Anime Best in Show

Review: Fruits Basket Episode 25 – Best in Show

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Quick Summary

In Fruits Basket episode 25, “Summer Will Be Here Soon,” those involved with the heart-wrenching events of the previous episode try to pull their lives back together. Kagura Shouma left without saying goodbye to Kyou Shouma. Kazuma Shouma tried to do the same thing, with Tooru Honda walking him part way home. Kyou realizes Kazuma has left and races after him. How will he treat Kazuma if he catches him? How will Tooru react? And why is Yuki Shouma acting so angry?  

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

Best Moment in the Show

Kyou and Kazuma finally cleared away misunderstandings that had pained them for years. It wasn’t an easy road… Capture from the Crunchyroll stream. 

There was a major bit of unfinished business in the previous episode: How was Kyou going to react to Kazuma’s actions? Sure, Tooru pulled through and brought Kyou safely home. She’s Tooru, after all. But things could have gone badly wrong. How does Kyou feel about that?

Before we find out, the show gives us an important flashback. Kyou’s gotten in trouble at school, and it’s obviously not the first time. The school official says they’ve called in his dad — Kazuma. Kyou’s ashamed; he’s sick of causing trouble for Kazuma. He’s sick of hurting him. So he says (02:19), “The hell with that! He’s not my dad!” His goal was to protect Kazuma.

Kazuma had paused just outside the door. All he heard was Kyou seeming to deny their relationship; he was crushed. That sets the scene for my Best in Show moment.

When Kyou learns that Kazuma left without even saying goodbye, he rushes after him. He catches up with them just as Kazuma is saying goodbye to Tooru, who was questioning why he was leaving without saying goodbye to Kyou. Kazuma feels like he forced his wishes on Kyou when he forced him to transform. Between that and Kyou yelling that he wasn’t Kyou’s father, Kazuma felt like he needed to leave.

Kyou was furious. He immediately attacked Kazuma, who effortlessly dodged the blows. Even as he swung his fists, Kyou demanded why he had left without saying goodbye. Of course, Kyou was no match for the older man, who back-handed Kyou before he’d even realized what he’d done. He froze in shock. 

Tooru didn’t quite know what to do or say. But just by being there, she helped them communicate. Capture from the Crunchyroll stream.

It was like everything Kyou had been holding in flooded out. Panting, he asked if Kazuma thought he’d be mad about what happened; he asked if Kazuma were sick of him. He apologized for the trouble he’d caused. He vowed that someday, he’d learn to be more independent, that he’d never hurt Kazuma again. Then he delivered the bombshell (07:39).

“I’ll be worthy of calling you my dad!”

He swung again, and this time, Kazuma caught the fist and gently closed his fingers around it. Years of misunderstandings and pain vanished in that instant. All while Tooru watched, her silent presence enabling the honest communication between father and son. 

This episode didn’t pack the raw power of the previous one. But it was still an emotionally satisfying closure to the arc.

What did you think of Tooru’s role in that scene? What was your Best in Show moment? Let me know in the comments!

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5 thoughts on “Review: Fruits Basket Episode 25 – Best in Show”

    1. Yuki was interesting in this episode, wasn’t he? He clearly didn’t like that Tooru gave Kyou so much attention, so he decided to step it up. He had to rely on the confidence she gave him to do so!

      I’m not sure I approve of how he’s messing with her (just kidding, huh?) — either that, or I’m really impressed. I can’t tell.

      But either way, it’s good stuff!

      Reply

      1. Oh wow, I didn’t think of it in that way at all, but now, thinking back, I think you’re right. Yuki may have decided to talk to Tohru on the stairs just because he wants her to know he’s “stepping it up.” I think the only way to get the message across to Tohru that he may be interested was to do something like that kabe-don. Because after all, Tohru doesn’t do well picking up those things all the time.

        Reply

  2. I’m going to miss this show. Next season it’s all going to be new to me (spring 2020, if I’m not mistaken).

    They did nail the finish, didn’t they? There’s little else I have to say.

    Reply

    1. “I’m going to miss this show. Next season it’s all going to be new to me (spring 2020, if I’m not mistaken).”

      Spring 2020 is what I heard, too.

      “They did nail the finish, didn’t they? There’s little else I have to say.”

      They really did. In gymnast terms, it’s like episode 24 was the actual dismount, and this episode was the flourish. And the crowd going wild.

      Reply

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