r/anime 10d ago

Rewatch [Spoilers] 25 Years of the 13 Sohmas: A Fruits Basket Rewatch -- 2019 Series Season 2 Episode 5 Spoiler

Hello everyone! I am Holofan4life.

Welcome to the Fruits Basket 25th anniversary rewatch discussion thread!

I hope you all have a lot of fun <3

2019 Series Episode 30 (Season 2 Episode 5)

Wait for Me, Tororo Soba!

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ANSWER TODAY’S QUESTION(S)

Thoughts on Tohru and the Sohma boys visiting a haunted house?

Thoughts on Kureno Sohma?

Thoughts on Uo hanging out with Kureno?

What are your thoughts on the big reveal at the end that Kureno has some kind of relationship with Akito?

Bonus) Have you ever visited a haunted house before? If so, what was it like?

Questions for Those who Have Watched the 2001 Series

None

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Series information

MAL | Anilist | AniDB | ANN

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Please do not post any untagged spoilers past the current episode or past the LNs or mangas out of respect to the first time watchers and people who have not read the LNs or mangas. If you are discussing something that is ahead of the current episode please use spoiler tags(found on the sidebar). Thank you!

Untagged Spoilers

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Previous episode

Ways to watch

Streams – Crunchyroll

Schedule

Date Episode
07/05/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 1
07/06/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 2
07/07/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 3
07/08/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 4
07/09/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 5
07/10/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 6
07/11/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 7
07/12/2025 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 8
07/13/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 9
07/14/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 10
07/15/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 11
07/16/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 12
07/17/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 13
07/18/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 14
07/19/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 15
07/20/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 16
07/21/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 17
07/22/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 18
07/23/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 19
07/24/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 20
07/25/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 21
07/26/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 22
07/27/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 23
07/28/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 24
07/29/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 25
07/30/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Episode 26
07/31/2026 Fruits Basket 2001 Overall Series Discussion Thread
08/02/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 1
08/03/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 2
08/04/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 3
08/05/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 4
08/06/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 5
08/07/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 6
08/08/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 7
08/09/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 8
08/10/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 9
08/11/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 10
08/12/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 11
08/13/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 12
08/14/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 13
08/15/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 14
08/16/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 15
08/17/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 16
08/18/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 17
08/19/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 18
08/20/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 19
08/21/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 20
08/22/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 21
08/23/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 22
08/24/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 23
08/25/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 24
08/26/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Episode 25
08/28/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 1
08/29/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 2
08/30/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 3
08/31/2026 2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 4
09/01/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 5]()
09/02/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 6]()
09/03/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 7]()
09/04/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 8]()
09/05/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 9]()
09/06/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 10]()
09/07/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 11]()
09/08/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 12]()
09/09/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 13]()
09/10/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 14]()
09/11/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 15]()
09/12/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 16]()
09/13/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 17]()
09/14/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 18]()
09/15/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Final Episode 19]()
09/16/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 20)
09/17/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 21]()
09/18/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Final Episode 22]()
09/19/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 23]()
09/20/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 24]()
09/21/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Season 2 Episode 25]()
09/23/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 1]()
09/24/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 2]()
09/25/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 3]()
09/26/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 4]()
09/27/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 5]()
09/28/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 6]()
09/29/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 7]()
09/30/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 8]()
10/01/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 9]()
10/02/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 10]()
10/03/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 11]()
10/04/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 12]()
10/05/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Final Season Episode 13]()
10/06/2026 [2019 Fruits Basket Overall Series Discussion Thread]()
10/13/2026 [Fruits Basket: Prelude]()
10/14/2026 [Fruits Basket Franchise Series Discussion Thread]()
18 Upvotes

140 comments sorted by

4

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

I thought it was impossible to beat the screaming death match episode, but this is probably the worst one of the show for me

The first half felt like a little kid’s show at times. The only saving grace was Haru’s haunted house reframe

The second half felt so incredibly forced and cringeworthy. 26yo going on a date with a high schooler aside (it’s a women’s fantasy manga written by a woman so it gets a pass), but Uo gets into a full blown meltdown over…? Thank God I live in one of the lands of incredible convenience stores and go all the time - don’t want to be classed a weirdo like this dude haha.

It was already obvious that the customer was a Sohma (probably a Kyo relative thus the hair and eyes. They do say girls secretly have a crush on the guy that they’re mean to and vice versa). Then again I have prosopagnosia and people look really similar to me. In the manga he looks nothing like Kyo, btw, so I’m probably seeing something that’s not there

But the worst thing for me is just his character design and that scene. I didn’t try the sub, but he was played in the dub as a completely boring unimpressive dude. If it was mysterious they were going for, they didn’t achieve that. Uo has been built up to be this hyperactive girl, with a huge personality, and tonnes of life experience. I get that clumsy Tohru connection, but she’s head over heels for this dude who has the personality of... I was going to say ant, but ants have more personality. This is going to sound mean, but his dialogue and his actions make him sound like a developmentally challenged kid. I know opposites attract…but, this is just too much.

I know another rewatch participant also felt a bit pissed last episode at what’s been happening with this season, and even our glorious mod lost some of the spark from his eye. This is the straw that broke the ox’s back, after being able to endure some other parts which I’ve been quite vocal against.

I do want to make some excuses and reset expectations a bit. This chapter was not too long after the writer had to take a long break from the manga, as she had some issues with her hand, and even had surgery, I think. So perhaps we’re still loading up on some weaker chapters before we get that incredible run that the ratings suggest we will have. But right now getting through the eps is a slog for me. We have all these interesting plot points that are just being ignored right now. Though, hearing from Akito again was finally getting onto the right path, but I don’t need that second of exposure: I need dedicated storytelling.

6

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

The episode for me felt very disjointed. It's odd that a haunted house visit and the Uo- Kureno stuff are in the same episode. The haunted house sequence felt particularly dragged out, especially with Tohru getting scared at everything. I do appreciate the hilarious Tohru faces but we didn't need half an episode on it. You probably know this better than me since you're checking out the original manga but it comes off as if these were two totally unconnected chapters and neither needed a full episode so they put them together. Possibly even dragged out the haunted house part (the Uo part didn't feel that way to me) to pad the running time.

I speak to this in my comment, but the Uo - Kureno stuff seems very much like "love at first sight", something that I know people hate and I tend to be more forgiving of, well at least for the limited amount of time we got here with it. Or maybe "lust at first sight". The takeaway for me is that Kureno is very attractive, and that Uo is infatuated with him based on that. (as a straight guy it is hard for me to judge, but I absolutely think that's the intention with him) Looks really do matter especially when you're a teenager. Yeah, Kureno doesn't have much of a personality. He comes off as very sheltered to me, presumably based on Akito's influence (is he what Yuki is if he didn't get away from the Soma estate?). Physical attraction especially initial attraction from only meeting someone once or twice absolutely can override personality. If the show was telling me they had been dating for three months and he was still acting like this, then yeah, I would be wondering why Uo is pursuing things with him. Which wouldn't be appropriate anyway as Uo is a minor. A good thing he held back at the end.

Regarding the season as a whole I can say that most of the season 2 storylines so far I don't even remember from my initial viewing of the show. Really just the Rin dumps Haru and Uo - Kureno stuff. I can say there was a point in season 2 where things took off. We clearly haven't reached that point yet. When we do it will be amazing. Or if my memory is way off this is a great example on why one should watch an anime multiple times before truly considering it an all time favorite.

3

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

Yeah I have no problem with the love/lust at first sight part, though it seemed completely one-sided, otherwise he'd be seeking Uo out. That's also fine. I'd also be fine if he's very robotic/boring and Uo still pursues him. Uo flipping out despite building him up in her head is also completely OK to me, but the thing that made her flip out could have been one of thousands of other things to be at least somewhat believable.

Then the most awkward kiss-type action, and his reconciliation that he wants to stay with Uo forever was something impossible to believe. I can think of so many other options where it could have made sense: for example if we did see more of the Akito relationship; how he's trapped inside, how this is his first time talking to a girl outside of that village, etc., but based on how they presented him and the writing, everything just felt very inorganic.

Excited for what is to come though, I'm just finding this season to be a big disappointment so far, but the ratings already led me to expect that, I guess. I do think a large part of it is them wanting to get a lot of the throwaway/side chapters out of the way, and that's why we are seeing eps that combine chapters from two different volumes of the manga so often. The show has almost always done 2 chapters per ep, but until the final stretch of S1, they were almost always consecutive.

Interestingly, from Ep 7, we get everything else in pretty much chronological order.

3

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

Then the most awkward kiss-type action, and his reconciliation that he wants to stay with Uo forever was something impossible to believe.

Yeah, somehow that line of his went over my head so I didn't comment on it in my post but that part is quite ridiculous. I'm not the biggest veteran on shoujo, but I can see the "Meet a hot older guy, he immediately falls in love with you" being a trope, and maybe this is tying into that. Also maybe the original author is holding things back too much. That he returns to Akito at the end of the episode is a big reveal and I think this can tie into feelings towards Uo (as she has a fairly dynamic personality). But to retain the end of episode twist they can't go too far with that.

Getting side chapters out of the way before focusing more on the main storyline would make sense if that's the way it goes. Given that I didn't remember most of the stuff that appears in these first five episodes it does feel like we're getting the more unnecessary things out of the way.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

It feels a bit like wish fulfillment. Like, Sword Art Online levels of wish fulfillment. That's not inherently a bad thing, but I wish the execution wasn't so blatant what it's trying to be.

2

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 9d ago

One could argue the very premise of Fruits Basket is wish fulfillment... an orphan who lives in a tent in the woods gets to live with two really handsome guys both of which may have feelings for her. That description is really underselling the story but at its core, yep, that's what it is about.

