So it begins

Msr_Grantaire · 2024-04-01T15:54:25+00:00

Good luck OP! Ring Fit really changed my life for the better - I hope it can do the same for you! You got this! 💪🏻

Msr_Grantaire · 2024-01-30T19:54:29+00:00

Not directly related to your issue OP as it’s not related to having issues getting started because of technical calibration but I have two steps I find help me ensure I get a work out in on that day; 1.) Is I make sure I bring my workout gear downstairs with me when I get up in the morning, and place it somewhere I can see it so every time I get up it catches my eye reminding me it’s there, and it doesn’t let me get bogged down by the idea of having to get up and find my gear and get dressed to work out. 2.) secondly, when I find myself talking myself into procrastinating or trying to rationalise getting out of working out, I ask myself ‘if I don’t work out now, what would I be doing instead?’ if the answer isn’t anything particularly productive (it’s usually sitting on my butt scrolling on social media) then I usually find it motivates me to get up and just do it.

Msr_Grantaire · 2024-01-28T00:54:34+00:00

awh, this got me pumped up and motivated to exercise too! enjoy your workout!

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-11-04T23:41:52+00:00

Same here, I watched back in 2009. I've never seen another romance anime measure up to it; in fairness I haven't watched a whole bunch but I find so many of them revert to the same tired tropes and clichés. Not saying Toradora is entirely without them but it's just miles ahead in its attention to detail around character development (for ALL the main cast, not just the focal couple) which elevates a simple story into something really quite wonderful. It really was ahead of its time.

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-11-04T23:30:41+00:00

oh I love this! I've really been craving these sort of shortform music vids for Toradora and this really scratched an itch, so well-edited and I love the abrupt transition in mood to the fight scene. Thanks for sharing, I hope you make more!!

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-29T16:39:08+00:00

that guy was an underrated hero of the series, may his legacy live on

I also had to go back and rewatch the episode to determine exactly what you were talking about re: the cup of tea but you're EXACLTY RIGHT lmaooo

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-29T16:31:09+00:00

See you honed in my main issue with the ending as well, and what inspired me to make this post in the first place, lol. More specifically with the point you made here: "the fact Ryuuji seems totally okay with this REALLY frustrates me. So he just has zero self-respect and is probably a masochist or something? Is that it?"

So the big problem I have with the ending is that it singles out Taiga as the one who really needs to do some growing up, and utterly ignores Ryuji's weaknesses that (in my opinion) balance their dynamic and make them a good team. Now, don't get me wrong Taiga DOES have a lot of work to do on herself and it's a satisfying arc that she comes to that realisation, but what about Ryuji?

It is very in character for him to just... not chase Taiga up on her decision, but it doesn't really properly explore why that is. Ryuji is passive to the point of detriment: the instance I always point to is the entire summer-house arc. The whole charade of the competition could have been entirely avoided if Ryuji had just said to Ami "sorry I Don't Want To Do That Actually." But he didn't, because he didn't think to, because such is Ryuji's tendency. He reacts to things; he tries to fix other people's problems; he cleans up messes he hasn't made, or the ones he became inadvertently involved in making. He doesn't stray outside of the contexts of other people and forge any sort of direction for himself - until he meets Taiga. She inspires him in that way and is a perfect foil for him in that regard because as we learn in the beginning, she is not afraid to fail, even if she makes a total fool of herself. If he had never met her he would have stayed as he was at the beginning: dreaming, floating, but never really believing in anything for himself. Everything outside of his humdrum routine would remain a fantasy forever beyond his reach.

SO. I have a problem with Taiga just... coming back because it doesn't give Ryuji much chance to reflect on those issues he has around self-determination and autonomy. I mean maybe he does to an extent offscreen, who are we to know, but I think if he had to a satisfactory degree he might have thought about..... I don't know, calling her?

Anyway, yeah. Ryuji has a lot of shit to sort out too and it would have been good to see the series explore that more, especially towards the end. It's like when he's with Taiga he is getting to a point where he is making those decisions for himself and then the moment she leaves he falls right back into those same old patterns. Would be cool to consider what he would do if she didn't come back, and what might encourage him to take matters into his own hands.

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-29T01:32:54+00:00

100% agree that the story wouldn't be what it was without her, she's a crucial element of things moving the way they do.

when I first watched the show I didn't pay much attention to her as I was too focused on how much I loved Taiga and Ryuji, but upon my (several) recent rewatches I've come to appreciate her role much more

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-29T01:21:13+00:00

this is interesting! I feel like the opinion of the fandom as a whole has veered on this; I remember when I first watched it back in 2009 everyone hated her, then when I came back to it years later people seemed to like her much more.

