Fruits Basket (Episode 22) – Because I Was Happy
We finally get to see Saki’s childhood and how she came to be such good friends with Tohru and Arisa. Bring your tissues, you’re going to need them!
What did you watch?
It looks like we’re going to stick with Saki and finally find out how she became friends with Tohru. This is what we’ve been waiting for, so thank you, episode 22 of Fruits Basket. We’re nearing the end of season one and I’m going to be sad to see it finish. At least, I’ll have season two to look forward to. All right, have you got your tissues? If not, you might want to grab them. There will be spoilers and lots of tears. I don’t know if your waves will help with this one…
What happened?
The episode begins with a young Saki walking through the park with her family. Everything seems normal, but then the voices start to appear and the Saki’s world gets darker. Before long, she’s crouching in the middle of the park, unable to move. It turns out she’s been dealing with the waves ever since she was a small child. This ability made her withdraw and keep to herself, drawing in the attention of the bullies. Then, one lunchtime the bullies pushed Saki too far and she wished for them to die. One collapsed and the cause remains unknown.
Saki blamed herself and further pulled back from school life, alienating herself even more. That was fine, she believed that she deserved for what she did. Her family remained supportive and even her little brother, Megumi offered some sage advice, well beyond his years. In a world this vast with this many people, there was bound to be someone that would accept her as she was. She just had to promise not to give up. Then, following another bullying incident, Saki’s parents decided to move and put her into a new school. On her first day, she met Tohru Honda…
What did you think?
I got my Saki backstory and boy was I not ready for it. Bullies again. It makes me so sick to see and even think that children go through this sort of thing on a regular basis. There has to be a way to stop it dead. It’s not going to be easy, but it’s got to be a fight worth having. Imagine the difference to the world if people didn’t judge and pick on others for the way they looked, sounded, moved, dressed, whatever, there appears to be an infinite number of stupid reasons. It’s got to start with adults. Children see adults making fun of others, gossiping, and laughing at different people, so why wouldn’t they do the same. All that aside, I absolutely loved this episode, hated things for obvious reasons but loved the episode in general.
What was your favourite moment?
I loved the way the colour of the episode shifted to reflect Saki’s emotions. When she moved to the new school, there was a notable shift. It was warm and inviting, and then there was Tohru and Arisa, the odd ones and proud of it. Saki was caught off guard and before she knew it they had become a trio.
Then, news of what happened when she was a child made its way to the new school and the colour turned grey and pale blues. Saki ran, warning Tohru and Arisa to stay away from her. That she would only bring them pain. But they were not having it. Tohru made a heartfelt plea to Saki, telling her she wanted to know more about her, she loved her. Even Arisa offered her own version in a more Arisa way. Suddenly, the rain faded and the bright glowing colour returned to Saki’s world.
Damn it! As if the scene wasn’t touching enough, but to manipulate us with the colours. Damn you animators, damn you and your beautiful story.
What was your least favourite moment?
All of the bullying. Young kids are stupid and easily led astray, which is why it’s even more important to have good role models and public figures. They learn from what they see in real life and on the TV. The worst thing is it stays with them. It gets harder and harder to change as they grow older. So, to see the younger kids continuously picking on Saki and it not always being the same ones was hard to see. How is that not noticed by teachers and adults around them?
Who was your favourite character?
I was initially going to give this to Megumi for his inspirational talk with Saki, but then I decided to take it further. There are a number of characters that I believe should all get some sort of award. Yes, Megumi was excellent, but so were Saki’s parents and her grandmother. They stuck by her side, never once doubting her. It would be easy to give up on someone like that. We’ve seen it with the Soma mothers who can’t accept a zodiac baby. Saki’s family never gave up on her, and I’m going to include Tohru, Arisa, and Kyoko in there too as they are all family and it shows. Family wins this episode.
Who was your least favourite character?
It’s too easy to say the bullies. I actually want to blame the society that allows that to happen to children and anyone really. We have to be better and do better. People are different, so what? There really isn’t much of an excuse to treat others poorly, certainly not because you are afraid of the differences. I’m going to quote one of the great thinkers of our time as I think it’s pretty relevant.
“Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.” – Yoda
Would you like some more?
According to my research, there is twenty-five episodes in season one of Fruits Basket. That means we only have three left. I’m getting the feeling I’m not going to find out any more about Kyo and Kyoko before the end of the season. I don’t even think we’ll find out what Shigure is up to. And I’m pretty sure, there’s no way we’re going to see any progression with Tohru and Yuki. I’m not even considering Kyo for Tohru as I still believe he’s related to her and that would just be weird. Anyhow, yes, I can’t wait for more. Hopefully, we’ll get end the season on a bombshell and not a cliffhanger!
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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“Young kids are stupid and easily led astray, which is why it’s even more important to have good role models and public figures. ”
You’ve said a lot with just a few words.
You’ve got my endorsement!
“Saki’s family never gave up on her, and I’m going to include Tohru, Arisa, and Kyoko in there too as they are all family and it shows. Family wins this episode.”
I like that. I felt a physical relief when I saw her family supporting her.
The stupid part may be unfair and was probably a heat of the moment thing, but they are definitely affected by what they see and hear.
Yeah, her family were the poster family for supportive families. Imagine how much worse things would have been for her if she’d had Arisa’s parents!