Fruits Basket (2019) Episode 2 Review

Now with the main premise established, now it’s time to get to know the characters. The episode started with a bizarrely short explanation to the Zodiacs which Tohru was very quickly okay with after the initial shock. The episode itself seemed very fast paced and to-the-point. Maybe the creators knew most people watching this would have watched the original? Regardless, the pacing seems rather fast and a lot happens in the second episode to explore their characters.

You learn about Yuki, who everyone and their mother seems to love. He’s sweet and “princely” but also very cold and rough towards Kyo. Tohru seems very okay with everything going on and is just here for the ride. Kyo is the equivalent of a tsundere and really needs to work on his feelings more. Tohru’s friends are really nice to her and act as a good buffer from strictly just the Soma family. Overall, quick and easy characters with hints of more characterization foreshadowed for the future.

I think a problem I’m quickly experiencing with this new version is that Fruits Basket isn’t in my target audience anymore. I’m a (quite) a bit older than the usual shoujo audience at this point and I’m starting to notice it now. I’m still going to watch the series and enjoy seeing a conclusive ending, but I definitely notice the shoujo-esque moments being more over-the-top than 13 year old me remembers. I was wondering if any of you guys were experiencing the same thing? The nastalga’s there, definitely, but I also notice the enjoyment differences from when I was younger. The silly little things, like how Tohru has accidentally hugged them three times in one episode, flew over little me’s head.

I enjoyed watching Yuki and Tohru interact with each other a lot. Already, there’s that bonding going on and how Yuki noticing she’s different from other people. She isn’t disgusted by him or anything like that despite what he thought and was told. Kyo’s interactions are just as cute and he doesn’t know how to talk to her nicely. I also noticed how Kyo’s acting more visibly emotional compared to the older version and more flustered. It’s very cute, but also ruins his tough image a bit, especially with the art style making everything seem softer as well. Still, it’s very sweet and enjoying to watch.

Wow, sorry this review is turning out so negative but I really didn’t like the opening either? It was very soft but also kinda generic sounding. I don’t really know why, but the opening didn’t really stand out to me. I like more upbeat openings and more sombre, soft ending songs. Maybe I’m too stuck in nostalgia to like the new opening? The ending song is okay though.

Overall, the plot is progressing well and seeing Kyo being a little more openly expressive is a nice change. I hope that the next episode continues on this track, but also slows down the pacing just a little. So far, the adaptation is going well and I’m excited for the the next episode and to see any new changes.

Upcoming: Spring 2019 Anime

Spring 2019 First Impressions: Bungou Stray Dogs Season 3

Spring 2019 First Impressions: Fruits Basket (2019)

Anime Reviews

Bungou Stray Dogs Season 3 First Impressions

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Look at these babies they were so young

And so Bungou Stray Dogs is back once again! I’m so glad this series came back because I had read part of the manga, but it doesn’t have the same charm to me personally as the anime. But anyways, there will be spoilers so please keep that in mind, but for this first one, they won’t be so severe since it’s the first episode.

So far, the story is taking place in another flashback of sorts just like season two. It’s following Dazai and Chuuya who are roughly fifteen years old and how they meet and worked for the Port Mafia. Dazai was working for the Mafia first, but we’re not exactly sure how the relationship started, or why Dazai was in the room when Mori had killed their current boss. Still, it gives us a good picture that Dazai had been at the Port Mafia for a while at such a young age and was indebted to him because he had witnessed the murder. I think season two had more information and backstory about that scene, but it’s been awhile and I don’t remember much. Regardless, the moment was an important one and now Dazai is working for the Port Mafia.

Meanwhile, Chuuya is apart of a juvenile gang of sorts and is their “king of sheeps,” but he hates the title. Even now, his gift is pretty strong and he’s able to hold his own in a fight for the most part. Dazai, on the other hand, doesn’t seem that used to combat yet. After Chuuya gets captured by the Port Mafia, he’s forced to work with Dazai and their usual antics ensue. It’s nice to know that even when they were young and new to each other, they still hated each other and bickered. Kinda sweet actually; to me personally.

BSD’s New Promotional Visual

I have read the manga but again, it’s been a few years and I don’t remember much. I’m guessing that the plot of the anime is the same as the manga? But so far, I really like the Dark Era episodes, but especially this first one. I love Chuuya’s character and I’m always eager to know more about him. Overall, Stray Dogs has a good plot, pacing and story-telling but has had dips in quality over the past three seasons. Still a really good series, just have to stay around for those few boring bits.

I’m glad to see that the tone of the show is the same as previous seasons. The art style didn’t change and the sound choices sound (heh) about the same as before. The ending song was really good too! A great rock song, but also pretty catchy with an almost poppy edge to it. I can’t wait to hear the opening.