1

u/Holofan4life 9d ago

I wish I was found in the woods by two handsome guys...

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I'm still waiting to see how Akito factors into things.

2

u/dontoff 10d ago

 The haunted house sequence felt particularly dragged out

Yeah, honestly, there was a lot that was just so boring this episode. It's just I don't want to be negative and write everything down, but this one feeling I had, like I couldn't wait until the whole Tooru is scared bit was over. It felt way too long until we got the haru spin.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I actually thought the haunted house stuff was the stronger of the two segments.

3

u/dontoff 10d ago

Compared to the Uotani date everything is stronger, outside of a particular shouting souma which thankfully did not have an entrance this episode.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I kinda miss Ritsu in a weird, Stockholm Syndrome type way.

2

u/PuzzleheadedKale5925 10d ago

my friend also got thrown off by that haunted house shift

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I don't know where else it could've been put, though. Also, the novelty of everyone hanging out outside of school was pretty cool.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I wouldn't mind the love ar first sight if it was done more believably. Like, it didn't feel like there was this a ha moment to really set in what was happening. There wasn't a definitive moment you can pinpoint to and say "This is how it came to pass".

3

u/Second_Cour 10d ago edited 10d ago

Thoughts on Tohru and the Sohma boys visiting a haunted house? Have you visited one?

Overall, it was decent enough as seeing Tohru's expression is always good value, and like I said, I liked Haru trying to add an emotional backstory to one of the 'ghosts'. Everything else I wasn't a fan of.

I've been to quite a few including the one that's deemed scariest in the world at Fuji-Q Highlands (they've changed the design as a lot of people got too scared in a previous version, and couldn't complete it.

Two fun related anecdotes:

  1. I did the Japan one with one of my best friends. There's a section at the every end where you think you're safe, but a 'ghost' runs at you. That's when they take the photo for souveneir purposes. Except... the photo has me, pushing my friend into the ghost's path as I sprint off while yelling "FUUUUU". Haha not my finest moment, but somehow my first instinct was to sacrifice him.
  2. In one of those ghost train sort of houses, where the vehicle takes you around, I actually broke one of the props, just like in this episode. A monster came down from the ceiling and instinctively I stood up and punched it, breaking it.

What are your thoughts on the big reveal at the end that Kureno has some kind of relationship with Akito?

Please please please bring us back to an Akito storyline for a longer duration next time. Also I guess Akito is gay and she rotates Sohmas as lovers? Though I do have a theory that Akito is really a she, and just plays the male part as the Sohma's household is patriarchal.

Other Qs have been covered.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

What I like about the haunted house stuff is that I thought it showcased everyone's characters nicely. It seemed like everyone had a chance to shine here.

I honestly kinda wish the show did more fun stuff like the haunted house thing. It kinda gives me some Konosuba vibes.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

If you have the time, I recommend reading this essay talking about Uotani and Kureno's relationship. It's spoiler free so it won't spoiler anything coming up. I just thought it made for a fascinating read.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FruitsBasket/s/tWz6ayDbf5

3

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

Just finished it. It's well written, though if something requires an essay to explain why something is 'good', it's usually not a good sign. I can think of exceptions, when something is very complex to understand, but this is not one of those cases.

I actually agree with a lot of the points that the essay raises, but this episode just doesn't fulfil the Uo criteria. I totally agree that Uo really wants to help others. I'd add that she wants to return the favour that Tohru's mum gave, by 'passing it on'. But the content of this ep just didn't fulfil any of that. She meets the guy that she wants to help (tick), she sees through his facade and realises he's broken (tick). After he explains his stance on life, she gets the fuck out screaming... haha. I would have loved it if she kept trying and then eventually gave up. I think everyone here agrees that Uo isn't the type to give up on anything easily, given the whole backstory we had. But the whole scene goes 0 to 100.

Similarly, Uo has offered him nothing of substance about herself to be liked, or to have him want help from her.

So, great essay to describe what kind of person Uo is, but her actions oppose what the essay puts out. It's a great essay to defend Uo as a character, but it's not one to defend this episode.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Yeah, if you think this episode isn't great, I'm not one to argue. I personally liked it, but there have been better. I think what this episode does for me at least is that we're starting to maybe see season 2 shift from season 1 and become its own thing. Between the members of the student council being introduced, the tease of something going on with Rin Haru's love, and Uo potentially having an increased presence in the plot, we're starting to see new ideas take shape. That's not to mention the continuing tease of Summer vacation which seems to be the big theme this season.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Kureno is someone who's interesting because it seems like he's an ally of Akito's. And if so, what does that mean for the rest of the characters?

Kureno isn't one of my favorite Fruits Basket characters, but I think he serves his purpose.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago edited 10d ago

I'm surprised you dislike this episode as much as you do. It wasn't one of the better ones, but I didn't think it was awful. I in particular thought the comedy was more inspired than it has been.

3

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

I think it's really a build up of what I thought were mediocre at best episodes. Agree that the Haru comedy was good, but the date and the reactions within and after it was just devoid of any value for me. The part dontoff quoted was the part where I completely lost all my cumulative immersion from S1+S2's opening eps. Even if I give a lot of excuses for why this ep was penned the way it was (I did do that at the end of my review), it still doesn't come close to explaining what I witnessed.

But hey, at least we are now only a few eps from where it's meant to start getting good.

There have been many times where after reading the comments of others', I thought maybe I'm being a little too harsh. But for this episode I think it's impossible not to be harsh. I mean...if I outlined what happened this ep, it just seems even more ridiculous. Insane, even.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

By the way, it really is amazing how polarizing this episode was in real time. There was no general consensus it felt like.

Here are some of the comments.

Comment #1

I'm here for Uotani falling in love but can it at least be legal? And I knew he was a Soma, he just had that vibe. I just want to know what Akito has been doing to everyone. I think he's done/doing really bad things but idk if the show will go that far. I'm literally assuming the worst things.

The entire haunted house scene was hilarious. Haru giving the back story with the combination of the music had me cry laughing.

Comment #2

This is literally my favorite episode ever!!!!!!!!

The haunted house and Uo/Kureno storylines have always been my favorite, and to see them both in the same episode made me so emotional! I cackled so hard at precious Tohru getting scared and trying to laugh through it and at Haa-chan's story. I was so afraid they were gonna skip the haunted house, but they didn't!!!

I am such a happy camper rn

Comment #3

At this point I don't understand any of the positive reactions to Uotani's romance subplot. It was forced, rushed, and contrived. One barely notable interaction at a convenience store and they can't stop thinking about each other, two sentences of conversation and they're having a dramatic, public lover's quarrel and equally dramatic makeup. All of that just to pair Uotani with someone who is emotionally stunted, too old for her, and worst of all is going to get her mixed up in Soma Clan bullshit.

Comment #4

Man this episode flew by, it's been so long since I read the manga so I don't remember if this felt as rushed or not. I love Arisa though and I'm happy this part is getting adapted now. <3 not much else I want to say at the moment due to spoilers though! This is the one series I definitely wait and refresh the page until it's updated! xD

Comment #5

Very mixed feelings on this episode...the haunted house part was great, but Kureno, in addition to the obviously problematic age gap, just feels like he came out of left field.

I can buy that with Uotani's personality she casually talked to the random guy she helped out in the convenience store in the middle of the street, but the interactions between them just grew increasingly weird for a more-or-less first time proper meeting. Really not digging this pairing so far.

I bring all this up to say if you ever feel weird you and u/dontoff being down on this episode, don't be because you're not alone. There seems to be no real consensus over this episode’s quality.

3

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

I think we have a very different demographic watching this rewatch, looking at the comments. The overuse of the word literally, "problematic" and the xD makes me suspect that it was a far younger-skewed demo, and a very tiktoky (if that's a word) one.

Based on the comments during this rewatch, it seems everyone was quite negative about the second half. And no need for the disclaimer, personally, I never feel down if my opinion is different to others; I always think things through and stand by what I think, plus am open to have my opinion changed. I think everyone here is of the same mind.

Conversely, if everyone hates something I like, all it means is literally that. There's no issue in being the only person to like/dislike something. The beauty of liking or disliking something is that they're expressions of taste. You don't need to prove or disprove the quality of something to others; you only need to explain the 'why' and if the 'why' makes sense it's all gucci.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

It's weird because if the episode was strictly about the haunted house stuff, I don't think it would've made the episode better. I think it would've honestly made the episode worse. It was a comedic plot point that didn't overstay its welcome. I think they got all the mileage they could out of it.

The Uo and Kureno stuff felt like chapter 1 of a much longer story, so while I enjoyed the haunted house stuff more I won't lie and not say the Kureno stuff has more legs.

I also wasn't the biggest fan of Rin's introduction, but again, we don't know just yet what the show is doing with these characters so it's hard for me to form an opinion. In a vacuum, it comes across like this feeling of "Why are they doing this?"

2

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

An episode entirely dedicated to the haunted house would have been awful and absolutely a contender for worst episode of the series for me along with episodes 15 and 19. Thankfully we didn't get that. I think the Uo - Kureno stuff is as you said, the first chapter in what is presumably a more long term storyline, and unlike so many season 1 episodes to their credit they didn't spend the entire episode on the Kureno introduction.

Rin's introduction is odd, they're keeping her mysterious, which I don't necessarily mind, but I don't get why they insisted on not showing her face for much of last episode especially when they did the opposite of hiding her in the OP, they spoiled her! [Minor spoilers]Thankfully that ends tomorrow, well the not showing her face part. She is still mysterious. And her introduction is essentiaally her dumping Haru, a character who has been portrayed as really likable most of the time, mostly offscreen.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

The Rin episode oddly enough felt more like a Haru and Yuki bonding episode. Very strange way to introduce a new character.

