Fruits Basket chapter 130 full scans/translation reaction
This is obviously just me passing on info to anyone who hasn't heard, but the current theory now is that next chapter is NOT the final chapter of Fruits Basket. (Apparently the banners on this chapter make no mention of it ending, and chapter 131 would fill out vol. 22.) *crosses fingers*
The color pic of Yuki and Machi is . . . just strange. O_o
Ohhh, Tohru. I love her interpretation of Akito, although I still wish that she knew the whole of it; I still don't feel that she can really understand everyone's story and the complexities of the 12shi's collective relationship with Akito until/unless she's allowed to know more about what's been done to them. And yet, I think Rin is the only one who's deliberately kept her in the dark (other than Kyo keeping his imprisonment secret) . . ?
It definitely looks more to me as if the curse is broken because Akito allowed it (not *caused* it, necessarily, but if she'd been somehow holding onto it only from her own desperation, I think she relaxed her grip deliberately), rather than by the Cat being loved. Which I like better, but discovering it as we did last chapter certainly had a strong effect. ^^
I keep reading that people are interpreting all the tears as tears of happiness, contrasting with Akito's sorrow. And while I don't doubt that there's a real element of joy, at the same time, this is literally the end of the world as they know it. There *have* to be some mixed feelings.
That said, it *is* obviously a contrast between Akito and the 12shi, but I especially like the contrast between her and Kyo. And then the moment when he tears the bracelet off left a huge impression on me: Akito had already freed him from the Cat's fate of imprisonment, and the curse's end happened without any conscious decision on his part. But ripping that thing off himself was a powerful thing, even though by then it was a symbol--a symbol of the restraints he'd grown up under and endured, and had so very nearly resigned himself to. (And I like that Tohru cries over it, because I imagine she sees it that way too.)
The last shot of Ayame and Mine is *priceless*. (He's such a romantic. *grins*)
The 'voiceover' text is interesting--I'm not entirely sure who I think it should be attributed to. Akito saying goodbye to the 12shi? The god or the animal spirits saying goodbye to them? Actually, I think it *is* probably Akito's internal monologue, but I like the idea that it somehow also represents the fading of the bond itself, rather than 'only' her subjective sense of it--something ending to make something new, but the loss of the 12shi's connection to each other.
And yes, I'm entirely stuck on pages 18-20, and SO glad that Haru and Rin were together when it happened. I love that Rin looks panicked as soon as she realizes what's happened, and that her first thought is of him; I also love that Takaya manages to make that slight physical contact look so intimate. For all that I've loved playing with the idea of them being freed at different times (which I'm still doing to some extent in the AU, although not in a way I actually enjoy), that's, well, fanfic. The way Takaya does things is *right*, and in a meta sort of way, not just because she's the author--it's because this is a story that's *true*, in the way of the greatest stories. It's resonant and alive and true to itself. And that moment of them being freed together is a joy.
Shadow translates their scene as:
[H: This is...
In its own way,
...quite sad, isn't it?]
To which I commented: "It's sort of heart-stabbing, but at the same time I'm glad it's acknowledged (esp. since--at least from a fic perspective--I tend to be of the opinion that, for them, sharing the bond was something like what it was originally meant to be).
(Flamika said: Rin and Haru's release really sticks out to me because it seemed to me that in that instant, Rin may have been more afraid that she had been released and Haru had not. For someone who tried so hard to free him for so long, I imagine it would have been painful for her to have freedom while he didn't. I think in the moment, it might have even overwhelmed her relief at her own liberation, or the pain that comes from the break with God.
and I don't have much to add to that. *nods*)
But it's the hug on page 20 that I keep looking at. *^^* So much love. I don't have words for how much I'm going to miss those two--I'm typing away about the rest of it, so that sounds facetious, but it's . . . really not. I can write and say all I want, and have been for years now, but I've never explained it to my own satisfaction.
(Largely unrelated, but I still adore that Rin shows off her scar so freely.)
Shigure being Shigure, I kinda shudder to think of all the layers of meaning wrapped up in "so this is what it feels like". Not because I think there's anything sinister in it, but just because he's so subtle.
I like that Kyo and Tohru get right back to hugging. Because honestly, hugging is one of the greatest things in the world, and I'm so not exaggerating.
All the symbolism and meaning of the Rat being the last to be freed is pretty cool, but I still wish Yuki had had to at least *tell* Machi. (Although he gets points for--I assume--planning to tell her. And I think it's something that'd still have to be mentioned eventually--some people do go into relationships while burying that much of their past, but it's not a smart move.)
It's very cool to see the god leaving Akito, too. A reminder that she's been a victim of the curse as much as the 12shi have, albeit in a different way.
