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 2009-10-19 10:59 pm (UTC)They're similar in many ways, except that Kagura is more excitable and Tohru is more prone to pacifying people. But the two of them seem to be cut from the same cloth (in contrast to Rin, Uo-chan, and Hanajima.)
I think it'd be awesome if they someday got to go on a double date, with Kagura with her own boyfriend who loves her back. Or, better yet, if they just hanged out.
The double date they went on in an earlier volume was pretty cute -- especially since Kagura and Tohru were all teary-eyed over the movie, and Yuki and Kyou looked like they wanted to die. XD But yes, it would have been nice to see them interact more! (Someone should write a fic that revolves around just that. HINT HINT.)
The series plays it up for jokes, but I think it also admits that this is *not* a healthy expression of feeling.
Yeah...I just don't find it all that funny. *g* It's like Ritsu's spazzing; when the series treats his maladjustment as a problem, I don't mind. But when the series plays it for humor, I find it rather annoying. What do you think?
Oh, another thought I had... why did Takaya-sensei choose the monster to have that form? Was she aiming for the creepiest thing imaginable? Because... yeah, it's freaky, but not STOMACH-DROPPING-OH-MY-GOD awful. Was it a failure on her part, that she couldn't do better? *wonders*
I don't know! Maybe lizards are something she's frightened by, and tried to exaggerate that to convey Kyou's true form? I've thought about this, but I'm just as stumped as you are.
Oh, more thoughts! I've thinking of writing a paper analyzing the curse, Kyou's especially, as a metaphor for disability/other. Aaaaaaaaand. Hm. If the curse can be taken as symbolic of a disability metaphor, it really is a negative reading.
You should! <3 Any other ideas for how you'd develop the paper?
I think the anime did this great, actually; in some ways, I feel that their version is an improvement.
I think so too. XD Maybe I'm being predictable. I loved the anime, and many of the manga chapters have more resonance after having seen it played out on screen. It adheres closely enough to be faithful, but not so much that it lacks creativity and originality (which is a big pet peeve I have with anime that copy the original manga down to the letter).
Anyway, the anime version of these chapters was WONDERFUL.
Making him grow up too fast?
I think all the Sohma have grown up too fast. Perhaps it's partly as a result of this, that they're all emotionally stunted in various ways.
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS. More Akito-is-a-girl! foreshadowing?
Yes! I'm sure Takaya was thinking, "Hey, fangirls, you know how you dig your waifish pretty boys? Well, how do you like it when one of them turns out to be a girl?"
I'm sure she wasn't being vindictive, but somehow I think she had ALL THE FUN IN THE WORLD with that plot twist. XD
True.... but with Ayame being the character that read gayest in the series (...well, after Haru, who admitted to loving Yuki), it's disappointing that he too had to run off to find heterosexual normative happiness.
In my head canon, both Mine and Ayame are so gay that they've looped back around to being straight again.
In all seriousness, though, you're right. In some ways, it's nice that she didn't make Ayame a token gay character. If he were the only one, that could have reinforced the stereotype that he has to be gay because he's flamboyant. But at the same time, wow, how convenient! Like (nearly) all of the other Sohma, he gets to be shuffled off into a heterosexual pairing by the end of the manga.
(I think I got irritated when Takaya-sensei implied that Ritsu and Mit-chan were going to get together, when they had so little page time even on their own. I have some issues with the Shigure/Akito in the ending too, but this is a case where the patterns speak more than specific narrative decisions.)
The characters are hella endearing, I love the little details she puts in, how repetitive the traumatic pasts got, and the richness of the facial expressions.
Word. :D
no subject
on 2009-10-25 04:22 pm (UTC)HEY, I SMELL A HINT.
I forget how, but for a while Meimi and I were shipping Kagura and Rin. GOOD TIMES.
It's like Ritsu's spazzing; when the series treats his maladjustment as a problem, I don't mind. But when the series plays it for humor, I find it rather annoying. What do you think?
OH GOD RITSU'S SPAZZING WAS SO ANNOYING
I know what you mean. I prefer serious treatments, and Kagura's violence and Ritsu's attacks treated as comedy just make me rolls my eyes. I don't find them funny. OTOH, I find other serious topics funny when treated seriously (though I can't think of any examples atm), so....?
Any other ideas for how you'd develop the paper?
Dunno yet! :D I think I'd aim for establishing the curse as representative of disabilities (Kyou especially), then deconstruct the messages the series gives about such people-- basically, that it's an evil that needs to be abolished. Which, uhhhh, great for people that can be healed (assuming they want to), but not so realistic a goal.
I think all the Sohma have grown up too fast. Perhaps it's partly as a result of this, that they're all emotionally stunted in various ways.
YESYESYEYES They suffered through a lot, grew up/wisened up faster- and had some growth stunts because of it...
So! I guess this means it's my turn, with volume 7 is up. :) I hope to get to it this upcoming weekend, though since I have a long, end-of-term paper coming up-- we'll see.=___=;;
no subject
on 2009-10-25 11:08 pm (UTC)I have to say, if I were looking for f/f slash in Furuba, Kagura/Rin WOULD NOT BE THE FIRST PAIRING THAT CAME TO MIND.
OH GOD RITSU'S SPAZZING WAS SO ANNOYING
It was. It's like we're supposed to sympathize with him for his psychological issues and still find the way he expresses those issues funny, and I don't. At all. Then again, his mom is even worse. XD
I prefer serious treatments, and Kagura's violence and Ritsu's attacks treated as comedy just make me rolls my eyes. I don't find them funny.
I can buy serious issues treated with comedy -- within the series, Haru's Black Side has made me laugh more than a few times. But with Kagura and Ritsu, it's mostly just slapstick, and that's kind of boring to me.
YESYESYEYES They suffered through a lot, grew up/wisened up faster- and had some growth stunts because of it...
Who do you think the most well-adjusted one of them is? I can tell you who I definitely WOULDN'T include in that list: Kyou, Yuki, Shigure, Haru, Kisa, Hatori, Rin (oh man, I can't wait until we get around to her chapters), and Ritsu. I was going to put Momiji in there, considering everything he's been through, but he responds to his problems very differently than the other Sohma. He's a tough cookie. :D
And take your time with volume 7! There's always other stuff going on, it seems. XD