Fruits Basket, volume 20 & 21
Jan. 3rd, 2009 12:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
timepiececlockI read both of them last night, which kept me up till an UNGODLY hour since it was already late when I started. But I couldn't stop! So many things happened. Like, HOLY SHIT DID THINGS HAPPEN.
You have to understand how Furuba works to get why "things happened" is worth of capitalization. Furuba has a plot, but the whole plot is the relationships between the characters. Due to the nature of the curse, how the various characters interact is literally the plot progression. So that means that it's a far cry from action/adventure, and when fundamental changes to a situation--as opposed to changes in personal relationships--occur, they have lasting dramatic effect on everyone. FB is somewhere between a sitcom, a romance, and a family drama. Emotions were running high in these two volumes, even more so than the previous volume (19), and I still can't quite believe what rapidly went down in front of us. Or why these things happened now, and how.
Momiji's curse broke first. I'm not surprised, in a way, though I'd have thought it might be Haru. Hiro's curse broke second. Both are adolescents or young teens, about the same age Kureno was when his curse broke, I think. I wonder if it happened because Momiji and Haru were the furthest removed from the Sohma family? And coming to peace with themselves and what they wanted from life? If that's true, then I'd expect Yuki to be freed next. Although, he might still be too emotionally burdened. Clearly the fact that neither Hatori, Ayame, or Shigure's curse broke when they were kids or adults means something. Haru is tied to Isuzu and her unhappiness. Shigure is beyond tied to Akito. Hatori, to Akito. Kyo is tied up in everything he can see fit to blame himself for, and Ayame has felt guilty and tied to Yuki for a long time. Yuki is tied to Akito and Tohru, and maybe Kyo as well. Kagura is tied to Kyo... Kisa might actually be next. I bet this will start happening rapidly in the next two volumes.
I thought there'd be some kind of dramatic act to break the curse, but it seems like it just happens, out of control, and that makes sense too, especially if the Sohmas themselves are subconsciously keeping the curse intact. Which I'm beginning to think is the case.
I went all sappy over Tohru's confession and realization, and I wanted to kick Kyo again and hug him at the same time, and I loved the kiss. Has he ever kissed her? I go so long between volumes that I've forgotten. It was heartfelt--though he's an idiot for waiting until that moment. Hana and Arisa's mocking of his idiocy later was hilarious. I'm glad, though, that they've both admitted how they feel, and that there will be no more "putting the lid back on" as Tohru called it. She's done pretending.
I'm surprised that Kyo was involved so directly in Tohru's mother's death, and that goes a long way to explain how he first reacted to her living in the house. Pretending he didn't know who she was, being so distant and touchy around her. Also explains why he was so emotionally unbalanced at the time... it's yet another FB classic move to take Kyo's humorous "training in the mountains fighting bears" story and twenty volumes later reveal that it was where his father took him so he could have a psychological breakdown in privacy.
I am not surprised Akito finally went homicidal, and it makes sense that she'd stab Kureno. I seriously thought that she'd stab Tohru, because how was this instance different than all the other times Tohru has offered understanding and friendship to Akito? But maybe it was simply that enough time had passed and Akito was finally ready to move forward. Which means Tohru's fall happened at the perfect dramatic moment. I almost held my breath when Shigure calmly as Akito if she pushed her. (too.) I was more surprised that Akito outright admitted to stabbing Kureno, though, without prompting. I suppose Akito had finally done something dramatic enough to witness a truly negative result and see how permanent her actions can be, make them react to her seriously instead of indulging her.
I love that Shigure at ten is the same manipulative, talky brat that he is at thirty. He and Ren are fun to watch, especially when he said that if Akito were to appear as a woman, she'd look exactly like Ren. Oh, burn!
You have to understand how Furuba works to get why "things happened" is worth of capitalization. Furuba has a plot, but the whole plot is the relationships between the characters. Due to the nature of the curse, how the various characters interact is literally the plot progression. So that means that it's a far cry from action/adventure, and when fundamental changes to a situation--as opposed to changes in personal relationships--occur, they have lasting dramatic effect on everyone. FB is somewhere between a sitcom, a romance, and a family drama. Emotions were running high in these two volumes, even more so than the previous volume (19), and I still can't quite believe what rapidly went down in front of us. Or why these things happened now, and how.
Momiji's curse broke first. I'm not surprised, in a way, though I'd have thought it might be Haru. Hiro's curse broke second. Both are adolescents or young teens, about the same age Kureno was when his curse broke, I think. I wonder if it happened because Momiji and Haru were the furthest removed from the Sohma family? And coming to peace with themselves and what they wanted from life? If that's true, then I'd expect Yuki to be freed next. Although, he might still be too emotionally burdened. Clearly the fact that neither Hatori, Ayame, or Shigure's curse broke when they were kids or adults means something. Haru is tied to Isuzu and her unhappiness. Shigure is beyond tied to Akito. Hatori, to Akito. Kyo is tied up in everything he can see fit to blame himself for, and Ayame has felt guilty and tied to Yuki for a long time. Yuki is tied to Akito and Tohru, and maybe Kyo as well. Kagura is tied to Kyo... Kisa might actually be next. I bet this will start happening rapidly in the next two volumes.
