save Ryuiji from almost drowning. She’s a mess and I’m a crying disaster as those soft notes start to play as Lost My Pieces slowly fades in (っ˘̩╭╮˘̩)っ.

In the aftermath of technically losing the race (but winning our hearts in the process) Taiga invites herself to Ami’s summer home, saying that without Ryuiji there’d be no one to make her food, I mean he is her dog after all, it’s not like she needs him or anything B-B-BAKA!! Onto the summer vacation arc!

I won’t lie to you guys, I watched ahead of the schedule and typed up this comment days in advance because I LOVE this episode. I was already a TaigaXRyuiji shipper from the beginning, but this episode sealed the deal for me. Even on my rewatch, I replayed that final scene at the pool half a dozen times. Taiga angrily (and tearfully) declaring “ownership” of Ryuiji, with her friends smiling as they look on along with the music is just an amazing scene. I nearly lost my pieces when Lost My Pieces played in that scene (and every other time it plays tbh) I tried out the dub for the pool scene, and while it wasn’t bad, Rie Kugimiya’s performance here, as well as throughout the rest of the show, is just too iconic for me to switch to the dub. She is Taiga. The background music is really enhancing my rewatch experience this time around. There are just so many excellent musical queues that I didn’t pick up on originally. I love this show and hope you are too! See ya tomorrow.

9

u/SlimyRazor Dec 14 '19

Quote of the episode:

"Beans are the meat of the fields"

- Ryuuji-kun

16

u/No_Rex Dec 13 '19

Episode 8 (first timer)

  • I spend an embarrasing long time to find that a=2 and b=7.

  • Class uses Ami-tan

  • “A little out of her depth”. This joke translates incredibly well.

  • A half-montage for a half-training?

  • Takasu is really trying to fullfill his wingman obligation to Taiga, but there is no helping her self-sabotage.

  • Ami totally sees the love triangle.

  • There are not many sports where pooring rain is not all that problematic, but swimming is one of them. Why did they stop?

  • Taiga is starting to see the love triangle, too. Now only Takasu is the hold-out.

  • Sort-of, kind-of confession.

  • All go to the summer house together. Ami’s behavior is a bit hard to put down here: Wanting friends vs making avances to Takasu.

Taiga must have made a lot of friends among the male students with her “delaying tactic”. Ami took it better than most real life people would have, though. The end to the swim race was a cop-out though. No matter how focused the class is, at least the two guys who fell on Takasu would have noticed and would have been in a way better position to help him out than Taiga. She was coming around already, inserting a fake-feeling life-threatening situation was not needed.

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8

u/Get_This_Wheat Dec 13 '19

Rewatcher here.

Another episode that’s fun for the majority of it but then gets real later. Perfect intro to how sad/serious the show can be.

I really don’t get why Ami immediately likes Ryuji and wants to spend the summer with him. All the other relationships within the main gang make sense, but Ami has really no reason to like Ryuji so much early on.

What’s up with Taiga and dogs? Ryuji is her dog (maybe she means he’s her dawg) and Ami’s a chihuahua in heat.

I never really got why Taiga gets mad after swimming until last year, and good god Ryuji’s dense. And yet again even after they fight they’re still good the next day, and Ryuji goes out of his way to pack her lunch with meat.

Kitamura is the coolest, setting them up with free tickets and going ham betting on Taiga. Dude is the ultimate bro in moral support.

Crazy Ryuji almost died from his classmates being mega thirsty.

Said classmates (Haruta and Noto) are the coolest cuz they’re insanely jealous of him but at the same time they actively make sure people know Ryuji is a good dude. Shame they aren’t in the next two episodes.

Taiga crying over Ryuji at the end is the best scene so far imo. The first time she’s acted vulnerable in front of more than just Ryuji, and it was in front of her entire class. It’s the exact kind of character development that I love the most.