I like that at the very end, the Dragon spirit is still a seahorse. ^_- And that the Horse and Ox are together, as are the Lamb and Tiger. And also, that ALL of the spirits are there, despite the fact that the curse broke sooner for three of them.
The color pic of Yuki and Machi is . . . just strange. O_o
Ohhh, Tohru. I love her interpretation of Akito, although I still wish that she knew the whole of it; I still don't feel that she can really understand everyone's story and the complexities of the 12shi's collective relationship with Akito until/unless she's allowed to know more about what's been done to them. And yet, I think Rin is the only one who's deliberately kept her in the dark (other than Kyo keeping his imprisonment secret) . . ?
It definitely looks more to me as if the curse is broken because Akito allowed it (not *caused* it, necessarily, but if she'd been somehow holding onto it only from her own desperation, I think she relaxed her grip deliberately), rather than by the Cat being loved. Which I like better, but discovering it as we did last chapter certainly had a strong effect. ^^
I keep reading that people are interpreting all the tears as tears of happiness, contrasting with Akito's sorrow. And while I don't doubt that there's a real element of joy, at the same time, this is literally the end of the world as they know it. There *have* to be some mixed feelings.
That said, it *is* obviously a contrast between Akito and the 12shi, but I especially like the contrast between her and Kyo. And then the moment when he tears the bracelet off left a huge impression on me: Akito had already freed him from the Cat's fate of imprisonment, and the curse's end happened without any conscious decision on his part. But ripping that thing off himself was a powerful thing, even though by then it was a symbol--a symbol of the restraints he'd grown up under and endured, and had so very nearly resigned himself to. (And I like that Tohru cries over it, because I imagine she sees it that way too.)
The last shot of Ayame and Mine is *priceless*. (He's such a romantic. *grins*)
The 'voiceover' text is interesting--I'm not entirely sure who I think it should be attributed to. Akito saying goodbye to the 12shi? The god or the animal spirits saying goodbye to them? Actually, I think it *is* probably Akito's internal monologue, but I like the idea that it somehow also represents the fading of the bond itself, rather than 'only' her subjective sense of it--something ending to make something new, but the loss of the 12shi's connection to each other.
And yes, I'm entirely stuck on pages 18-20, and SO glad that Haru and Rin were together when it happened. I love that Rin looks panicked as soon as she realizes what's happened, and that her first thought is of him; I also love that Takaya manages to make that slight physical contact look so intimate. For all that I've loved playing with the idea of them being freed at different times (which I'm still doing to some extent in the AU, although not in a way I actually enjoy), that's, well, fanfic. The way Takaya does things is *right*, and in a meta sort of way, not just because she's the author--it's because this is a story that's *true*, in the way of the greatest stories. It's resonant and alive and true to itself. And that moment of them being freed together is a joy.
Shadow translates their scene as:
[H: This is...
In its own way,
...quite sad, isn't it?]
To which I commented: "It's sort of heart-stabbing, but at the same time I'm glad it's acknowledged (esp. since--at least from a fic perspective--I tend to be of the opinion that, for them, sharing the bond was something like what it was originally meant to be).
(Flamika said: Rin and Haru's release really sticks out to me because it seemed to me that in that instant, Rin may have been more afraid that she had been released and Haru had not. For someone who tried so hard to free him for so long, I imagine it would have been painful for her to have freedom while he didn't. I think in the moment, it might have even overwhelmed her relief at her own liberation, or the pain that comes from the break with God.
and I don't have much to add to that. *nods*)
But it's the hug on page 20 that I keep looking at. *^^* So much love. I don't have words for how much I'm going to miss those two--I'm typing away about the rest of it, so that sounds facetious, but it's . . . really not. I can write and say all I want, and have been for years now, but I've never explained it to my own satisfaction.
(Largely unrelated, but I still adore that Rin shows off her scar so freely.)
Shigure being Shigure, I kinda shudder to think of all the layers of meaning wrapped up in "so this is what it feels like". Not because I think there's anything sinister in it, but just because he's so subtle.
I like that Kyo and Tohru get right back to hugging. Because honestly, hugging is one of the greatest things in the world, and I'm so not exaggerating.
All the symbolism and meaning of the Rat being the last to be freed is pretty cool, but I still wish Yuki had had to at least *tell* Machi. (Although he gets points for--I assume--planning to tell her. And I think it's something that'd still have to be mentioned eventually--some people do go into relationships while burying that much of their past, but it's not a smart move.)
It's very cool to see the god leaving Akito, too. A reminder that she's been a victim of the curse as much as the 12shi have, albeit in a different way.
I like that at the very end, the Dragon spirit is still a seahorse. ^_- And that the Horse and Ox are together, as are the Lamb and Tiger. And also, that ALL of the spirits are there, despite the fact that the curse broke sooner for three of them.