I am absolutely still reeling from these final episodes. It was heartwarming, heartwrenching, funny, and everything in between. Having been a viewer of the 2001 version, this has been a very emotional ride for me. The art style looked the same but definitely more brighter and consistent. Tohru’s backstory as well as Yuki and Kyo still manages to make me cry my eyes out. I am grateful that the opening and ending gave me a bit of reprieve from the tears… mostly (I’m looking at you Again by Beverly – Opening 1). You really felt the growth and development from all the characters. I’m not going to get into a huge breakdown in this post-maybe next time when I’m up at night still obssessing over it. I just have a few things to get off my chest.
- Tohru SOFTENED THE HELL out of KYO (as she should!)
Angry boi 
Love and acceptance
Like this man was a ball of self-hate, anger, rage, sadness, you name it! I’m joking when I say she healed him on all her own but damn I feel like it was 75% her. He became such a soft boi and finally was able to look forward in life and see happiness in it- and Tohru was a part of that happiness. It’s so disgustingly sweet but the soft look is good on him.
2. My Younger Self is Still Torn About Yuki not ending up with Tohru.
Leave me alone! It’s the anime’s fault for making their interactions so cute that it brought up old feelings. Either way, I’m very happy that Yuki has found himself and was able to push past his fears might I add, THANKS TO TOHRU helping him out. I swear this girl got the magic touch! I am at peace with how things fell into line (I had all this time to get over it too lmao). Yuki CLEARLY established his feelings for Tohru so let it be, younger me. Yuki had me crying when he was thanking Tohru and gushing to Machi. Good for him!
3. Tohru is Best Girl. End of Discussion.
She’s a Goddess. She was suffering from the loss of her father and then the guilt of losing her mother and was essentially homeless. She managed to keep a smile on her face and shower everyone who came in contact with her with love despite the pain in her heart. Tohru is a literal light to everyone in that show and she needs her recognition and respect NOW.
4. Akito Redemption? Ehhh I’m not feeling it.
This probably deserves a post for itself but I’ll just lay some things out now. Are we really rocking with the Akito “redemption”? Don’t get me wrong, I love the parts where you can see they’re trying and want to be better but um let us NOT skip over the fact you have multiple murder attempts on your hand. I’m in between because lowkey it’s Akito’s dad’s fault for putting all that garbage in their head about the God role and Zodiacs plus the slow mental breakdown they were experiencing. I’m not excusing it but Akito had a really toxic environment. Tohru forgave Akito so I’m being a little soft on how I felt originally but WOO BOY Tohru’s saving grace does not cover it completely. I don’t think forgiveness is the right word at this point but learning how to move on and accept all the shit that you did. It may not end will reconciliation but things will be laid to rest. But Akito has TRAUMATIZED the Zodiacs so I don’t even know. Let me think about it more.
OVERALL. Despite my mixed feelings, Fruits Basket is still a good watch and read. I’m so glad it hit #1 MAL because it was rightfully earned in my opinion. If you don’t agree, then that’s your opinion and that’s cool too.
Let me know your thoughts!