Meeting Date: 6/15/2019
Disclaimer: The Herald Anime Club discusses shows as they’re airing. Naturally, there will be spoilers for a given episode. You have been warned!
Samantha Ferreira: Hi everyone, and welcome to the Herald Anime Club! I’m Samantha, and I’m here with L.B. Bryant
L.B. Bryant: Hello!
Samantha Ferreira: This week, we’re back to the world of rice balls with Fruits Basket episode 11: “Are you SURE this isn’t a haunted hot spring?”
L.B. Bryant: Soooo many fantastic little moments in this episode.
Samantha Ferreira: I know, right? Like… you got Tsundere Kyo, Prince Yuki, Best. Moms. Ever. (TM), and even the onsen lady got to ham it up a little
Also Momiji being a high schooler
L.B. Bryant: Btw, I was today years old when I finally noticed that Momiji has pierced ears lol
Samantha Ferreira: lol
It’s easy to miss when he’s going bunny-eared half the time
L.B. Bryant: Yeah true
So yeah, I suppose we can start at the beginning with everyone finishing midterms. I agree, Tohru’s friends are the perfect substitute moms.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. That moment with the “How did you do, Tohru?” “I filled in more than ever!” “We’re proud of you!” exchange was just so wholesome
L.B. Bryant: I believe Saki even referred to Tohru as ‘daughter’ in the dub lol
Samantha Ferreira: lol aww
L.B. Bryant: But there were lots of great reaction jokes in this episode. The first one I noticed in particular was after Kyo barely contains his anger long enough to tell Tohru to go take her bath and Shigure responds with ‘Who’s a good boy for controlling his anger?’ lol
Samantha Ferreira: lol that was great
And ironic coming from the dog
L.B. Bryant: Absolutely.
I’ll admit that I was a little concerned once they got to the hot spring because I actually didn’t really care for the hyper apologetic innkeeper. In this case though, they didn’t really tone her down but instead of apologizing for herself she apologized on behalf of everyone else… I suppose that’s better? I guess? lol
Samantha Ferreira: lol – the thing is, I really liked how they portrayed her
They just amped her up to a thousand
And made her this evil haunting presence that just lurks when you least expect her
L.B. Bryant: I can’t explain why but I do agree that her moments in this adaptation felt more meaningful and enjoyable than in the OG adaptation.
Samantha Ferreira: The original creator is overseeing it, so we’re definitely seeing more of her personality come through this time around
L.B. Bryant: Indeed.
With the ping pong game, how telling (and kind of scary) is it that Yuki has never laughed in front of his own parents? I had it tough growing up but I at least got to occasionally laugh at something stupid.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. It’s… kind of sad
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, it’s hard to imagine an upbringing where you don’t even feel comfortable enough to express happiness.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed… likewise
Like… that says a lot about his childhood. First by his parents, then by Akito
L.B. Bryant: Absolutely. It’s also super telling about the effect that Tohru has had on his life just by being in it.
Samantha Ferreira: True that.
…That said, Shigure is totally getting arrested
L.B. Bryant: I want a personal Tohru type person in my life lol
lol That was THE BEST line in the episode
Samantha Ferreira: lol it really was
It was super creepy, but he made it work
L.B. Bryant: My wife and I honestly didn’t see it coming and busted a gut when it was delivered
Samantha Ferreira: It was just the perfect closer to the episode
Right after Tohru’s freak-out about Momiji not being six
L.B. Bryant: Speaking of Momiji, I also giggled at the fact that he got his way and got to sleep in Tohru’s room lol
And yeah, I don’t blame Tohru for freaking out because learning that would’ve blown my mind as well
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed.
Wait til she meets Ayame
L.B. Bryant: Oh that’s going to be fun. I’m really curious how they portray him. In the 2001 adaptation he was rather… flamboyant? I guess that’s a safe way to put it.
Samantha Ferreira: That works, lol
He was SOMETHING
Samantha Ferreira: I kind of love how Tohru freaked out about Momiji’s age
but he’s apparently her coworker now, too?
L.B. Bryant: that bit confused me too.
The language certainly made it sound like he’s a co-worker but I don’t recall that ever being the case before.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed
It’s like… “There’s a plot hole here”
But anyway, yeah! I mean…
Otherwise, bunboy’s delightful
L.B. Bryant: I agree there. lol
Samantha Ferreira: I kind of love how this series isn’t afraid to go with that ’90s manic style, on that note… where you have the random kitty/bunny ears, the over-the-top expressions..
It really feels like a show of that era
which is beyond impressive
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, the tone of the series is totally late 90’s/early 00’s style but the animation quality is definitely up to today’s standards which is both an impressive feat and balancing act.
Samantha Ferreira: Definitely
That was my big fear coming into this one, personally
That we’d have this weird mishmash of styles and it would just fall apart on that
Like a certain OTHER show we covered
L.B. Bryant: … seriously, you’re going to have to be more specific. We’ve covered A LOT of weird stuff in this feature over the last couple of years lol
Samantha Ferreira: Haha. Karakuri Circus
L.B. Bryant: Gotcha.
Samantha Ferreira: Yeah.
Unlike Karakuri, they cut out what didn’t work, really built what did, and gave us a show that’s truly satisfying to watch
L.B. Bryant: Yeah, the only thing that doesn’t satisfy me is that each episode seems to just fly by in a moment and then it’s over and I’m sad.
Samantha Ferreira: Agreed.
But that’s a good problem to have
We could have another Seiren
L.B. Bryant: lol truth
Samantha Ferreira: lol – but anyway… thankfully we didn’t
Any final thoughts this week?
L.B. Bryant: Nothing from me. :)
Samantha Ferreira: Likewise!
L.B. Bryant: Oh wait!
Samantha Ferreira: Hm?
L.B. Bryant: I don’t know how I forgot about it but can we talk for a minute about how pretty the artwork was when Momiji was telling the story about the idiot traveler? Gorgeous!
Samantha Ferreira: Gladly!
That was a truly gorgeous segment
And a beautiful metaphor for Tohru as a whole
L.B. Bryant: From my perspective it looked like watercolors which is so difficult to recreate
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed
That was just a feat
Pure sakuga
L.B. Bryant: And yeah, I loved how it was used as a metaphor to describe Tohru. So many people accuse her of being a doormat but in reality she’s just super kind and caring about those in her life.
So yeah, that was just a wonderful sequence to me. Vastly improved upon from the original.
Samantha Ferreira: Indeed. Likewise
That was just a truly memorable scene, and it’ll likely be brought up time and again when we discuss the show
L.B. Bryant: Ok! NOW I’m done lol
Samantha Ferreira: Haha, awesome
Likewise.
Til next time, then, remember: if you sense a lurking presence nearby, it’s probably the head of the Soma Family Onsen
Have a great night, everybody!
L.B. Bryant: Night!
