Something like Toradora

[Zidan209]

A few days ago, I randomly picked up Toradora, because I just wanted to watch something and couldn't decide what (comedy is the best choice in a case like this). I ended up enjoying it way more than I expected, and I even have the feeling of emptiness right now (the kind of feeling you get after finishing something you were really into). So, after failing to choose something by myself, I decided to ask you guys around here.

To make it easier, I'm going to list some stuff that I'm looking for (or would like to avoid).

- no harems: harems usually have the kind of comedy that's full of cringe, have uninteresting and very often annoying characters and I get tired of that very quickly, but more importantly, there's never an actual romantic relationship between the MC and ONE of the heroines

- high school setting is good, but it's not a necessity

- at least a minimal amount of character development

- a good balance between comedy and drama (if it has more drama, then it's fine, but comedy should still be there)

- low amount of (or none) fanservice: if it's not a harem, then there probably won't be much fanservice, but I just felt like I should mention this too

- bonus points for a kiss scene

- extra bonus points for a protagonist who is able to think for himself

Here's my MAL account, so you can see what I've already seen. My list is not very big, since I don't watch too much stuff

https://myanimelist.net/animelist/Br41n

 

[Yuuko]

golden time

[GXOALMD]

Tsurezure Children is worth looking at if you'd be interested in something episodic. https://myanimelist.net/anime/34902/Tsurezure_Children

Otherwise:

Ookami-san and her Seven Companions was made by the same studio.  I think it was substantially weaker in the romance department, but in all other respects I actually liked it more than Toradora. https://myanimelist.net/anime/7769/Ookami-san_to_Shichinin_no_Nakama-tachi

Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun is also weaker with regards to romance, but was otherwise a more enjoyable show. https://myanimelist.net/anime/23289/Gekkan_Shoujo_Nozaki-kun

[AdventuringAtelier]

Well, two anime come to mind.

-Gosick: It uses a similar chemistry to Torodora but the main tsundere character is less harsh, and the overall story has a mystery flair to it. It's an underrated gem that is worth checking out. (https://myanimelist.net/anime/8425/Gosick)

-Chivalry of a Failed Knight: While it starts out cliched as hell, it eventually deconstructs the harem aspect by having the main character and tsundere fall in love and get into an actual relationship very early on, with the rest of the story tackling themes surrounding their relationship. As far as "magic battle harems" go, this is the best one by a long shot. (https://myanimelist.net/anime/30296/Rakudai_Kishi_no_Cavalry)

[Silvz]

21 minutes ago, Yuuko said:

golden time

it's from the same creator, right? I love Golden Time, so I second this

4 minutes ago, AdventuringAtelier said:

Well, two anime come to mind.

-Gosick: It uses a similar chemistry to Torodora but the main tsundere character is less harsh, and the overall story has a mystery flair to it. It's an underrated gem that is worth checking out. (https://myanimelist.net/anime/8425/Gosick)

-Chivalry of a Failed Knight: While it starts out cliched as hell, it eventually deconstructs the harem aspect by having the main character and tsundere fall in love and get into an actual relationship very early on, with the rest of the story tackling themes surrounding their relationship. As far as "magic battle harems" go, this is the best one by a long shot. (https://myanimelist.net/anime/30296/Rakudai_Kishi_no_Cavalry)

Gosick is love, Gosick is life. Prepare to cry a lot!

[Silvz]

Now seeing your list, I wonder why you haven't watched Little Busters, as it's from Key [Clannad, Angel Beats!] and it has everything you are looking for.

[Zidan209]

33 minutes ago, GXOALMD said:

Monthly Girls' Nozaki-Kun is also weaker with regards to romance, but was otherwise a more enjoyable show. https://myanimelist.net/anime/23289/Gekkan_Shoujo_Nozaki-kun

I'll probably check this one out.

35 minutes ago, Yuuko said:

golden time

 

12 minutes ago, Silvz said:

it's from the same creator, right? I love Golden Time, so I second this

I've seen this connected to Toradora a bunch of times, but the fact that it came out a few years later and its art somehow looks even older kinda put me off a little. I guess I'll decide after trying to watch some of the first episodes.

17 minutes ago, AdventuringAtelier said:

-Gosick: It uses a similar chemistry to Torodora but the main tsundere character is less harsh, and the overall story has a mystery flair to it. It's an underrated gem that is worth checking out. (https://myanimelist.net/anime/8425/Gosick)

This certainly looks interesting, so I will try it.

10 minutes ago, Silvz said:

Now seeing your list, I wonder why you haven't watched Little Busters, as it's from Key [Clannad, Angel Beats!] and it has everything you are looking for.

I generally avoid animes that are adapted from a VN (a VN that I haven't read yet), because if I was interested in it at all, then I'd just go for the VN instead. And I've been a bit too lazy to read VN's lately, even though I have like a dozen of them on my wishlist, so there probably isn't an opportunity to get to Little busters anytime soon for me 

Edited February 24, 2020 by Zidan209

[Silvz]

1 minute ago, Zidan209 said:

I generally avoid animes that are adapted from a VN (a VN that I haven't read yet), because if I was interested in it at all, then I'd just go for the VN instead. And I've been a bit too lazy to read VN's lately, even though I have like a dozen of them on my wishlist, so there probably isn't an opportunity to get to Little busters anytime soon for me 

If you won't read the VN, watch the anime '-'

[Zidan209]

4 minutes ago, Silvz said:

If you won't read the VN, watch the anime '-'

ok, maybe I'll keep this in mind as a last resort 

[adamstan]

I also loved Toradora, so I'm very thankful for all those recomendations above I'd like to perhaps suggest Lovely★Complex. It isn't exactly the same, but, at least for me, it had some similar vibes.

[Stormwolf]

On 2/24/2020 at 11:19 PM, Silvz said:

If you won't read the VN, watch the anime '-'

I was about to say the same xD But honestly, the VN is much better. The music is better and the emotional scenes somewhat fail in the anime compared to the VN.