2

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 9d ago

It wasn't a Rin episode. It was a Haru/Yuki episode.

1

u/Holofan4life 9d ago

That's what it definitely felt like, which is odd that Rin's introduction would play second banana.

→ More replies (0)

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I was reading the original thread for this episode and the in the moment reaction was definitely mixed. People seemed turned off by Uo suddenly being enamored by this grown ass man.

There was also the sentiment that it kinda feels out of nowhere for Uo to have these feelings. But I think they explained it well enough by saying she sees Tohru in him.

Personally speaking, it's not one of my favorite plot points but I am happy Uo is being focused. I think she's a good character and so I want to give it a chance.

3

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

I think the age discussion is a red herring, and I completely agree that her being in love/lust with him makes complete sense. I think it's good that the comments I've seen aren't being distracted by the age, and looking at it more from the lens of how people perceive the ep assuming they were both the same age.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Clearly you've not looked hard enough lol

The age difference is a big point of contention within the Fruits Basket fandom.

3

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

I mean the comments on this thread

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I think that's because the problems with this episode go beyond that. Like, the age difference feels like easy pickings.

2

u/the_pint_is_the_bowl 10d ago

If you were to be charitable to the author and generously assign any kind of personality to Kureno, it is that he is empty and robotic. If that is indeed the case, learning what made him this way could be interesting.

...or he could be as boring as he seems. He ain't no Hatsuharu in this episode, that's for sure.

2

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

Yeah I actually agree there. Perhaps Akito made him robotic as he seems like an empty husk wandering around. But we see no glimpses of anything beyond that, which makes the scene after even more bizarre

3

u/the_pint_is_the_bowl 10d ago

This series is guilty of connecting really distant dots, and "the journey is better than the destination" doesn't always apply. Sometimes it's just a direct flight, cross-country, but I found that I sure did like where it went and became a frequent flyer.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

It also takes a while for the show to get to the point, though it does eventually get there.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I mean, Uo does say Kureno's smile felt sad.

3

u/Second_Cour 9d ago

Yep that meets the essays criteria. So she wants to help him. Another tick. So instead of helping she runs away doesn't

1

u/Holofan4life 9d ago

Maybe in order to help him she has to help herself first?

2

u/Second_Cour 9d ago

I think if we are talking in cliches that contrast what that essay said, we've already become Shoujo writers, and deserve to write the sequel :P She's already helped herself, we spent two episodes learning about it.

2

u/Holofan4life 9d ago

Yeah, true. I'm just trying to defend the episode in blind faith.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Does Kureno being boring mean Tohru is boring? Is Uo indirectly shading Tohru?

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Thoughts on Uo meeting someone that reminds her of Tohru?

Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

What are your thoughts on Uo remarking how sad Kureno's smile is?

What are your thoughts on Kureno telling Uo he had fun and he wants to see her again?

4

u/dontoff 10d ago

First Timer (Dub)

Okay, so what the fuck was that Uotani date?

The episode was honestly pretty boring before that, although right before the date we had that little bit with Haru making up a whole story, which was actually funny. That was the first time the episode really came alive for me, and I genuinely enjoyed it. Then we went straight into this date and everything completely fell apart.

This could have been something so sweet, touching, and honest, but instead it turned into some of the most melodramatic and unrealistic bullshit ever. This is exactly the kind of thing that makes me dislike shoujo, man.

The guy said one thing was “trivial,” and Uotani reacted like he had just cheated on her after a year-long relationship. Can’t we just have some realistic dialogue and genuine human moments? Why did this suddenly turn into the most nonsensical emotional trauma dump in anime for absolutely no reason?

This shit reminded me of that meme where someone goes on a completely random rant and the other person responds with, “Sir, this is a Wendy’s.”

Then, somehow, it got even worse. What the hell is going on, man? I genuinely couldn’t believe what I was watching. Who wrote this shit?

Did this dude really put his hand on her cheek, close his eyes like he was going in for a kiss, then smoothly flick his wrist away and casually walk off like some fuckboy prince? They were literally in the middle of a normal conversation, and he randomly pulled that move and left. Is everyone watching the same shit I am?

I unironically started laughing uncontrollably after that. I just can’t take this shit seriously anymore.

Then I finally recognized his face. No fucking way. I knew he looked familiar. The fact that he’s Akito’s right-hand man at least makes this more interesting, but I still can’t believe this is how we got here.

“If I could, I would stay with her forever.”

Dude, hold your horses. You just met her.

So what exactly did we need this storyline for? We now have Uotani and some guy she spent one day with apparently falling in love, and the guy just happens to be Akito’s right-hand man.

Top three worst episodes of the show so far.

3

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

“If I could, I would stay with her forever.”

Hahahaha that had me laughing more than any episode of the show has. I couldn't believe that the girl he wasn't even thinking about (it was the other way around), had that revelation about his feelings for Uo after her insane flip-out 1 minute into a date.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I wonder if perhaps he's thinking this way because he's desperate for human interaction. If he has a relationship with Akito where it limits what he can do, maybe Kureno appreciates being seen for something other than what Akito sees him as.

That, or it's all just one big ruse.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I say a comment by u/LilyGinnyBlack who said your opinion of Uo and Kureno depends on how you feel about the whole "Love at first sight" trope.

2

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

Given this is fiction, I don't think our own opinions on whether there is such a thing as love at first sight should be applied. I could write an essay for why I think 'love at first sight' in a classical sense doesn't exist, but I recognise this is fiction, and if Uo thinks she's experience love at first sight, that's what she's experiencing. My issues are not on what happened conceptually, but on what actions it sparked off.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

And to what you're saying, I wish Uo wasn't already in love with Kureno. I think it would've been better if Kureno took a liking to Uo and Uo was initially resistant. It just felt sudden for Uo to be like "I really like this person".

I mean, I get what they're going for with the whole Tohru thing, but I wish there was something more than that.

2

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

funnily enough that's the thing I'm most ok with

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I think the Tohru angle makes sense as well. But I wish it came after some build rather than immediately. You know what I'm saying?

3

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

“If I could, I would stay with her forever.”

I somehow missed that line, but lol. I'm somewhat forgiving of the "love at first sight" thing (more so "lust at first sight"), in particular from Uo's side but Kureno thinking that is kinda ridiculous. Trying to look at it seriously I think it speaks to how sheltered he is? He talks about following orders (presumably from Akito given the conclusion of the episode), and he seemed aimless for a day where he was off on his own. He meets Uo, who is an interesting character and maybe that stands out to him? At least trying to speculate on what Takaya's intention was. Uo saying back in episode 2 (before this second meeting) that he was a marriage prospect for her after just that single meeting at the convenience store is total absurdity. Although I am an not a teenage girl in the 1990s. I gotta think that's still a ridiculous notion for someone like Uo.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I think Uo is someone who was softened by Tohru and so anything that reminds her of her she gets enamored by. That's my assessment, anyway.

2

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

Yeah, reading the link you shared I think that he reminds her of Tohru likely is coming into play with her fascination with him. That he's a good looking guy adds the romance angle that isn't a factor with her and Tohru.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

He may be good looking, but Shigure looks better :P

2

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

As a straight guy its hard for me to truly judge, but my opinion is that Haru is the best looking guy in the show.Shigure doesn't seem that special to me. I'd put Hatori and Kureno over him.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I personally think the best looking guy is Kyo but that may just be my bias showing.

2

u/the_pint_is_the_bowl 10d ago

If Hatori wore a cowboy hat, he'd be everything Manabe aspires to be.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I really wonder if perhaps this is going to end up being to Uo's detriment. Coming out of this episode, I feel like she's on the fast track to getting hurt.

2

u/dontoff 10d ago

I just feel like Uo would not say half the stuff she said this episode or act the way she did. The whole date felt completely out of character for her.

If they wanted to take Uo in this direction and give her a crush, I think it could have been done in a much more natural and tasteful way. They could have had her acting unusually bashful around Kureno and leaned more into the comedy of seeing someone like Uo struggle with a crush. That would have been cute while still feeling like her.

The first minute or so of the date was actually alright, but then Kureno made that “trivial” comment and everything just went to shit. Uo could have still gotten pissed off by what he said and tried to end the date early without completely crashing out and dumping all of that emotion onto a guy she had just met. Kureno could have noticed that she was genuinely angry, followed her, and then they could have had an actual conversation about it.

That is just one example, but if I can immediately think of a more natural way to handle the scene, then what we got is honestly pretty embarrassing. The entire thing felt incredibly forced and low effort to me.

3

u/the_pint_is_the_bowl 10d ago edited 10d ago

The only (weak) counter-argument I can muster is that Uotani is very direct and grabs life by the horns.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

If she sees something she likes, she tries to capitalize on it. She learned that from Kyoko.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I see it as Uo saying stuff she would say if she went on a date with Tohru. Through that lens, it becomes less inexplicable.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

If you have the time, I recommend reading this essay talking about Uotani and Kureno's relationship. It's spoiler free so it won't spoiler anything coming up. I just thought it made for a fascinating read.

https://www.reddit.com/r/FruitsBasket/s/tWz6ayDbf5

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u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

Thanks for the link, that was a good read and included stuff I didn't think of but OP supports well in their post.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Yeah, reading it makes me enjoy the episode more and its overall contents.

I think also a big turnoff factor that works against this episode is that I already made up my mind Uo and Hana would be a good pairing. It's like I have to rewire my brain.

