Fruits Basket, Vol. 12

I really, really, really loved this volume. Ayame made me laugh, Tohru made me smile, Kyo made me sad. If there's one thing you can count on Fruits Basket for being, it's an emotional roller coaster. I really don't like Kagura and I really don't like Rin, but their stories weren't so bad. And I really DO like Haru, so he evened it out. I just wish Ayame had had more time...

In Tohru's efforts to try and break the Zodiac curse she goes to see Kyo's mentor, Shishou, who is unable to really give her much enlightenment on the matter. As it turns out I was right in thinking that he is the one that Uotani fell for. Kyo shows a new, calmer personality and resolves the issues between him and Kagura. Yuki tries to deal with the unusual members of the student council and an unfortunate nickname, as well as getting a closer look at the relationship between Rin and Haru. Parent/teacher conferences ensue with Shigure taking over for Tohru’s bed bound grandfather.

I feel kind of lost with all the different characters to keep track of, but overall I think I'm doing okay. This is a very busy manga with all sorts of show more things going on to keep track of along with the characters. I feel kind of bad for Kagura after her "date" with Kyo, it is never easy to give up on someone you care for. The interaction between Haru and Rin was also kind of sad. Those Zodiac members certainly have angsty relationships! Also, I still get kind of a dark premonitory feeling from Shigure, I’m not entirely sure he has pure motives and get the feeling he might be trying to use Tohru to advance an agenda of his own, maybe even more than one agenda. Time will tell. There was some strong language in this volume and I noticed the story lines seem to be getting grittier. I have the feeling the pace might pick up a bit from here on out. This is a manga I do enjoy although I'm not absolutely riveted to it as some series I've read. I'm still looking forward to seeing how it all turns out in the end, even knowing I've still got a ways to go. show less

The scene with Kagura and Kyo is just what I'm reading this series for: delicate, heartbreaking sadness.