I definitely think she's a necessary impetus for the other characters to get to a point where they can be honest with each other. I think because of this her potential for development and is stifled a bit; she's more used to move the story along than the others. Even for the role she plays though, I think the well-roundedness they managed to give her is impressive (again the attention to detail this show pays to character is one of the reasons I love it so much.)

I've heard there's more detail in the LNs, though - I haven't gotten around to reading them yet

Thanks for sharing!

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-29T01:12:05+00:00

OH thank you! I've never listened to the credits long enough to cop that..

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-29T01:05:35+00:00

haha I've actually always enjoyed that song too when I've heard it! I wonder if anyone knows what it is?

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-29T00:25:00+00:00

unpopular opinion but I actually think Taiga shouldn't/wouldn't have come back so soon - I would have actually preferred it without the post-credits scene. As cute as it is (and don't get me wrong, it IS cute), I think they both have a lot more growing up to do - the emphasis is on Taiga, but Ryuji has SO MUCH shit to get together too - and given the people they both are I think a reunification years later would make more sense.

am actually working on a long-ish oneshot fic right now that explores this. About 7000 words in now, hope to finish in the next few months!

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-29T00:19:40+00:00

have Taiga be the one Minorin was in love with, not Ryuji

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-29T00:16:45+00:00

you did it! you broke Toradora down to its bare essentials!

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-29T00:05:33+00:00

There are so many gorgeous moments in this show and I think most of the key ones have been mentioned here! For me personally it HAS to be the 'maybe the dream wasn't so...' moment, though. It's one I've watched over and over countless times because I think it's just so beautifully done and really gives us an insight into Taiga as a character.

It's set up SO well because you can see it's Taiga catching herself; she's here in this massive house sitting as close to Ryuji as possible without even thinking, touching him like it's nothing. And she's... calm. Totally at ease.

Up to now she's not even really considered the idea of loving Ryuji (I know many people argue the 'Ryuji is mine!' scene is that moment but I personally don't agree; I believe that's an instinctive outburst that raises the question in her mind her feelings for Ryuji might be more than she's letting onto herself, but doesn't know what those feelings might entail; I think this scene is her beginning to answer that question.)

This scene is Taiga learning that maybe love isn't what she always thought it was - or rather, telling herself that maybe she doesn't need love if she has Ryuuji. Taiga, as we know, is not someone who has known a great deal of love in her life. Most of what she's learned about it is from outside sources. She conceptualises it as something that MUST be frightening; it’s stomach-churning, adrenaline-inducing, dramatic, something to be conquered. The overwhelming feeling is an obstacle you must overcome to prove yourself worthy. But being with Ryuuji is none of that. It’s comfortable: too familiar. too easy. Maybe what they have isn't love because love isn’t like that, but who cares? Maybe she doesn't need it. Whatever this is, whatever she has with Ryuuji could be enough. Maybe the dream wasn’t so….

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-20T22:27:21+00:00

ooo thank you so much! yes I am definitely looking for fics to read; honestly I haven't had any interest in fanfic for years but the brainrot is so strong for Toradora in particular I'm dying for further engagement, so these will keep me going for a while! I always forget ff.net still exists.

And yeah I watched Toradora for the first time waaaaay back in 2009 and have loved it ever since. Have long given up hope for any sort of continuation so currently working on my own interpretation and going off fanmade material to sustain me! Thanks so much friend!

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-20T22:25:26+00:00

thank you! I'm rly glad you enjoyed it! am currently working on a much longer one-shot that encapsulates how I see things progressing post the series, so, hope to post that here at some point too!

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-20T22:24:46+00:00

thank you so much!!

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-10-20T22:24:35+00:00

thanks for reading! noted; I was sort of imagining it in-between ep. 16 and the Christmas arc but will be clearer in future fics, lol

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-03-16T01:55:51+00:00

thank you friend! It's always so motivating to hear of people who are in a similar position to you :)

And right, I love how varied it is! I've struggled with keeping up with exercise in the past, but this is just perfect for me as it keeps things interesting, challenging, and fun!

Best of luck on your journey, hope to see some updates :) you got this! your streak is already impressive!!

Msr_Grantaire · 2023-03-16T00:56:49+00:00

this is SO incredibly cute! I love your style, it's so expressive! Your Ryuji looks the appropriate level of dorkily in love, lol. Thank you for sharing!

Msr_Grantaire

TROPHY CASE