English Dub Review: Fruits Basket “I’m Disappointed in You”

Overview (Spoilers Below)

Tohru finally attempts to tell Kyo how she really feels. But before she can get the words out, Kyo has something to say instead.

He reveals everything from the tragedy of losing his mom to knowing Tohru’s mom, Kyoko. Even worse, he tells Tohru about how he blames himself for the death of both mothers. He believes that if he had acted, Kyoko would be alive today.

His self loathing, anger, and cowardice are on full display. Will Tohru be able to forgive him? And more importantly, will he be able to forgive himself?

Our Take

This episode manages to be impressive despite essentially being a monologue by Kyo about all the terrible things he’s done in life. But even his confessions of his involvement in Tohru’s mom’s death aren’t nearly as devastating as his last line of the episode before he runs off again.

Most of his recounting of the past is accompanied by flashbacks to help lend context. In any other show, this could feel phoned in, but of course Furuba manages to make it work. Even more impressive (and upsetting) is the fact that it packs such an emotional sucker punch into the last few minutes.

Kyo’s self loathing is deep seated and hugely defining for his character. Growing up feeling like an object of contempt is one thing, but the level of tragedy that he’s been a direct witness to would unhinge anyone.

Personally, I was always impressed that Kyo managed to turn all of this into pure rage (mostly against Yuki), rather than direct it inwards. The pure fact that he’s not suicidal is a testament to his strength. Not that anger issues are necessarily a *good* thing, as we’re reminded by Akito’s appearance in the final moments of this episode.

While the tsundere trope and poor communication can be frustrating in any series, Kyo’s character seems realistic while still managing to be thoughtful, even if he flubs hard multiple times. The moment where he, Yuki, and Shigure freak out about Tohru spending all her money on their Valentine’s chocolate is a prime example.

But nothing matches how upsetting it is for Kyo to tell Tohru he’s disappointed in her, literally one episode after promising her he’ll never feel that way.

Of course, this gets cleared up soon enough, and mostly serves as a way to heighten the drama of their eventual reconciliation, but god damn! Can you imagine the dude you have a crush on confessing to being there when your mom died, asking your forgiveness, saying he’s disappointed in you, and then literally RUNNING AWAY? Having this as an early imprint of relationships actually explains so much, haha.

Tasked with an episode that’s effectively just him talking, Jerry Jewell maxes out his impressive emotional range in full force for Kyo’s extended confession. Matching the intensity of Kyo’s negative emotions with the hope he feels for him and Tohru is no small order, but Jewell more than delivers.

Despite only getting one line (or maybe technically two?) in response, Laura Bailey’s sincerity as Tohru shines through spectaularly. Side note, she also voices Chun-Li in Street Fighter! Talk about having the range.

Overall, this episode is always a tough one, but the fancy animation, whether in light-filled flashbacks or in the pouring rain as Yuki chases Kyo down, make it well worth the watch. Even if you have to do so through a heavy fog of tears.