Taiga...SLAAAAP!

Minnie: Hello everybody! Like always, I am the first one to post because well, I have a hard time reviewing/summarizing the episode if I wait a day after I watch the episode. Most of you who follow my posts know that I type up the summary while I watch the episode. This is the case with ToraDora as well. Just in case you guys haven’t heard, Ric will be joining Koala and I on reviewing ToraDora. Yes, it’s a three-way review. More opinions the better right? In any case, I, myself, have been anticipating this episode for a while now because Ami makes her appearance! Yay! I’m probably the only member of my trio who has been looking forward to Ami the most since I’ve seen her in the OP and ED. In any case, on with the review!

Garrick: Ah, yes. Officially, our first triple review. How fun.

Minnie: The episode starts off with breakfast. Like always, poor Ryuuji who has to deal with both Taiga and his own mother. Sometimes, while I watch scenes like this in which Ryuuji is the responsible one, I feel like he’s probably my favorite character in ToraDora thus far (besides that one blue-haired male student in class). Plus, I find his obsessive cleaning behavior charming. In any case, Ryuuji is sad now because Minori is not working at Johnny’s that day. Last day of holidays and all. After Taiga splashes into Ryuuji’s eyes, she goes kawaii at a picture of a model. But the thing she wants is the bag. Then, she actually wants Ryuuji to see the model because guess what? That same model just entered the restaurant. Her name is Kawashimi Ami. In any case, can you say “spy time”? Taiga and Ryuuji are now watching her and drinking water in a similar fashion. They also spat the water out in unison when their friend/classmate/crush Kitamura walks in and greets Ami. The two of course get spotted by Kitamura who comments on how close they are. Then, he makes a formal introduction- Ami is his childhood friend. This is going to get very interesting.

Garrick: It’s rather amazing that Ryuuji can support the people he does; Taiga and Yasuko both rely on him. And rather ironically, he’s the best at doing tasks like cooking and cleaning in the whole cast. I’ll probably have to agree, that Ryuuji is one of my favorite characters. Of course, I love Minorin; that will never change. But Ryuuji is coming close, just in the say he’s so responsible. Anyhow… the synchronized water spit was rather funny. Just goes to show how connected the two are.

Minnie: Ami is acting very innocent, cute, and modest at the moment when Ryuuji points out her picture in the magazine. She is glancing away, moving her feet around, etc. This is not what I expect of Ami. Moving along, Kitamura suggest the four of them have a “chat”. The only one who seems enthusiastic about this idea is Ami. When this “chat” begins, Ami and Kitamura are the only ones talking. Ami pulls off a pity act with her “People always say I’m clumsy and air-headed” when she accidentally (or purposely) pours some sugar into Ryuuji’s coffee. I believe that whatever her purpose is, Ami is doing very well. Ryuuji’s blushing. Taiga’s quiet (not good!). And Kitamura… just left for the bathroom. Awkward. Real awkward. Very awkward. Ryuuji can’t take it anymore and makes the same excuse.

Garrick: I’ll be honest, when I first saw Ami’s “personality”, it seemed too… well… stereotypical for it to be her real personality. That is what I actually thought. While, quite honestly, if I found myself in a situation like that in real life… I’d be confused and nervous like Ryuuji. And, really, I do like her personality… at least, her fake one. But, I’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t… maybe.

Minnie: Spy time is back again! Except this time, we have Kitamura and Ryuuji team-up to watch Ami and Taiga. And already, at the first chance of showing her true self, Ami doesn’t disappoint. Kitamura describes her as “spoiled, selfish, and rude” and she fits the description to a par. I mean already, she suggests to Taiga that she will steal Ryuuji from her, using her pretty face. That is saying something! Anyways, I can’t tell if Ami is provoking Taiga on purpose or she is being her usual self. I am leaning on both, with her being her usual self, which inevitably means irritating others around her. Ami goes on about height now… and… SLAP! Ami receives a slap from Taiga. A well-deserved one at that. And yeah, end of that scene.

Garrick: Hah! HAH! HAHHHHH! Go Taiga!!! I’m going to agree. Ami did deserve it. But, really, Taiga was just awesome in this scene. Despite her usual self, Taiga didn’t show her emotions. She didn’t get rattled by Ami’s constant insults… and just sat there ignoring her. That shows pure mental control right there. I’d have cracked… maybe, if I was in her position. But either way, going onto height was… well… as you could guess by Taiga’s reaction… overdoing it.

Minnie: At home, Taiga is eating a lot again. She complains about Ami in front of Ryuuji. At least, we know that she is honest wtih Ryuuji enough to tell him about her feelings. Good old Taiga. She picks Ryuuji apart by pointing out that a certain someone was lovestruck over her a few hours ago. Haha! So true! Anyways, the rant is obviously pointed at Ami and Taiga says that at least the two of them won’t be seeing her again. As the audience, we can laugh at how ironic this is. Let’s just see how their second meeting goes shall we? Oh! And it’s so soon too! Ami transfers to their school and into their class. My favorite character jumps up and shouts out “An angel has decended!”. The rest of the class have similar reactions, except for the three we know personally of course. Taiga is not going to like her time at school very much is she?

