Anime Best in Show

Fruits Basket S2E15 Review – Best In Show

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Fruits Basket S2E15 Review – Quick Summary

In Fruits Basket S2E15, “See You Later,” it’s student teacher conference time! The meetings began normally enough, with one exception: Saki Hanajima amazed everyone, including me, by saying she thought Kyou Shouma’s dad, Kazuma Shouma, was attractive. Her casual statement shocked Tohru Honda and Arisa Uotani into silence! Later, Shigure Shouma attending Tohru’s conference was only a minor annoyance to her teacher, Mayuko Shiraki. But When Yuki Shouma’s mother arrived, the meeting started as an undeclared war and only got worse. What can Yuki do to stop his mom’s flood of politely-disguised vitriol and disrespect? Or is there nothing he can do except for listen to his teacher try to defend him — without defending himself?

Note: This post may include spoilers, so be cautious.

Best in Show Moment for Fruits Basket S2E15

Fruits Basket S2E15:Yuki's mom couldn't handle Ayame's entrance.

Yuki’s mom looked as shocked as I felt when Yuki said he could depend on Ayame. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Setup: The Abyss Consumes Yuki

I’m choosing a Yuki moment as my Best in Show this week. I don’t even like Yuki that much! I wanted to give the Best in Show moment to Kyou for his honest longing for Tohru. So, you know this moment must have hit me really hard for me to chose it over Kyou. Or Arisa. Or Saki (and I hope she’s not angry — she can easily get through the fourth wall, you know!).

For several episodes, we’ve gotten hints that Yuki’s mom is, let’s say, not at all supportive. She’s all about position and power and politics and money. She was happy, in fact, to leave younger Yuki in Akito Shouma’s clutches because Akito was the head of the family. His “affection” for Yuki might well translate into political advantage for her.

Remember back in S2E3, where we learned of Ayame Shouma’s lingering guilt on how he had neglected Yuki when he had been younger? That episode was remarkable because we got to meet Mine Kuramae. But it was also remarkable because we saw Yuki take the first steps toward forgiving Ayame, who, with Mine’s help, was trying to step up and take responsibility for his past mistakes.

The end of S2E7 was also important. Yuki tearfully confessed something to Tohru. I’m not sure he knew what he was saying, but it was an attempt to take control of his own life, and Tohru was a catalyst. In this episode, Ayame played that role.

Delivery: Ayame Throws Yuki a Lifeline

Fruits Basket S2E15: Shiraki tried to intervene on Yuki's behalf.

Yuki’s mom’s words so outraged Shiraki that the teacher tried to intervene. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Yuki had been waiting for his mom when she finally arrived at the school. He walked with her to where Shiraki’s room. From the instant she started talking, Yuki’s mom dismissed not only Shiraki, but the whole school and Yuki’s volition, too. She said she had made arrangements for Yuki to attend a college of her choice, and she completely ignored his objections. Shiraki’s response clearly showed her polite concern when she said (14:09), “You’re saying something very illogical to your child right now.”

In my notes for the episode, I wrote, “If I cared about Yuki, this would be dramatic stuff. But I don’t.” Yuki annoys me. I see the the narrative’s purpose for him. I respect it. But I don’t like him.

A Moment Worthy of Quoting Tolkien

Then Ayame arrived. Ayame’s exuberance reminded me of a quote from The Return of the King:

But Gandalf sprang up the steps, and the men fell back from him and covered their eyes; for his coming was like the incoming of a white light into a dark place…

  • Tolkien, J.R.R.. The Return of the King: Being the Third Part of the Lord of the Rings (p. 59). HMH Books. Kindle Edition.

The atmosphere in the room changed in an instant. Yuki’s mom couldn’t handle Ayame’s sheer audacity. His very presence rendered her almost speechless. Trying to reassert herself, she slammed Ayame for being Ayame. “You’ll turn Yuki as useless as you are if he’s around you,” she said.

Fruits Basket S2E15: Ayame appearing very sparkly.

When I said “light,” I wasn’t kidding. Ayame brought sparkles and everything. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

Yuki’s Quiet Declaration of Independence

Quietly, almost as if he were himself shocked to hear himself speak, Yuki said (17:02), “I can depend on him.”

Those five words broke the logjam of psychological detritus that had stifled his growth. Back in S2E7, Yuki was almost whiny. Here, he was resolute. Because of his brother’s support and because of Tohru’s kindness, Yuki was able to not only stand up to his mother, but reach out to her later. That’s such cool character growth that even though I don’t like him, I had to acknowledge Yuki’s moment as Best in Show.

What did you think of the bouquet of roses Ayame gave Shiraki? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!

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5 thoughts on “Fruits Basket S2E15 Review – Best In Show

  1. Oh man, Ayame was brilliant this episode. That little change in the mood when he told his mum that she’s basically doing what he’s been doing, too, was such a nice moment. It’s something that might linger at the back of mum’s mind, even if she doesn’t quite understand.

    I actually do like Yuki, but I feel like I have to tiptoe around him, which sounds like a bother. But it’s obvious he’s trying; something of which I see no signs in Akito (but then Akito doesn’t seem to have any sort of support system, just people who fear him or want things from him or dispise him; curious about the rooster).

    ****

    I’m actually not surprised at Saki’s reaction to Kyou’s master. He must give off great waves. He appears to be one of the most tranquil people in the entire show.

    1. “I actually do like Yuki, but I feel like I have to tiptoe around him, which sounds like a bother. ”

      Now that you mention that, I wonder if that’s why I don’t like him very much? There are a couple of people in my life like that, and it’s just exhausting.

      “But it’s obvious he’s trying; something of which I see no signs in Akito (but then Akito doesn’t seem to have any sort of support system, just people who fear him or want things from him or dispise him; curious about the rooster).”

      I wonder if anyone ever tried to help Akito? Shigure is burning a ton of energy to… well, do something to Akito. I doubt it’s altruistic.

      On the other hand, Tohru reached out to Akito. Just before Akito made her bleed…

      “I’m actually not surprised at Saki’s reaction to Kyou’s master. He must give off great waves. He appears to be one of the most tranquil people in the entire show.”

      I know we’ve already gotten a couple of great, Saki-centric episodes. I wonder if we’ll get any more? I’d like to know more about her abilities. I think I’d also like to see what would happen if she knew what Tohru was up against and tried to help her?

    1. Ayame was, as always, absolutely the center of attention! And the selfie was just perfect. That said, in this case, it was the end result that really caught my attention. And by end result, I mean that Yuki saying he could depend on Ayame was the result of a lot of hard work on Ayame’s part. And Tohru’s. And, I guess I have to admit, on Yuki’s part, too.

      So while Ayame was his usual enjoyable self, I still had to go with Yuki. Character development is rare. Well-crafted and believable character development is even more so!

      To your point, the selfie + the flowers + the sparkles + the reaction he produced in all three of the participants was great.

Please let me know what you think!

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