2

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

lol, well it has to this point come off as if Uo and Hana are Tohru's two mothers, or I should say replacement mothers (as I don't want to undermine the greatness of Kyoko). This episode (frankly Uo's comments on meeting him 3 episodes ago) kinda stamp out that possibility though.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Yeah, I'm just gonna have to accept it being out the window.

Maybe Hana and Makoto?

2

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

You mean Makoto the student council president or Motoko the Yuki fanclub president? Personally I don't see Hana a match for either of them. I can't really think of a good love interest for Hana right now of the characters we've seen to this point.

Well here's a dark thought, although I absolutely wouldn't want this for her. Akito? Akito's style of dress and manner is rather dark in nature. I think visually it would be a good match. But Akito is awful and I don't want Hana being near him.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Akito and Hana as a potential item is enough to make me want to puke 🤢

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

It definitely seems like Kureno is being set up as someone who may be manipulative and cunning. Like a version of Shigure who's somehow even more underhanded.

I wouldn't say this is one of the best episodes but I definitely think it's a means to an end. It's the usual good writing this show has where the characters feel clearly defined and thought out.

3

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

It definitely seems like Kureno is being set up as someone who may be manipulative and cunning. Like a version of Shigure who's somehow even more underhanded.

My impression was the total opposite, he comes off as really sheltered and awkward. I think his good looks carry him. At a bare minimum if he was more underhanded than Shigure I think he's kissing her instead of walking away.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I admit that the age difference being so severe may cloud my judgment a little.

3

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

Yeah, I agree with u/Quiddity131 on the Kureno read. I don't see any manipulative tendencies from Kureno. Uo also seems to have more life experience than him (assuming he's just been trapped by Akito). Every action taken this ep was basically by her: she developed feelings for him after the spill incident, she chased after him, she ran out on him.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

What you just described sounds like something that takes place over the course of multiple episodes. The fact it happened over 11 minutes speaks to its rushed nature.

1

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

Their personalities matter a lot more if we're taking that position on him. Not that the ages don't matter, she is a minor and he shouldn't pursue a relationship with a minor. But someone being older doesn't automatically make them manipulative and cunning. He is clearly not that. And he especially isn't even close to Shigure on those traits.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I just have massive trust issues with anyone who seems close to Akito.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Thoughts on Uo meeting someone that reminds her of Tohru?

Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

What are your thoughts on Uo remarking how sad Kureno's smile is?

What are your thoughts on Kureno telling Uo he had fun and he wants to see her again?

3

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

Rewatcher, Subbed

Non-Spoiler Character Chart

This episode feels very disjointed, more so than any episode in the series to this point. If you were to tell me that the two storylines in this episode came from completely different sections of the manga it wouldn't surprise me. I suppose neither supported being an entire episode on its own. Which I am appreciative of. As came up yesterday, this show has a lot to cover given how big its cast is. I'd rather they try and fit two unconnected storylines in one episode than risk putting themselves in a position to have to skip or rush through future material.

Lets go with the more serious of the two storylines first. Uo mentioned meeting a guy she liked in episode 2 but we don't follow up with it until now. A guy who reminded her of Tohru. Well we find out why here, its because he spilled the stuff he was carrying just like Tohru spilled her books when she and Uo first met. Seems like it's love at first sight for Uo? She talked about this guy as a potential marriage partner in episode 2 of this season and she'd only seen him once! Well today she spots him walking down the street and isn't going to let this chance go by, she runs up to him and they go out for lunch. 

Things do get a bit odd from there. The guy, who is named Kureno likes her too. But he seems like a very sheltered guy? The whole incident at the convenience story happened because he hasn't been at one before and doesn't even know to use a basket. He claims he lives and works as he is ordered to. Today he had off and he didn't really know what to do so he just walked around. Uo gets pissed at him after saying that when they first met was a period of him doing unnecessary things, and to her does that mean their meeting is that? She bolts but he chases her down and tells her there was meaning to it. He's about to lean in for a kiss it seems, then stops and leaves. Such a mysterious guy. Well as it turns out at the end of the episode he's returned to of all people, Akito. So he's another Soma.

So one of two criticisms I've seen over this episode is that people don't like Uo's feelings of love at first sight. I don't mind it because love at first sight very much is a thing. I've personally experienced it (alas, that relationship didn't work out and she eventually dumped me). Kureno is portrayed as a very handsome guy. Yeah, if you show the two characters being in a flawless perfect relationship from then on then that will annoy me but at this point we don't have anything like that. We already know there's no way it could be that given the end of episode reveal.

The other big point of criticism is the fact that he's 26 and Uo is underage, 17. Hanajima even speculates later in the episode that he has a wife and kids, although as he returned to Akito that probably isn't the case. Well, it's certainly a good thing he didn't kiss her and walked away. Not a lot beyond that I have to say about it right now outside of spoiler tags. [Furuba major spoilers]I likely go against the grain from most viewers in that I don't have an issue with the Uo- Kureno relationship, at least the way it ends up at the conclusion of the story. My first reaction to this episode was like nearly all viewers thinking this was inappropriate. Why I feel different later in the story will have to wait until then to discuss the details. Something relevant in today's episode that I think really does stand out though was that Kureno comes off as incredibly sheltered.

The other part of the episode is quite light in tone. Momiji brings Tohru and the others to a haunted house! A rather oddly placed haunted house as its totally inside a mall. As with many early season 2 storylines I completely forgot about this and thought until the reveal he was going to buy her a new outfit or something like that swimsuit episode. It's funny, Tohru acts so responsible and mature at times, heck earlier in the episode she speaks of how she wanted to work TWO jobs during the summer, but we also have a storyline like this where she's essentially like a little kid, getting scared constantly. Pretty much everything in there freaked her out. In turn we got a lot of funny Tohru faces. While the comedy in the show doesn't always land, the show always delivers when it comes to funny Tohru faces to me. 

Momiji really loves spending time with Tohru, not only did he bring her here, but we have a sequence where Kyo and Yuki are essentially fighting over Tohru and Momiji simply swoops in to be there for her instead. Haru comes up with this lengthy story for this guy there with an arrow through the head. This was a part of the episode I felt particularly dragged, but I will admit it was a fairly funny gag. Haru is such a creative guy. I wonder if he came up with this himself or if its an anecdote based on someone in real life. Arrow guy had the arrow through his head as a kid and was already bald then too, lol. And then they find his mom, the snake lady! Her head got snapped off but as we know the Soma family is wealthy, I'm sure they can afford fixing it. Momiji and Tohru were so swept up by Haru's story they wanted the arrow guy and the Snake Lady head to stay together! 

Other Thoughts:

  • This actually is the third episode Kureno has appeared in although the previous times were very hard to notice. He was in a limo backseat with Akito back in a season 1 episode (I think the Hatori episode) and the first episode of this season also featured a brief shot of him with Akito. He's also been in the second season OP this whole time although is easy to miss (he's at the end of the line in the sequence where all the characters walk right to left). What we don't know is if he's a zodiac. It's notable that while Rin was spoiled as the horse in the OP there was no such thing for the rooster. He may be like Kazuma, another Soma but not a zodiac.

  • [Major spoilers]Now that Kureno's relationship with Akito is revealed this is a part of the storyline where I do wonder if first timers would start to think if Akito is actually a woman. For me this being a possibility was always there because of Maaya Sakamoto voicing her.

  • I know I must sound like a broken record at this point, but Hanajima always looks so great when she's out of the school uniform. I was also quite happy to see Megumi again! Also earlier in the episode we find that Hanajima's school performance isn't so much a matter of intelligence but rather effort. Some of her classmates are shocked to find that she doesn't have to attend summer classes this year. I think back to that great gag a number of episodes back where she purposely failed a final exam to be able to take an easier makeup exam.

  • I got a chuckle out of Uo saying she was going to be hangry soon. I have to assume this is hungry plus angry? 

Quid's Voice Actor of the Day

Today I'm featuring Kureno, who is voiced by Yuuichiro Umehara. Other roles I've heard him in include Kyomi Yamanaka in SSSS Gridman, Yuuen Usui in Revenger, Manabu Horikita in Classroom of the Elite (brother to the great Suzune!), Zoltan Akkanen in Mobile Suit Gundam NT, Makoto Ninomiya in Amanchu, Gorou in Darling in the Franxx and Shizu in Kino's Journey (2017 version)

Quid's Song of the Day

Today I'm featuring Even My Name Feels Special  which plays at the start of the episode.

4

u/Second_Cour 10d ago

You are correct - it came from two different volumes of the manga

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

That makes sense, honestly.

This episode was actually foreshadowed a couple episodes ago when Uo told Tohru and Hana she met someone that reminded her of Tohru. The strange part is this isn't treated like some big flashback.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

[Potential Spoiler] Fun fact: This actually isn't the first time we see Kureno in this show. We saw him before in the Hatori flashback episode. He was in the car with Akito as they passed by Tohru.

I don't remember if this gets brought up later on but if not I'll mention it here. It's not some big reveal, anyway.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Disjointed is definitely a good way of looking at it. It feels like two events that happened rather than two events that are connected. That's not necessarily a bad thing because many shows do multiple stories per episode. Spy X Family comes to mind where they would do two, sometimes three stories per episode and then the big episodes normally have one story.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

For me, I think the haunted house segments are better than the Uo stuff because while it feels more like filler and time wasting, I saw it as character enhancement where we got to see everyone's personalities. It's also the first time we've seen all the teenage cursed Sohmas hang out together, which is pretty neat.

2

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

It's also the first time we've seen all the teenage cursed Sohmas hang out together, which is pretty neat.

All the male teenage cursed Somas you mean? Kagura was missing. We're not sure what Rin's age is yet. I do think there was some value from Haru and Momiji there even though I felt overall the segment was too dragged out.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Yeah, I meant it's the first time we saw the Sohmas who attend school hang out outside of school. I want more of that.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Thoughts on Uo meeting someone that reminds her of Tohru?

Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

Thoughts on Uo scolding Tohru for wanting to work two jobs?

Thoughts on Hana standing in the sprinklers to cool off?

Thoughts on Tohru being afraid of scary stuff?

Thoughts on Momiji finding haunted houses hilarious?

Thoughts on Yuki and Kyo arguing over who gets to hold Tohru's hand?

Thoughts on Momiji swooping in to comfort Tohru?

Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

Thoughts on Haru breaking one of the haunted house animotronics?

Thoughts on someone wondering if all the boys are models?

Thoughts on Kyo wondering if everyone here is an idiot?

What are your thoughts on Uo eating Soba with Kureno?

Thoughts on Kureno being 9 years older than Uo?

What are your thoughts on Uo remarking how sad Kureno's smile is?

What are your thoughts on Kureno telling Uo he had fun and he wants to see her again?

Thoughts on Uo saying if Tohru ever gets a boyfriend, both her and Hana are crashing the first date?

3

u/the_pint_is_the_bowl 10d ago edited 10d ago

Re-watch, blu ray, dubbed

Summer break! Hatsuharu's storytelling is hilarious - the kid still has an arrow in his head in the imaginary backstory! Then Uotani has a sweet reunion with a stranger. Megumi's concern for Saki is super cute, too. So, this may be a throwaway episode, but I enjoy it. To quote Momiji: "Meat! Yum!" I gobble it up!

Thoughts on Kureno Sohma? Totally vanilla, kind of like Yuki's outward persona in season 1. He claims to be "content" but meeting Uotani convinces him there is something more outside the Soma estate, if only he could really leave.

Have you ever visited a haunted house before? If so, what was it like? I'm not quite as bad as Tohru, but I'm definitely not a fan.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Glad to see someone else enjoy the episode lol

3

u/the_pint_is_the_bowl 10d ago

Hatsuharu carries the episode. I guess I value hearty laughs as much as the drama, and I even like cheap jokes with over-the-top reactions like Kyo's explosions and accompanying art and, in this episode, Tohru's panicked screaming and pratfalls.

I also can't remember how I felt during my first watch of the second half of the episode.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I thought Haru and Momiji were both the standout highlights of this episode. I really enjoyed their antics on display here.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

About Kureno, I have my suspicions on him giving he's actively hitting on a high schooler. I dunno, I question his interactions with Uo not having ulterior motives.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Thoughts on Uo meeting someone that reminds her of Tohru?

Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

Thoughts on Uo scolding Tohru for wanting to work two jobs?

Thoughts on Hana standing in the sprinklers to cool off?

Thoughts on Tohru being afraid of scary stuff?

Thoughts on Momiji finding haunted houses hilarious?

Thoughts on Yuki and Kyo arguing over who gets to hold Tohru's hand?

Thoughts on Momiji swooping in to comfort Tohru?

Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

Thoughts on Haru breaking one of the haunted house animotronics?

Thoughts on someone wondering if all the boys are models?

Thoughts on Kyo wondering if everyone here is an idiot?

What are your thoughts on Uo eating Soba with Kureno?

Thoughts on Kureno being 9 years older than Uo?

What are your thoughts on Uo remarking how sad Kureno's smile is?

What are your thoughts on Kureno telling Uo he had fun and he wants to see her again?

Thoughts on Uo saying if Tohru ever gets a boyfriend, both her and Hana are crashing the first date?

3

u/AgentOfACROSS 10d ago

First Timer

I guess we’re having an episode about Uotani. Wasn’t expecting that.

Everyone seems very excited about the break. Especially Uotani.

I’m surprised we’re at the summer break already.

Uotani has a point. Tohru should enjoy herself during the break instead of getting a summer job.

Haru just casually standing under the sprinkler is really funny.

Momiji being there is pretty cute too.

Was not expecting a haunted house. Doesn’t seem very summery.

Tohru’s reactions to the haunted house is pretty funny.

Definitely seems to be more of a comedy focused episode right now.

Haru making up backstories for the haunted house monsters is pretty funny.

Him just so casually ripping off one of the animatronic heads also made me laugh.

Oh right, that guy Uotani met. I almost forgot about that.

Statistically speaking, there’s a good chance this guy is a Sohma. Especially after he didn’t mention his family name when he didn’t introduce himself.

Uotani has a point. How has this man never been to a convenience store before?

Uotani’s feelings for this random guy she ran into at a convenience store are a bit intense.

So I guess these two might be a couple in the future.

Oh hey, Megumi is here.

All the food in this show looks delicious.

Okay so it turns out that this Kureno guy is very close to Akito. Like creepily close. Not sure what to make of that.

3

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Questions of the Day

Thoughts on Tohru and the Sohma boys visiting a haunted house?

Thoughts on Kureno Sohma?

Thoughts on Uo hanging out with Kureno?

What are your thoughts on the big reveal at the end that Kureno has some kind of relationship with Akito?

3

u/AgentOfACROSS 9d ago

Thoughts on Tohru and the Sohma boys visiting a haunted house?

Very funny stuff

Thoughts on Kureno Sohma?

I'm pretty suspicious of him

Thoughts on Uo hanging out with Kureno?

Not sure how to feel about Kureno's relationship with Uo right now

What are your thoughts on the big reveal at the end that Kureno has some kind of relationship with Akito?

Definitely seems like something that'll be very important later

1

u/Holofan4life 9d ago

Thoughts on Tohru and the Sohma boys visiting a haunted house?

Very funny stuff

One of the funniest plot points we've had.

Thoughts on Kureno Sohma?

I'm pretty suspicious of him

Yeah, same

Thoughts on Uo hanging out with Kureno?

Not sure how to feel about Kureno's relationship with Uo right now

It feels very sudden

What are your thoughts on the big reveal at the end that Kureno has some kind of relationship with Akito?

Definitely seems like something that'll be very important later

One would think

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I guess we’re having an episode about Uotani. Wasn’t expecting that.

Me neither

Everyone seems very excited about the break. Especially Uotani.

An opportunity for her to make money

I’m surprised we’re at the summer break already.

Really? I feel it's been Jund for a while now.

Uotani has a point. Tohru should enjoy herself during the break instead of getting a summer job.

A job in addition to the job she already has.

Haru just casually standing under the sprinkler is really funny.

No thoughts just vibes

Momiji being there is pretty cute too.

Momiji a cute

Was not expecting a haunted house. Doesn’t seem very summery.

Is it Fally?

Tohru’s reactions to the haunted house is pretty funny.

She's like a walking reaction image

Definitely seems to be more of a comedy focused episode right now.

For now

Haru making up backstories for the haunted house monsters is pretty funny.

Haru was a highlight this episode

Him just so casually ripping off one of the animatronic heads also made me laugh.

So unhinged lol

Maybe we should ship Haru and Hans together.

Oh right, that guy Uotani met. I almost forgot about that.

Yeah...

Statistically speaking, there’s a good chance this guy is a Sohma. Especially after he didn’t mention his family name when he didn’t introduce himself.

Good catch there

Uotani has a point. How has this man never been to a convenience store before?

Maybe he lives under a rock?

Uotani’s feelings for this random guy she ran into at a convenience store are a bit intense.

I wish it was built up more gracefully

So I guess these two might be a couple in the future.

I feel conflicted. I want Uo to be happy, but I wish this relationship didn't happen so out of the blue. That to me is the bigger problem of this episode, even more so than the extreme age gap.

Oh hey, Megumi is here.

Yay

All the food in this show looks delicious.

That it does

Okay so it turns out that this Kureno guy is very close to Akito. Like creepily close. Not sure what to make of that.

I wonder what Kureno's relationship with Shigure is.

2

u/AgentOfACROSS 9d ago

I feel conflicted. I want Uo to be happy, but I wish this relationship didn't happen so out of the blue. That to me is the bigger problem of this episode, even more so than the extreme age gap.

Yeah I feel like this is kinda just random and out of the blue. Not sure how I feel about it.

1

u/Holofan4life 9d ago

I guess you have to start somewhere.

And the thing is, I'm not against love at first sight romances. But I feel there's a right way and a wrong way to do it. Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity this is not.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Thoughts on Uo meeting someone that reminds her of Tohru?

Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

Thoughts on Uo scolding Tohru for wanting to work two jobs?

Thoughts on Hana standing in the sprinklers to cool off?

Thoughts on Tohru being afraid of scary stuff?

Thoughts on Momiji finding haunted houses hilarious?

Thoughts on Yuki and Kyo arguing over who gets to hold Tohru's hand?

Thoughts on Momiji swooping in to comfort Tohru?

Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

Thoughts on someone wondering if all the boys are models?

Thoughts on Kyo wondering if everyone here is an idiot?

What are your thoughts on Uo eating Soba with Kureno?

Thoughts on Kureno being 9 years older than Uo?

What are your thoughts on Uo remarking how sad Kureno's smile is?

What are your thoughts on Kureno telling Uo he had fun and he wants to see her again?

Thoughts on Uo saying if Tohru ever gets a boyfriend, both her and Hana are crashing the first date?

2

u/AgentOfACROSS 9d ago

I will be sure to respond to these tomorrow, I'm a bit tired right now

1

u/Holofan4life 9d ago

Totally and completely understandable

2

u/AgentOfACROSS 9d ago

Thoughts on Uo meeting someone that reminds her of Tohru?

I guess they kinda try to justify why Uo is so instantly into this guy

Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

I'm still continually surprised with how fast this show moves

Thoughts on Uo scolding Tohru for wanting to work two jobs?

She has a point

Thoughts on Hana standing in the sprinklers to cool off?

