@Toaru no Majutsu Index: The loli line is totally just me quoting someone in the episode.
There's 16 novels so it'll probably end up being similar to Shakugan no Shana. Fitting as it is J.C. Staff in charge here...
@ef:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07FrzGdPgwI[/youtube]
The first season covers two of the story arcs from the game (which is an H-Game) and ... they're pretty depressing. Hirono's arc isn't that bad (love triangle) for depression but it is pretty DRAMAZ but Kei's arc is pretty touching. That said, the title (ef - a tale of memories) is what the two stories are about: memories. Chihiro is such a sad character (the intro features her plot if you care to read the story in the background and analyze it~).
So far, Kuze's arc (ef - a tale of melodies) isn't that big of a deal except some foreshadowing (...so obvious foreshadowing).
@ToraDora!: It's ... possible if they show Kitamura and Minori some more to have ... well, character. So far, only Ryuuji and Taiga have anything really resembling background story and development so it's hard to like the Taiga x Kitamura (or Ryuuji x Minori) pairing.
Another note, it's another Main character + Rie Kugimiya + Yui Horie triangle (Zero no Tsukaima) anime. Hell, while we're at it, Kitamura is voiced by Nojima Hirofumi (Ike from SnS) ... ^^.
Also, sorry for the novel spoilers
Novel spoilers (minor; just about character presentation)
[spoiler]That said, the novel DOES give Ryuuji a lot more thought about Taiga; there's a lot of reflection on his part over what either of them say or do AND it definitely has a feeling of more towards romantic, not platonic at times ... but other times it is definitely the opposite. That said, I don't think there's been a conclusion yet so it may be a back-and-forth kind of thing ... makes me sad since I know THAT feeling way too well.
As for the carrying scene (lots of text, spoilerish I guess if the Anime decides to do this!):
It's good...
He felt Aisaka's soft cheek pressing on his neck... riding on his back without any injury. That's good... As long as she stays like this, it'll be fine.
...
Suddenly, the image of all those people taking their frustration out on the electric pole popped into Ryuuji’s head, and he couldn't help but laugh to himself, which Aisaka noticed and asked,
"What're you laughing at?"
Aisaka stuck out her head, her breath landing right on Ryuuji's cheek.
"Nothing... just something useless."
"Eh?! What is it? Come one! Tell me!"
"UGH!"
His neck was being strangled.
"W, why you..."
"Cause I'm curious! Just what're you laughing at?"
"... Like I said, it's nothing important, so don't worry about... I... I can't breathe!"
"If you don't want to say it, then I'll make sure you won't be able to for the rest of your life."
Seriously... how can people like this exist? Ryuuji wondered while keeping his windpipe clear so he could argue with her. As a tyrannical tiger, she's forceful, violent, selfish and obnoxious. Just how many times have I suffered thanks to spending time with her? There's that time, and that time, and that...
Come to think of it... those pains seem to have mellowed as I think more about them. There's probably no emotion under that warm body of hers right now. Even as we approach that Bourgeoisie-style apartment block, she probably won't have any change in emotion like always...
However...
The arms that held onto his neck suddenly loosened.
"You can drop me off here."
Aisaka said, tapping on Ryuuji's shoulder.
In front of the apartment block entrance, Aisaka elegantly leapt off Ryuuji's back. As his back became free of the burden, Ryuuji felt the weight disappearing, but he also felt the warmth disappearing. As everything disappeared, Ryuuji turned to look at Aisaka standing before the glass door.
He then felt his heart hurting as though it were being blocked... So it really hurts.
"This is it, Ryuuji. And we're just in time, look!"
She lifted her tiny hand and showed him her watch. The two hands on the face of the watch pointed exactly at 11:59.
"Ahh, I'm so tired... At least we made it home peacefully. It all ends today, right now. After today, you'll no longer be my dog. There's thirty seconds left... Hey, do you have anything to say before then?"
"... Anything to say... what do you mean?"
"You do have some last words to say as my stupid dog, don't you, Ryuuji?"
"... Well... to suddenly ask me to say something..."
Standing two meters before him, Aisaka smiled, at least she looked like she was smiling. She tilted her tiny neck, as though expecting Ryuuji to speak. But what could I say... what could I say...
