Toradora volume 1

Toradora 1 (rated Teen) story by Yuyuko Takemiya art by Zekkyo, 2011. 192 pages. Published by Seven Seas. Source: from publisher for review.

Ryuji Takasu has learned the hard way that appearances can be deceiving. Despite his inwardly sweet personality, his unintentionally sharp gaze and aggressive features give him the air of a delinquent thug, putting his chances at making friends, let alone a girlfriend, next to zero.

It’s Ryuji’s first day in junior high school and it seems as if things are looking up. He gets to sit in between his only friend, Yusaku, and, more importantly, the girl he’s secretly crushing on, Minori Kushieda. But just when he thinks the stars are aligned in his favor, he unwittingly crosses the most feared girl in school, Taiga Aisaku, making her onto his arch enemy. To top it off, Taiga has moved in right next door to Ryuji and happens to be Minori’s best friend! Can this school year possibly get any worse?!

I loved Toradora so much that I have trouble putting into words why I liked it so much. So please bare with me in this review cause I'm likely to ramble on.

Story:
Toradora is definitely one of the funniest shojo type manga I have read. I just loved Ryuji & Taiga's "friendship" (if that's what you would call their relationship). What really made it a hilarious read for me was how Ryuji and Taiga's looks and personalities were mixed up, she was short and cute, and known for always getting into fights, while he (mainly do to to the sharp look in his eyes) looks like trouble, but is actually extremely kind.
 For me, it made for interesting reading because their personalities were reversed from what I normally read in shojo mangas.

I loved Toradora for its light heartedness, which was just what I need amidst my Harry Potter re-read fest, and the quirky characters and the high-jinks that ensued as the both try to get their crushes to notice them. I can guess were things will head in the next couple of volumes, but nevertheless I am absolutely looking forward to watching both Ryuji and Taiga grow and see where things will lead...and if Ryuji will survive looking out for Taiga.

There is some minor swearing in Toradora, along with a couple of pages were Ryuji's mom in the mini short at the end about her is in her, umm, undergarments. But otherwise a pretty clean read.

Character(s):
Ryuji, is like the ultimate misunderstood character I have read about. He looks like a troublemaker, yet is actually a really nice guy once you get to know him.
He totally made me laugh when he saw Taiga's kitchen and went to town cleaning it; his description of it paired with the art was great.

Taiga, who is known as the Palmtop Tiger, is a crazy, tough as nails little shorty. Other than her fierce reputation at school as the Palmtop Tiger, one that you don't want to cross, I loved her witty sarcasm
and how deep down even she had her weak points (which she tries very hard to hide).

Artwork:
Toradora had some of the best art that I've seen in a while. I loved how well the artist was able to capture the many facial expressions of Ryuji as Taiga made his life harder then it already was.
I think (and I am no expert...mainly because I can barely draw a stick figure) that the illustrations, from the minor details to the characters themselves, did an excellent job of bringing life to the story. Short version, I really liked it.

Final Verdict: Toradora is a lighthearted, fun shojo manga filled with humor and witty characters (that'll completely crack you up).

Toradora earns 5 out of 5 pineapples.
This book was received in return for an honest review. all thoughts expressed are mine, and were NOT influenced in any way by outside forces.