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wingblossom) wrote2009-10-06 11:16 pm
wingblossom) wrote2009-10-06 11:16 pm
Entry tags:
fruits basket, volume six (reread)
Okay! A long, long time ago, bell and I decided to reread Fruits Basket together. However, because of time constraints and delays, we've been going at a fairly slow pace. But since I wanted to resume our project again, I've been typing out this post as fast as I can.
For a start, this is volume six. It's memorable for me, because this is 1) the first volume I ever bought, and 2) the point I mark for when the Serious Business truly begins. These are definitely the darkest chapters I've reread, and from this point on, it only continues to grow darker. It still does a great job of balancing angst with light-hearted humor (contrast the main chapters with Kyou's past -- this really is his volume -- to the last couple of chapters where Yuki visits Ayame's store), but the shift is getting clearer.
Also, my apology in advance: I don't have my copy of the manga with me, so I'm relying on scanlations for this volume. PLEASE DON'T KILL ME.
I'm also going to try a new format for my soapbox ranting this time.
General reactions:
*The chapter opens with grumpy, sullen Kyou, and the more I think of his character development in the later volumes, the more I end up missing his cat-like mannerisms here. I do like the fact he mellows out some, don't get me wrong, but. There's a certain amusement factor that comes with his hatred of rain and leeks. XD
*I also like the fact that Kagura and Tohru get along so well. It's touched on more in the manga than the anime, I think, although they briefly come to loggerheads in a later chapter (when Kagura hits her, and Tohru refuses to apologize). The anime also never mentions that the younger Sohma family members have bank accounts, and that money is transferred to it from the main house. It's not a huge deal in the long run, but being a fan of small details, it's a tiny thing I wish they hadn't left out.
*I don't enjoy Kagura's temper (I never find it funny when a girl beats up on her love interest; I'm looking at you, Takahashi Rumiko), but being able to get glimpses of her more serious side is great.
*Speaking of great, how awesome is Kyou's expression when he sees that Kazuma has come back? Seriously. In one panel, you can tell how gobsmacked he is. He doesn't show extreme surprise (of the happy kind) too often, so when he does, it's a pleasure to see. As is his wide grin in the chapter right after. If there's one thing Natsuki Takaya always gets right in her art, it's the expressions.
*"I hate it here! It feels like being soaked in lukewarm water..." Most memorable line in the chapter? Maybe.
*Upon rereading, Kazuma's uncanny intuition creeps me out. XD Just a bit. It might be because he's this loving surrogate dad; one of the few genuinely good parental figures in the series. And yet, he STILL makes decisions for his charge without giving him a choice in the matter. It's the pseudo-benevolent "I know what's best for you, because I love you" attitude that annoys me, I think. What if Tohru hadn't succeeded? What if it wasn't the right decision after all? These may end up as nothing but moot questions, but still.
*Kyou's constant redirection of blame to Yuki -- I forgot how severe it was in the first half of the series.
*Heeey, I don't remember that lizard thing being in the original zodiac. *g* Still, enormous Chekhov's Gun there, all the way back to the second volume. Who would have ever thought that Kyou's bracelet actually meant something more than just a fashion statement?
*Another significant panel: Kagura pulling the curtain over her eyes, hiding Kyou from view.
*Kyou's mommy issues! And awww, younger Kyou is so adorable.
*The anime ending played up both sides of the Kyou/Tohru/Yuki triangle, by having Yuki actually follow them out into the woods during the climactic scene. If I remember correctly, she walks back to the house, hand-in-hand with both of them there. Here, with Tohru's lines minus Yuki present, it gives off a totally different impression. As does the lack of anime-only dialogue that followed up this scene.
*Insert Deep Thoughts here on the importance of family, constructed or otherwise.
*First-name basis! Congratulations, Kyou. It only took you six frickin' volumes to do it.
*For some reason, the flashback with Kazuma and his grandfather nearly made me tear up. And I never cry when reading manga.
*Kazuma and Kyou's 'reunion' scene is heartwarming. That is all.
*And with that subplot tied up, Takaya shifts the focus to Yuki. Ah, I remember that bit about the "lid" concealing his true emotions -- his climbing the stairs as he approaches Tohru. I still like their interaction, but it's so awkward when he hits on her. XD That's what I think, at least.
*Super-girly Yuki chapter cover. I remember showing this volume to a friend back in high school, and her expression when I told her that was a guy.
*Hatsuharu! And Momiji! And Kagura! I do love Furuba's full-cast ensemble interaction. I feel so bad for Kagura, who leaves Shigure's place in the morning without letting anyone know except Yuki. Also, this needs to be said again: Haru is SUCH A NICE GUY.
