The Toradora! anime has been a pretty decent staple for the past decade or so as it’s gotten streaming and home video releases. NIS America originally brought it out as premium edition releases years ago but they’ve, at odd times, brought out standard editions as well. With the last standard edition release done in 2014, the distributor is coming back with a new round for the first set after bringing out the second set back on March 1st, 2021. Go figure? This set contains episodes one through thirteen and will be priced at $39.99 when it arrives on April 26th, 2021. Check out the packaging for it below.
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 series features the second opening theme song “Silky Heart” by Yui Horie and the second ending theme song “Orange” by Rie Kugimiya, Yui Horie, and Eri Kitamura.
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: The Culture Festival at Ohashi High has come to an end, and with it, many of the chances for both Ryuji and Taiga to have their crushes notice them. Their next major attempt will happen during the Christmas Eve party being held in their school’s gym, but both of their hearts seem to be elsewhere. An awkward distance between Ryuji and Taiga seems to grow or shrink every day, and the truth needs to be revealed before someone gets hurt. Taiga and Ryuji’s friends, who have been by their side this whole time, are prepared to make incredible sacrifices to make that happen. Taiga and Ryuji, the tiger and the dragon, will have to learn what love, friendship, and family truly mean!
