[kitnapz]

so that new fruits basket episode huh

[mrsmarymorstan]

So Hana-to-Yume ran a contest for the best chapter, and the Kiss Scene came in 5th place! In the Collectors Edition, Takaya-sensei does a commentary on each one. And I just love her run down on it!

"I was worried when I realised how shocked Kyo is at seeing Tohru after she falls the cliff. He was a lot more distressed than I'd thought he'd be, back when I dreamed up this scene. I was in trouble -- even more so than with Chapter 33! [True Form - ranked #2] I thought, 'Will he really disappear this time?!' (LOL) In desperation, I had Tohru wake up about to set him straight. And actually, the kissing scene at the end wasn't part of the original plan either. It was almost like Kyo does it all in his own. What am I talking about, since I'm the one who wrote it? You may be asking me that right now, but sometimes that kind of weird experience just happens."

Idk, to me it just goes to show how these characters really do have a life of their own, and how strong the driving force between them is. Enough to overcome even the author herself!

So did Kyo kiss her to stop her from talking and wasting her energy? Did he kiss her because he wanted to show he returned her love? Was it a "I have to do it now in case she dies?"

I feel like the only person who truly knows, is Kyo himself! And even then he's a bit confused about it all lol

[thisisnotfortears-deactivated20]

I’m sorry.

[cathedralight]

really love how the kyoru kiss subverts the trope of the near-death kiss solving everything—kyo kisses tohru out of panic/desperation, to “apologize” without words, as a last-ditch attempt to reach her… but their problems are more complex than that, so it doesn’t work so easily. tohru doesn’t wake up and know kyo loves her back. it’s not the solution because real life isn’t that simple, and you can’t take back hurt and rejection just by kissing someone.

and because tohru doesn’t remember and still thinks that he rejected her, kyo is forced to do the necessary self-reflection and emotional growth that he might not have done if the kiss had “worked.” visiting his father, the confrontation with yuki, and finally deciding that he does want a future with tohru are all a result of him having to wait to see her. honestly, he has to earn his happy ending and learn to solve his problems like an adult, not just with an impulsive, panicked kiss.

also, because kyo is a character who struggles with words and relies primarily on his actions to communicate, i love how this arc causes him to actively own up to his mistakes (his actual mistakes, not just his self-inflicted blame). he apologizes to tohru in a purposeful and thoughtful way, not just with a rushed, unsaid apology in the heat of the moment. 

additionally, tohru also gets a chance to sit with her feelings about being rejected—if she really loves kyo, or if she could move on without him. she doesn’t just forgive him immediately because he kissed her, due to her abandonment issues or insecurities. she gets a good apology and a declaration of love from kyo when he’s clear-headed and really committed to her, which i think she really deserved.

while it’s a small moment of hope amidst tragedy, i love how the kiss doesn’t “fix everything” and causes kyo and tohru to experience growth independent of each other in the final act. it spurs them into coming together because they choose each other, not out of desperation or panic—but out of love. it’s a beautiful arc of character growth for both kyo and tohru, and it really puts them on equal footing as they finally become a couple.

[linkkmoved-deactivated20211126]

[gizaoyas]

“It’s all right now...”

[riceball-cat]

A man’s promise.

[mozgpit]

fashion icon

[ruskaina-deactivated20220606]

some catboy kyos

[animarchive]

Sailor Moon by Kazuko Tadano / Animage magazine (09/1993)

[another-miracle]

They grow up so fast

[anicastes]

It makes me so happy.

[lulubara]

I hope that someday the many, many tears that were shed will be worth it.

[floraltohru]

I could probably talk about the implications of this moment for like, eight hours straight. Akito is ill-tempered as a child; Yuki tells us as much in his narration. She’s prone to throwing little temper tantrums, but that could really be chalked up to just being a bratty kid. But this small action speaks volumes to the potential that Akito could have had if she wasn’t severely emotionally abused by her mother. She has her little meltdown and throws her rice, but then she feels kind of bad about it and picks the bowl up off the floor. So we can see that young Akito has the capacity to feel remorse for the things she says and does, and she can take steps toward fixing things. And I have to wonder how things would have played out differently if someone had nurtured that instinct. Instead, Ren convinced her that all of the members of the Zodiac were going to leave her and that set her up for the intense insecurity that sent her completely over the edge when Kureno’s curse broke, which was really the point of no return. But I’ll continue to be sad about the way Ren and the Sohmas at large wrecked the potential for an Akito who can take responsibility for the way she treats others. (Hopefully she gets some therapy post-canon. She needs it.) 

[yukisohmasmokesweed]

ok. this was so hard but here are my favorite 4 caps of the episode. ahhhhhh

[riceball-cat]

Hᴏᴘᴇ ᴛᴜʀɴᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇsᴘᴀɪʀ. Aᴅᴏʀᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴛᴜʀɴᴇᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴇɴᴠʏ.

[furubatrashcan]

You bet your ass I’m excited for all the shenanigans next episode (assuming they’re following the chapters).

• ALL THE KYORU CONTENT

• Tohru’s abysmal acting

• Goth Cinderella

• Ayame fucking Sohma

• Kakeru’s special brand of cheering Yuki up

But you know another scene I’m so excited for? This game changer...

This is where the cracks of Kyo’s armour really start to show. He’s once again hating and blaming Yuki, but he realises it’s not working anymore, it’s not enough. He hasn’t quite accepted it yet, but he’s getting there. It’s just such an important scene. Yuki’s face of ‘we’re still doing this bitch?’ The flashback of Kyoko’s words. The sheer panic in Kyo’s eyes. Just UGH