*And ahahahahah, Ayame. YOU MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER. Men's romance, huh?
*Also, how did I never realize this before? He and Mine suit each other perfectly because they're both complete fruit loops. In every sense of the word.
*I always really enjoyed this chapter, but I think I'm getting tired of typing all this, so I'll end my notes on -- well, this note. <3
Stuff I loved:
This time? All the chapters. I don't think I have any complaints.
Stuff I don't like:
That I don't have my original copy of this volume on hand. If I'm missing any nuances in language because of that, tis a shame.
Something I'm still wondering:
What happened to Momiji's German!? He never uses it anymore.
Overall:
Another volume gone by, and the story continues to deepen in unexpected and surprising ways. This part of the manga was so engrossing when it ran in Hana to Yume, and I think it still holds up years later. Even if I were to ignore the technical merits of Furuba, it has a natural charm that's hard to mimic. So far, Takaya has done a fantastic job of making the story progression seem organic and effortless. The art is distinctive, too. Unlike many other shoujo manga, the characters are distinct and more than just the same design with different hair colors. It has a great sense of energy, and it's much better than later volumes in the series, where I could barely tell certain characters apart.
Also, remember when having a traumatic past in Furuba actually meant something? I do, because I know I was surprised when I found out how awful Kyou's past was. Later on, nearly every character joins this dysfunction junction, and it starts to seem a tad repetitive. But the effects of Kyou's trauma are pretty well explored here, and don't seem rote at all.
After these chapters, the anime gave artificial closure with a different tie-up and in-series explanation for Akito. But Akito barely appears here at all; she's just in a couple of panels, without much direct impact on this subplot. Shigure and Yuki were also altered to give them a role in that ending, one that doesn't fit with their characterization in the manga up to this point. I will say that I liked having Yuki with Kyou and Tohru in the anime, despite the contrivance, and thought that the hesitation Tohru showed enhanced the impact of the scene.
I keep thinking, "I love these characters," while reading the manga. If it were another series, the small kindnesses they show might seem trite; the super-cute artwork might soften the effects of their growth. But I don't think that's the case. For every misstep the series makes, Takaya makes up for it through the amount of depth depicted in their personalities.
Links to previous volumes:
Volume One
Volume Two
Volume Three
Volume Four
Volume Five
bell and I decided to reread Fruits Basket together. However, because of time constraints and delays, we've been going at a fairly slow pace. But since I wanted to resume our project again, I've been typing out this post as fast as I can. For a start, this is volume six. It's memorable for me, because this is 1) the first volume I ever bought, and 2) the point I mark for when the Serious Business truly begins. These are definitely the darkest chapters I've reread, and from this point on, it only continues to grow darker. It still does a great job of balancing angst with light-hearted humor (contrast the main chapters with Kyou's past -- this really is his volume -- to the last couple of chapters where Yuki visits Ayame's store), but the shift is getting clearer.
Also, my apology in advance: I don't have my copy of the manga with me, so I'm relying on scanlations for this volume. PLEASE DON'T KILL ME.
I'm also going to try a new format for my soapbox ranting this time.
General reactions:
*The chapter opens with grumpy, sullen Kyou, and the more I think of his character development in the later volumes, the more I end up missing his cat-like mannerisms here. I do like the fact he mellows out some, don't get me wrong, but. There's a certain amusement factor that comes with his hatred of rain and leeks. XD
*I also like the fact that Kagura and Tohru get along so well. It's touched on more in the manga than the anime, I think, although they briefly come to loggerheads in a later chapter (when Kagura hits her, and Tohru refuses to apologize). The anime also never mentions that the younger Sohma family members have bank accounts, and that money is transferred to it from the main house. It's not a huge deal in the long run, but being a fan of small details, it's a tiny thing I wish they hadn't left out.
*I don't enjoy Kagura's temper (I never find it funny when a girl beats up on her love interest; I'm looking at you, Takahashi Rumiko), but being able to get glimpses of her more serious side is great.
*Speaking of great, how awesome is Kyou's expression when he sees that Kazuma has come back? Seriously. In one panel, you can tell how gobsmacked he is. He doesn't show extreme surprise (of the happy kind) too often, so when he does, it's a pleasure to see. As is his wide grin in the chapter right after. If there's one thing Natsuki Takaya always gets right in her art, it's the expressions.
*"I hate it here! It feels like being soaked in lukewarm water..." Most memorable line in the chapter? Maybe.
