There is absolutely nothing that is difficult to understand in this episode. What happened could not be attributed to any astrological occurrence; neither could it be attributed to simple coincidence. There were a few happenstances, but the episode was purely one of deliberate action. I pertain to action not with the general connotation of violence; I pertain to action with the property of intention.

She doesn't blush.

The key to understanding this episode is through its title. At first it may initially seem nonsensical, but Mercury retrograding is very relevant, especially in astrology. It is true that astrology is not a science; however, it is also true that astrology was utilized for thousands of years to explain human behavior and natural occurrences.

And the ball drops.

I’m getting nearer and nearer to conclusively (and without hesitation) placing ToraDora as one of the best series of 2009. As much as I love rooting for Ami, episode 16 was a reminder that as a story and as a character study ToraDora is both moving and pathos-invoking. Many revelations abounded the episode, both implicit and explicit. Taiga discovered that Kitamura loved Sumire; Sumire realized her love for Kitamura, with Taiga’s violent help; Minori is subtly exposed by Ami as having feelings beyond friendship for Ryuuji; Ami was also hurt, and the reason why is still a mystery for me. (more…)

Let’s make one thing clear first: I don’t read the novels of ToraDora, and I have no plans until the series is over. I don’t want my impressions on the wonderful anime series muddied by what I would have read in the novels: the anime is different from the novels, and that is simply that. Having said that, I wanted to know why people decried the recent episode, so I both did some questioning and some research (the answers that were given to me). (more…)

First, a bit of an update: I haven’t been able to update for the past few days because I was admitted to a hospital (for the very first time) due to amebiasis with moderate dehydration. I thought I was already all right because my stomach didn’t hurt during the first of January, but I also learned that amebiasis could mask itself or be latent when stomach spasms came out strong early morning the next day. I’m grateful for all the caring friends who have visited me, and also those who have wished me well. I’m currently trying to completely recover from the disease; the disease took a lot out of me, which was why I was recommended four days of rest.

I doubt she'll remain a mediator for long...

Well, I finally got back home to Davao, and it has been a great stay with my aunt and uncle in Manila. I’ve finally experienced some haute couture dining; I’ve done quite a good amount of reading (finished Faulkner’s Flags in the Dust and Virgil’s Aeneid); plus, I was given a Le Clezio novel as a gift! I had a great time despite my initial fiasco.

Yes, I admit, she is very attractive and while I still root for Ami I don't mind who ends up with who, really.

The thirteenth installment of Toradora was nothing less than awesome (again). Since I have had a bad case of seafood poisoning, I am currently running a high fever and some slight stomach spasms, so I won’t be as detailed as I previously have been. The episode has been quite a revelation, though: Minori finally sees Ryuuji’s dedication and caring friendship for Taiga, and it brings them closer (to the extent of her not needing a facade when they talked ['I'm speaking normally?']; Taiga finally sees something beyond mere camaraderie from Ryuuji as well. She finally has become aware of his existence as more than a partner: when Kitamura invited to dance with her, she no longer blushed, and she didn’t even stutter. She still tries her best to pair them up together, but there is a look of a subtle melancholy when she realizes she has to go away from both of them: it appears when she hugs Minori, and again when she’s alone before Kitamura asks her.

Anyway, I hope you guys have a happy new year.

The eleventh installment of ToraDora! wasn’t as stellar as its previous episode. Nevertheless, it still remains to be a tour-de-force, especially towards the end of the episode.

Having experienced the final days of summer vacation, they return to class once more. Not much occurs in the early minutes of the episode other than generally a preparation for the cultural festival. It was obvious (and remains to be) that Ryuuji was heavily affected by the words of Minori during the previous episode.

Why am I getting more sensitive to things that you say?

I was never fond of lengthy posts, but forgive me for this length as I have tons to say about the episode. Here goes.

A few months ago, I had difficulty not talking about Code Geass. The series was fabulous; it had a lot of mishaps that were made funny by their superfluity; and I rooted for an ending that never came to be (it was one of the few reasons why I still kept on watching the series).

This time, I have a difficulty not talking about ToraDora!. The reasons as to why, however, are extremely different: I kept on watching Code Geass R2 because I expected another improbable tragedy befalling Lelouch, but I keep on watching ToraDora! because after a long while a series has rekindled intense emotions I have only felt when I was watching Honey and Clover two years ago.

Between one and zero

The tenth installment of this series remains to be as fresh, as intelligent, and as emotional as the episodes that directly preceded it. As viewers, we are not only introduced more to the true emotions that Ami harbors and also to the reality beneath Minori’s mask, even if only a glimpse. As what I did for the previous episodes of ToraDora!, I will no longer summarize the episode but posit my own perceptions and reactions as regards the occurrences I deem to be important this time around. (more…)

It is undeniable that the focus of Toradora has always been on the romantic struggles of Taiga and Ryuuji. Even the title itself has been derived from their physical or actual similarities with their representative animals. I will talk about them, but I will also attempt to shed light on the reasons as to why I believe Toradora is an excellent show.

She looks even better than Ryoko.

I need your help.

It’s the first time I am following quite a few series as compared to my regular one or two per season, and I need your help in choosing the best fansubs possible. Because of this vacillation in choosing fansub groups, the only series I have been able to follow for the past few weeks were ToraDora! and Tentai Senshi Sunred (which is the anime I tout, in all seriousness, to be the best of this season).

Because of this I only have one episode of Casshern Sins, three of Kurozuka, two of Mouryou no Hako, two of Yozakura Quartet, one of Kemeko DX, one of Hakushaku to Yousei, four of Gundam 00 S2, two of Ga Rei Zero, one of Michiko to Hatchin, and one of Bihada Ichizoku. All in all those are twelve series I’m paying attention to, and with all the attention on Kannagi I may pick up one more.

The thing is, I am unfamiliar with most of the fansub groups who release subbed episodes of most of these shows. Gundam 00 S2 is practically the only show where I know Menclave is the best. I’m currently sticking with [sudo] for Michiko to Hatchin as I loved their Darker than Black subs, but I wonder if I should pick up other groups.

For the rest of the shows, which subs do you recommend?

I’m sticking with AOne for Yozakura Quartet as their releases have been of consistent quality for these past years; I have doubts as to whether I’d choose Shinsen for Casshern Sins; I’m currently sticking with Ureshii for Kurozuka, unless someone recommends Shinsen-Subs (and I have quite a lot of doubt as regards Shinsen as a group); I don’t know which group to follow for Kemeko, and I also don’t know which group to follow for Ga Rei, but I’m currently with Deculture and sMi respectively.

I also wouldn’t mind being recommended other anime to watch, as long as you guys could hook me into them.

Thanks.