Fruits Basket Analyzed: Kisa Sohma
A/N 1: Sorry about the font sizes, I don't know what the computer's thinking
A/N 2: Covers up through the anime/Volume 7 without a spoiler tag
Kisa Sohma is one of the youngest members of the zodiac. When we meet Kisa she has just been found after running away from home. She can’t speak, though Hatori says there’s no medical reason why she can’t, referring to it as a “sickness of the heart [1].” Eventually we learn from Momiji that Kisa has been laughed at for every word she spoke since entering middle school. To avoid the humiliation, Kisa eventually stopped speaking altogether.
I want one of these
Kisa’s family, particularly her mother and Hatsaharu [2], are trying to reach out to Kisa and support her, but to little effect. Hatsaharu is especially insistent that anything harmful to Kisa is his business, an idea she seems to reject. Even in the relatively safe environment of Shigure’s house Kisa remains silent [3].
So why couldn’t she talk to her mom or Hatsaharu about all of this? What Torhu explains to Kisa’s mom is the shame of the abused and bullied-no one would treat me this way if I didn’t deserve it [4]. Maybe if I tell what happened, other people will see that I deserve what they’re doing to me and stop being nice. Funny how a single abusive relationship has the ability to poison a whole life-and yes, bullying is abuse. I think one thing all abuse has in common is that the victims are made to feel responsible for any pain they feel.
Yuki and Kisa both withdraw when they are hurt [5] to prevent others withdrawing from them. Shame needs silence and isolation to survive, and the abuse cycle ensures both. I know when it was me, I felt so stupid for letting it happen. Sometimes I still wonder how I could have let it happen. My cousin learned to have a thick skin and just not be hurt by our abuser. When he saw he couldn’t get to her, he left her alone. Why couldn’t I just not care? Was I stupid, or weak, or what? Why couldn’t I stop it?
Those questions point to another component of victim guilt-control. Someone hurt me and there was nothing I could do about it. That’s a scary thought, because if that situation was out of my control there could be relapses. Maybe some time in my future someone else will try to hurt me and succeed. Sure I’m smarter and stronger now, but I’m still not in control of everything, nor am I all-knowing. Let me tell you, I still have a hard time with that one.
Unfortunately Kisa is not only being hurt at school- as a member of the zodiac, she also has to deal with Akito’s cruel whims. Weeks before beginning her middle school career, she was violently beaten by Akito [6]. It is interesting to note that Kisa doesn’t dwell on this or see it as a problem in her life; it is just something that happens to the members of the zodiac. What does hurt is when her best friend and fellow zodiac member, Hiro Sohma, starts avoiding her without explanation [7].
Before locking away her words Kisa had used a different strategy to keep herself safe-she found a protector. When I first met her, I thought it was odd for a 12 year old girl to act so childish and clingy. Shouldn’t she show some independence? Then I realized that Kisa, like Momiji, finds safety in cuteness. While their childlike qualities don’t seem to have any effect on the abuser, both children have found people willing to take abuse for them [8] [9]. Kisa can afford to be naïve, unlike some of her other cousins such as Hatsaharu or Rin. When the family goes to Torhu’s play, Kisa proves herself naïve to the people around her, forcing Hiro into the role of protector [10].
As a teacher, I see this all the time. Students often try to ingratiate themselves with authority figures so those authority figures will protect them from people that would hurt them-think teacher’s pet. Such students are usually nice but it’s for a purpose-they have something to gain from it. The catch is they feel they can only be loved if they are the teacher’s pet. Being the same as the other students affords them no safety, so that’s unacceptable. It’s not just teacher’s pets either, it’s anyone who latches on t perceived uthority or strength.
[Won't make sense unless you read it]
Unfortunately this setup is inherently dangerous to Kisa. She is really good at being cute so every cousin from Shigure down to Hiro is willing to protect her [11], but if she were away from them she would be in real danger from others outside her family. When Hiro tries to warn her to be careful of those around her, Kisa misunderstands and remains ignorant of the need for caution [12].
