Rolling Review – Fruits Basket 2019 – S2 (25)

Episode Synopsis:

After watching the DVD Momiji smuggled to him, Kureno feels the need to explain his situation to Tohru. Through their discussion Kureno’s unwavering loyalty to Akito comes into the limelight. Both he and Akito are harboring secrets and it is eating Kureno alive.

Review:

Wow show. Now this is the way to make a season finale. There’s so much revealed here in this final episode of the season.

It’s rather fitting that I get the Kureno-centric episode, since I had the episode where Arisa and Kureno first met. I’m at a weird crossroad where I wish we had this information sooner (so I wouldn’t have complained so much about the Kureno/Arisa fly-by-day interaction), but I also know it’s Fruits Basket style to shoot first and answer questions later.

Regardless, this is a great episode. The reveal of Kureno’s…state…is heavy and twists the dynamic we’ve understood up until now. We’ve all had equal parts pity or disdain for the cursed members of the Sohma family (the disdain award goes to Shigure). We have not however, introduced the idea of survivors guilt. The show has been gearing us up for some curse breaking action. It’s the goal behind the actions of multiple characters, and even though we don’t know the full nature of the curse, it must be a burden, right?! Right!? But what happens when the curse breaks and you are suddenly able to see the world clear as day? Able to want things for yourself? Unable to suffer like you are supposed to?

This episode gave Kureno the depth he needed to finally feel like he’s part of this show. I do feel like the show’s handling of his…condition is a bit odd (how did it happen exactly?!). I’m also still not sold on his romance with Uo, but hey whatever. Those are nitpicks. If you don’t dwell on those too much this all makes for good drama. This episode boasts some beautiful artistic sequences that convey the idea of loneliness and isolation, along with guilt and shame (the camera work, and Kureno’s clothing in that sequence with the birds comes to mind easily).

The sequence where Kureno watches the DVD is also particularly well designed

Here in the season finale, the show doubles down on Akito being a victim in all of this. There’s a secret Akito is carrying around and being a God on Earth is not all it’s cracked up to be. Tohru is going to have her hands full because breaking the curse might shatter characters on the opposite side of the conflict.

Stop making me feel things for Akito. I don’t wanna!

I’m going to leave my discussion here because I don’t want this to be spoiler heavy. There are massive revelations here and they are going to pave the way to strong emotions later. It’s tough to say goodbye to Fruits Basket. It’s such a joy to watch this show and follow along with these characters (okay joy, and heart breaking sadness, but you know what I mean). Here’s to hoping we see them all again soon for the finale.

Summary:

The season finale to Fruits Basket (2019) is a great one. Kureno gets fleshed out, we learn one of Akito’s (big) secrets, and new emotions come to the forefront. Tohru’s task may be even tougher than we imagined. We’re left on a cliffhanger and I for one cannot wait for the return of this show. It’s going to be incredible. How do I know that? Well you see…