Welcome to Litsy!

Couldn't resist buying it! Didn't help it was on sale. Anyone else out there who's a Fruits basket fan?

The Sohmas are free. What does that mean? The manga leaves us as they are all beginning their new journeys. The end is as hopeful as the entirety of the series. It was the appropriate closure I needed. I know some have felt that Akito changed too fast but I think it‘s clear that she has work to do and that it will take everyone some time. This series has the underlying theme of the power of love and hope. Love always wins.

Akito is crumbling to bits, right along with the curse. Can Tohru reach them? Is it really ever too late for change? (I don‘t want to give spoilers, so I‘ll leave my review at this…) ☺️ This moment between Yuki and Kyo was cathartic.

Happy Lunar New Year to all those who celebrate. I have been celebrating this holiday since I was a kid. Where we lived celebrations would happen all over the area. I loved the music, cultural outfits, parade, music & the food. My sister is living in Japan & she is enjoying the festivals. I will be having a nice glass of Soju with my book later this evening. #lunar #lunarnewyear #tiger

This is more background-centric but, again, totally necessary. My favorite moment (I think it‘s in this volume) is when Ayame comes through for his little brother, Yuki, during parent-teacher conferences. Their mother is not an ideal parent, aloof, neglectful, perhaps even abusive. Aya proves its never too late to be present, to show up, to make a difference in someone‘s life. Just be there.

While Tohru and Akito have met briefly before, there is a full-on confrontation between them at the summer home, since Akito is a total ass with zero impulse control. There is so much under the surface in this manga. While Tohru has been inciting real change in those around her, she has been changing too. I am so proud of her. Tohru may seem like a pushover but not when it concerns those she loves.

I don‘t remember a ton about this one, but it was adorable as usual. The gang goes to the Sohma family vacation home for summer break. There‘s a scene where they‘re smashing watermelons to celebrate Hiro‘s upcoming sibling and it‘s just so silly. ☺️ There is some unpleasantness on the horizon, however, but they wouldn‘t be Sohmas if that weren‘t true…(I forgot to take a picture, so this is from the anime during the same events!)

While I still love this manga, this volume is mostly build up for future events and backstory. This is, of course, very useful in a long series like this, but it can feel heavy when you‘re binging like I am. 😂 As usual, Ayame‘s shenanigans make me laugh. There‘s some real character development happening with everyone.

At the end of this volume, the true form of the cat is revealed. I really appreciate this manga‘s willingness to look at complex relationships and childhood traumas. I also appreciate how “found family” can be just as important to us/healing for us as our blood relatives.