FRUITS BASKET S2 EPISODE 9 RECAP AKA THE KYORU CHRONICLES PART I
Look… I’m gonna be honest. I wasn’t really in the mood to do a Fruits Basket recap this week. The world’s always a mess but this time it was definitely a personal attack and I’m still dealing with it but this episode was a needed mental break. A bit triggering at times… but it was golden.
Lol, I love how the creators right out the gate were just like: “Look… you know what time it is…” 🤡😺
- I love Kyo in that green jacket, I don’t even know why 😂It definitely fits in well with the autumnal scene and his hair… He gets outfit appreciation this week again for the same outfit… just because.
*grooves to the opening song like an AC character*
- Tohru’s so happy that Kyo was invited that she’s in tears? On one hand… SO sweet! On the other hand… girl. 😩
Another adored moment between these two. Even though this episode is all about Kyo’s feelings for Tohru. I adore seeing how easy things are between him and Tohru now. At allll timesss. Gimme bucket loads of kyoru content, mannnn
Even though I’m still frustrated at these kids fighting each other, I really appreciate that this moment (and even previous episodes) has shown that Yuki has slowly been figuring out how to play the game of appeasing Akito but also trying to figure out how he can be better and stronger and more clever than the shitty situation that he’s been given. The walls are crumbling, indeed… Yuki wins Best Boi this week. I would’ve given it to Kyo but I lowkey give it to him every week so…
…Right, I genuinely don’t know what to say on an emotional front about the Akito and Kyo scene besides “this moment is gross and awful and Akito is a terrible, disgusting, manipulative person” so I’m just gonna talk about my appreciation for how the scene was displayed and edited.
That anime fish eye lens used for intense situations? Classic.
I really did like the flashback scene though. It starts when we see Kyo literally physically threatening Akito and yet Akito through words alone bests him… easily. The colour toning is great, it gives a slightly underwater feel which just increases the suffocating feeling. The way the scene flips from this scene to present day showing how Kyo, despite the time gap and despite all the personal developments, is still in Akito’s suffocating and entrapped position.
I love how inhuman the designers and animators make Akito through their movements and body poses. I’ve gone into it before but I thought it was worth saying again-again.
HEARTBREAKING. But, this is some visually stunning content. I love this full on visual representation of Akito’s curse. Seeing how different it is from the other zodiac members (obviously) but also how it could be interpreted as a metaphor for how tied Kyo is to his fate in his position in the zodiac. The stuff of nightmares! Chilling!
- Kyo saying ‘please, stop’ broke. my. heart. Yuma Uchida, as always, was great. I love how different he sounded when he said that. So hurt and weak, it’s almost alien for Kyo…
- Dickheadedness aside… I really find Akito’s view on perfection being monstrous an interesting viewpoint… (even if they are mostly saying it just so they can have the upper hand)
THIS IS THE MOMENT, GUYS…
I ACTUALLY SQUEALED. 😍It hurts so goood….
- I’m glad that Momiji’s question from ‘The Foolish Traveller’ moment was brought back again to bring a full circle as to how Kyo felt about Tohru. Such a great throwback.
- But wow, Kyo having to say he hates Tohru to protect her from Akito. Aka the ONLY MEMBER OF THE ZODIAC WHO DENIED THEIR LOVE FOR ANOTHER PERSON TO PROTECT THEM, CAN I JUST SAY. Golden. Heartbreaking. Kyoru.
Not so much of a comment on what was said in this scene but more so the position of Kyo’s body. I’m sorry, I’ve turned into one of those yoga heads right now and there’s no going back.
I noticed his position is somewhat between a ‘child’s pose’ and one of the variations of a ‘cat-cow pose’. Child’s pose is known for showing vulnerability and surrender. And the cat side of the cat-cow pose is known for tensing everything up for eventual release into cow pose (as well as it easing out your spine). Also known as by cats… getting ready for attack.
I feel like this winds back to what I was observing about Yuki earlier in which he’s pretty much playing the game that Akito has set up but he’s approaching it in a smarter more clever way. And I think through this visual representation, it shows Kyo is doing the same.
I wouldn’t say that both Kyo and Yuki are at the point where they feel they are worthy of happiness and believe in themselves and are ready to tear the wall down but you can see… they’re kinda getting ready to do so… whether they’ve noticed or not.
Lol. Ohhhhh, the times that we’re in…
- Yuki and Kyo working weirdly in sync is always my favourite <3
Oh… kid… 💔 All of Kyo’s thoughts of whether he deserves to live and questioning why he keeps going on is… a lot… to say the least…
- I do really love the way Kazuma’s VA delivered the speech of how hope will always bloom again even if you crush it. Toshiyuki Morikawa pretty much nailed how Kazuma would say it in a frank and stern way but also making it seem gentle enough to accept as advice. We stan.
KYOKOOOOOOO 😭(I envy anime only fans sooooooo bad rn, hee hee heeeee)
At first, I didn’t really love the fact that Kyo and Yuki knew (or knew of) Tohru before the beginning of the Fruits Basket story as it kinda ties into my disdain for the ‘tied together by fate’ plot line. But as time goes by, I can’t help but just be swayed by how cute the younger versions of the trio are and the uwu feels. Whatever… it cute. For the most part anyway…
I was literally hitting my chair arms by how frustratingly bittersweet this last scene was. Kyo’s ‘I’m putting up a happy front so the love of my life doesn’t worry’ face?! <3
Tohru’s genuine happiness to see Kyo?! <33
<333!!!! Look, I was already dead by this point but THEN
Like what am I meant to do with my heart at this point, dude? Do I mend it? Do I guard it? Like… what?!?!
That was a hell of a last few minutes. I love this episode.
This was really fun! A great way to take my mind off current things. It wasn’t all smiles but it showed pretty much how a glimmer of hope is enough to keep going and that’s exactly what I needed to hear this week and probably for the rest of my life :)
Hope you are all keeping mentally as well as physically well and #blacklivesmatter. ALWAYS. 💜
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