Minnie: Of all the times, they choose P.E. for the next scene. Not only is Ami cute and stands out in a crowd, she wears a light blue jersey that is quite flashy to make herself more noticeable. Her airheaded and modest act from before comes into play with the other students. Everyone is smitten by her. Minori is funny in that she can clearly see that Ami is cute and has a nice sense of fashion, but her rador can’t detect it. XD That’s hilarious. Kitamura and Ryuuji who already know her true nature has a conversation on how good she is with people and that Kitamura didn’t tell Ryuuji ahead of time that she’s transferring because he wants Ryuuji to see her for who she really is. To Kitamura, he doesn’t hate her true self and he wants other people to know about it too and accept her for who she truly is. Kitamura is a really kind guy. I am beginning to like him better because of this.

Garrick: *sigh* I really wish they’d kept that other personality of Ami’s. In a way, at least. Somehow, I just love characters like that. But, anyway, Minorin is absolutely adorable. Her little “Cute Girl Radar” doesn’t react? At least we know why.

Minnie: The vending machine is up next. This scene is very ironic when you watch it because as viewers, we know that Ryuuji knows about her true self but Ami herself doesn’t know that Ryuuji knows so she’s playing her part flawlessly to Ryuuji. First, she buys him a drink for free. Second, she goes on to explain what “really” happen between her and Taiga at the restaurant. She places all the blame on herself and insists that none of it were Taiga’s fault. It really isn’t in the first place. But still. Third, she requests that Ryuuji keep the events of the restaurant a secret. He knows her too well and simply tells her to head back to class since the bell rung already. For now, Ami thinks she’s safe but truthfully, she’s far from safe. Too bad she doesn’t know that. The classroom scene is cleverly done. Both Taiga and Minori pass Ryuuji notes. I love Minori’s note- she threatens Ryuuji if he dares to dump Taiga. XD Haha. What a good friend. Ryuuji sure knows who to pick to pass notes back- Minori but not Taiga. He asks her what she thinks of someone who acknowledges themselves as air-headed. Minori’s expression when she stands up to answer is priceless. XD

Garrick: *sigh* That makes two scenes in a row that I absolutely love Minorin. You wouldn’t believe how hard I laughed when she stood up during class. Haruhi Suzumiya reminiscent. But funnier.

Minnie: That’s his name! Haruka! <3 My favorite minor character. In any case, Ryuuji proceeds to cleaning Taiga’s messy locker while she waits for him in the classroom all by herself. I can hear that Jaw’s theme song in my ear for some reason. Yup. There’s a reason. Ami visits Ryuuji in the classroom, and not with a friendly prupose either. The two are at it again and I must say, I am enjoying this a lot. Why? Because to Taiga and Ami, they have no idea that Kitamura and Ryuuji know about Ami’s real nature. They both assume they don’t. Ami uses this advantage to get both Ryuuji and Kitamura on her side. In other words, to Taiga, Kitamura probably hates her for catching her slapping Ami in the restaurant and Ami asserts this once again. Taiga is deadly silent once again. Ryuuji re-enters the classroom after Ami leaves it.

Minnie: Poor Taiga. She really thinks Kitamura hates her. For dinner, she’s not over to eat with Ryuuji as usual so Ryuuji goes over to her apartment to find her sulking under her blanket. Thankfully, the kindhearted Ryuuji explains the situation to her. Kitamura in fact does know about her true nature and everything else that’s been going on with Taiga and Ami. At last, Taiga shows her true feelings to Ryuuji by jumping, shouting, and throwing her usual tantrums. Apparently, she also hates how short she is. I can relate to you Taiga. I’m short too. But in any case, Ryuuji’s mother interrupts by being her useless self again. They need sauce for fried pork chops. Instead of buying it herself, Ryuuji does it, bringing Taiga along. Taiga reads in a magazine that Ami is taking a break from work for studies. Then, on their way back home, they see Ami wearing odd clothes and a hat to hide herself from the public eye. She’s also carrying snacks. As observant as ever, Taiga spots something about her but of course, we don’t know because it’s a cliffhanger!

Garrick: Poor Taiga is understating it. Ami is evil for doing that to her. (yet, I don’t really dislike her) But, I’m glad it was all sorted out. And… I’m totally curious as to what Ami wearing sunglasses and buying snacks could mean. *nod*

Minnie: This is an awesome ToraDora episode, one of the best I’ve seen in a while. Even though it’s not as funny as the last one, it’s still pretty good in that it brings a new character in and portrays her very well. I like Taiga’s personality in this episode a lot better as well and her interactions with Ryuuji are getting better too. The two are finally coming to more of an understanding. I must say that Ami’s not my favorite character after this episode. She is bitchy and two-face but I like her. I find her unique. Her character is very pretty as well. I know for a fact the other two will probably disagree with me already on Ami but then again, Ami’s the type of character I like- the one that pulls the story along. And so far, she has done so. My favorite characters are still Ryuuji and Haruka. I can’t wait until the next episode! More Taiga vs Ami! Revenge is sweet~

Garrick: Minorin > all. How’s that for a concluding paragraph?

Minnie’s Overall Rating for Episode: 9/10 (This whole episode might not be as funny but it’s so well-executed)

Garrick’s Rating for Episode Five: 8/10

Ric’s Overall Rating for Episode Five: 8/10

Minnie’s Anticipation for Next Episode: 10/10

Garrick’s Anticipation Scale: 9/10

Ric’s Anticipation for Episode Six: 8/10