In a recent comment forum discussion, anime fans expressed their bewilderment at the growing amount of criticism and disdain directed at Taiga Aisaka, protagonist of the popular anime series “Toradora!“. The discussion focuses on analyzing the reasons for this aversion to a character who, at the time, was widely acclaimed and loved by the otaku community.

“Toradora!”, an anime series based on the light novels by Yuyuko Takemiya, has been a mainstay in the romantic comedy genre since its release in 2008. The plot follows Ryuuji Takasu, a high school student with an intimidating appearance but a kind heart, who meets Taiga Aisaka, a classmate known for her fiery temper and diminutive stature. As the two begin to interact, a complex story of love and friendship unfolds, full of touching and funny moments.

Taiga Aisaka, nicknamed the "Compact Tiger" for her diminutive size and fierce personality, is one of anime's most iconic protagonists. With her messy blonde hair, intense brown eyes, and defiant attitude, Taiga has won over many fans for her determination, loyalty, and moments of vulnerability. However, in recent times, some viewers have expressed discontent with the character, arguing that her aggressive behavior and overreactions make her less likable compared to other girls with similar personalities who came after her.

Despite the criticism, “Toradora!” remains one of the most beloved and quoted series in the romantic comedy genre. The chemistry between the main characters, the gripping narrative, and the memorable soundtrack have contributed to its longevity and its status as a modern anime classic.

• «I think the only people who hate Taiga Aisaka are those who haven't finished watching the anime yet and only judge her based on her tsundere and abusive attitude in the first few episodes.».
• «I agree with you, saying these things about Taiga and her relationship with Ryuuji is just superficial or blind. Taiga is a wonderful character in my opinion; she has many strengths and weaknesses, and I love watching her mature throughout the series. And anyone who says the relationship between Taiga and Ryuuji is "bad" doesn't understand the series at all.».
• «Tsundere are not sluts, they are just misunderstood.».
• «They probably hate her because she's a tsundere and they thought she would act like that all the time because you know she gets angry, and she's very abusive towards Ryuuji, so they thought she would be like that all the time and left the series based on their judgment.».
• «All my friends watched Toradora! and they love Taiga, I don't understand the general hate».
• «Hatred of Taiga is a common sentiment in the anime community, or at least very vocal, and their arguments usually boil down to: "I hate her because Ryuuji gave her 10 times more patience than she deserved because of the way she treated him. The way he acted irritated me for a long time. He needs another season of apologizing to Ryuuji before I can like him."».
• «Lots of people like it, but those who don't say so clearly. And judging by the number of likes their posts receive, they're not a minority.».
• «As for Taiga, first we have to talk about tsunderes. Basically, you either love them or hate them, and they're a very difficult character type to discuss, as people tend to get defensive. I love Taiga because I agree that she's not a tsundere because "she doesn't care, baka." She's a tsundere because of her life circumstances; after her own family hurt her, it's normal to have high defenses like hers. And most people who hate her only see that protective shell and don't see the sweet girl inside. Well, at least that's my opinion.».
• «I think she uses her tough exterior to make it difficult for people to get close to her. She's been cheated on twice, which is why, in my opinion, she's so tough and aggressive. While she's not a tsundere in the sense that she uses her aggression to hide her feelings of love, she uses her hostile and blunt attitude as a means of protecting the more cowardly, scared, and indecisive Taiga inside her. Like a bully, she compensates for her weakness by hiding it.».
• «He always hits and abuses his classmate for no reason… Need I say more?».
• «I agree with you that Taiga might be the kind of person you'd meet in real life and who would frustrate you, but I still don't like how over-the-top she is and how she ultimately defeats Ryuuji. I just don't see how Ryuuji could see Taiga as the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with.».
• «I think you're right that the anime doesn't give many clues as to why exactly he falls for her. Still, the relationship felt believable to me because it was the only genuine relationship between them that wasn't built on a facade. No one in the series is honest with anyone except Taiga with Ryuuji, and Ryuuji with Taiga. Throughout the series, they see the best and worst in each other, surprise each other a bit, and inevitably, they grow to connect intimately through each other's openness over time.».
• «Ryuuji likes to clean. Taiga's life is a disaster. Is that enough for a relationship? Well, at first I think so, but I agree it's ridiculous how far these companions will go to be together. It's hard for many people to accept (myself included), but since Ryuuji isn't a generic protagonist (for the most part), that means his motivations won't always match those of the audience.».
• «Taiga before Christmas was truly awful. He knocked out the protagonist upon their first encounter, displayed a fiery temper and aggressive nature throughout the beginning of the series, and tried to "kill" the protagonist with his (wooden) sword without any signs of restraint. And after all he does—taking care of her, cleaning her house, cooking her meals, and helping her with her love life—she still calls him a useless dog every time.».
• «She's a violent bitch. What more do we need? Having a reason why you're a violent bitch doesn't exempt you from being a violent bitch. It means you have a starting point to learn and become someone who isn't a violent bitch.».

Source: reddit