Fruits Basket 26 - Final

This episode is divided into two distinct sections. The first is the resolution of Kyo's transformation. I felt this was kind of rushed, and wasn't really impressed with the scene overall. The buildup is Kyo remembering his mother. She attempted to keep him isolated from others in order to prevent him from being tormented about his "true form." However, Kyo realized that she couldn't accept his "true form." Tohru shows up and Kyo tries to run, but Yuki appears and restrains him. He accuses Kyo of trying to run away, and encourages Tohru to tell Kyo how she feels. Tohru says that she is very frightened of Kyo at the moment, but that the fear does not change the fact that she still wants them all to be together. She wants them all to go back to the house together. Kyo calms down. He realizes that unlike his mother, who denied the existence of his terrible form, Tohru accepts it. Although she fears it, her fear is proof of acknowledgement of reality. The fear is not enough to change her feelings about living together with Kyo and the other Sohmas. Kyo reverts to his human form, and Tohru embraces him, changing him into his cat form. She carries him back to the house with Yuki.

The second part of the episode deals with Tohru's confrontation with Akito. Tohru tells Shigure that she wishes to meet with Akito. He tries to discourage her from this, but she is determined. Shigure, Yuki, and Hatori all get dressed up and accompany Tohru to the meeting with Akito. Kyo tags along as well, but stays outside the Sohma residence. During the meeting we realize that Akito has taken the brunt of the Sohma curse and has been destined since his birth to die because of the curse. This is why all the others defer to him. This has also made him a bit crazy. At one point he grabs Tohru by the hair and forces her to kneel in from of him. At this point both Yuki and Shigure show some stones and jump up to grab his arms. Akito orders Hatori to wipe Tohru's memory, but even Hatori is feeling rebellious. Tohru diffuses the situation by telling Akito that, while she can't image how difficult it must be for him, that he is not dead yet. She tells him that he is still alive, and that he should be alive while he can. He releases her hair and the meeting is over. This scene also felt really rushed to me. Once it was over, there really wasn't much of a feeling of closure. Plus, there are still a lot of unaswered questions about the curse, and about the Sohma family in general.

Overall, this series surprised me. I started watching it with almost no knowledge whatsoever about it. After the first couple episodes, I was ready to drop it. However, after the introduction of Kagura and some of Shigure's antics, I decided to keep watching it. Most of the time it was nothing to write home about, but the occasional comedic scenes with Kagura, Shigure, or Ayame were really enjoyable. Also, the touching scenes between Tohru and the various Zodiac members I thought were really well done. Momiji and Hatori in particular. Those scenes and the scene at the shrine between the three friends, were the high points of the series for me. I don't think I'd ever purchase this series, but I would consider renting any followup seasons.

Final rating: 3 stars