Netflix has finally re-released the immensely popular rom-com anime Toradora on its platform. Fans who had watched the series back in 2008 revisited the story along with plenty of new viewers in 2020. Well, the re-release has sparked up the demands for Toradora Season 2 again. More than a decade after its end, thousands of people want the animated show to return. However, is there any hope for its return? What’s in the future of the highly-acclaimed show? Here are all the details you need to know about it.
The fan-favorite Toradora! story originated from a popular light novel series of the same name written by Yuyuko Takemiya and illustrated by Yasu. Its first-ever volume came out in March 2006, while the LN serialized for a total of ten volumes until March 2009. Due to its budding popularity, the novels were picked up for several adaptations, including a manga series, an internet radio, and a television anime. In May 2007, the author also began a spin-off LN that only ran for three volumes until 2010.
The manga adaptation by the LN’s author with illustrations by Zekko debuted back in 2008. As of June 2019, the series is still in the run, with a total of nine volumes already released. Like its predecessor, the manga was equally popular amongst readers. However, Studio J. C. Staff produced anime adaptation turned out to be the most successful venture of the Toradora franchise. Even today, the series is remembered amongst some of the best rom-com anime of all time.
Is Toradora Season 2 Confirmed?
For the last twelve years, fans of the famous anime have been waiting for its return. The series first aired in Japan between October 2008 and March 2009. During its broadcast, Toradora became one of the trendiest anime of that decade. It received immense amounts of love from fans from around the world. On top of that, it also became quite a successful production for its animation studio J. C. Staff. A surprise OVA episode came out two years after the finale in December 2011. However, despite heavy demands for Toradora Season 2, the OVA was the last episode viewers got to watch.
Well, a lot of anime series in the past and some even today, are only produced to promote their source material. Thus, they release during the serialization of their respective light novels, mangas, or video games. As soon as the LNs or mangas end, the anime adaptations are left with no content to advertise. Since they are dependant on their source material for revenue, this reduces their chances of return in the future. While only rare shows get sequels despite their source material’s end, a large percent of them are abandoned by their studios.
As of today, J. C. Staff has neither confirmed nor canceled the second season. Moreover, they haven’t talked about any new projects related to the show, i.e., movie adaptation or spin-off series. Well, this could be scary for a lot of fans. However, neither of these ensure that there won’t be a sequel in the future. In today’s world, there’s always hope for a show’s return if it has enough support from fans and followers.
Will The Anime Ever Return? Is Netflix Planning To Pick Up The Sequel?
After a dozen years of the anime’s initial release, Netflix has decided to re-release the episodes. Well, unlike other things that happened last year, 2020 was lucky for Toradora fans. The giant streaming platform brought back memories for fans who had watched the show back in 2008. It also opened the door for new viewers and increased its reach to a large extent. In fact, based on social media activities and search numbers, the rom-com anime has climbed up to new heights of popularity, thanks to the streamer.
Well, as the anime reached more people, the demand for Toradora Season 2 further increased. Now, thousands of people are signing petitions to bring back the show. Social media has given fans the authority to express their interests. At this moment, it’s quite improbable for any studio to not notice the hype. In fact, this could be the best time for Netflix to pick up the sequel as an Original series. J. C. Staff or any other studio might also try to get the rights for the second season. However, if that happens, the new anime producer will have to create an original story for Season 2’s story.
Is There Enough Source Material For A New Season?
Lack of source material is quite a concern for many anime producers. Unlike original stories, anime adaptations are dependant upon their respective light novel or manga for content. Hence, such projects are often abandoned when there is not enough source material to adapt. Sadly, this could be the case for Toradora Season 2 as well. The Toradora light novel series released for a total of ten volumes between 2006 and 2009. Out of these, the anime’s first season has already covered almost all the content available.
The Toradora anime has already covered the plot of all ten volumes of its source material. Well, only its ending was different from that of the LN series. Since there’s no content left for adaptation, any anime producer would think before picking up the project. However, given that Netflix might be interested in Toradora Season 2, there is still hope for the sequel. Lately, the streamer has been quite passionate about anime series and has picked up several new projects.
While it has produced many Original anime projects already, the platform has acquired the streaming rights for many popular classic anime, including Toradora. Hence, if Netflix decides to pick up the second season, it might as well create an original story suited for the current audience. Moreover, given that Toradora light novel author Yuyuko Takemiya was one of the anime’s executive producer, she could be the writer of the sequel too. As of now, neither Netflix nor J. C. Staff has confirmed the same. However, we will update this section once the official renewal is announced.
Has The Toradora Manga Ended?
