fruits basket, volume six (reread)
Oct. 6th, 2009 11:16 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wingblossomOkay! 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
no subject
on 2009-10-11 06:04 pm (UTC)Some thoughts of my own, before reading and replying to yours. For the first time so far in this reread, I saw this volume in an entirely different light. With volumes 1-5, I'd been interpreting the characters and plot in a new light because, knowing the entire contents of the series, I could read more into the foreshadowing and the like. However, vol. 6 felt like a new experience because of the experiences I've had since the last time I read it. They say that a good piece of art will change with you, that you'll never have the same reading/reactions twice-- and Fruits Basket has indeed managed that.
- God, I wanted to smack Kazuma. I know he meant the very best, pushing Kyou into an experience that would hurt but, ultimately, could help heal him. But. HOW COULD HE KNOW THAT THE GAMBIT WOULD WORK. And, honestly, that secret was up to *Kyou* to decide to reveal. It felt like a violation, Kazuma forcing Kyou to reveal himself. I think that, given time, Kyou and Tohru could've come to that understand. Together. And what if Tohru *hadn't* done the right thing? That could set Kyou so far back he never got over it; might've extended the curse for another generation.
- This is what was different for me-- I understood just how *major* it was for Tohru to accept Kyou, throwing up and crying and terrified, as he was. She was honest that she was repulsed, but she cared too much about him to let herself turn away. Literally, I admit the text is a bit silly. KYOU IS A SMELLY LIZARD-HUMAN LIKE CREATURE. Symbolically, it's powerful.
(I wonder-- if the curse could be broken by the cat being loved, wouldn't Kazuma's paternal loved be enough? Kazuma dote on Kyou, it's so very clear. I guess by current standards, only ~ROMANTIC~ love really counts! Forget Kazuma's care, Momiji's friendship, Kagura's devotion...)
((Also, I think Takaya-sensei had Kagura visit Tohru et al. precisely to draw up the parallel with Kazuma. Both reached out to Kyou for selfish reasons-- Kagura, because Kyou would always be worse, and Kazuma, to heal his guilt. I like how that even negative sentiments can grow into something beautiful, into love. Kagura may not express her in an awful way, and she needs to stop abusing the ones she loves, but that doesn't mean that she doesn't care. Man, I so wish I knew how Kagura ended up post-series-- part of me fears that she'd start her own cycle of abuse, hitting her S.O., probably giving her children, if she has any, the wrong idea.))
The fact that Kyou bared the worst (symbolic) of himself to Tohru, and she still ran after him... that's put me more on board the Kyou/Tohru train. Because that acceptance is essential to any couple. Unlike Yuki, who, disturbed by the events, retracted deeper into his shell. It pained me to see him shielding himself-- was he confused by the events? Bothered that Tohru still didn't hate Kyou? Guilty that he hates Kyou? So I see why it was Kyou and Tohru that eventually fell in love.... but, MAN, Yuki was attracted to Tohru, in that dress. Yeah, she looked worse than a cupake puffed up with icing, but I guess puffed-up cupcakes does it for Yuki, because I don't think he was faking there. Which makes the TOHRU IS MY MOMMY realization later more disturbing. D:
- I cried when Kyou and Kazuma let each other know they saw each other as father and son. This moved me more this time around because I've since met an adopted son and father that were like this. So, yeah, it hit closer to home.
no subject
on 2009-10-19 10:13 pm (UTC)That's exactly how I felt! Honestly, unless you go by Shoujo Manga Logic, there's no way Kazuma could have known that his choice was the right one. Since Furuba doesn't settle for stereotypical characterization, this comes off (to me) as a character flaw of Kazuma's. There's one page where Kazuma's thoughts blend into Kyou's mom's; like Kazuma, she always thought that she was doing the right thing without considering Kyou's true feelings.
This is what was different for me-- I understood just how *major* it was for Tohru to accept Kyou, throwing up and crying and terrified, as he was. She was honest that she was repulsed, but she cared too much about him to let herself turn away. Literally, I admit the text is a bit silly. KYOU IS A SMELLY LIZARD-HUMAN LIKE CREATURE. Symbolically, it's powerful.
I still wonder why Takaya chose for Kyou to turn into a lizard. XD So he could stay bipedal?
I also agree with you on Tohru's acceptance of Kyou: it may not have come easily, but that made it all the stronger. If nothing else, I should have known by then that Takaya was setting up their relationship to be her OTP. (I also remember how this series had me on the edge of my teeth wrt plot development. My reactions to new chapters in Hana to Yume were usually along the lines of "!!!" ALL THE TIME.) That said, their scenes together are moving, and above all, honest.
(I wonder-- if the curse could be broken by the cat being loved, wouldn't Kazuma's paternal loved be enough? Kazuma dote on Kyou, it's so very clear. I guess by current standards, only ~ROMANTIC~ love really counts! Forget Kazuma's care, Momiji's friendship, Kagura's devotion...)
