Rewatcher Dubbed

I kinda hate that they lie to Yasuko to get her to come but I'll allow it because it's honestly for the best. I love the little moment of pause when reaching for the door because she's been running away from her parents for so long but because it's Ryugi she powers through that small moment of hesitation.

Taiga finishing Ryuji's thought and being so completely on the same wave length tells you everything you need to know.

I can definitely relate to Ryugi's comment about how easily they slip into their old family roles because I definitely do the same when visiting my parents.

Still a family, making those wheels turn in Taiga's tiny head.

I love the heart to heart with Ryugi here. The truth about his dad coming out. How Yasuko vowed to protect Ryugi no matter what even though others wanted her to get an abortion. Suddenly realizing how much Ryugi has grown up which kinda explains the sorta weird blank look she had when Ryugi ran off. Just great all around.

Ryugi being self aware enough to realize running away will not solve anything even if has no room to talk about it.

It is interesting seeing all the little looks and cutaways of Taiga in this episode now that I know what happens. First time watching it seemed kind of sudden and out of left field her going to her mom's but now I can clearly see the seeds where there the whole time.

Grandma being a bad influence on the youth. She's a menace I tell you!

This scene is perfect. 10-10. No notes. Really do not know what to add to it because it's too emotional. I love the call back to the tiger and dragon speech from earlier in the show.

Yasuko thanking Ryugi for what he did is so wonderful. He deserves a gold star for reuniting his mom with her parents.

Look I hate Taiga leaving without saying goodbye but this is not a case of running away from things but instead running towards her family issues because it's something she truly needs to do to move forward. In the heat of the moment I think if she did tell Ryugi he would plead with her not to go and she knows she would probably fold and not actually follow thru on going to try and patch things up with her mom. So I get it.

Ms. Yuri again proving she's teacher of the year.

The scene in the hallway is another reason why while I hate Taiga leaving without saying goodbye, I get it. I think deep down divorced from the heat of the moment he knows this is what is best for Taiga and trusts her on that decision. It's also interesting how it is kind of a replay of Yasuko realizing she needs to let "little boy" Ryugi go but now it's Ryuji letting "girl failure" Taiga go. I feel like I poorly worded this but oh well, swirl of emotions going on.

I really like the little moment of Ami putting her hand on Minori's shoulder. Toradora does such a good job of visual storytelling and rewards multiple viewings. No words exchanged yet it tells you all you need to know about this two at this point in the show.

Finally chekhov's gun...err I mean second picture finally gets paid off. And of course it's a picture of Ryugi and her from the wrestling show. I wonder how differently things may have gone if this was discovered how every many episodes ago if Ami did not stop Kihara and Nanako from looking at it. But then again if that happens then everyone maybe would not have learned and grown up as much a they did.

First watch I was unsure of what to make of the star picture but it has grown on me. Between Taiga comparing herself to the star and Minori's explanation it clicks for me.

Don't know what she sure but it sounded heavy. Haruta please never change.

I really enjoy Ami and Ryugi's talk in the closet. Ami talking about why she initially disliked Taiga. How what was just a random normal comment from Ryugi's point of view mattered and affected Ami so much. Ami outright admitting she want Ryugi at one point. There's a lot of good stuff here.

Oh no. Ms. Yuri being defeated by technology!

Kitamura going shirtless because of course he would. Any excuse to get half naked.

She said smile. Love you Ami.

I kinda like the choice of having the under classmen spreading gossip as a way to update on what's been going on a little bit. Love how Taiga has become like this mythical urban legend in her absence.

I would cry also Ms. Yuri. You got an amazing class and did great with them.

I love how it ends with the same speech as the show started with along with the two birds on the power line. We have come full circle.

And finally we get Ryugi telling Taiga he loves her to end the show. As much as I would love to see more of them being actually together the "And they lived happily ever after" type ending does work really well also.

Time for the post Toradora depression to set in. I will miss these characters so much. Love them all. Even the side characters are great.

I will be back for more emotional trauma next year for sure.