Fruits Basket (Episode 17) – This Is for Uo-chan!
Arisa continues to tell the story of how she and Tohru became such great friends, and how hard it hit her when Kyoko died. On top of that, there’s a bunch of young gang members looking to make a name for themselves.
What did you watch?
In episode 17 of Fruits Basket, we continue the story that began in the last episode, which on one hand is great because I loved seeing Arisa’s past. There’s still no update on my Kyo-Kyoko theory outlined in my review of episode 15, but I feel like it’s coming. I would at least like to be able to put it to bed, one way or another. It also appears that there will be twenty-five episodes in season one, so that means there are only eight left after this one. I’m hoping for a big finish. That’s enough about the future, let’s get on with the review. There will be spoilers…
What happened?
Arisa’s flashback continued with her taking a beating from some older gang members of a rival group. She managed to escape and ended up bumping into Tohru. When Tohru realised what was going on, she grabbed Arisa’s hand and ran home. She offered to patch up Arisa’s injuries but instead had to just settle with getting her the first-aid box. Arisa broke down as she realised just how lonely and angry she’s been her whole life and that she is jealous of Tohru.
Kyoko comes home to find Arisa and Tohru asleep together and from that moment on, she welcomed Arisa into their home whenever she needed it. Arisa started to realise that she wanted to leave the gang so that she could be Tohru’s friend completely, but there’s a price to pay for leaving. Kyoko arrives and puts an end to it and carries Arisa home. Back in the now, a group of gang members ambush the group as they finish lunch, looking to make a name for themselves.
What did you think?
I really enjoyed seeing more of Arisa, even before this episode she’s been one of my favourite characters in the whole series, but this just helped confirm it. That said, there is a new addition to my favourite characters and that is Kyoko. I never thought they would show us this much of her, especially as her death was the catalyst to start this story. I’m now hoping that we get even more flashbacks with Kyoko in and I’m not normally a huge fan of flashbacks. With all of the links between the characters, I think that we are guaranteed to get a few more anyhow, so bring them on.
What was your favourite moment?
That was definitely when Kyoko showed up as the gang was beating Arisa for wanting to leave. She is such a badass it’s awesome and given the scrapes and bruises on her face as she carried Arisa home, I can only assume that she had to convince the gang to step down using force. I’m gutted that we didn’t get to see Kyoko go full-on street fighter, but I’ll allow it as it was Arisa’s story and she was unconscious by that time.
What was your least favourite moment?
That was the scene after Tohru had rescued Arisa from the rival gang. It was so sad seeing Arisa analysing her life and the way she was sabotaging it. She believed that she didn’t deserve to be happy, no doubt feeling like it was her fault that her mother left and her father became a hopeless alcoholic. She was alone and that’s no doubt what pushed her towards joining a gang. Ultimately, Arisa was lonely and that seemed like the only way to get any sort of companionship. That was until Tohru and Kyoko came into her life!
Who was your favourite character?
This will probably come as no surprise, but it’s Kyoko, obviously! She was such a wonderful and insightful character. Her life had not been easy, becoming the leader of a biker gang and then somehow giving it all up to become a mother. She really is a bit of a mystery and full of helpful advice. I think everyone needs a Kyoko in their life. In good times and in bad, you can count on these types of characters to have your back.
Who was your least favourite character?
It’s really hard to pick one for this episode as it really focused hard on Arisa, Tohru, and Kyoko. Outside of them, there were the gang members, except for the one slipped away to get Kyoko’s help and then the gang members in the present who were funnier than anything else. Even Kyo and Yuki didn’t really do anything of note, so it wouldn’t be fair for me to drop this on them again. So, I’m going to let this episode off as I think everyone that was seriously involved held their own.
Would you like some more?
There are two things I didn’t expect when I started watching this series. Firstly, it would be this long. I came in expecting a twelve-episode season with more seasons to follow. Secondly, I never expected to be enjoying it quite as much as I am. The best thing is that I am enjoying it on multiple levels. The story itself is fun and engaging with elements of mystery and mysticism, but the characters are exceptional. Looking at how they work within a story and how they fit together is a lot of fun. So, yeah, I’d love some more. Keep them coming.
Other posts in the series
- Season One
- Episode 1 – See You After School
- Episode 2 – They’re All Animals!
- Episode 3 – Let’s Play Rich Man, Poor Man!
- Episode 4 – What Year Is She?
- Episode 5 – I’ve Been Fooling Myself
- Episode 6 – Perhaps We Should Invite Ourselves Over
- Episode 7 – Spring Comes
- Episode 8 – See You When You Get Back
- Episode 9 – Yuki Was My First Love
- Episode 10 – It’s Valentine’s, After All
- Episode 11 – This is a Wonderful Inn
- Episode 12 – You Look Like You’re Having Fun
- Episode 13 – How Have You Been, My Brother?
- Episode 14 – That’s a Secret
- Episode 15 – I Wouldn’t Say That
- Episode 16 – She Said Don’t Step on Them!
- Episode 17 – This Is for Uo-chan!
- Episode 18 – What’s Important Is…
- Episode 19 – I’m So Sorry!
- Episode 20 – I Can’t Believe You Picked It Up
- Episode 21 – I Never Back Down from a Wave Fight
- Episode 22 – Because I Was Happy
- Episode 23 – You Look Well…
- Episode 24 – Let’s Go Home
- Episode 25 – Summer Will Be Here Soon
- Season Two
- Episode 26 – Hello Again
- Episode 27 – Eat Somen with Your Friends
- Episode 28 – Shall We Go and Get You Changed?
- Episode 29 – I Got Dumped…
- Episode 30 – Wait for me, tororo soba!
- Episode 31 – Are you really this stupid?
- Episode 32 – Let’s Start the Watermelon Splitting Contest!
- Episode 33 – Well, It’s True
- Episode 34 – My Precious…
- Episode 35 – Who Are You?
- Episode 36 – All Mine
- Episode 37 – You Cried for Me
- Episode 38 – Sure Thing
- Episode 39 – I Should Just Die…
- Episode 40 – See You Later
- Episode 41 – Ask Him For Me
- Episode 42 – You Will, I’m Sure of It
- Episode 43 – Do You Wanna Kiss?
- Episode 44 – There’s Just No Way!
- Episode 45 – Are You Okay?
- Episode 46 – There Was, Definitely
- Episode 47 – That Isn’t What I Want
- Episode 48 – It’s Cinderella-ish
- Episode 49 – Here You Are
- Episode 50 – I’m Different Now
- Season Three
- Episode 51 – I’ll Hold Another Banquet
- Episode 52 – That’s an Unwavering Truth
- Episode 53 – I Hope It Snows Soon
- Episode 54 – I’m… Home.
- Episode 55 – I Mean… You Know, Right?
- Episode 56 – It Was So Foolish
- Episode 57 – That’s Right, It’s Empty
- Episode 58 – I’m Disappointed in You
- Episode 59 – What’s Your Name?
- Episode 60 – I Just Love Her
- Episode 61 – Goodbye
- Episode 62 – You Fought Well
- Episode 63 – See You Again Soon
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This series is just a massively warm hug that makes you cry in a good way. I wish we had more Kyoko.
It really is. It’s a shame that we’re limited to Kyoko flashbacks, I’d love to see so much more of her.
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Kyoko is the best! If the anime continues to follow the manga as closely as it has been, you can rest assured that there will be many more Kyoko flashbacks in the future.
I hope so, because I’d watch a show that was just about Kyoko. She’s a fascinating character.