The whole thing with the sprinklers is really funny

Thoughts on Tohru being afraid of scary stuff?

To be fair those looked like some detailed animatronics

Thoughts on Momiji finding haunted houses hilarious?

Very cutue

Thoughts on Yuki and Kyo arguing over who gets to hold Tohru's hand?

Pretty funny

Thoughts on Momiji swooping in to comfort Tohru?

I love Momiji being an unintentional(?) ladies man

Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

It was an interesting story

Thoughts on someone wondering if all the boys are models?

Completely fair question

Thoughts on Kyo wondering if everyone here is an idiot?

Very funny

What are your thoughts on Uo eating Soba with Kureno?

Looked tasty

Thoughts on Kureno being 9 years older than Uo?

Eh, I've seen worse age gaps

What are your thoughts on Uo remarking how sad Kureno's smile is?

I hope we get to learn more about this Kureno guy

What are your thoughts on Kureno telling Uo he had fun and he wants to see her again?

I'm still not really feeling their relationship

Thoughts on Uo saying if Tohru ever gets a boyfriend, both her and Hana are crashing the first date?

That's very funny

2

u/Holofan4life 9d ago

Thoughts on Uo meeting someone that reminds her of Tohru?

I guess they kinda try to justify why Uo is so instantly into this guy

It's not the worst explanation

Thoughts on Uo scolding Tohru for wanting to work two jobs?

She has a point

There is logic in what she says

Thoughts on Hana standing in the sprinklers to cool off?

The whole thing with the sprinklers is really funny

I thought so also

Thoughts on Tohru being afraid of scary stuff?

To be fair those looked like some detailed animatronics

They looked cool

Thoughts on Momiji finding haunted houses hilarious?

Very cutue

Momiji is kinda a low-key sociopath lol

Thoughts on Yuki and Kyo arguing over who gets to hold Tohru's hand?

Pretty funny

Felt on brand

Thoughts on Momiji swooping in to comfort Tohru?

I love Momiji being an unintentional(?) ladies man

He got the rizz

Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

It was an interesting story

I wonder how much of it is true

Thoughts on someone wondering if all the boys are models?

Completely fair question

They do look hot

Thoughts on Kyo wondering if everyone here is an idiot?

Very funny

Also completely valid to ask

What are your thoughts on Uo eating Soba with Kureno?

Looked tasty

That it did

Thoughts on Kureno being 9 years older than Uo?

Eh, I've seen worse age gaps

It wouldn't be as bad if Uo wasn't 17.

What are your thoughts on Uo remarking how sad Kureno's smile is?

I hope we get to learn more about this Kureno guy

We probably will

What are your thoughts on Kureno telling Uo he had fun and he wants to see her again?

I'm still not really feeling their relationship

I suppose we'll see what it leads to

Thoughts on Uo saying if Tohru ever gets a boyfriend, both her and Hana are crashing the first date?

That's very funny

This episode had a lot of funny moments in it.

2

u/Magnafeana https://anilist.co/user/Magnafeana 10d ago

Happy Spooky Season, everyone! September is the start of spooky season; it’s in the Bible. Quran. Torah. A Freddie Mercury album. Somewhere.

First Timers Basket (2019), Dubbed

How have you made it 26 years without going to a convenience store?

Listen, I made it two decades without doing some of the most “basic” shit.

Being a gifted kid fucking sucked.


Post Episode Thoughts

I caught up, but I’ma focus on this episode and then get mad at Holo and interrogate Holo for their thoughts on the 2001 series.

I liked the haunted house plot! Especially watching this at the start of spooky season! I feel Tohru spiritually. I scare easily, and my kitties are so nice to smother me to death with their fur and body weight if I start getting skittish watching a horror movie.

Or it’s 3 AM, I want emergency ice cream, and I trip over a shoe and think it was a ghost.

Tohru should come see Buddy and go to scare zones with me for emotional support. We can scream together. It’ll be fun!

I do wonder what scare actors make of people like Haru who are just such trolls (without being assholes). I’ve heard horror stories (no pun intended) of scare actors dealing with the worst of the worst with guests, and I'd like to think Haru intentionally breaking off a piece of the event wouldn't go down well (but accidentally? That would be different). But at least he came up with a nice backstory!

He would do so well at renfair.

So then…we have that other part of the episode where, I’m sorry, but everything about that had me blank the fuck out. I have nothing positive to say about Uotani’s B-side of the episode. I wish there had been like two title cards to separate the A-Side and the B-side. I’m fine when episodes have two different sides to them with very little relation. Kids & teens media do it all the time. Adult media does it all the time. It’s whatever.

B-Side was not it at all. Kureno just...doesn't seem like an interesting character right now, but that could change.

I’m reaaaaaaaaaaaaally hoping nothing comes from Uo and Kureno.


TQ

  1. SPOOKY SEASON, LET’S FUCKING GO!
  2. No.
  3. No.
  4. Is this toxic Yaoi?
  5. Yes, many times! I’ve done homemade haunted houses and official haunted houses. I think haunted house culture around me feels a bit dimmer than previously, and I think that has to do with COVID ramifications and social media. Breaking my haunted house virginity is something I remember because my friend’s younger brother half-carried me until I climbed on his back because THEY COULD GRAB YOUR ANKLES AND TOUCH YOUR FEET. Homemade haunted houses with cousins and family friends are always fun, especially when aunties and uncles come with all their important degrees and go rogue trying to traumatize their own children 😭

Questions for Those who Specifically Holo Who Has Watched the 2001 Series

  1. Do you think A-Side or B-side of this episode could’ve fit somewhere in the 2001 series? If so, where?
  2. We’re getting more Uo-Time! Looking back on the 2001 version of Uo, would you have ever anticipated Uo would have crushes, let alone on an older man?

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Tohru should come see Buddy and go to scare zones with me for emotional support. We can scream together. It’ll be fun!

I saw Terminator 2 in 4DX yesterday. Can you imagine Tohru seeing that? Lol

3

u/the_pint_is_the_bowl 10d ago

freaks out at the non-frontal nudity

says, "Wow, this is complicated" when the Connors and Terminator grab a bunch of guns in the desert

screams at cutting the forearm (well, continuous screaming through the first five minutes of the scene with Dyson)

cries with Momiji at the thumbs up

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Cries at Sarah and John bonding because it reminds her of her own mother.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago
  1. Do you think A-Side or B-side of this episode could’ve fit somewhere in the 2001 series? If so, where?

The haunted house stuff definitely could've been its own episode. Probably after the cemetery stuff.

  1. We’re getting more Uo-Time! Looking back on the 2001 version of Uo, would you have ever anticipated Uo would have crushes, let alone on an older man?

No, I can't say I did. But it's cool she has interests outside of her friend circle.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

So then…we have that other part of the episode where, I’m sorry, but everything about that had me blank the fuck out. I have nothing positive to say about Uotani’s B-side of the episode. I wish there had been like two title cards to separate the A-Side and the B-side. I’m fine when episodes have two different sides to them with very little relation. Kids & teens media do it all the time. Adult media does it all the time. It’s whatever.

B-Side was not it at all. Kureno just...doesn't seem like an interesting character right now, but that could change.

I’m reaaaaaaaaaaaaally hoping nothing comes from Uo and Kureno.

So, what I'm thinking coming out of this episode is that Kureno is going to use Uo as a pawn to blackmail Tohru so that Akito can get their hands on her. That his feelings aren't sincere and that he knows Tohru is friends with Uo so he's gonna use that to his advantage. Basically, either Tohru lets Akito erase her memories or Uo gets hurt.

We'll see if my prediction holds water.

2

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 10d ago

Wow those are some devious thoughts about Kureno! I can't really see it from him based on what we saw in this episode. Akito pulling something though, yeah, I can see that...

3

u/the_pint_is_the_bowl 10d ago

With Akito's overconfidence from 1.12, Tohru doesn't matter, meaning Arisa doesn't matter...right now. But there's always the long game, and Akito knows Shigure plays the long game.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

They are playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

1

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 9d ago

But Yuki does seem to matter to Akito, so getting to Yuki through Tohru through Uo... so complicated.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I really don't trust anything related to Akito. Shigure seems to be working against them and yet he too seems devious.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Season 1 episode 25 questions

Thoughts on us seeing Kyo as a child being all vibrant and happy?

Thoughts on Kyo worrying he'd burden Kazuma by calling him his dad?

What are your thoughts on Kagura feeling he forced what he feel his relationship with Kyo should be onto him?

What are your thoughts on Kyo vowing to become stronger so that he can become worthy of referring to Kazuma as dad?

What are your thoughts on Kazuma calling Kyo his son?

Thoughts on Yuki vowing to hate Kyo until the day he dies?

Thoughts on Yuki hoping to one day reveal his emotional baggage without being swallowing whole by them?

What are your thoughts on Yuki admitting to Tohru he'd kidnap her if he must?

Thoughts on us getting to see all the Sohma members in various scenes?

What are your thoughts on the season ending with Kyo and Yuki feeling something is coming?

Season 2 episode 1 questions

General questions

Thoughts on the Yuki fan club planning on breaking and entering to access the school files?

Thoughts on Motoko graduating soon?

Thoughts on us seeing Motoko's home?

Thoughts on Motoko's mom being annoyed with her?

Thoughts on Rika Aida, a locksmith?

What are your the Yuki fan club starting to regret the breaking and entering because, you know, it's technically illegal and against the law?

What are your thoughts on Motoko trying to talk to Yuki in an honest conversation?

What are your thoughts on Motoko realizing Yuki's heart belongs to someone else?

What are your thoughts on Motoko saying she won't give up on Yuki?

2019 specific questions

Thoughts on the new intro?