*Upon rereading, Kazuma's uncanny intuition creeps me out. XD Just a bit. It might be because he's this loving surrogate dad; one of the few genuinely good parental figures in the series. And yet, he STILL makes decisions for his charge without giving him a choice in the matter. It's the pseudo-benevolent "I know what's best for you, because I love you" attitude that annoys me, I think. What if Tohru hadn't succeeded? What if it wasn't the right decision after all? These may end up as nothing but moot questions, but still.
*Kyou's constant redirection of blame to Yuki -- I forgot how severe it was in the first half of the series.
*Heeey, I don't remember that lizard thing being in the original zodiac. *g* Still, enormous Chekhov's Gun there, all the way back to the second volume. Who would have ever thought that Kyou's bracelet actually meant something more than just a fashion statement?
*Another significant panel: Kagura pulling the curtain over her eyes, hiding Kyou from view.
*Kyou's mommy issues! And awww, younger Kyou is so adorable.
*The anime ending played up both sides of the Kyou/Tohru/Yuki triangle, by having Yuki actually follow them out into the woods during the climactic scene. If I remember correctly, she walks back to the house, hand-in-hand with both of them there. Here, with Tohru's lines minus Yuki present, it gives off a totally different impression. As does the lack of anime-only dialogue that followed up this scene.
*Insert Deep Thoughts here on the importance of family, constructed or otherwise.
*First-name basis! Congratulations, Kyou. It only took you six frickin' volumes to do it.
*For some reason, the flashback with Kazuma and his grandfather nearly made me tear up. And I never cry when reading manga.
*Kazuma and Kyou's 'reunion' scene is heartwarming. That is all.
*And with that subplot tied up, Takaya shifts the focus to Yuki. Ah, I remember that bit about the "lid" concealing his true emotions -- his climbing the stairs as he approaches Tohru. I still like their interaction, but it's so awkward when he hits on her. XD That's what I think, at least.
*Super-girly Yuki chapter cover. I remember showing this volume to a friend back in high school, and her expression when I told her that was a guy.
*Hatsuharu! And Momiji! And Kagura! I do love Furuba's full-cast ensemble interaction. I feel so bad for Kagura, who leaves Shigure's place in the morning without letting anyone know except Yuki. Also, this needs to be said again: Haru is SUCH A NICE GUY.
*And ahahahahah, Ayame. YOU MAKE EVERYTHING BETTER. Men's romance, huh?
*Also, how did I never realize this before? He and Mine suit each other perfectly because they're both complete fruit loops. In every sense of the word.
*I always really enjoyed this chapter, but I think I'm getting tired of typing all this, so I'll end my notes on -- well, this note. <3
Stuff I loved:
This time? All the chapters. I don't think I have any complaints.
Stuff I don't like:
That I don't have my original copy of this volume on hand. If I'm missing any nuances in language because of that, tis a shame.
Something I'm still wondering:
What happened to Momiji's German!? He never uses it anymore.
Overall:
Another volume gone by, and the story continues to deepen in unexpected and surprising ways. This part of the manga was so engrossing when it ran in Hana to Yume, and I think it still holds up years later. Even if I were to ignore the technical merits of Furuba, it has a natural charm that's hard to mimic. So far, Takaya has done a fantastic job of making the story progression seem organic and effortless. The art is distinctive, too. Unlike many other shoujo manga, the characters are distinct and more than just the same design with different hair colors. It has a great sense of energy, and it's much better than later volumes in the series, where I could barely tell certain characters apart.
Also, remember when having a traumatic past in Furuba actually meant something? I do, because I know I was surprised when I found out how awful Kyou's past was. Later on, nearly every character joins this dysfunction junction, and it starts to seem a tad repetitive. But the effects of Kyou's trauma are pretty well explored here, and don't seem rote at all.
After these chapters, the anime gave artificial closure with a different tie-up and in-series explanation for Akito. But Akito barely appears here at all; she's just in a couple of panels, without much direct impact on this subplot. Shigure and Yuki were also altered to give them a role in that ending, one that doesn't fit with their characterization in the manga up to this point. I will say that I liked having Yuki with Kyou and Tohru in the anime, despite the contrivance, and thought that the hesitation Tohru showed enhanced the impact of the scene.
I keep thinking, "I love these characters," while reading the manga. If it were another series, the small kindnesses they show might seem trite; the super-cute artwork might soften the effects of their growth. But I don't think that's the case. For every misstep the series makes, Takaya makes up for it through the amount of depth depicted in their personalities.
Links to previous volumes:
Volume One
Volume Two
Volume Three
Volume Four
Volume Five