I thought there'd be some kind of dramatic act to break the curse, but it seems like it just happens, out of control, and that makes sense too, especially if the Sohmas themselves are subconsciously keeping the curse intact. Which I'm beginning to think is the case.
I went all sappy over Tohru's confession and realization, and I wanted to kick Kyo again and hug him at the same time, and I loved the kiss. Has he ever kissed her? I go so long between volumes that I've forgotten. It was heartfelt--though he's an idiot for waiting until that moment. Hana and Arisa's mocking of his idiocy later was hilarious. I'm glad, though, that they've both admitted how they feel, and that there will be no more "putting the lid back on" as Tohru called it. She's done pretending.
I'm surprised that Kyo was involved so directly in Tohru's mother's death, and that goes a long way to explain how he first reacted to her living in the house. Pretending he didn't know who she was, being so distant and touchy around her. Also explains why he was so emotionally unbalanced at the time... it's yet another FB classic move to take Kyo's humorous "training in the mountains fighting bears" story and twenty volumes later reveal that it was where his father took him so he could have a psychological breakdown in privacy.
I am not surprised Akito finally went homicidal, and it makes sense that she'd stab Kureno. I seriously thought that she'd stab Tohru, because how was this instance different than all the other times Tohru has offered understanding and friendship to Akito? But maybe it was simply that enough time had passed and Akito was finally ready to move forward. Which means Tohru's fall happened at the perfect dramatic moment. I almost held my breath when Shigure calmly as Akito if she pushed her. (too.) I was more surprised that Akito outright admitted to stabbing Kureno, though, without prompting. I suppose Akito had finally done something dramatic enough to witness a truly negative result and see how permanent her actions can be, make them react to her seriously instead of indulging her.
I love that Shigure at ten is the same manipulative, talky brat that he is at thirty. He and Ren are fun to watch, especially when he said that if Akito were to appear as a woman, she'd look exactly like Ren. Oh, burn!
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no subject
Date: 2009-01-03 08:39 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-03 08:52 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-03 08:54 pm (UTC)Besides, all I said above the cut was "things happened! wow!" which you've got to expect 2 volumes away from the end, and ultimately means nothing at all.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-03 09:42 pm (UTC)I was not saying I thought you were spoiling me outside the spoiler cut! I'm sorry that I came off that way. Of course "Things happen! Wow!" is not a spoiler. I was just piping in that I hope you won't think "oh, I'm years late to this game, so I will ask everyone outside spoiler-cut what flavor of chocolate they think River really is, because everyone's read this by now!" because I/we haven't.
FYI, if you're interested,
no subject
Date: 2009-01-03 09:58 pm (UTC)"oh, I'm years late to this game, so I will ask everyone outside spoiler-cut what flavor of chocolate they think River really is, because everyone's read this by now!"
River being made of chocolate never gets old. Good to know, though. I won't talk to you about any specifics in that case. Since I've got two volumes to go and I don't know what you read, likewise please.
I just got
umadoshi? Hm, I think I've interacted with her at least a few times on LJ before. How small the world is! ...I was just thinking I should apply to Tokyopop for a job or something.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-03 10:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 04:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 05:29 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 03:01 am (UTC)And yeah (reading further in the comment thread), Tokyopop's been having some trouble recently. :/ There were substantial layoffs back in early June, and some more in December. Fun times with the economy. -_- They do still seem to be hard at work with the people they have left, although my main gauge is how often I get assignments.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 04:49 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 01:20 pm (UTC)And I think I remember hearing that Lianne started off with Tokyopop forever ago by writing their Sailor Moon novelizations. I've never talked to her, but she's an excellent rewriter.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 04:50 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 06:25 pm (UTC)I'm glad you're getting to work on Phantom Dream (which is why I was thinking you were on the Furuba volumes); that must be so much fun for you to snag one of Takaya's projects. I saw PD1 in Borders the other day and will read it soon. Are you getting a crack at Tsubasa/Those With Wings as well?
And I really hope business picks up/stabilizes for Tokyopop; they've got too many good people and good titles for me to not worry.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-04 08:03 pm (UTC)One of the editors I used to work with a fair bit at Tokyopop (he got caught in the first round of layoffs, which continues to make me very sad) offered me Dream, and I was just like, "Mine! Mine! Thank you!!!" (Trying to sound professional while falling all over yourself with glee is a little tricky, it turns out. ^_-) But no, I'm not on TWW, so I have to wait as long as everyone else. I'm excited to read it!
And I also really hope they make it through the economic crunch and stabilize. :/ Everyone in editorial is great, and they work really hard.
no subject
Date: 2009-01-08 10:27 pm (UTC)