English Dub Review: Fruits Basket “That’s an Unwavering Truth”

Overview (Spoilers Below):

Graduation preparations are underway, and Tohru’s class has been tasked with making paper flowers.

Shigure interrupts Tohru’s flower crafting at home, and Tohru considers asking him about Akito. But she’s unable to get the words out.

At school, Tohru walks with Momiji, and encounters Hatsuharu in the hall. She reflects on not being able to talk to them about it either, and wonders what people would think if they knew what she knows.

But her pondering is interrupted by the high speed getaway of several girls.

When Tohru returns to the classroom, she discovers the masked bandits have made off with all of the paper flowers Yuki’s made. She confused at first, but Hanajima and Uotani clarify it’s because Yuki is their prince.

A quick cutaway confirms that is indeed the reasoning behind the girls’ thievery, as they treasure their princes’ handiwork.

Uotani orders Kyo to make more flowers to make up for the missing ones, and he gripes that he’s already done his share. Only to turn around and discover those have been stolen as well. Uotani and Hanajima head off to apprehend the thieves, leaving Kyo and Tohru alone.

Tohru attempts to ask Kyo what he would think if he knew about a way to break the curse, but he brushes her off, saying he doesn’t like hypotheticals about that sort of thing. Tohru tries not to cry from the weight of all these secrets. Kyo attempts to make amends by handing her a paper flower.

Our Take:

There’s so many storylines going on in this episode, starting with the incident that give us the title this week. A young Akito asked Shigure in the past if he loved her. He answers that he’ll always care about her, and “that’s an unwavering truth.”

But the tale of these two star crossed (or simply wires crossed?) lovers is by and far the most distressing. We’re finally shown the reason for Shigure living apart from the rest of the family (banishment by Akito.) Also, the timeline of his relationship with Akito is shifted pretty upsettingly young. Not to mention he seems to be aware of Tohru’s distress, and willing to simply let her suffer.

Shigure is a fascinating character in the manga, but in the anime he comes off as considerably colder rather than simply “mysterious”. John Burgmeier seems to be aware of this difference in portrayal as well. His performance in this show has considerably more edge than in Yu Yu Hakusho, where he voices Kurama.

Apphia Yu steps in to provide some contrast to the character by voicing a young Shigure. In the flashbacks, he seems considerably more sincere, while many of his actions in the present come off as blatantly manipulative.

The most adorable moment of the episode by far is Kyo’s gift of a paper flower. He’s long been my favorite character, and his little moments of thoughtfulness shine particularly bright in this episode.

The contrast in the art is fascinating, particularly in these two storylines. Kyo and Tohru are portrayed in warm tones, and the golden light of the setting sun. Shigure and Akito are shown in cold tones, and harsh moonlight. It really serves to underscore the difference in their relationships a this point in time.

The drama in general for this show is rising. The next few episodes are crucial in outlining the fate of the Zodiac members.

The upcoming, careful reveals of critical knowledge to understand the past and determine the future are killing me with suspense. I can’t wait to watch them!