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Anime Quick Information
| Title: | Fruits Basket #4 |
| UK publisher: | Revelation Films |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Studio: | Studio DEEN |
| Type: | TV Series |
| Director: | Akitaro Daichi |
| Year: | 2001 |
| Running Time: | 2hr 30mins |
| Average Rating: 8.85 |
Paul's review
Paul scored this with 9/10. Disagree?
Fruits Basket #4 is one of the few UK releases I've approached with a real sense of enthusiasm and anticipation; up to this point, the series has just been outstanding - seamlessly merging razor-sharp humour and dramatic storylines without ever needing to resort to the kind of typical 'fan-service' (big breasts in your face) lesser anime would constantly fall back onto. It’s noticeable how the Fruits Basket creators show great confidence their characters, helping them to develop and shine over the course of the series.
So does this, the dramatic final volume of Fruits Basket, envelope that potential and deliver an enthralling conclusion? Come on; were you ever really in doubt?!
Before reaching the inevitable climax of the series, we are treated to a series of stand-alone (and novelty) episodes focusing on many of the characters outside of our core three heroes (Kyo, Yuki and Tohru). These are essentially the comic-relief episodes before the main drama with Akito (the 'evil' head of the Sohmas) really kicks in and are notable in their attempts to tie-up previous loose-ends.
We finally get under the skin of the 'bunny-boiling' Prince Yuki fan club, witness Yuki and his brother Ayame making peace with each other and even have time to meet a new member of the Sohma family - Ritsu, arrogant and jealous older brother to the victimized Kisa.
Indeed, I found these episodes rather jarring, constantly expecting some serious development for the final few episodes, when instead being treated to more of the same 'zany' fun you could associate with the earlier episodes of Fruits Basket.
I can't help but feel that perhaps a few of these stand-alone episodes could have been left untold, and instead used to further our understanding of the crazed personality of Akito - a seemingly important figure in this 'arc' of the series who has only seen cameo appearances right up until the final three episodes.
When we finally do reach the Fruits Basket finale, it felt (predictably) emotionally draining yet uplifting at the same time. Its strange to see Tohru physically and emotionally shaken, losing grasp of her invincible optimism.
I'll admit that some of the scenes from these episodes reminded me of the TV ending of Neon Genesis Evangelion, deconstructing the mental state of our teenage heroes and exposing their true, inner most fears.
Fruits Basket doesn't end with fireworks, we aren't given any real closure on any of the characters- but do we even need it? Such is the strength of Fruits Basket; we are simply watching a bunch of kids go through a particularly insecure and strange period of their lives, learning from each other and becoming better people for it. I get the feeling life doesn't stop for the Fruits Basket characters when DVD stops spinning.
In Summary
From start to finish, Fruits Basket has been in a different class. The characters are conflicted and realistic, the story is dramatic and warm (without seeming like pure treacle) and the entire anime production is top notch - from the subtle musical soundtrack to the nostalgic, memorable character designs.
I just can't recommend Fruits Basket enough and I find it such a shame that this series has already finished, leaving everyone to wallow in its glorious shadow.
Review Information
| Score: | 9 out of 10 |
| Review By: | Paul |
| Date Published: | Tue, 14 Sep 2004 |
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(1 comments)
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1. Comment by Amber
Posted on Mon, 4 Jul 2005. Amber rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
2. Comment by Jo
Posted on Tue, 5 Jul 2005. Jo rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
3. Comment by Kumiko-san
Posted on Fri, 19 Aug 2005. Kumiko-san rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
4. Comment by Red XIII
Posted on Mon, 29 Aug 2005. Red XIII rated "Fruits Basket #4": 9 out of 10.
5. Comment by Shekraze
Posted on Mon, 3 Oct 2005. Shekraze rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
6. Comment by mxaxnxdxixe
Posted on Sun, 6 Nov 2005. mxaxnxdxixe rated "Fruits Basket #4": 9 out of 10.
7. Comment by Sang
Posted on Sun, 1 Jan 2006. Sang rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
8. Comment by megan
all the episodes,I juts love fruits basket
Posted on Tue, 21 Feb 2006. megan rated "Fruits Basket #4": 8 out of 10.
9. Comment by megan
all the episodes,I juts love fruits basket
Posted on Tue, 21 Feb 2006. megan rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
10. Comment by aisha
bye
Posted on Wed, 12 Apr 2006. aisha rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
11. Comment by tohru
Posted on Mon, 24 Apr 2006. tohru rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
12. Comment by megan
Posted on Fri, 28 Apr 2006. megan rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
13. Comment by Luti-chan
well to everyone who reads this, just watch the anime it's worth it!!!