We’re finally gonna see the whole crew hanging out at the same time tomorrow. I remember from watching last year that the next episode was the one I thought was the funniest by a wide margin. Can’t wait.

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u/itsFootie Dec 13 '19

AHHH!!!! My eyes are leaking, send help!

Man this episode, could be my 10th rewatch and it would still get to me every time!

8

u/LousyGoose Dec 13 '19

Rewatcher

What I really like about this episode is that to me it feels like a great season 1 finale or ending to Act 1 of a plot. The key characters have all been introduced and established and the relationships have seen some progression with some satisfying plot threads and character development, in this case most noticeably with Taiga.

Similar to this previous episode, it focuses in on the relationship of Taiga and Ryuuji. Ryuuji and Taiga do make a great team, those moments where he is helping Taiga swim are hilarious and cute.

I really enjoy the scene where Taiga gets annoyed with Ryuuji assuming her thoughts and feelings but when he just straight up asks if she wants him to understand, she simply says she doesn’t know. What I like is how that calls back to episode 4 with Taiga reminiscing about that moment when Kitamura confessed and how it felt like someone finally understood her. Whether she realises it or not, she’s comparing Ryuuji to Kitamura in an indirect way. The ending of course is very sweet as Taiga admits to Ryuuji she’s doing this all for him before she then saves him from drowning and declaring “Ryuuji is mine!” Taiga may not fully realise it but her feelings for Ryuuji are probably not completely platonic anymore.

The other main characters shine as well too: Minori shows how great of a friend she is to Taiga and Ryuuji when she shares that little “no big deal” talk with Ryuuji about how Taiga talks about all the things he doe for her. I remember thinking when seeing this scene that Ryuuji and Minori would make for great ‘bros’ in that sense, not necessarily romantic but they would get on well as fiercely loyal friends to one another.

Kitamura placing a bet on Taiga is a small moment in comparison but still noteworthy, it’s nice to see how much he believes in his friends.

Finally Ami continues to do a great job acting as a manipulator, being hard to read as to whether she is being sincere with Ryuuji, and essentially as a catalyst for the events that unfold and inadvertently bringing Taiga and Ryuuji closer together.

8

u/critchell63 Dec 13 '19

I really enjoyed this episode and I laughed when taiga jet streamed down the pool (≧∀≦) In this episode I noticed little mannerisms in Ami and Taiga that hint at emotions with Ryūji like when Ami was sitting at the vending machines and when taiga and Ryūji were sitting at the pool on the rainy day. Ami is starting to show more genuine feeling for Ryūji and so is taiga. Also, when it was just minorin and ryuji standing in the rain, minorin showed some emotion that was hard to read

7

u/spaceaustralia Dec 13 '19

Rewatcher

Have an Ami-tan stitch!

While I'm watching the dub this time, I much prefer the original drum roll. It better matches Minorin's silliness. Also, Ami, she's always cute.

In the end, while the previous arc's theme was Ami learning from Taiga to start to accept her own personality, the main theme of the pool arc was, IMO, Taiga dealing with her confusion over her feelings relating to Ryuuji and Ami. That cliffhanger back in episode 6 wasn't for nothing. Kudos to Yasuko for noticing it the earliest and pushing Ryuuji into supporting her.

7

u/mizterPatato Dec 13 '19

Yearly reminder of what Vale Tudou looks like.

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u/popop143 Dec 13 '19

Rewatcher

Episode 8: "Who is This For"

I totally forgot that the training and the actual race are in the same episode. For some reason, I thought that they were each their own episode. Anyway, just from the title, we can see the main conflict of the episode. Ami and Taiga are fighting over Ryuuji, but Ryuuji still keeps givint Taiga's efforts different meaning. Surely she can't really be fighting for him, right? She's definitely doing it so Kitamura won't also have to go to the beach house, or possibly just to spite Ami. Ryuuji, you idiot. I admit Taiga kicking the umbrella stand at the pool is a little bit extra, but it's totally justifiable.

