Crunchyroll brought on the Toradora! anime series awhile ago for streaming and while we had some clips way, way, way back in the day, they’re doing some new promotion for it now. The latest is that they’re streaming the second opening and closing theme songs to the series as they’re now part of their larger playlist of such things. The series features the opening theme song “Silky Heart” by Yui Horie and the ending theme song “Orange” by Rie Kugimiya, Yui Horie, and Eri Kitamura. Check ’em out below and relive the glory days of what may have been your anime youth.
Check out our review of the NIS America premium edition Blu-ray release.
The 2008 TV series was directed by Tatsuyuki Nagai based on the series composition by Mari Okada. Masayoshi Yanaka adapted the original character designs by Yasu based on the work from Yuyuko Takemiya. J.C. Staff handled the animation production.
The Japanese cast includes Junji Majima as Ryūji Takasu, Rie Kugimiya as Taiga Aisaka, Ai Nonaka as Maya Kihara, Eri Kitamura as Ami Kawashima, Hirofumi Nojima as Yūsaku Kitamura, Hiroyuki Yoshino as Kōji Haruta, Kazuyuki Okitsu as Hisamitsu Noto, Momoko Ishikawa as Nanako Kashii, Rie Tanaka as Yuri Koigakubo, Saori Goto as Inko-chan, Sayaka Ohara as Yasuko Takasu, Yui Horie as Minori Kushieda, and Yuko Kaida as Sumire Kanō.
The series features the opening theme song “PURE PARE-DO” by Rie Kugimiya, Yui Horie, and Eri Kitamura and the ending theme song “Vanilla Salt” by Yui Horie.
The English dub was produced by Bang Zoom Entertainment and the cast includes Cassandra Lee as Taiga Aisaka, Erik Scott Kimerer as Ryuji Takasu, Brian Beacock as Kouji Haruta, Christine Marie Cabanos as Minori Kushieda, Elizabeth Thomas as Yuri Koigakubo, Erika Harlacher as Ami Kawashima, Jason Baker as Hisamitsu Noto, Johnny Yong Bosch as Yusaku Kitamura, Karen Strassman as Nanako Kashii and Yasuko Takasu, Mela Lee as Maya Kihara, and Wendee Lee as Inko and Sumire Kano.
Plot concept: Ryuji Takasu is cursed with his father’s threatening face and is labeled a “delinquent” because of it. Even though this makes it difficult for him to meet people, he is madly in love with Minorin, the one girl who does not flee from him in terror. Taiga Aisaka is a notorious hothead with the nickname “Palm-top Tiger.” She also happens to be Minorin’s best friend, and what’s more, Taiga has a crush on Ryuji’s closest friend.
This unlikely duo strikes a tenuous agreement to assist one another in stealing the hearts of the ones they love. They will face many hurdles along the way, but perhaps true love is closer to them than they think.