Well, we've mentioned Kazuma's negative tendencies, and Kagura's love initially stemmed from a kind of selfishness, even if it became genuine in the end. Maybe that disqualifies them in Takaya's eyes? I can't think of any reason why Momiji wouldn't count, except for that he's not as close to Kyou as Tohru is. Still, it's the sort of thing you could think about in circles without any real conclusion.
Also, I think Takaya-sensei had Kagura visit Tohru et al. precisely to draw up the parallel with Kazuma. Both reached out to Kyou for selfish reasons-- Kagura, because Kyou would always be worse, and Kazuma, to heal his guilt. I like how that even negative sentiments can grow into something beautiful, into love.
Yes, yes, and yes.
Unlike Yuki, who, disturbed by the events, retracted deeper into his shell. It pained me to see him shielding himself-- was he confused by the events? Bothered that Tohru still didn't hate Kyou? Guilty that he hates Kyou?
Who knows what he was thinking? From my impression of his character, I'd say he felt more than a little guilty, locked-in, and resentful. Much like Kyou himself, in fact. I think it's significant that the last two chapters cut to Yuki's feelings, and for the first time in a long while, the reader sees things from his perspective again.
I don't believe it's just to even out their page time, either. They've both isolated themselves in different ways, and by paralleling them like this, Takaya shows the consequences of their thought processes.
So I see why it was Kyou and Tohru that eventually fell in love.... but, MAN, Yuki was attracted to Tohru, in that dress. Yeah, she looked worse than a cupake puffed up with icing, but I guess puffed-up cupcakes does it for Yuki, because I don't think he was faking there. Which makes the TOHRU IS MY MOMMY realization later more disturbing.
Yeah, I totally agree with you on this. Which does make it a tad disturbing! I can tell that Takaya didn't bring Yuki's mommy complex out of nowhere, but it does feel somewhat heavy-handed in light of scenes like this. I still don't buy that he was never attracted to her in a romantic way, which is something the later volumes seem to want me to believe.
I cried when Kyou and Kazuma let each other know they saw each other as father and son. This moved me more this time around because I've since met an adopted son and father that were like this. So, yeah, it hit closer to home.
THIS WHOLE VOLUME = ;_:. Or would, if I were prone to crying over books and manga. (I'm one of those people who rarely cries over media, but can still be moved heaps by fiction.)
no subject
on 2009-10-25 03:56 pm (UTC)Oooh, good and important point. How is Kazuma different from Kyou's mom, imposing on him what *he* thinks will make him better/not so monsterful?
I still wonder why Takaya chose for Kyou to turn into a lizard. XD So he could stay bipedal?
It does mean he gets to keep his pants on! :D ...Seriously, it couldn't be because of that, right.
(I also remember how this series had me on the edge of my teeth wrt plot development. My reactions to new chapters in Hana to Yume were usually along the lines of "!!!" ALL THE TIME.)
YEAH. It didn't even have to be cliff-hangers, I just always had to know what happened next! And what was happening to the other characters that hadn't appeared/been referred to for the past while? Etc. I imagine the series feels very different if you can read it at your own pace.
I can't think of any reason why Momiji wouldn't count, except for that he's not as close to Kyou as Tohru is. Still, it's the sort of thing you could think about in circles without any real conclusion.
Nah, I'm pretty sure it comes down to Momiji not loving Kyou in a romantic, I-want-to-wake-up-next-to-you-everyday kind of way. *rolls eyes*
They've both isolated themselves in different ways, and by paralleling them like this, Takaya shows the consequences of their thought processes.
I like this idea, and I think you're absolutely right. She deals with them seperately because they *are* separate-- and I believe they continue to grow more and more distant, reaching out not just for exposure in different chapters, but being around different people. And yet, they live in the same space, and are forced to face each other from time to time. (They *want* to get away, but they can't, not entirely.) ...I do wish the second half of the series had touched more on their relationship, as it was so interesting!
no subject
on 2009-10-25 10:52 pm (UTC)He seems to accept that Kyou's monster-ness exists, but his methods of dealing with it are still flawed. I think Kazuma is more sympathetic because as the reader, we can be sure that he really does love Kyou, and isn't saying that just to get a reaction out of him. Or protect himself from Kyou's anger. I think that Kyou's mom was always so afraid of him she didn't know how else to respond.
It does mean he gets to keep his pants on!
WHICH IS A GOOD THING, COS I LIKE KYOU'S PANTS. (Seriously. XD Those are cool pants.)
YEAH. It didn't even have to be cliff-hangers, I just always had to know what happened next!
I imagine that this is how Charles Dicken's readers felt when HIS work was still being published in increments. *g*
I do wish the second half of the series had touched more on their relationship, as it was so interesting!
Yeah. I love a lot of things in the second half of the series, but I really wish they kept the focus on their relationship. Because at first, Fruits Basket is primarily a story about Those Four People (or Those Three People, if you rather), and how they change and affect each other. The story feels personal, close, and intimate as a result of that. Then after Takaya expands her focus, the series dynamics change: it's not just about Tohru and Yuki and Kyou anymore, and the manga feels different as a result of that.
That's my take on it, at least!