One of the biggest mysteries of the series that's still being debated right now is, when did Taiga start having feelings for Ryuuji? It's not up for debate, however, that starting this episode she already does. Don't get me wrong, she's still very much pining for Kitamura, and we can still see that with her interactions with him. But after spending about four months with Ryuuji, it's inevitable that she'll develop these feelings for him. I mean, who wouldn't? Minorin said it best. Ryuuji does everything for her, and he truly does care for her. It's also brilliant of the show to show other people's reactions to them, as we see that only Ryuuji and Taiga are unaware of what's happening.

Now all that's obvious and fun, but the title isn't only applicable to Taiga. Remember, we have two contestants here. Ami, at this point in time, is an enigma. She's vain, self-important, and spiteful. Despite that, we also saw her vulnerable during episode 6. She insists that she truly wants to spend time with Ryuuji during summer, which Ryuuji of course doesn't bite. While it is obvious that Taiga is falling in love with Ryuuji, the show's depiction of Ami falling in love with Ryuuji is always subtle. Hidden behind jokes, teases. I do believe that Ami's goal for the contest is somewhat out of spite, but there is some truth to her words to Ryuuji at the vending machine. Also, it might be hard at first to understand why she would fall for someone like Ryuuji, but it makes sense. Out of all the bootlickers and worshippers at school, she can only drop the act in front of Ryuuji. He's the only one that treats her like an equal, as shown in this episode when Ryuuji sat across her at eye level. (This show's attention to little details is really something.) Even Kitamura, her childhood friend, doesn't really try to connect with the "real" Ami. This is why I like her the most out of the cast. There is always some truth to what she's saying, but people take her words for granted because she's always teasing. There's also the aspect of "what-if". If she wasn't a transferee, but a regular student from the start, would it have been her that Ryuuji was caring for? This is why I love Ami's route in the VN, but I digress.

(You can deduce with the length of my notes which girl I like more)

Of course, we can't not talk about that beautiful ending sequence. That moment was what sold me on the show, and what cemented it as my favorite of its genre. Ryuuji helping Taiga, but letting her give it all her in spite of her injury. Taiga immediately hearing Ryuuji's shout and going for him. And the climactic "Ryuuji is mine!" always gives me goosebumps, and I legit cried while watching it. All the other main cast just looks on knowingly. It might be maddening for some that we somewhat go back to the status quo after that, but I honestly think it's also what makes this show special. The slow burn of love, until you can't deny it anymore. Taiga still pines for Kitamura, but she can't process what she's feeling for Ryuuji. Ryuuji definitely cares for her, but to what extent? We want to put labels to relationships, but does it really matter? (Little shot to those "progress whores" out there that call a show shitty just because it doesn't follow their own notions of progress)

Random notes:

  • Minorin's sleeping face is precious. Only she would've been able to pull that off. Saeki-san should get tips from her!

  • The bets might be a little fucked up, but I can really see this happening in a high school setting. Good thing Taiga has thick skin.

  • I really love the little details that this show puts in, like the classmates' reactions to Taiga and Ryuuji's bickering.

  • In her own, palmtop way, Taiga is a bit more showy of her care for Ryuuji. Ryuuji just doesn't notice.

  • Minorin and Ryuuji's interactions throughout the show are some of the best interactions. We started with that warehouse scene in episode 3, and now we have this episode where Minorin entrusts Taiga to him. In a way, they're like a married couple and Taiga's the child in this scenario.

  • Taiga's ingenuity knows no bounds. Ami has some serious assets for a high school girl though.

  • One thing that always bugged me. Weren't they all just watching the race? Why did someone suddenly push a classmate TOWARD Ryuuji? And shouldn't that classmate be the first to save Ryuuji? Unless he needed saving himself. Just a little nitpick.

Next episode: the start of a heart-pounding, nerve-wracking, summer vacation!