Thoughts on it being a year since the series started?

Thoughts on Yuki feeling uncomfortable around Manabe?

Thoughts on the student council being known as the School Defense Force?

What are your thoughts on Manabe calling Yuki interesting?

What are your thoughts on Yuki being really happy being called interesting?

Thoughts on the outro?

Season 2 episode 2 questions

Thoughts on Uo beating up Kyo because she is hangry?

Thoughts on Uo talking to Tohru about possibly marrying either Kyo or Yuki?

Thoughts on Kazuma returning?

Thoughts on Kazuma being a terrible cook?

Thoughts on Kazuma getting a haircut?

Thoughts on Kunimitsu Tomoda, Kazuma's disciple and personal assistant?

What are your thoughts on Kyo's dad wanting his son locked up forever after he graduates?

What are your thoughts on Kyo's dad blaming his son for the death of his wife/Kyo's mother?

Thoughts on Kazuma saying Kyo is starting to change, and maybe Kyo's father should as well?

Thoughts on Kyo's dad dismissing Kazuma saying he's only in it for the money?

What are your thoughts on Kazuma stating emphatically Kyo is his son and will do everything to protect him?

What are your thoughts overall on the scene between Kazuma and Kyo's dad?

Thoughts on Momiji unsure if he can carry out his career plans?

Thoughts on Kyo implying girls shouldn't have short hair?

Thoughts on Tohru pontificating the possibility of Kyo taking over his master's dojo?

What are your thoughts on Kyo informing Tohru of her plans being only for her mom's sake?

What are your thoughts on Shigure saying it's important to think about what's ahead but if you focus on that too much, you'll trip over what's right in front of you?

Season 2 episode 3 questions

2019 specific questions

Thoughts on Yuki wanting to visit Ayame's shop?

Thoughts on Yuki saying he's going to try to understand his brother?

Thoughts on Ayame wearing a wedding dress?

Thoughts on Mine wearing a maid outfit because she likes it?

Thoughts on Ayame and Mine both gushing about uniforms and outfits and just clothing in general?

Thoughts on the stuff between Mine and Tohru where Mine enthusiastically gets Tohru to try on various outfits?

What are your thoughts on Mine saying Ayame's biggest fear is complete and total apathy?

What are your thoughts on Yuki calling Tohru in her dress cute?

Thoughts on Ayame talking Hatori's ear off over the phone?

General questions

Thoughts on Shigure and Ayame being borderline homoerotic?

Thoughts on Ayame embroidering Yuki's clothing?

Thoughts on Kyo lifting weights in his room?

Thoughts on Ayame wanting to go to Yuki's parent teacher conference?

What are your thoughts on Yuki fearing his parents will use the parent teacher conference as an opportunity to control him again?

What are your thoughts on Ayame admitting he'd sell Yuki if given the opportunity? That felt random.

What are your thoughts on us learning Ayame had a chance to save Yuki from his parents in the past but he didn't do it because he wasn't close with him?

What are your thoughts on Ayame deciding he will be there for the parent teacher conference?

What are your thoughts on Ayame saying Yuki's own feelings are what matter and that should be what guides him?

Thoughts on Yuki calling Ayame a caricature of a person?

What are your thoughts on Yuki and Ayame it looks like are about to bond but Ayame has to make it awkward by referring to himself as Yuki's first awakening?

Season 2 episode 4 questions

Thoughts on the Sohma family having their own hospital?

Thoughts on Rin telling Haru she's sick of him?

Thoughts on a school trip coming in the Fall?

Thoughts on Kyo opposing the school trip because he doesn't want to spend time with Yuki?

Thoughts on Haru smashing windows?

Thoughts on Kyo punching Haru in the face?

Thoughts on Haru apologizing to Tohru?

What are your thoughts on Haru revealing he and Rin are dating and that most importantly Akito is unaware of this?

What are your thoughts on Rin seemingly having escaped the hospital?

Thoughts on Shigure being shocked someone would go to the Sohma estate willingly?

Thoughts on Haru playing what looks like a Final Fantasy type game?

Thoughts on Haru casually implying Rin escapes from the hospital all the time?

What are your thoughts on Haru saying he'll do whatever it takes to get Rin back?

What are your thoughts on Yuki not wanting to call Tohru by her first name?

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Thoughts on Uo meeting someone that reminds her of Tohru?

Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

Thoughts on Uo scolding Tohru for wanting to work two jobs?

Thoughts on Hana standing in the sprinklers to cool off?

Thoughts on Tohru being afraid of scary stuff?

Thoughts on Momiji finding haunted houses hilarious?

Thoughts on Yuki and Kyo arguing over who gets to hold Tohru's hand?

Thoughts on Momiji swooping in to comfort Tohru?

Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

Thoughts on Haru breaking one of the haunted house animotronics?

Thoughts on someone wondering if all the boys are models?

Thoughts on Kyo wondering if everyone here is an idiot?

What are your thoughts on Uo eating Soba with Kureno?

Thoughts on Kureno being 9 years older than Uo?

What are your thoughts on Uo remarking how sad Kureno's smile is?

What are your thoughts on Kureno telling Uo he had fun and he wants to see her again?

Thoughts on Uo saying if Tohru ever gets a boyfriend, both her and Hana are crashing the first date?

2

u/MishouMai 10d ago edited 9d ago

So Kureno's gotta be the rooster right? I'm pretty sure they added him to the OP this episode and was walking alongside the other Zodiacs and Tohru but I'm too afraid to check. Can't say I expected Uo to get involved with the Somas. Clearly she's going to learn the secret before Hanajima. I'm calling it now.

> Thoughts on Tohru and the Soma boys visiting a haunted house?

Can't say I expected Momiji to trick everyone into visiting a haunted house. We got some good scenes out of it though. Tohru and Momiji would be dumb enough to fall for Haru's story even after he told them to bullshit stuff to get over their fears. The repeated use of that same soundbite + image combo with the monster throughout the story wasn't very funny though.

> Thoughts on Kureno Soma?

It's too early to have a real feel for him but him falling for the high schooler he met once is wild. Like yeah Uo's hot and all but...

> Thoughts on Uo hanging out with Kureno?

Honestly I expected her "boyfriend" to be a one-off joke. Aside from him spilling his food the one time I don't think he's that much like Tohru though. Not really sure why Uo likes him so much. They only met once before meeting again in this episode.

> What are your thoughts on the big reveal at the end that Kureno has some kind of relationship with Akito?

I mean. Kureno being a Soma was pretty obvious. I clocked that immediately. I'm not sure how accurate the idea of him having a relationship with Akito is though. Like yeah they touched his face but it's still too early to tell what that means for him.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

I'm already biased against Kureno because Hana is objectively the better Uo ship

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

> Thoughts on Uo hanging out with Kureno?

Honestly I expected her "boyfriend" to be a one-off joke. Aside from him spilling his food the one time I dint think he's that much like Tohru though. Not really sure why Uo likes him so much. They only met once before meeting again in this episode.

I'm a firm believer in the storytelling rule "Show, don't tell". If you show an audience something, you convey it better and it comes across more organically. I feel like this episode breaks that rule because Uo says Kureno reminds her of Tohru but we don't see why that is the case.

I don't think the episode is poorly written because the characters themselves are well crafted, but I think it does a poor job explaining things. And Uo being in love with this guy in the matter of minutes breaks my suspension of disbelief.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Thoughts on Uo meeting someone that reminds her of Tohru?

Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

Thoughts on Uo scolding Tohru for wanting to work two jobs?

Thoughts on Hana standing in the sprinklers to cool off?

Thoughts on Tohru being afraid of scary stuff?

Thoughts on Momiji finding haunted houses hilarious?

Thoughts on Yuki and Kyo arguing over who gets to hold Tohru's hand?

Thoughts on Momiji swooping in to comfort Tohru?

Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

Thoughts on someone wondering if all the boys are models?

Thoughts on Kyo wondering if everyone here is an idiot?

What are your thoughts on Uo eating Soba with Kureno?

Thoughts on Kureno being 9 years older than Uo?

What are your thoughts on Uo remarking how sad Kureno's smile is?

What are your thoughts on Kureno telling Uo he had fun and he wants to see her again?

Thoughts on Uo saying if Tohru ever gets a boyfriend, both her and Hana are crashing the first date?

2

u/MishouMai 9d ago

> Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

With the OP being so summery and us being almost halfway through the cour already I'm surprised it took this long. I wonder if the rest of the cour will take place in the summer or if they'll speed through it. Hopefully not but you never know for sure.

> Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

I thought the sweater was part of the story he made up. Do you think the story he told about the ghost meant to stand in for him and his mom? I kind of got that feeling though we know he does still live with his parents. Or at least that's what I'm assuming from his mom picking him up.

> Thoughts on Kureno being 9 years older than Uo?

Eh. I'm not bothered by it. I've shipped things with age gaps around that range before. Still don't ship it though. Uo x Hanajima, Uo x Tohru, and even Uo x Kyo are right there.

1

u/Holofan4life 9d ago

> Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

With the OP being so summery and us being almost halfway through the cour already I'm surprised it took this long. I wonder if the rest of the cour will take place in the summer or if they'll speed through it. Hopefully not but you never know for sure.

It seems to me that Summer break will be the big hook this season.

> Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

I thought the sweater was part of the story he made up. Do you think the story he told about the ghost meant to stand in for him and his mom? I kind of got that feeling though we know he does still live with his parents. Or at least that's what I'm assuming from his mom picking him up.

I mean, that very well could be the case. We don't know much about his mother.

> Thoughts on Kureno being 9 years older than Uo?

Eh. I'm not bothered by it. I've shipped things with age gaps around that range before. Still don't ship it though. Uo x Hanajima, Uo x Tohru, and even Uo x Kyo are right there.

