butterfly pooped a spider

(Spoilers for Toradora!)

I recently made a post about Taiga in my series about the Toradora protagonists, but now it’s Ami’s turn!

I firmly believe that Ami Kawashima has some of the best character development in the entire show. Ami is pretty much insufferable when she is first introduced, but eventually, the audience begins to agree with Kitamura; she is best when she’s being herself.

Something Ami struggles with during the series is constantly being told that she’s ‘mature’ due to her appearance and her job and the way she behaves around adults. However, Ami is still just a teenager; she isn’t supposed to be ‘adult-like’ yet and doesn’t like the responsibilities that come with that implication. This is why she begins to have feelings towards Ryuji after he notes that she was acting childish. She believes that he sees her how she truly is, not the mature adult their other peers believe her to be.

One other reason why I think Ami is perceived as being mature is because she is the most emotionally intelligent character in the whole series. No, really. Throughout the whole show, Ami is always aware of who is crushing on who; notably Minori, whom Ami makes the most comments towards. However, Ami was also fully aware of Ryuji and Taiga’s love for each other for deeper reasons than everyone else in the class (who were only assuming they were a couple because they’re always hanging out). She also knew about Kitamura’s crush on the president, and her dismissive attitude towards him during his main arc reflected that knowledge.

Speaking of Kitamura, I do really love Kitamura and Ami’s friendship; while I have no problem with the three main female protagonists all having a crush on Ryuji (and who wouldn’t?) it is refreshing to see a close male/female relationship in this show that’s entirely platonic. Plus, Kitamura is the first person to love Ami for who she really is, not the facade she puts on.

Sure, she’s a little snarky and a bit of an asshole, but Ami is an essential part of what holds the main Toradora cast together. She pushes them all to become better versions of themselves, and learns more about herself and her own priorities in the process.

I just really love this show guys, thanks for reading!