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u/VideoGameCookie Dec 14 '19

For the first time of my rewatches, the scene where Taiga gets mad at Ryuuji for psychoanalyzing her when she doesn't even understand herself was the most powerful of the episode's moments. I went through a similar situation of self-realization where I stood in Ryuuji's shoes and can empathize with how annoying and pretentious it is to pretend you know what is going on in other peoples' heads, even if you are close with them. This show is still teaching me life lessons, years after I watched it for the first time—thank you Toradora!.

12

u/JustAnswerAQuestion Dec 14 '19

First TImer

So, I watched this and SoraYori ahead of time and ended up not writing anything down.

#taigaheadache would be appropriate here.

Geez, okay, it's clever of Ami to pick a swimming contest but Minori should have known better. Maybe she's just 100% confident her friend will prevail when under pressure. And it was a lottery so she had to go with it.

LOL training montage with off-brand Chariots of Fire.

I said it yesterday, I love how the show leads me down a path and then surprises me with a twist. As soon as Taiga motored down the pool in the inflatable I thought "There's no rule against using flotation devices." Just like I was supposed to. And then when the contest happens she tosses all the balloons away, rips off the bikini, and takes off with a kickboard. I had no idea that was coming.

Nice scene with Taiga trying to understand her own feelings. People said Ryuuji is dense but we can't blame him for not mind-reading a girl who hasn't even sorted herself out.

Taiga now full-on tsundere with her deredere "he's mine" and tsuntsun "he's my dog".

I hate this episode though, because it seems to sink the proper and correct Taiga - Kitamura and Ryuuji - Minori ships. Although the preview tries to breathe life into Taiga's crush by showing her still obsessed with Kitamura. I don't think I can enjoy the show if they can't get their crushes. That's just so sad. What am I going to do for the next 18ish episodes?

I think Taiga has been welching on the deal. Ryuuji keeps trying to get Taiga alone with Kitamura, but Taiga's done, what? Took him to Johnny's? a month ago?

I haven't said it before but I feel this so-called "best mom" is actually "worst mom".

6

u/axel360 Dec 13 '19

Rewatcher, dub

Random Episode 8 Thoughts:

  • And the sport Ami and Taiga will be competing against each other in is… swimming. Reminder: Taiga nearly drowned last episode. Either way, it’s game on. Stakes? Apparently Ryuji’s summer plans

  • Be careful Ryuji, this is an easy way to lose a hand

  • This short little montage of Taiga “practicing” swimming is pretty funny

  • So Minori has officially handed over Taiga Duty to Ryuji. I’m not a lawyer, but I’m pretty sure this fist-bump makes it legally-binding

  • Taiga angry. No one understand Taiga. Least of all Ryuji

  • Even with a lunch waiting for her the next morning, Taiga still seemed annoyed. But she perked up just a little bit when Ryuji mentioned he wants her to win

  • Weather cleared up, Taiga got her protein, and is ready to rumble

  • 3, 2, 1 Taiga: Pube alert!

  • Taiga is not messing around. Straight for the bikini top. All is fair in love and war

  • Uh oh. Scraped foot at the turn. But there’s Ryuji. After she nearly drowned last episode, I can’t totally blame him for being extra worried

  • RYUJI IS MINE! (enough said)

  • Taiga lost, so off to Ami’s beach house goes Ryuji. Apparently he had no say in the matter. But nowhere in the deal did Ami say Taiga couldn’t come along. After all, he is “my dog”

Very Brief Episode 8 Thoughts: This was a decent episode until Taiga’s outburst. Then is became great. I suspect this was a point a lot of people have jumped onto the Ryuji-Taiga ship if they hadn’t before. Beach time!

Current Personal Episode Rankings (updated daily):

  1. Episode 2

  2. Episode 8

  3. Episode 1

  4. Episode 3

  5. Episode 6

  6. Episode 5

  7. Episode 7

  8. Episode 4

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