Takaya Natsuki - Fruits Basket, vol. 23 (Eng. trans.)
Oh, I cannot believe it is over (even though I know it has been over for two years now)!
First, I've extremely grumpy at TokyoPop for the lousy quality of the final volume. The paper for the cover and the pages are much flimsier compared even to volume 22. Yes, there's a nice color insert, which I appreciated, but seriously! I shouldn't feel like I can tear the pages by accident when I'm turning them.
But overall, this is a lovely grace note to the series. There isn't much plot movement; mostly it's tying up loose ends and giving the characters a proper send off.
Spoilers pile on the years
Wow. I don't even know where to start. I reread the curse breaking scenes and Yuki and Machi and Tohru realizing Kyo was her most important person and oh so many more two or three times while I was in the middle of this volume, just because I didn't want it to end. I love how they have all grown so much, even (especially) Akito.
I keep thinking about one of Mely's old posts about Fruits Basket and abuse, and I hope that in the end, the Sohmas have started to break that cycle of silence. I hope that they are talking about what Akito did to them and sharing stories, and I hope they will keep doing that to make sure it doesn't happen again, at least not in silence, not hidden, not buried away.
Also, how did Takaya make me like Akito? How? I am still a little wary about fast redemption, but I loved that Takaya has Akito say she couldn't apologize, because it would be too much like an end to reparations instead of a beginning, that instead, Akito is going to spend a lot of time working to change the Sohma family to make sure the dysfunction doesn't happen again. And I love that some people like Rin can't forgive Akito and may never be able to, and that they shouldn't have to for the ending of the story. And the implicit acknowledgement that some damage can't be undone, that some hurts can't be forgiven, that moving on may mean not letting that person have control over you any more but doesn't mean you have to accept them back into your life. The same with Akito reaching out to the older woman and how some people are not ready for change.
I love that the end is not easy, because endings and beginnings and change are never easy.
While the entire series is about change, I also liked how it returns to the idea of one-sided affection or love again and again, from the first mention of it with Hanajima and Motoko and the Prince Yuki club to Kazuma thinking his forcing Kyo to reveal his true form in front of Tohru is a form of pushing his love onto someone, to, of course, Akito and the Juunishi.
I'm normally not the largest fan of the reminiscing chapter of all the people remembering their interactions with Tohru, nor of flashforwards, but I think Takaya has completely earned it. And oh, Yuki. I loved Kyo and Tohru, but oh Yuki. Representing all of them to tell Tohru what she means to them, and finally, finally calling her "Tohru."
I could also have done a little less with the overall gender norms (Akito returning to female dress and Ritsu returning to male dress) as a sign of healing, although I did like that Akito being female was a sign of strength, not weakness. Ditto with the coupling, particularly Hanajima/Kazuma and Ritsu/Michiru, which I don't feel were set up enough. That said, I usually am very cynical about high school couples making it out of high school and through college, but with this series, I am optimistic! I want them to make it, especially especially especially Yuki and Machi. I am fairly sure the inter-Juunishi ones will, given what they share.
Also, I sort of wish they had not specified that Momiji's affection for Tohru was partially romantic, just because I loved them so as friends.
These are mostly minor complaints. I overall love where the story ended with the bittersweetness of people leaving, even though I am sure they get together again.
And finally, Kyoko's chapter. Oh Kyoko. I think I bawled. And then I reread Kyo's confession and the curse breaking and Tohru saying she didn't care and Kyoko's chapter and I bawled again. Just... everything in it, from her wondering if she loved Tohru enough to seeing Katsuya again to holding Kyo to his tab. And her wishing for many friends for Tohru and many years and everything that she's given in the series. It makes Yuki's final speech to Tohru even more touching, because of how Tohru was able to give the Juunishi what Kyoko gave her, and how although abuse is passed on through generations, love is too.
I love this series so.
Comment | Read Comments | Link
First, I've extremely grumpy at TokyoPop for the lousy quality of the final volume. The paper for the cover and the pages are much flimsier compared even to volume 22. Yes, there's a nice color insert, which I appreciated, but seriously! I shouldn't feel like I can tear the pages by accident when I'm turning them.
But overall, this is a lovely grace note to the series. There isn't much plot movement; mostly it's tying up loose ends and giving the characters a proper send off.
Spoilers pile on the years
Wow. I don't even know where to start. I reread the curse breaking scenes and Yuki and Machi and Tohru realizing Kyo was her most important person and oh so many more two or three times while I was in the middle of this volume, just because I didn't want it to end. I love how they have all grown so much, even (especially) Akito.
I keep thinking about one of Mely's old posts about Fruits Basket and abuse, and I hope that in the end, the Sohmas have started to break that cycle of silence. I hope that they are talking about what Akito did to them and sharing stories, and I hope they will keep doing that to make sure it doesn't happen again, at least not in silence, not hidden, not buried away.
Also, how did Takaya make me like Akito? How? I am still a little wary about fast redemption, but I loved that Takaya has Akito say she couldn't apologize, because it would be too much like an end to reparations instead of a beginning, that instead, Akito is going to spend a lot of time working to change the Sohma family to make sure the dysfunction doesn't happen again. And I love that some people like Rin can't forgive Akito and may never be able to, and that they shouldn't have to for the ending of the story. And the implicit acknowledgement that some damage can't be undone, that some hurts can't be forgiven, that moving on may mean not letting that person have control over you any more but doesn't mean you have to accept them back into your life. The same with Akito reaching out to the older woman and how some people are not ready for change.
I love that the end is not easy, because endings and beginnings and change are never easy.
While the entire series is about change, I also liked how it returns to the idea of one-sided affection or love again and again, from the first mention of it with Hanajima and Motoko and the Prince Yuki club to Kazuma thinking his forcing Kyo to reveal his true form in front of Tohru is a form of pushing his love onto someone, to, of course, Akito and the Juunishi.
I'm normally not the largest fan of the reminiscing chapter of all the people remembering their interactions with Tohru, nor of flashforwards, but I think Takaya has completely earned it. And oh, Yuki. I loved Kyo and Tohru, but oh Yuki. Representing all of them to tell Tohru what she means to them, and finally, finally calling her "Tohru."
I could also have done a little less with the overall gender norms (Akito returning to female dress and Ritsu returning to male dress) as a sign of healing, although I did like that Akito being female was a sign of strength, not weakness. Ditto with the coupling, particularly Hanajima/Kazuma and Ritsu/Michiru, which I don't feel were set up enough. That said, I usually am very cynical about high school couples making it out of high school and through college, but with this series, I am optimistic! I want them to make it, especially especially especially Yuki and Machi. I am fairly sure the inter-Juunishi ones will, given what they share.
Also, I sort of wish they had not specified that Momiji's affection for Tohru was partially romantic, just because I loved them so as friends.
These are mostly minor complaints. I overall love where the story ended with the bittersweetness of people leaving, even though I am sure they get together again.
And finally, Kyoko's chapter. Oh Kyoko. I think I bawled. And then I reread Kyo's confession and the curse breaking and Tohru saying she didn't care and Kyoko's chapter and I bawled again. Just... everything in it, from her wondering if she loved Tohru enough to seeing Katsuya again to holding Kyo to his tab. And her wishing for many friends for Tohru and many years and everything that she's given in the series. It makes Yuki's final speech to Tohru even more touching, because of how Tohru was able to give the Juunishi what Kyoko gave her, and how although abuse is passed on through generations, love is too.
I love this series so.
Comment | Read Comments | Link