Maybe I should go for a ride across Minnesota
Through out Toradora’s running, I heard many comparisons of it to Honey and Clover, all in positive lights. Having missed it during its original airing, I decided to finally check it out, having thoroughly enjoyed Toradora. However, after watching it, I found myself feeling rather listless, and somewhat depressed. As the title reads, I really can’t say I enjoyed it at all in the true sense of the word.
Let me say this first. Honey and Clover was an extremely good show. Indeed, it was probably the quality of the characters, and the hurdles that they are faced with that ultimately resulted in my reactions towards the show. While numerous anime characters have had me emotionally attached to them, none has quite captured me like Takemoto.
Perhaps it’s the fact that he was in the same stage of life as I am. Perhaps it’s the fact that his lack of direction gave him an increased sense of humanity. Either way, everything that happened to him through out the show felt far more personal, far more relatable than anything that I have watched. And his struggles inevitably to force me to think on my own. Where am I heading? What stops remain along the way? And as the fear of passing days that flew by despite lack of preparation for the future passed through Takemoto’s thoughts, I found myself hitting pause, and for a long moment, sighing heavily.
But of course, I’m not Takamoto, and of course, he’s not me. And while his own journey gave him a clearer sight of his destination in life, I still wonder where my life might lead me. I didn’t enjoy the show. I don’t enjoy being made to ponder on my own life so unsuspectingly. But I am thankful at least, for there is one thing that I am more certain of now. I really need to buy another bike.
I enjoyed the show partially because it was able to make me think about my life so strongly. And if anything, it make me feel better with the message that if even if I don’t know what I’m doing, as long as I’m getting somewhere, that’s progress in some way.
That, and the show did make me want to learn how to use a bike.
Well, I’m sure that my enjoyment, or lack there of, was greatly circumstantial. Perhaps when I watch it again a few years down the road, it’ll once again touch me so deeply, but this time cause me to look back on my life and make me laugh and smile about what I have walked through.
Well thats okay. We all have different favorite genres. I too didnt like Honey and Clover.
I found Takemoto’s bike adventure as more of a source of lols than anything else. However, I liked him more in H&C2 when he copes up with the consequences of his confession.
All in all, Ayu’s story struck a chord with me the most, with reasons I won’t go into detail anymore. Nomiya is awesome.
I couldn’t relate as strongly to the show as you have because I’m older than even Shu-chan I think. It’s been a while since my days in uni, but goodness I loved this show.
All things considered the first season is better than the second, but the finale — the finale was glorious.