Fruits Basket

[timepiececlock]

I've been watching Fruits Basket in the last few days. I have to say, I love this show. Usually, high school romantic comedy school is not a genre I like much in anime/manga. Ranma 1/2 was the only one, really, and that was more a fighting anime than a soap opera.

Nevertheless, I've been completely sucked in and charmed by Fruits Basket. I've seen up to episode 23 by now, and I'm going to watch the last eps today as well. One thing that I like is that the series is almost over, and yet I still can't tell if Tohru likes Yuki or Kyou more. She seems to like both of them, equally. They both clearly are crushing on her... and it looks like she just doesn't want to choose, and would prefer they continue the simple friendship forever. All three of them are afraid to break the status quo and complicate things. Will it ever be resolved? Since there's only three eps left that I have yet to see... I'm thinking not. But there is always the manga, which extends past the anime. ::grin::

So far my favorite episodes are 18, 19, and the Valentine's Day episode, and episode 3, and episode 5, and the hotsprings episode. And I admit it, I'm definitely a Kyou fan. Though all the characters have worked their charm on me.

I think what I like about this series is that some stuff is so obvious and outright and made clear (particularly because of the nature of Tohru as the main character, since it's mostly her POV), and yet other stuff is very subtle and relies on the audience's intuition and intelligence.

I love the completeness and thoroughness of the overall metaphor of the show: that the curse of the Souma family that makes them change into animals when hugged by someone of the opposite sex is like the physical manifestation of the fact that they are all very isolated and unable to connect to others. And it seems such a silly, funny curse... but it really is a curse for them and the people around them, and it sets up some very tragic situations. I spend most of this series smiling like an idiot... and I spend the rest wanting to hug all the characters and have a long cry.

Now, time for lunch! And then on I go to the last 3 eps!

Comments

when she first hugs them and they turn into animals?

[crushw-eyeliner.livejournal.com]

and then there was that ep where she falls on yuki and he turns into a mouse and walks her home in mouse form, all doleful and angsty?

That about did it for me. They've started selling the series in target (of all places) - I have eps 1-18 on cd-r, but I need the last eps. And I've kept an eye out on the manga, but the question of who she chooses doesn't seem be answered anytime soon.

I have a crush on Yuki. I think it might be because of the hair.

Hair solidarity!