Almost all Toradora projects have ended back, including the light novel that concluded in March 2009 and its anime adaptation that last aired in 2009. However, only one venture of the franchise is still running, which is the manga. The Toradora manga began serialization back in 2008 and already has a total of nine volumes. Light novel author and mangaka Yuyuko Takemiya launched the most recent one, Volume 9, in June 2019. Since he releases the manga volumes every one or two years, Volume 10 might arrive sometime in 2021.
Readers have reported that the manga has almost caught up with the light novel series. Hence, the story of the upcoming volume might go past the original ending and that of the anime adaptation. If the author continues a new story with future volumes of the manga, J. C. Staff, Netflix, or any other company that produces Toradora Season 2 will have enough source material for new episodes. Moreover, the producer would also have new content to promote. This article will be updated with relevant information once the tenth volume arrives.
Movie Adaptation Or Toradora Season 2
Well, a lot of anime adaptations that have less or not source material left to adapt often get to return as a movie. The film adaptations complete the story if there was a cliffhanger or feature an after story of the anime series. This also satisfies fans asking for more content and does not require as many LN/manga volumes to make. While viewers are only demanding Toradora Season 2, a movie version would be easier to produce for the creators.
On the other hand, the movie adaptation can also feature Toradora’s spin-off light novel series. Back in 2007, author Yuyuko Takemiya also wrote a spin-off LN series with illustrations by Yasu. The story couldn’t run for more than three volumes and was ended in April 2010. Given that only three volumes of this LN series are available, J. C. Staff or Netflix have enough content to produce a spin-off movie adaptation.
Toradora Season 2 Episode 1: Plot Details
J. C. Staff’s popular rom-com anime centers around a unique duo. Ryuuji Takasu, a kind, and gentle high schooler, often gets labeled as a delinquent due to his intimidating face. On the other hand, Taiga Aisaka, a cute and fragile looking typical anime girl, also has a contrasting personality. Unlike her looks, Taiga has a fiery and snappy personality and is known as the “Palmtop Tiger,” the most dangerous animal in the school. The story gets interesting as the two of them cross paths.
Taiga has a crush on Ryuuji’s best friend and the school’s vice-president, Yuusake Kitamura. Whereas, we found out that Ryuuji has a crush on Taiga’s best friend, Minori Kushieda. In a twisted fate, both of them help each other out to get their respective crushes. However, after a series of events and hardships, they find love in each other.
Well, over the years, a lot of viewers have complained that they did not like the first season’s ending. On the other hand, many light novel readers expressed that the LN had a much better finale than the anime. Hence, it’s likely that Toradora Season 2 might begin after the LN’s ending. However, it is also possible that the sequel might feature the after story of Ryuuji and Taiga. In fact, we may get to see the future life of the couple.
Also, fans have previously revealed that the PSP (PlayStation Portable) version of the show features a better ending. The game ends with Taiga and Ryuuji getting married. Their happy ending also shows Taiga’s pregnancy and that she gives birth to triplets. Well, this is not the official ending of the franchise, but it could be used by the producers of Toradora Season 2. If that happens, the sequel will feature Taiga and Ryuuji’s life after their marriage.
Toradora Season 2 Characters: Who Will Be In The Cast?
The storyline of the anime’s sequel will be incomplete without the leading couple Ryuuji and Taiga. Moreover, the characters Yuusake and Minori also had plotlines. Hence, it will be interesting to watch how their stories go after the ending of the first season. Aside from the central characters, we might get to watch some regular characters from the show again. However, the voice actors that played these characters in the debut installment might not return.
It has already been twelve years since the anime ended. Hence, even if the second season is renewed, it will be hard for the creators to collect the original cast again. However, we hope that the studio manages to bring back the lead actors Junji Majima (Ryuuji Takasu) and Rie Kugimiya (Taiga Aisaka). Both the cast members were impressive alongside Yui Horie (Minori Kushieda) and Hirofumi Nojima (Yuusake Kitamura) as well. The producers would have to hire more voice actors to play the new characters.
Is There A Trailer For The New Season?
As of now, neither J. C. Staff, Netflix, or any other company has not confirmed the renewal of Toradora Season 2. Hence, the official trailer of the sequel is yet to arrive. Even if the renewal is announced sooner, the creators might take a while to release a teaser or trailer. Keep an eye on this section for the second season’s production video (PV).
Toradora Season 2: Release Date
For the last twelve years, the release date of Toradora Season 2 is the only thing on fans’ minds. However, neither of the anime’s producers have renewed it or talked about its premiere. Well, with Netflix re-releasing the first season, the existing popularity of the show has already increased. Besides, now that the sequel is trending amongst Netflix subscribers, this is the best time to launch more episodes.
If the renewal arrives now, the animation studio will take at least a year to complete production. Hence, as of now, an early to mid-2023 Toradora Season 2 release date seems the most plausible. Are you excited for the rom-com anime’s return? What are your viewers about the first season’s ending? What are your expectations for the upcoming installment? Please share with us in the comments below.