Toradora!

Ryūji Takasu is a quiet high school student who likes cleaning and cooking, but an unintentionally stern face makes him look like a delinquent. Taiga Aisaka looks like a fragile doll, yet she's short-tempered and fierce enough to earn the nickname "Palmtop Tiger." After an awkward mishap brings them together, Ryūji discovers Taiga has a softer side, and learns she has a crush on his cheerful friend Yūsaku Kitamura. At the same time Ryūji is secretly drawn to Minori Kushieda, Taiga's energetic best friend. They form an uneasy alliance to help each other with those crushes, and as their schemes lead to awkward, funny, and tender moments, both characters start to reexamine how they see themselves and others.

Released in 2008, Toradora! adapts the light novels by Yuyuko Takemiya with illustrations by Yasu, and features series composition work by Mari Okada. The anime showcases performances from Rie Kugimiya, Junji Majima, Yui Horie, Eri Kitamura, and Hirofumi Nojima.

While it didn't sweep mainstream international awards, Toradora! earned a strong reputation among anime fans and critics. Voice performances, especially Rie Kugimiya's turn as Taiga, attracted particular attention and helped cement the cast's standing in fan communities and industry discussions.

Taiga's image and the "Palmtop Tiger" label became enduring parts of anime fandom, and the series is often referenced when people talk about romantic comedies with emotionally charged character work. It's frequently cited in fan polls and remains a common recommendation for viewers who want an emotionally textured high school romance, and Taiga is one of the more recognizable tsundere characters in modern anime.

Toradora! holds an 8.206/10 viewer average from 631 votes, reflecting steady appreciation. Reviews often highlight the honest character growth and the chemistry between Ryūji and Taiga, noting how the show mixes light humor with quieter, more serious themes like identity, loneliness, trust, and the awkwardness of growing up.