I’m wondering how long the Dark Era episodes are going to last. I like them a lot and it seems like Chuuya and Dazai have a mystery to solve so it might take a few episodes. I’m curious to see what the current gang is up to, but I’m almost starting to love the Dark Era timeline more than the current one. Hopefully season three can add some new flare to the current timeline because I really want to love that major part as well. The movie to me was really interesting and I hope that the third season can keep up with that pace.

Also is anyone else interested in suddenly reading literature because of this series? I love how the characters are named and characterized by famous writers and I really want to read more about them. Dazai’s book No Longer Human is particularly interesting to me and the summary itself reflects on his character so well. I’ve recently read Hawthorne’s and Mark Twain’s books so it’s interesting to see how they portrayed their characters.

But yeah, I’m interested to see where the story goes. This, along with Fruits Basket, will be updated weekly but next week’s update will come out late. I’ll be on the other side of the country and pretty busy, but I’ll have a scheduled post or two planned for next week.

Current Reviews

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for an Otaku Review (spoiler-free!)

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Aired: Spring 2018
Episodes: 11
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Slice of Life
Studio: A-1 Pictures
Source: Webmanga

Wotakoi: Love is Hard for a Otaku tells the story of a fujoshi otaku and a gamer otaku and their daily lives as a couple. I’d especially recommend this anime to people who love lighthearted romance and comedy with slice-of-life pacing. Their story is sweet and refreshingly. Along the way, you learn of other character’s relationships which are just as funny and sweet as the main couple. It’s a good fit for anyone wanting a “feel good” anime after a hard day of work, especially if you work in an office like these two!

Story: 6.5/10

I’d give the story a six point five out of ten. The premise is fairly unique and adds the flare of an office setting to add something new and interesting. The main set up with Narumi knowing Hirotaka since childhood isn’t anything new, but isn’t something very exaggerated and cliche. Having the side couple introduced balances the main couple out and provides a sort of variety. The other characters do that as well, and shows a different perspective on occasions which I enjoy.

Besides the main set up in the beginning, there’s very little development. The characters are complex, definitely, and we learn more about them as time goes on, but their relationships themselves don’t change much. I think the story definitely would have benefited from either a slightly faster pace or a second season. The story doesn’t go anywhere really, yet it’s still interesting as it focuses on character development and comedy more than fast-paced romance. By the end, you’ll definitely be craving more and maybe willing to look into the manga to see where their relationships go.

Characters: 9/10

I think the characters are really what makes Wotaku shine. They are relatable, quirky and unique as they slowly change over time. Narumi’s fujoshi tendencies and love of anime/manga is something I know people can really relate to and find themselves feeling the same about. Hirotaka being a gaming otaku is even more common and adds to the story a lot. The side couples add their own spin to things and they all get their own spotlight as the cast of characters is really small. The story focuses a lot of their antics, including side characters, and gradually learning little bits of their histories along the way. It also relies on every day activities and realism to tell their story.

My favorite character would have to be Hirotaka, as I love the sorta stoic, quiet boys who aren’t exaggerated to being sexy or hot. I feel like the anime itself does a good job of making the characters seem like average, normal people without seeming boring. He’s sweet; his small gestures towards Narumi seem so much bigger when he’s the one whose doing them!

Sound: 7/10

The music was average, nothing amazing but nothing bad either. The OP is cute and catchy, but I really didn’t feel anything special from it. The animations during the opening though were cool and the visuals were interesting with their body language and kinda dances? I liked watching the opening if not for the visuals alone. The ending is cute and catchy too if your into poppy music; which if your watching this show, you’re probably into.

Art: 7/10

The art style is vibrant and simple, which fits the anime perfectly. Each character has their own distinct hair color and style, which I particularly like. Sometimes character designs look too similar and can be hard to tell apart, but it isn’t a problem here. They all look very distinct from one another and fits their personalities well. The backgrounds and animations look nice and doesn’t looked rushed or sloppy. Overall, pretty good in the art department.

Enjoyment: 9/10

Combining everything- the art, music, characters and story- it creates this adorable anime which is hard to not find enjoyable. It’s so lighthearted and sweet to the point where it doesn’t matter that their relationship is slow paced. The tone is so youthful that sometimes you forget they’re people in their twenties working an office job. They act almost childish and the story puts them in silly situations, but that makes the story that much more enjoyable. It’s hard to stop once you watch one episode, wanting to know more.

Should I Watch It?

If your a lover of shoujo romances, romcoms, and/or consider yourself an otaku, I’d say give it a watch. It’s very lighthearted and silly, and will surely help you unwind after work and school. The pace is slow as per usual like most shoujo-esque romances, but once you’re aware of that, they’re not any reason why you shouldn’t watch it! Unless you don’t like anime/manga. But if that was true, I don’t know why you’d be here!