"... Ten seconds... Five seconds..."
He couldn't say anything.
A breeze blew between the two. Aisaka lowered her hand and said,
"Goodbye."
"Yeah... S, see you tomorrow! And good luck!"
That was all he said.
"Goodbye, Takasu-kun."
[/spoiler]
Novel spoilers (thoughts from glances at books 2 and 3)
[spoiler]That said, it DOES seem to go in the direction of them being friends helping towards their other relationships ... but it'll probably develop towards their feelings being towards each other (probably due to one of the two actually getting their pairing they wanted). Or just stick them as friends to the end ... which would be different and could be nice if it's done right.
There is THIS however:
Yeah, that's right. If she had meant my feelings towards Minori, then my feeling towards Aisaka were different.
But there was one thing that was sure, Ryuuji really wanted to take care of that Palmtop Tiger known as Taiga. It's got nothing to do with love, I just wanted to be by her side... I must be by her side, that's the sort of person I want to be. That's all. You got a problem with that? [/spoiler]
Also, the novel scene of her reaction to being called Taiga:
[spoiler]"... Taiga..."
At the mention of her name, her body shook as though she was being struck... Aisaka Taiga's eyelids twitched.
"This is part of being equal, right? ... Since you call me Ryuuji, then I'll call you Taiga."
Is that fine? Just as he had finished...
"... What are you trying to pull?!"
A shadow stretched from her legs, it felt as though it had suddenly expanded. Maybe I've seen wrongly, but...
"What is this conceited nonsense about? Why should I let you call me by my first name?! ... What the hell is this nonsense about being equal?! How shameful! Be aware of where you stand, you idiot Ryuuji!"
"Eh..."
The bomb had exploded. Ah, that's right...
"You probably have no idea what you're talking about! If you really did, how could you have said such insolent stuff? Besides, what the hell is this?! Ahh, I see now, could it be that you..."
After releasing a torrent of abuses, Aisaka suddenly stopped. Just like that, she was the scariest thing imaginable standing there just like that. Her eyes glared venomously towards her opponent while she glided and approached him from below, emitting an aura that would intimidate anyone into paralysis.
Those were the true colors of the Palmtop Tiger.
"... Could it be that, you've fallen in love with me?"
"... Don't be rid..."
"Hmph, I didn't think so! How could you of all people have the nerve to do something so suicidal?"
"... Ugh... ah..."
...
Where did those tears just now disappear to? The Palmtop Tiger was still the Palmtop Tiger, with just a few cruel words coupled with contemptuous eyes, Ryuuji's heart was dealt a heavy blow.
Just how sharp are those claws of hers? And how savage are they? This palm-sized carnivore is just so obnoxious no matter where she goes!
And then, what will become of me from now on, now that I've declared that I'll stay by her side?
"Isn't that... a bit early... to decide...?"
Ryuuji sighed and stood awestruck. I've miscalculated! He went into deep thought and closed his eyes, I really am no good at judging people!
Standing some distance from him, Aisaka Taiga lowered her head and smiled gently,
"... That's why I'm called 'Taiga'!"
Ryuuji glanced at Taiga, who was looking at him while giggling like a dove, and thought,
Right now she still belongs only to me. [/spoiler]
@Chaos;Head: ... I haven't watched it yet >> My understanding is that the main character is pretty much delusional, pretty much a NEET and is ... well, pathetic. Also, the game is pretty fucked up. I'll get more details when I watch it.
@Akane-iro ni Somaru Saka: Hm ... interesting, I suppose. I will say that Yuuhi's voice is different ... though it's just Kugimiya Rie. Also, Minato's voice is Aya Hirano but I didn't recognize her at first. Strange.
Anyway, Yuuhi was ... oh god, SO different than her normal roles ... until the end of Episode 1. Another tsundere (...not bad as I love tsunderes...) but I don't think she's quite a loli ... well, okay, sort of a loli. Anyway, things seem interesting so far so I'll probably keep watching it. Plus, I LOVE THE VOICES HURRAY.
Also, the MMO scenes made me laugh (and was cute to see the actual MMO they play for once).
[/spoiler]