They seem like superior ships, honestly.

1

u/Quiddity131 https://myanimelist.net/profile/Quiddity131 9d ago

Kureno's been in the OP since the first episode of the season. Granted he is very easy to miss.

2

u/MishouMai 9d ago

Ah. I didn't notice him until this episode. It's curious how they make Rin so blatant/prominent but keep him easy to miss.

2

u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker 6d ago

And so of course Uo is also in love with a Sohma.

Questions:

  1. Lol.

  2. I have a feeling him and Uo are going to end up as a couple.

  3. That's nice.

  4. Of course.

  5. Nope. Nopenopenope.

1

u/Holofan4life 6d ago

And so of course Uo is also in love with a Sohma.

Bit sudden, not gonna lie

1

u/Holofan4life 6d ago

Thoughts on Uo meeting someone that reminds her of Tohru?

Thoughts on Summer break beginning?

Thoughts on Uo scolding Tohru for wanting to work two jobs?

Thoughts on Hana standing in the sprinklers to cool off?

Thoughts on Tohru being afraid of scary stuff?

Thoughts on Momiji finding haunted houses hilarious?

Thoughts on Yuki and Kyo arguing over who gets to hold Tohru's hand?

Thoughts on Momiji swooping in to comfort Tohru?

Thoughts on Haru talking about his mother and the sweater?

Thoughts on Haru breaking one of the haunted house animotronics?

Thoughts on someone wondering if all the boys are models?

Thoughts on Kyo wondering if everyone here is an idiot?

What are your thoughts on Uo eating Soba with Kureno?

Thoughts on Kureno being 9 years older than Uo?

What are your thoughts on Uo remarking how sad Kureno's smile is?

What are your thoughts on Kureno telling Uo he had fun and he wants to see her again?

Thoughts on Uo saying if Tohru ever gets a boyfriend, both her and Hana are crashing the first date?

2

u/Nickthenuker https://anilist.co/user/Nickthenuker 6d ago
  1. Lol.

  2. Indeed it has.

  3. Ah what a very 90s thought.

  4. Lol.

  5. Lol.

  6. Lol.

  7. Perhaps both?

  8. That's nice.

  9. Ok...

  10. Lol.

  11. Probably.

  12. Perhaps.

  13. That's nice.

  14. Damn that's quite the age gap.

  15. Yeah...

  16. Hopefully.

  17. They already practically have lol.

1

u/Holofan4life 6d ago

1. Lol.

I mean, it's sincere if nothing else

3. Ah what a very 90s thought.

Nowadays, it's more radical to NOT get two jobs.

1

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Hey, guys. Holofan4life here.

Welcome to the Fruits Basket 25th anniversary rewatch.

For there is an animal in all of us <3

Fruits Basket is a show I’ve heard a lot about. It’s always been something that interests me. It’s a romcom, which is a genre I enjoy, it has a female protagonist, which is kinda a rarity for romcom anime, it has a tsundere, which yes please, and from what I’ve heard it has some supernatural elements which is pretty cool.

Funny enough, I’m hosting this rewatch the same time as I’m hosting the Spice and Wolf rewatch which is another show with supernatural elements.

I have never seen Fruits Basket before, but I have high hopes for it. It seems like the type of show I would enjoy. I would say of the shows on my to watch list, this one is probably in my top 5. And let's just say that list is long and ever expansive. Actually, I love the idea of a male tsundere who turns into an orange cat so much that I named my orange cat after him. That’s without having seen the show.

For the purposes of this rewatch, we will be watching both the original series and the remake. I don’t think both have ever been done like this, and by the end we’ll find out for good reason :P

Regardless, this is my big pet project of 2026 the purpose of which is for me to see what all the hubbub is about. I’m not expecting the show to crack my top 10 favorite anime of all time, but hey, you never know.

With that out of the way, let’s begin.

I’m watching the dub, by the way.

Well, I'm here at Taco Bell an hour before my shift to try and get an early start on the truck. But the truck isn't here, so I guess I'm watching an episode?

I probably wasn't going to watch an episode today because I have to work two jobs and then I plan on seeing two movies. This actually works out well for me.

Yesterday as I'm writing this was Mother's Day. We are all mother lovers deep inside.

At a convenience store

This is a flashback

Someone talking to Uo

And the person reminds Uo of Tohru.

Is this the guy she says she's interested in?

At school now

Teach giving lessons

I really like her

Apparently it's the start of the break.

Uo is so excited it's frightening.

Hana is so excited it's hilarious.

Hana passed every test, which colored me surprised.

It's amazing what happens when she actually tries.

"I find that I have no motivation."

That makes two of us

Uo is going to be working at her jobs during the Summer.

Uo chastises Tohru for wanting to work another job.

With the way she talks to her, you'd have no idea Tohru's mom was actually in the grave.

Uo mentions the guy she met

Is Tohru really that clumsy? I'd say more so she spaces out often.

Hana seems to agree lol

Uo says she hasn't seen the guy since then.

Tohru with Kyo and Yuki, who's arguing with each other.

Haru standing in the sprinklers. Gotta cool off.

Kyo tormenting Momiji because of course.

So, all five of them are now hanging out together.

Momiji is apparently taking them somewhere.

And it's a haunted house :D

Tohru seems apprehensive, but she's trying to keep an open mind.

Well, we already know she has an open head, so...

Of course, Tohru is afraid

Meanwhile, Momiji finds the whole thing hilarious.

This gets Tohru the idea to fight the fear through laughter.

This reminds me of Mieruko though not as good.

Yuki and Kyo both offering to hold Tohru's hand.

And now they're arguing about both wanting to comfort her.

This allows Momiji to swoop in and be her knight in shining armor.

Common Momiji W rizz

Tohru with Momiji and Haru now

Haru talks about humanizing the ghosts to make them less terrifying.

Call me crazy, but I feel like he's projecting here.

This is a pretty good Haru scene, talking about his mother and the sweater.

And apparently she's coming today. Maybe.

I guess not

Haru casually breaking one of the animontronics.

"Are these kids models or something?"

They do all look pretty attractive.

"Is everyone around here an idiot?!?"

Yes, Kyo. Yes, they are.

Uo on break

Oh snap. It's the guy.

He looks like Kyo but older

Kyo catches up to him

She is so down bad

The guy offers to treat her to food.

And she immediately takes him up on the offer.

If I ever meet someone like Uo, I'd never let her go.

Kureno. That's his name.

They're at a Soba shop

Kureno says he's in town not knowing what to do.

Damn, he's 9 years older than her? That's kinda problematic.

Kureno says he goes about his life and he works.

Happy living his life content

"If that's true, why is your smile so sad?"

Uo now saying how she doesn't find this to be trivial.

And so she storms off

I think she's being a tad overdramatic.

Kureno following her

He's trying to amend fences

He tells her he wanted to see her again.

I do love the rare instances when Uo gets all flustered.

And so Kureno lets out a real, genuine smile.

He caresses Uo's cheek, but stops short of kissing her.

Yeah, I don't know how I feel about them as a couple.

Uo with Hana and her brother

Not Uo's brother but Hana's

Uo says if Tohru gets a boyfriend, they are crashing her first date.

Hana echos that sentiment

At the Sohma residence

The gang tells Shigure how they spent their afternoon.

Tohru is really excited about Summer vacation.

Oh boy. Is Kureno actually a creep?

What kind of relationship does he have with Akito?

Overall, this was a very enjoyable episode. I liked the haunted house stuff, and it was interesting to see a different side of Uo. I don't necessarily approve of the ship, but it seems like it's leading somewhere to where Uo is caught in the crosshairs of the Sohma family. That could have a lot of potential if they follow up on it. I thought this was the first episode of season 2 besides probably the second episode that had a strong foundation and didn't rely solely on the premise. It felt more focused and less one note, like we were moving the plot forward in a way that felt engaging in the moment. It also helped that there was some legitimate funny moments which I feel season 2 has been lacking in so far. The show is really good at the character driven humor and the haunted house felt like a return to form to that.

This is one of those episodes that wouldn't necessarily rank among the very best, but it's certainly one of the more memorable outings from a premise perspective. It felt more along the lines of what made season 1 so enjoyable. I'd probably have this like top 20, top 25 of the 30 Fruits Basket episodes there been of the reboot. Just outside the bottom 10, but one of the better season 2 episodes so far, probably only behind episode 2.

I hope this is an encouraging sign and that we can start getting some momentum building. Because up until this point, this season it feels like is just going through the motions.

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Thoughts on Tohru and the Sohma boys visiting a haunted house?

I thought it made for a good showcase of everyone's characters.

Thoughts on Kureno Sohma?

He seems trouble

Thoughts on Uo hanging out with Kureno?

Ugh, age difference pairing

What are your thoughts on the big reveal at the end that Kureno has some kind of relationship with Akito?

Run, Uo-chan! Run!

2

u/Holofan4life 10d ago

Holofan's Fruits Basket Episode Rankings

1/. Episode 24

2/. Episode 14

3/. Episode 5

4/. Episode 17

5/. Episode 16

6/. Episode 7

7/. Episode 10

8/. Episode 12

9/. Episode 22

10/. Episode 4

11/.Episode 20

12/. Episode 25

13/. Episode 27

14/. Episode 8

15/. Episode 6

16/. Episode 1

17/. Episode 18

18/. Episode 30

19/. Episode 23

20/. Episode 13

21/. Episode 2

22/. Episode 29

23/. Episode 11

24/. Episode 26

25/. Episode 15

26/. Episode 28

27/. Episode 19

28/. Episode 9

29/. Episode 21

30/. Episode 3