Furuba 129 full scans/rough summary reaction
I still can't wrap my head around the idea that we're so close to the end. *_* Looks like chapter 130 is due on July 20.
As Fruits Basket chapters go, this one's not terribly dialogue-heavy. (I remember reading an interview with . . . a director from the dub? I don't remember . . . someone who was saying that Furuba scripts were always a LOT longer than most of the other shows he'd worked on. *laughs*) This chapter has its heart on its sleeve--obviously I'll reassess it once we've got a full translation, but the artwork is telling the story beautifully right now. There was much highly-vocal excitement coming from my office this evening (right as bosonator dropped by unexpectedly--I went flying out into the hallway to tell Chris what had happened, waved at Josh, and fell into a heap of squee. I'm not subtle, no).
Ohhh, Kyo-kitty. Wow. What a way to have the curse break, after the others' experiences of tears and shock and stillness and aloneness, to have it happen in Tohru's arms. That moment of comprehension on their faces stopped my heart. Most of you are probably perfectly aware of my fascination with the 12shi relationship to physical contact and intimacy, and the significance it must have in their lives. To have Tohru's love and acceptance overlap with that moment of liberation must be incredible.
The rough translation of the last lines ("When something that wasn't loved is loved, the ancient promise who comes from long time ago tells its ending") certainly makes it sound like Tohru's feelings were directly connected to his curse breaking, in a way that none of the previous releases seemed to involve. I wonder how the Cat's curse differs from the others--will Kyo's freedom fundamentally undermine the curse as a whole, in a way that none of the others' could (some people seem to be suggesting that it will simply unravel the curse entirely), or does it require something different, just as the curse manifested differently for him?
It's interesting that Kyo's second form has never really been touched on again--it was seen, and accepted, and . . . that was it. It seems to have such importance, but that may only be because the anime ended with it.
Backtracking in an effort at going through this chronologically . . . I like the way he just swings in front of Tohru on page two. It's a very natural way to stop her, when grabbing her is such a risk, and emphasizes how much faster and more agile he is.
I love the little cat looking up at Kyo on page four. *grins* I wonder if he'll miss them after this . . . I know this has to do with how I write the 12shi and the curse's effect on them, so it's a colored interpretation, but I wonder how much they understand about what it means to be human, and whether they miss anything about their otherness once it's gone (we know Kureno mourned the loss of flight). There's the communication with animals, and the unnatural connection to each other . . .
The scene of Yuki visiting Tohru in the hospital is adorable, and bittersweet. I'm very curious about that conversation (I love how their relationship has developed).
Determined, anxious Kyo is just wonderful. ("Even if I can't be human". *shivers*) His new maturity is obvious, even though I get the feeling he's not entirely used to it himself. The body language between them once Tohru's sitting on the wall and he gets close is just gorgeous--it's got the care of a 12shi's lifelong habits, and the hesitancy of exploring new territory, which is something we haven't seen with any of the other couples, really. (Haru and Rin had a bit of the discovery of each other, but not that deeper caution.) The actual kiss is lovely, as is Tohru's reaction when Kyo mentions that it's their second kiss. *^^*
And . . . yeah. Everything about that hug is perfect, I think. The impulse, the moment, the realization. And then Akito as a contrast is such a bittersweet way to end it. *sighs*
As Fruits Basket chapters go, this one's not terribly dialogue-heavy. (I remember reading an interview with . . . a director from the dub? I don't remember . . . someone who was saying that Furuba scripts were always a LOT longer than most of the other shows he'd worked on. *laughs*) This chapter has its heart on its sleeve--obviously I'll reassess it once we've got a full translation, but the artwork is telling the story beautifully right now. There was much highly-vocal excitement coming from my office this evening (right as bosonator dropped by unexpectedly--I went flying out into the hallway to tell Chris what had happened, waved at Josh, and fell into a heap of squee. I'm not subtle, no).
Ohhh, Kyo-kitty. Wow. What a way to have the curse break, after the others' experiences of tears and shock and stillness and aloneness, to have it happen in Tohru's arms. That moment of comprehension on their faces stopped my heart. Most of you are probably perfectly aware of my fascination with the 12shi relationship to physical contact and intimacy, and the significance it must have in their lives. To have Tohru's love and acceptance overlap with that moment of liberation must be incredible.
The rough translation of the last lines ("When something that wasn't loved is loved, the ancient promise who comes from long time ago tells its ending") certainly makes it sound like Tohru's feelings were directly connected to his curse breaking, in a way that none of the previous releases seemed to involve. I wonder how the Cat's curse differs from the others--will Kyo's freedom fundamentally undermine the curse as a whole, in a way that none of the others' could (some people seem to be suggesting that it will simply unravel the curse entirely), or does it require something different, just as the curse manifested differently for him?
It's interesting that Kyo's second form has never really been touched on again--it was seen, and accepted, and . . . that was it. It seems to have such importance, but that may only be because the anime ended with it.
Backtracking in an effort at going through this chronologically . . . I like the way he just swings in front of Tohru on page two. It's a very natural way to stop her, when grabbing her is such a risk, and emphasizes how much faster and more agile he is.
I love the little cat looking up at Kyo on page four. *grins* I wonder if he'll miss them after this . . . I know this has to do with how I write the 12shi and the curse's effect on them, so it's a colored interpretation, but I wonder how much they understand about what it means to be human, and whether they miss anything about their otherness once it's gone (we know Kureno mourned the loss of flight). There's the communication with animals, and the unnatural connection to each other . . .
The scene of Yuki visiting Tohru in the hospital is adorable, and bittersweet. I'm very curious about that conversation (I love how their relationship has developed).
Determined, anxious Kyo is just wonderful. ("Even if I can't be human". *shivers*) His new maturity is obvious, even though I get the feeling he's not entirely used to it himself. The body language between them once Tohru's sitting on the wall and he gets close is just gorgeous--it's got the care of a 12shi's lifelong habits, and the hesitancy of exploring new territory, which is something we haven't seen with any of the other couples, really. (Haru and Rin had a bit of the discovery of each other, but not that deeper caution.) The actual kiss is lovely, as is Tohru's reaction when Kyo mentions that it's their second kiss. *^^*
And . . . yeah. Everything about that hug is perfect, I think. The impulse, the moment, the realization. And then Akito as a contrast is such a bittersweet way to end it. *sighs*