Love ya all /Luti-chan
Posted on Sat, 29 Apr 2006. Luti-chan rated "Fruits Basket #4": 1 out of 10.
14. Comment by NUKELES
Nukeles
Posted on Sun, 7 May 2006. NUKELES rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
15. Comment by hasuharu lover
TOHRU AND KYO NEED TO BE 2GETHER YUKI NEEDS TO FIND A BOYFRIEND MAYBE HARU ;)?
ok no firt of all haru is not gay!!!!!!!!! second of all ok maybe tohru and kyo should be "2gether" but there is no use in putting haru into this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and last but not least hatsuharu is mine mine mine mine mine mine mine MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on Thu, 22 Jun 2006. hasuharu lover rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
16. Comment by hasuharu lover
TOHRU AND KYO NEED TO BE 2GETHER YUKI NEEDS TO FIND A BOYFRIEND MAYBE HARU ;)?
ok no firt of all haru is not gay!!!!!!!!! second of all ok maybe tohru and kyo should be "2gether" but there is no use in putting haru into this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and last but not least hatsuharu is mine mine mine mine mine mine mine MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted on Thu, 22 Jun 2006. hasuharu lover rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
17. Comment by Gregory
Posted on Thu, 13 Jul 2006. Gregory rated "Fruits Basket #4": 1 out of 10.
18. Comment by chris
Posted on Thu, 13 Jul 2006. chris rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
19. Comment by Anna
Posted on Mon, 17 Jul 2006. Anna rated "Fruits Basket #4": 8 out of 10.
20. Comment by animelover
I wish they air anime tv series in uk.I want more anime I want more anime.YES kyo and Toohru kiss and momoiji kureno and others get released from the curse.I don't think they r goin to be any second series cos they missed out a lot in these 26 episodes.
Posted on Wed, 19 Jul 2006. animelover rated "Fruits Basket #4": 1 out of 10.
21. Comment by anime lover
Posted on Wed, 19 Jul 2006. anime lover rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
22. Comment by LIS
i kind wanted HARU and YUKI to be gay.
KYO for eva!!!!
Posted on Tue, 25 Jul 2006. LIS rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
23. Comment by Rakka
Posted on Wed, 26 Jul 2006. Rakka rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
24. Comment by tenbats
Posted on Thu, 3 Aug 2006. tenbats rated "Fruits Basket #4": 1 out of 10.
25. Comment by EngYun
Posted on Fri, 4 Aug 2006. EngYun rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
26. Comment by Clariss05
EngYun You can order manga and anime from online sites such as Amazon.com and play.com etc. =]
Why did it have to end!? ='[
Posted on Fri, 4 Aug 2006. Clariss05 rated "Fruits Basket #4": 1 out of 10.
27. Comment by Clariss05
Also.. Should i waste my money buying the manga? I mean i have just wasted £60 on the 4 volumes of anime dvds. =O
Posted on Fri, 4 Aug 2006. Clariss05 rated "Fruits Basket #4": 1 out of 10.
28. Comment by XxNeko-FeixX
Oh no! I forgot to rate! Silly me!
Also.. Should i waste my money buying the manga? I mean i have just wasted £60 on the 4 volumes of anime dvds. =O
Definetly. The manga gives you a much deeper look into the curse and the characters, reveling many unexpected things, also following on from the anime. I believe the anime ends in voulme 6 of the manga, which is now up to voulme 12.
Even if you didn't enjoy the anime as much as you thought you would I say read the manga!
As for the ending of the anime, i too felt dissapointed with the result. I very much hope that a season two is on its way!
Posted on Tue, 8 Aug 2006. XxNeko-FeixX rated "Fruits Basket #4": 9 out of 10.
29. Comment by featherdianne17
_i love it_
Posted on Sat, 12 Aug 2006. featherdianne17 rated "Fruits Basket #4": 1 out of 10.
30. Comment by Me
Loved the Manga (I finally finished it, a few days ago) ...
And now...
I want more T_T ... I mean seriously, you just can't get enough of it...
I love Kyo...
I love Shigure...
I love them all... *sniff* Y_Y
Posted on Sat, 19 Aug 2006. Me rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
31. Comment by Emi
Loving the Manga. (i'm on Vol5 at the mo^_^)
Posted on Sat, 19 Aug 2006. Emi rated "Fruits Basket #4": 10 out of 10.
Type the characters you see in the picture above.