When you think about it this makes life much simpler for Kisa. I know when I was in an abusive relationship it was hell, but in a way it was easier than being my own person. When I was with him, he did all the thinking and the feeling for the both of us. I had no opinion that he disagreed with (or if I did, I quickly got rid of it) and I had no conflicted feelings I was willing to acknowledge, much less deal with. After I left him, I realized I had lost myself and needed to find myself all over again. It was fun, but learning to disagree with people again was hard. When Kisa chose not to speak she made a similar choice to not rock the boat by not saying anything that would get her in trouble.
Fortunately, just because Hiro is the protector does not make Kisa powerless in the context of the relationship. When Hiro steals Torhu’s notebook, Kisa is the only person that can convince Hiro to give it back [13]. She isn’t angry or condemning when she asks him about his treatment of Torhu, only sad and confused. For that reason Kisa is a master of guilt trips [14]. This conversation shows that Kisa is at least partially aware of her power over Hiro and willing to use it to help him [15].
Now that's just cute.
The way Kisa regains her words is important to understand the nature of abuse and recovering from it. Yuki recognizes the futility of telling someone struggling with self-condemnation to just “get over it.” We all need to be taught how to love ourselves, and he does his best to teach her. When Yuki and Hatsaharu start praising her, what about her do they praise? Nothing! Yuki merely says “You are safe and wanted here” and in the anime adds “I love you, we all do.” Hatsaharu says “I missed you and I missed hearing your voice.” They didn’t say anything about her beauty. That would imply that she would only be loved as long as she was beautiful. They don’t say anything about her kindness or her smile. If they did, that would mean their love was conditional on her being or acting a certain way. What they were telling her in that moment is that they love her regardless of what she struggled with or what she did. It wasn’t about “we love your voice” it was all about “we love you.”
Both before and after Kisa rediscovers her voice, she is intimidated by Kyo’s loud temper [17]. I find that very amusing since Kyo and Hiro have similar temperaments [18]. Kisa is proud of herself the first time she is able to address Kyo directly instead of relying on Hiro or Torhu to speak for her [19].
Kisa’s choice of free activity is watching anime with her two protectors [20]. It makes sense, watching TV is a passive activity that allows her to spend time with people without requiring her to interact with them. When Kisa, Hiro, and Torhu went to the playground together Kisa was often uncomfortable with the tension between her two friends. It’s easier on everyone when Hiro and Torhu aren’t speaking [21]. Because of her natural instinct as a people pleaser, Kisa sometimes feels like she has to choose between Torhu and Hiro [22], though Hiro does his best to avoid placing Kisa in that situation [23].
[Not that interesting]
Like the others, Kisa does not become a new person when the curse breaks. She is still shy and still looks to Hiro for approval and protection [24]. Like the others, she weeps for the loss of the only life she’s ever known. I think Kisa will feel the loss of the curse more keenly than some of her cousins, because it has been her reason for hiding from the world and from conflicts with friends and family.
[1] Volume 5, Chapter 27
[2] Volume 5, Chapter 27
[3] Volume 5, Chapter 28
[4] Volume 5, Chapter 27
[5] Volume 5, Chapter 28
[6] Volume 7, Chapter 38
[7] Volume 7, Chapter 37
[8] Volume 7, Chapter 38
[9] Volume 2, Chapter 10
[10] Volume 15, Chapter 89
[11] I read on the Fruba Wiki that Kyo does not like Kisa. I’d just like to say I find that unsubstantiated. While he questions her presence at Shigure’s house, he never once implies she should not be there as he does with Hiro. When Kisa greets him, Kyo returns the greeting in kind and seems only confused. I think Kyo likes Kisa just fine, but is very afraid of teary eyed girls. For this reason Kisa is somewhat of a mystery to him in spite of her similarity to Torhu.
[12] Volume 15, Chapter 89
[13] Volume 7, Chapter 37
[14] Volume 7, Chapter 38
[15] Volume 7, Chapter 37
[16] Volume 5, Chapter 28
[17] Volume 5, Chapter 28
[18] Volume 7, Chapter 37
[19] Volume 19, Chapter 111
[20] Volume 7, Chapter 38
[21] Volume 7, Chapter 38
[22] Volume 23, Chapter 136
[23] Volume 7, Chapter 38
[24] Volume 23, Chapter 136